tags + labels for TARO crochet

For a little over a month now, I've been hooked on crocheting.

It started with the desire to make myself a cowl. On the spur of the moment, while visiting my mom, I asked her to teach me how to crochet. She did, and the next thing I knew I was crocheting cowls for two straight weeks, probably one a day.

I'm delighted to say that I love doing it. I especially like using soft, wool-blend, thick and chunky yarn. And oh, the colours! I partly made so many cowls just to see them in so many different colours. Not only are they beautiful but they really do keep you warm. While I was knee-deep in cowl-making, the temperatures here in Toronto were unkind. Freezing rain, snow, and wind chills in the forecast made me giddy and looking forward to cowl-wearing weather!

In the midst of taking up this new-found interest, I started an Instagram account to document the goings-on of it all. And in doing that, I started to get orders for the cowls. And because of that, I decided to create a name for the work that I was making and designed and printed tags/labels to send out with the orders. It's been a whirlwind of making and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

The cowls are made to order and I'm still slowly adding more colours to line. And because of that, I'm taking the time to crochet rather than to set-up an online ordering system. For now, folks are ordering through the TARO Instagram feed and by emailing me at taromakes[at]gmail[dot]com.

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Little Book of Numbers

You guys, the Little Book of Numbers is done! I completed the book last week and am so pleased at how it turned out. It has 13 pages, printed mainly in black but red was used for the back and front covers. I've also included a bookplate with every edition! I personalized the one for Marcus by printing his initials on it. The book is held together by two handy metal rings (which can be opened should I ever want to include more pages). The numbers and words of numbers were all handset and the acquired images were individually printed. This means that one book was hand-fed through the press 79 times!

I introduced the book to Marcus (19.5 months) yesterday and he was quite interested. The timing was good because he is very much into books and has recently started counting. Or rather, repeating numbers when he hears or sees them. He only gets as far as two and skips to eight and nine, but it's still a marvellous thing for his parents to hear it :) The book is nice a small and fits comfortably in his little paws and he has no trouble separating or turning the pages. He even recognizes some of the images, like the birds and the rockets (or "planes" as he refers them to). It was great to see Marcus and the book in action together.

I've only made 10 of these books and they are currently being sold in the online shop. I've also reserved a couple to bring and sell at the Parkdale Flea this Sunday!

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Dear friends, 

Snap + Tumble will have a table at the second Parkdale Flea! The weather forecast looks good, so if you're in the hood, swing by and say hello. There will be antiques, collectibles, food and beverage vendors and local craft-folk. It would be lovely to see you there!

Sunday August 4th, 2013

1266 Queen Street West

10am-5pm

no entry fee!

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lovers rock

It's no big secret that I am a big Sade fan. Have been since I was 16 years old. No Ordinary Love is just one of those timeless songs. In 2001,  the band came out of an eight year hiatus and I attended her Toronto performance. Fast forward another ten years, and she released Soldier of Love. And that was my second Sade concert in 2011.

My latest print is the title of her fifth album, Lovers Rock. I handset my favorite gothic wood type in the mini Showcard and mixed a light beige I call 'sand'. The second colour is a Process Blue mixed with Transparent White and I got something that I call 'sea' and it looked like glass on the palette. Pretty, right? That colour was laid on top of the beige for the second pass. I wanted to stop there but also wanted to experiment with a third colour, gold, for the top portion of 'lovers'. I took one of my misaligned prints and made the third pass on the press. You can see the results in the last photo. I love the two prints equally.

The limited edition Lovers Rock print is now for sale here. The three colour print will also be for sale (only two available) at a discount because of it's misalignment, just email me if you're interested in this one.

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28th Annual OCAD U Book Arts Fair

I hope to see some of your smiling faces at the OCAD Book Arts Fair tomorrow!

Saturday December 1, 2012

10:00am to 5:00pm

100 McCaul St., Great Hall

Toronto

"Hand printed books created by artists. Presented by OCAD U's Printmaking Program. For the past 28 years book artists and printmakers, papermakers and private press printers have gathered to show their work to the public and demonstrate their skills. The Printmaking Department at OCAD University will be displaying some of the fabulous handmade books and art created in our studios.

Proceeds from mounting the Fair, and from donations and the sale of raffle tickets support student book artists and printmakers in OCAD U’s Printmaking program."

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shop announcement

You guys, The Snap + Tumble shop is finally open today! I've stocked it with the well-loved starburst cards, sets of silhouette postcards, and the modern ornaments cards. I'm also happy to be offering simple custom calling cards with the choice of one of four fonts which will be handset. If you've got your eye on a set of 30 calling cards for a Christmas gift, please order before November 30th to get them in time for the holidays!

It's been a long time since the paper goods have been offered online - feels great to be back!

SHOP HERE

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loot bag count down

A warm thank you to those who picked themselves up a Letterpress Loot Bag from the pop-up shop yesterday. And hugs to those who shared and passed on the shop link, tweeted, blogged and sent messages. Some of you have asked if this will be the only time I make the loot bags, and the answer is no. But it won't be for another while so this is it for now.

I'm glad to see all of the loot bags off to good homes.

UPDATE: 7:57PM Loot Bags sold out!

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pop-up shop: letterpress loot bags

Hi Folks! The Snap + Tumble Pop-Up shop is OPEN and is featuring loot bags filled with letterpress stationery and the like! No peeking inside the bags, but trust me, the goodies are good! Only 16 bags...pick one up here.

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winter line now available!

Hi everyone! The winter line is complete and fresh off the press. I hope the simple images and messages suits you and yours this holiday. I've stocked only a couple in the online shop and will re-list them as they sell individually. The winter line includes three styles, dotted ring, wreath, and snowfall. I'll also have a few for sale at the OCAD Book Arts Fair.

Happy weekend, all!

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new prints in the shop!

I'm a fan of the Canadian band Metric. While listening to one of their songs yesterday, I got inspired to print using my new wood type. Have a listen, play it loud. I had to throw in some metallic ink during the print because that just seemed like the right thing to do.

 // limited edition prints (only 3 of each) now on sale here. //  

instructional series summer sale

Take advantage of the snap & tumble sale happening today until Friday August 6th.
The instructional series of letterpress cards are available for $4 CDN each (original price $6).

It's a steal for a card that can also be framed as mini art.

lounge in the afternoon can be bought here.

pitch a tent can be bought here.

fancy bow can be bought here.

birdhouse can be bought here.

baby's crib can be bought here.

Rocking horse can be bought here.