The Big Vandercook Caper

This just in: A larger Vandercook, swapping out the smaller No. 1 for a No. 3. Today, the second stage of my Vandercook move took place. [For those of you waiting to hear about the Wayzegoose, please forgive the diversion. Tomorrow is another day!]

First stage I did not see: Mark Barbour of the International Printing Museum moved my "new" No. 3 from Orange County to the International Printing Museum in LA County, where I worked at cleaning the "back" side-- which I will never see again, now that the press is against the wall of my composing room (aka shed!).

Second stage was today. Mark loaded up the No. 3 and hit the road for Santa Barbara (about 120 miles from the Museum), arriving at my home about 2:00.

First step of the move was to move the little Vandercook No. 1 proof press out to the driveway. Bye-bye, little Vandy! Mark and the pallet jack rolled little Vandy over 4x8 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood alongside my garage to the asphalt driveway, then down to the trailer.


Then, the big job: jacking up the big No. 3 and rolling it along the same route: down the driveway to the garage, turn left, turn right, and down the plywood road back to the composing room. A bit of an extra push/pull, and No. 3 was inside, where Mark manipulated the pallet jack perfectly and got No. 3 placed. Hello, big Vandercook!

A few more photos are at http://tinyurl.com/yc54kh5. All that's left to do is to clean her "near" side and re-attach the feed board. Then let 'er roll!

Moving right along, Summer's over already!

I didn't expect to become this far behind in posting, but it has been a busy and productive summer. June saw not only the miniature book workshop but the cat shelter work and my young cousin's graduation from Cal Poly (go, Kristina!), which was a thrill. In July I began planning my trip to the APA Wayzegoose in Iowa in mid-September. This involved printing for two keepsake bundles (Ladies of Letterpress did an Old Maid deck, and Paul Moxon organized a 100th anniversary Vandercook bundle).

My dreaded-but-ordinary birthday came and went. One of those "ending in 0" birthdays, but nothing happened! Not only did the sky not fall, neither did I. The most that happened was that a dear friend shanghai'd me to a nail parlour and I got the "Spa" toenail/foot massage treatment. What fun! Then we drove to Lompoc for a Proper Tea, allowing my Alien Feet to follow me there. And a good time was had by all, including the feet.

I also went to inspect a Vandercook printing press. It's about twice as big as the one currently in the Composing Room. I don't know why, but I decided to adopt the bigger one and sell the littler one. I measured carefully and I *do* have room. In a manner of speaking.

Today I went into the Composing Room (aka "shed") and cleaned it out in preparation for the Big move-in. Tomorrow morning my contractor's "guys" will place the type cabinet seen way in the back (empty) on top of the cabinet in the front/right of the photo. Then, I will add the mountain of typecases seen on the left of the photo. It'll be all ready for the Big Vandercook Exchange at 1 PM. You can see the "little" Vandercook on the right. Its replacement will be much larger!

I'll write about the Wayzegoose in the next edition. It deserves its own entry.

Deerie me, who's this?

I volunteer at the county cat shelter (ASAP), where we care for needy animals of the feline persuasion (commercial: Please consider adopting an adult cat! They get overlooked when kittens are available).

The other day, though, a rescue worker came through to show us her new foster critter-- who is definitely not a cat! But oooh, so cute- about 2 days old in this photo.


This lucky little guy will go to an open range shelter in the back country to grow big and strong; after deer hunting season is over he/she will be ready for release. Go, deerie! Have a great life!

Books 5 & 6 Make a Pair

Someday, when my baby grandchildren are old enough to enjoy books, they will each have a miniature book made by Grandma. These two are bound in the traditional manner by being sewn, backed, and cased in as are bigger casebound books. They are covered in origami paper; the flyleaves are marbled in the European tradition. How appropriate for these precious babies: they are of both Japanese and European ancestry.

These books have no text yet. Grandma is still considering whether to write the stories herself, or write stories the children tell her as they grow up!

The Fourth Book

And here we have yet another book- a structure invented by Peter Thomas called a scrolling book. He says he got the idea from the process of scrolling to read all the words on a single computer screen. A member of my Adult Ed bookbinding class gave me the nice cover paper; the flowers are slightly embossed.



