Alee & Press » Blog

Granville Island, Vancouver BC

alee — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:21:26 +0000

I was up in Vancouver, BC over the holidays and this caught my eye in the window on display at Black Stone Press on Granville Island, it made me grin!

If you have never been to Granville Island it is a trip worth its weight in luggage (I’d say gold, but that’s expected right?). Granville Island is home to Emily Carr University of Art and Design. Inspiration oozes out of every nook and unexpected cranny, no matter which way you want to wander. I enjoyed the little quotes peppered on old buildings off the main walkways and old decrepit walls. Art, in its many forms, is the life of Granville Island–well that and the Granville Island Brewing, Canada’s first microbrewery. I didn’t get to hang out there, but it gives me a reason to head back soon. Nestled safely in the English Bay, are studios, vibrantly colored buildings down industrial paths, houseboats, cafes, theater and performing arts… I don’t know where to stop. Every creative thing you can think of you will find at Granville Island. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, or are planning a springtime getaway to Vancouver you have got to put this little whimsical place on your itinerary. The only other unexpected detail is realizing how much time you should have allocated to your trip there.

2012 Wedding Collection Preview_Part II

alee — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:21:05 +0000

A few more… We have lots to say about the new designs but considering this is just a sneak peak, we’ll hold out for another day. Besides, we wouldn’t want the newness to wear off. One thing does need to be mentioned, check out the two tone ink on the names in “Juliet”. Is it a gradient? not exactly, but it is one of our new printing obsessions. Subtle, classy and cool on what could otherwise be just another boring invitation. Well, maybe if the script wasn’t this gorgeous and bold.

2012 Wedding Collection Preview_Part I

alee — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:22:14 +0000

With this year almost to an end, we wanted to show a little sneak peak of what we have in the works for 2012. The new Wedding Collection will make its debut at the National Stationery Show in May but we can’t hold out that long and want to get some of these designs on press for early 2012 weddings. Let us know if you need any pricing or more information about the new collection. Enjoy!

Insanity!!!!!!!

alee — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:30:46 +0000

As you know, we at Alee & Press have been working on our fitness. In honor of bathing suit season, we gave up our “working lunches” of beer and pizza and decided to have “workout lunches” instead. Specifically we have been torturing ourselves with Shaun T and his INSANE Insanity workouts. Let me just say, this is not for the faint of heart. One day we were faced with a dilemma. Workout clothes in the car. Hurricane in progress. No raincoat or umbrella. Now some people may just bag it and call it a day…but not us. Oh no my friend, if this isn’t dedication, I don’t know what is!

Our New Motto

alee — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:30:58 +0000

We just got this poster and we think it’s awesome. Special bonus that it’s letterpressed to boot!

image courtesy of Baltimore Print Studios http://baltimoreprintstudios.com/2010/04/posters-for-sale/

Inspiration: Type Installations

alee — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:30:02 +0000

We stumbled upon this designer’s website and all we have to say is WOW. These typographic installations are incredible. We are truly awe inspired. Ebon Heath, you are our new hero. If you want your mind blown, go here: http://www.listeningwithmyeyes.com/stereotype.html

Equally Wed Launch Party

alee — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:12:43 +0000

Having already printed quite a few invitations for same sex unions, we were thrilled to hear about a new online magazine geared specifically toward same sex weddings. The magazine was founded by two amazing women, Kirsten and Maria Palladino, after finding a severe lack of resources when they were planning their own wedding. We had the privilege of meeting them and being a part of the magazine’s launch party. Signature cocktails, yes please! Wedding cake, don’t mind if I do!

image source: http://atlanta.metromix.com/events/essay_photo_gallery/equally-wed-launch-party/2028565/content

Laura learning how to pose. Classy!

Our new studio

alee — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:46:48 +0000

For the past year and half Alee & Press had overtaken all 700 square feet of my hubby’s & my condo. It grew gradually, but for more time than I like to remember, we had a bed in the corner and were living in a letterpress studio. IT WAS CHAOS! It definitely had it’s upsides but many, many downsides. At the start of 2010 I was dying for a home that we could relax in & that I could start designing. We were out of room for the growing business, even with all my clever storage & shelving. With the need for some full time help, we decided it was finally time to move the business on out! On moving day it was a little bittersweet. I cried as I looked at everything all boxed up and ready for the movers & continued to until the next morning when the movers arrived. It was a bit surreal that it was actually happening and I was overwhelmed with how much we had sacrificed and how much I had achieved in such a short amount of time. I’m sure I was stressed out too, as moving is not fun. The movers took EVERYTHING except the bed and 2 boxes with books and dvds!!! I’m now learning how to leave work at work (it’s hard) and enjoy making small messes at the studio that I don’t have to stare at while I’m laying in bed at night! I’m probably a much more pleasant person to live with these days. My husband is a saint!

I will miss printing looking out to this. It never got old.

Ready for the movers.

The new HUGE studio. I’m in love with the archway!

I’ll post pictures once the studio is camera ready. We’re still in the process of unpacking and getting it how we want it.

6 months later…

alee — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 15:59:37 +0000

YIKES! Time has flown. I don’t know how people keep up with their blogs, it’s seriously a fulltime job! Never the less, we’ve been delightfully busy around here and moving forward we will be posting much more regularly. The 2 major happenings since October have been having an invitation suite featured in Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine in December (YAY!!!!) + moving into a MUCH larger studio space in Candler Park which we are loving.

Pretty Bows

alee — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:26:58 +0000

I just finished wrapping a wedding gift and realized that I do whatever I can to get around the task of tying a bow. I would rather just tie a knot. Most times the aesthetic I’m going for doesn’t really make sense for a bow and a lot of the times I think bows can be tacky, but that’s only because they haven’t been done right. With the right material, a bit of skill and a play with scale, this shouldn’t be too hard right? Great tutorials here and here. Maybe my next wedding gift wrap job will have a pretty bow.

[image above, top row from left: yellow bow from band.do, napkin bow from martha stewart, figure eight bow from Martha Stewart, tuxedo bow from Martha Stewart, headband from ban.do]

[image above, top row from left: medallion bow from Martha Stewart, recycled paper bow from The Spotted Sparrow, recycled map bow from How About Orange]