Hi there,

Thanks for popping in. Spent a day with Mum today, which was just great, before wending my way up to join Paul at the TV studios this evening. (4pm and 8pm today, and 8am tomorrow morning.)

Call it over cautious, call it paranoia, but if I’ve got a LIVE TV show at 9am tomorrow morning, and have to be at the Studios by 6am to set up, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’m travelling up the night before. And anybody who has ever had the Dartford Tunnel experience will easily understand why!

So what’s she doing on Create & Craft tomorrow that’s so important? Let me tell you. It’s a new idea, something that has been in the pipeline for quite some time, and something very dear to my heart: Quotes.

If you read this blog, you will know I try to offer up a thoughtful quote every time I post a blog. You will also be aware that we are the proud owners of a number of wonderful vintage platen presses…

This is the Father of them all: our mighty Reliance…

We use original woodblock alphabets on this printing press, which Dave has been slowly collecting. They cost a packet. Anything from £200 to £700 for an alphabet. But when you see how immaculately hand carved they are, you can appreciate their value for sure. I know nowadays, printing blocks like this are laser cut – hey! We’ve got 13 laser machines ourselves ! We know how it works! But you just don’t get the same beautifuly vintage feel or look. They are much coveted and much loved.

Some months ago, I had this idea. How about we create a series of Postcard Quotes using our printed woodblock letters? Proper woodblock typeface prints, which our crafting friends can then embellish or decorate or doodle on or Gelpress print on – in other words, make their own artwork out of them.

We had a team meeting, decided it was a good idea – and went for it. We all love a good quote! Jazz added: “Let’s offer the same quotes in smaller stamps”. Another good idea.

Here is the entire collection:

Launching tomorrow. Brand new release: 3 x A5 square Stamp Sets of fabulous quotes

Launching tomorrow. Brand new release: 3 x Sets of Vintage Postcards

When the Design team samples started pouring in, we knew we were on to a winner. They really embraced the idea of the Printed Postcard Quotes. I saw Eileen’s fabulous samples and reached out to her while we were in the States.

“I’ve had an idea Eileen. How would you feel about us creating a Project Pack of your printed samples and the Clarity stencils that you have used? People really love your style, and I think they would appreciate having prints and colour recipes in front of them to follow.” Eileen was very excited about it – so I reached out to our Lisa – she who would be in charge of the stencil manufacture and printing – she also thought it was a good idea and manageable – so a green light from Lisa too.

Launching tomorrow. Brand new release: Clarity Stencil Art by Eileen Godwin

As I was juggling all the printed letters around, sizing, spacing and laying up, I was shuffling various typefaces around, to see which looked best. I parked a load of letters on one page, so I could access them easily…and this brilliant artwork just seemed to appear as I added letters to it. ‘Twas meant to be…

Launching tomorrow. Brand new release: Mixed Impressions ABC Jungle Stamp Set, complete with Splats Stamp Set

More superb inspiration from the design team…

I hope you are as excited about this new concept as we are. So much thought, coordination, planning and work has gone into this idea, but there’s something very real and authentic about it. Whether you are making cards, wall art, journaling or just art for arts sake, these Postcards – which also come in a lovely SLOW DOWN BOX – will provide many hours of thoughtful creativity.

Please tune in at 9am tomorrow and enjoy.

Quote for today?

An idea is only as good as its execution.

Dane Shakespear

I can have all the ideas in the world, but without a switched on, willing and engaged team to move them forwards, my ideas are just that – ideas.

Love always,

Barb x x x