For the content of this book I took a long strip of thin paper and printed some of the Kate Greenaway "mignionettes" (child figures) on it, leaving space between them to add text. I have not written the story yet that will go with them. The scroll should have more closely fit its container. As it is now, the scroll does not hold itself back from unrolling. Still, it's an interesting form and I am pleased with the little images and the way they fit the format.

Book the Third

Book three is another accordian book. Since accordian books want to spring open, this one, too, has a band closure. It will be imprinted with the book title, as will the book itself.



The working title is "Florecita mi Bonita," in honor of Miss Flora, my elderly purring teddybear. This time, the accordians are nested. Black "Paper doll" cats leap across the pages.



I know approximately what the text will be, but I have not yet added it to this little book.

Second Book

Book two is "Ocean." It is an accordian book whose covers I have not yet foil stamped. The wavy band holding it closed is cut from book cloth. Only one end of the accordian is anchored; the loose end has a panel to pull out the text.





Pulled out text is two-sided. The first is marbled paper whose edges reminded me of waves breaking; the torn bottom edge represents the meeting of ocean and sand. The second side is my brief handwritten poem about the colors I see in the ocean near home.

Bookaholic

Yep. It's true. There is nothing like a book for me. Technophile that I may be, I can't snuggle up with a kindle and be happy. But give me a cat (or two) and a good book, and I'm a champion napper, err.... reader!

So now you know why this little bookshelf is beginning to fill.

I made all of these miniature books in one weekend- a workshop at the International Printing Museum (Carson, CA) with Peter Thomas of Santa Cruz. Despite my binding & repair of full size books, I took the class with an eye to having some fun, and fun it was indeed. I'll have to do subsequent posts to show them all off. The shorthand version of the weekend was that Peter, who is internationally known as a book artist, papermaker, and binder, is also a teacher extraordinaire. He leads workshops with humor, serious discussions about the future of the book and print, tales of his learning curve, and ukelele serenades. Each of us in the workshop had no trouble keeping up, from the beginner sitting next to me to the experienced printer/binder on my other side. The pacing was great and our output of learning samples impressive.




This one is the travel journal, designed to fit into a shirt pocket as a small souvenir collector- pockets on each page of it, with room to write notes. I think two views of it are enough for the first post. I hope to have time tomorrow to add the other books.

Travel journal open:



I wonder what delights will fill this when I've actually travelled with it!

Custom Ts for Valentines

'Way back in September my son & his wife had darling, but premature, twins. They've spent that time growing and getting healthy. I printed these shirts for them for Valentines' Day, but they were not quite big enough to fill them out. Now, however, they fit nicely. I'm delighted to have permission to post their photo wearing letterpress-printed t-shirts. Grandma designed them using a rubber stamp, mounted type-high, and some new type from M&H in San Francisco. Ink in Tubes supplied the bestest, reddest printing ink, perfect for shirties for these much-loved little babies!

Printer Jam!

Barely before Christmas, I composed my annual (almost-sent) Christmas letter and sent it to the laser printer. The annoying thing was that the paper took the opportunity to jam. I was just tired enough, and mad enough, and it was late enough, that I walked away and went directly to bed. Knowing how difficult the paper path is to clear, I simply avoided the issue until today.

Since I had something to print out today, and my friends Dave and Angeliq are staying the weekend, Dave said he'd take a look at the printer for me. He's had years of experience in computer lab situations and I knew if anybody could clear the paper path, it would be Dave.

Presto! Dave got the rest of the paper out, but when he tipped the machine to make sure he'd gotten it all, we heard a small clunk on the table. "I think your type is falling out of the printer," quipped Dave, as he retrieved not one, but two sorts of metal type.

Only another letterpress printer would have laughed like Dave and I did.




The type actually fell from a ledge in the outside back of the printer's case, in case you're wondering.

Euphonious, it is not

Boy, who knew!

In checking Wikipedia for something entirely different, I ran across an entry most odd.

But first! What does the name STOPLIGHT LOOSEJAW bring to mind? Shouldn't that be the name for the terminally selfish idiots whose cell phone habits are unreformed-- so much so that when the light turns green, THEY just sit there, chatting away? I mean. What a perfect name for such jerks. They are Stoplight Loosejaws!

Of course, better they don't try to actually drive while talking. That is finally illegal in California, as it should have been from the start. Almost without exception, the very worst drivers I see on the road are those with a phone plastered to their ear. I hope you, my reader, are not one of them. They are a threat to all our well-being and a danger to themselves as well as us.

But I digress. So Wikipedia has an article on the STOPLIGHT LOOSEJAW (no, I am not making this up!) at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoplight_loosejaw

Enjoy! And try not to earn the name yourself! (grin)

==Marjorie

America wins

I have just watched Senator McCain's concession speech, followed by Senator Obama's speech. It is an extraordinary time in our history. I loved that Senator McCain emphasized that he would continue working for America, and that Barak Obama would be his president. We've changed, we Americans. We needed to. We've elected a non-white as President, and it's not even a huge deal.

I have not been a vocal supporter of Barak Obama; I liked both candidates in fact. But I did not like the politics of McCain's supporters. I voted for Obama.

Watching the crowds waiting for President-elect Obama to come out and speak made me consider the many things I have observed since my teens, when racial discrimination was real in our South, and heroic marchers defied the status quo to gain the freedom to be Americans. I remember cringing while watching the news of those events. During a summer in Mexico I saw on the news fire hoses turned on freedom marchers. I felt humiliated for my country as the mother in my Mexican family commented on the "poor black people" who were being so abused.

I remember my incredulity that people could hate one another for such trivial differences, and my vow to raise any child of mine to be colorblind. I remember my strong desire to treat all people with dignity and honor, despite those who would not.

I remember my determination to leave the country if George Wallace won his race for President, fearing his platform of racism and hatred.

Dr. Martin Luther King's "I have a Dream" speech is memorized in part by many schoolchildren. I thought of it as I watched the waiting crowd. The candidate was elected, to paraphrase Dr. King, "not on the color of his skin but on the content of his character." Unlike the crowds who gathered in the Mall to listen to Dr. King speak, in Chicago the crowd was of all ages and all races, together to greet their victorious candidate. It was, to use the Biblical phrase, a "mixed multitude."

One might expect wild celebration of this crowd, an out-of-control mob scene. But they waited with calm jubliation, some dancing to the background music, anticipating Obama's appearance. For the most part, their noise did not interrupt Obama's speech.

There were huge smiles and tears of joy. I was moved as I watched the crowd, thinking what a great moment this is for our country. When the camera zoomed in on Jesse Jackson, he had tears streaming down his face. I suspect they were not so much tears of joy but tears of accomplishment, of completion; tears, perhaps, of satisfaction. And joy.

And the tears in Jackson's eyes are also in mine.

Toadily!

Ok, YouTube is taking over the world, but we knew that.

I can't resist posting this little fairy tale for friends to enjoy. I sometimes feel like that toad- a little cramped in here. The garage project is beginning, but it will only net me a foundation and floor: much needed, but I'll have to really, really organize to use it. I needed more space! A car "tent" has gone up in the driveway, and doesn't look as bad as I'd expected it to. There are sides & doors, so it will protect the garage contents until I can get them sorted and re-placed. THEN I will have to get some more storage boxes for the craft & sewing supplies currently in my way in the house. And get rid of more. Yeah. There IS that.

And now, for a delightful tale, set to some wonderful music:

Doubly Besotted

I warned you. Twins! They were due in the late fall, but decided that on Labor Day (!) they could not wait. DDIL had an emergency C-section and here they are! One of Each, and Grandma (and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa) could not be more delighted.

Their precious little faces are not destined for public places until DDIL says so, but I think I'm Ok in posting some teensy little handses.


Precious little ones were both under 2 pounds, and each had issues with his/her heart valve closing, as it should after birth. So, first Boy, and later Girl, were airlifted to a special children's hospital to get their valves closed. And they are doing well! The latest thing is that they've been eating small amounts of mom's milk and tolerating that. I never knew that preemies sometimes can't digest even the best foods, and I am so happy they are doing well with it.

I have to wait until Oct. 9 before I visit them again, and I can hardly wait to be allowed to hold them. Watching them recover from surgery when less than 3 weeks old was amazing. Literally, the only touch I could give them (besides prayer) was holding tiny hands. And knitting preemie caps. Each has three, and now I'm working on larger sizes, for these darlings will grow.

Grandma is such a sacred title to me that it's a bit of a stretch to put it on. I had only one grandmother, and she was a hard act to follow! I hope to be able to bless these babies with as much love as she shared among her 6 grandchildren.

I want to be able to make wonderful things for them and knitting, crochet, tatting, sewing, and all the other evil habits I've picked up over the years will come in handy. I can only pray that these babies will be a blessing to their parents and that we in the elder generation will be a blessing to all.

Doing the Happy Dance, Marjorie

No photo just yet, but progress is happening

I found a table! The old one, with its load of junk, was followed by the stopgap card table during the kitchen remodel. And now, finally, a nice *round* table to take their place. It looks so good that I'm not even tempted to pile it with junk. Every time I walk by and see it, with its embroidered centerpiece and art glass vase, I catch my breath in wonder. A real dining room table.

The best part? It's a thrift store find. I saved at least $500 over antique prices. Heh.

This weekend it's up north again, to attend a baby shower for my daughter-in-law. Twins! I'm very pleased. I was waiting anxiously for grandchildren, but managed (somehow) not to ask the nagging question, "When?" Maybe there's a gold star waiting in Heaven for me for managing to restrain myself there (grin!).

When I return home, all those delayed projects are going to jump on me at once. I have pickets to nail to the driveway gate; shades and bench covers for the kitchen; and drapes for the living room. Then there's the settee and chair to recover. And Adult Ed will have begun. Whee!!!

Photos to post after this coming long weekend. Stay tuned.

How is this letterpress related? I suspect because of the conspicuous absence of letterpress printing being mentioned here! I have a half-finished project to complete in Sunnyvale, so that's for this weekend. It's my first tightly-registered two-color job, and if I do say it, I'm quite happy with the effect. It requires three runs, because I have only two of the two-color bits to use, so to print them two-color, and then again in black, requires 3 runs: one for each color, and one to show them side-by-side in black only. I'll have to cut some more paper for this coming run, then finish the entire job. It will be nice to finally have something interesting to show.

But in Goleta? Not much letterpress. The garage floor work will begin soon, and when that's finally complete the big press can move from San Jose to Goleta. And THEN watch out!

Into the Sunset

In more ways than one, the Gap Fire has headed into the sunset. It burned to the west, and firefighters got control of the housing areas that were in danger.

This shot was taken the night after I wanted it. It replaces the I-didn't-post-that cell phone shot. But the image expresses my relief at the exit of the Gap Fire from the edges of Goleta. After taking this shot, I walked out on the pier and got the shot from the post just down from here.

Somehow, I prefer this shot! ;)

A week later, Gap is Gone

Despite the fact that the Gap Fire continued burning to the West of us (up the mountain range), the firefighters (long may they wave!) got the close edges of the fire contained -- HOORAY -- and things are much better now. By last Wednesday almost all the ash dropping on us has stopped.

But we have unfinished business here. I did not post the one, bad cell phone picture, nor the one taken from the Goleta pier. So here they are.

While walking on the pier, July 4th, I was so frustrated that my camera batteries were dead. The fire had spread to a very wide space indeed, and the flares were huge- and scary. Beyond awesome. I spotted another pierwalker, and grovelled a bit to borrow his batteries just for one shot. Here it is. I think it evokes my emotions at that moment. Shook up, desiring to document this scary event, but utterly awed by the size of the fire and its possible ability to destroy my hometown and even my home.

Smoke in all our eyes

Yeh. It really is. I went to the beach about dusk to get some shots of the Gap fire from the pier (great panorama of the mountains), but rats- my camera batteries had croaked AND I had no new ones with me. I tried taking a shot or two with my cell phone, but talk about the wrong tool. I'm not posting those.

I walked out on the pier, despite all the floating ash, and found it busy with fishing folks and lots of others, more so than usual. Most were staring at the hills in awe. The fire seems to have doubled since last night, and active flaring was going on. It was impressive.

Frustrated, I spotted a guy with a camera and asked if he had any extra batteries. Nope, he didn't, but I asked if I could take ONE shot please on his batteries. Fortunately his were the same size as mine, and I got my one shot. Sadly, it was hurried, so it blurred. I'll have to process it and post it tomorrow. Power was off again when I got home. I read by candle lantern until power came back on.

Spent the rest of the evening digging out family photos and placing the boxes next to the back door just in case -- a further evacuation area is only a mile and a half away. Even with a freeway in the way, I'm getting prepared. These things can move very fast.

Tomorrow, I hope I'll have photo. And that I still have power. If you're a praying person, please pray for poor old Goleta, and blessings on you.

The pelicans were fishing tonight. The sky was quite dark with smoke, but there they were, cruising above the water like ghosts of the smoke, white patches on their heads gleaming in the grayness. I always enjoy watching them dive- they simply jacknife into the water and come up with fish. Tonight, the fire was omnipresent over my shoulder and the smoke kept reminding me of it. Somehow, I couldn't enjoy the pelicans as much as usual, so I went home.

Adding a link for Gap Fire photos

These are not mine. The photographer was at the fire lines with crews early yesterday morning. http://www.independent.com/news/2008/jul/02/ray-fords-gap-fire-photos/
Just go look- there are some good shots there, far better than my distant ones with cheapie point-n-shoot.

The Gap Fire, Goleta

The hills are alive, not with the sound of music, but with the scary sight of flames. A wildfire called the "Gap Fire" broke out July 1 in the hills above my home in Goleta. The last news that evening was that it was perhaps on 5o acres; tonight the report is 350, but it's probably more like 500 acres - and growing.

In 1955 the Refugio Fire burned that area. I remember being a very small child and standing on our back porch with my parents at dusk, watching the flames creep downhill. Last night I had the same feeling. Unsettling. This time, I am the responsible adult, with no mommy and daddy to make me feel safe. Good thing my Heavenly Father takes care of me .

This has been an opportunity for me to consider just what I would save, were I to have to evacuate. There's no way I can move my presses and type, though I can perhaps manage to pack a few of the antique faces. But my focus must be on family heirlooms, photos, genealogy; financial, of course; computer; and cats. Oh, yes, and my favorite small sewing machine. All that will fit in the car. Clean underwear, too.... clothes are replaceable, but clean underwear! Wouldn't you? I mean! I have no problem wearing donated clothing or thrift store purchases, but underwear! Nope, that would not be me. I wants me own.

Kitty carriers are at the ready. Likewise cosmetics, prescriptions, and computer. If I gotta go, I gotta go. At least the gas tank is full.

Here are a couple of my attempts at photography of the Gap Fire: The first shot is July 1, from my back porch. It was a baby fire then. The white blob is a street light that got in the way.
Second: about 6:30 PM today, June 2, from the Goleta Library, looking into the hills nearby. Fire had expanded about 10 times its last night size. In that shot it may be about 3 miles away from the Library.
Shot three, taken looking across Fairview from the Library. The sun was an orange blob in a smoky orange/gray sky. The camera doesn't do it justice, except to emphasize how ominous a wildfire sky looks.
Shot four was taken at deep dusk from the street a block from my house. Flames are much lower down the mountain than they were last night. The tree you are looking through is a palm tree, silhouetted against the firelight. Distance seems to flatten the image, but the fire is still about 4 miles from that palm tree.

Finally, this shot was taken about 9 PM from the Fairview Avenue Overpass (101 Fwy). The fire is expanded, lower, and flaring 20 - 30 feet high. You can see the freeway below, the horizontal lights of the shopping center, and the ridge alive with fire above. This is not even the entire width of the fire, just what the camera could capture with incredibly low light.