when did this happen

Apparently having a facebook and twitter account doesn't help the aging process. I used to wear cool hats, clips, and feathers (ok- never did wear feathers) in my hair. Now...magnifying glasses to go along with the contacts. It doesn't help that I work with a bunch of talented 30 somethings and they have decided to print the numbers on the back of their cards in the smallest of fonts! I just want to get some new cards for Birch and they are making it tough.

One of my favorite culprits for making me feel, shall we say, "super, really, amazingly small print" challenged, is Stacy Pancake of Pancake and Franks- but that will NOT keep me from sharing her work. All of Stacy's cards are printed on 100% recycled paper. Enjoy.

Hours

I have had many people ask me when Birch is open. Since it is just me running the show and I have responsibilities outside of Birch (it's true!), I have hesitated to post any set hours. Instead, what I would like to do, is post my hours for the week here every Monday.

So, this week Birch Paperie will be open:

Thursday: 10 - 12 and 3 - 5

Friday: 11 - 4

Saturday: 10 - 3

Hope to see you.

Connection

A friend recently asked me "what is your word for 2010?". She wanted to know what I wanted to focus on for the year (and beyond)- much like a New Year's resolution, which I had decided not to "do" this year. For some reason, I haven't been able to shake the question. I have been sitting on it for a few weeks and it finally hit me. The word I felt described what I wanted to focus on this year is "connection". Connection to my kids, now teenagers, my busy husband, and my friends. Connection to my community- local and global. Connection to myself-my creativity, my body, my work. It will be my goal this year to look at those "connections"- how do I make them deeper, why have some "unraveled", what value do they bring me, how do I reconnect. The list goes on.

As part of getting more connected to myself and my global community, today I registered for the an exciting class: Unravellling: Ways of Seeing My Self. It is an e-course which last 8 weeks- taught by Susannah Conway, www.inkonmyfingers.typepad.com, from the UK. Using photography and journaling you dive into where your are, where you have been, and where you want to go. Registration started at 8 am this morning and closed 10 minutes later. I have already heard from one of my new "classmates"- a mom, writer, and Texan!. How cool.

Today I also received a box from Mr. Boddington's Studio, www.mrboddington.com. They have an amazing line of letterpress cards. Great color and design. I have been working on connecting with them for several months and finally started working together recently. Like many of you, I am terrible about sending cards: birthday, thank you, thinking of you, etc. But how fantastic would it be to receive a real card in the mail? Today, as part of my year of "connection" I will send a card to a friend that recently (as Mr. Boddington would say) joined the stroller set.

so glad I found you!

Today has been a little quiet at Birch, but I still have enjoyed being in my space, visiting with customers, and sneaking out for a lovingly made latte and cookie from Hiroki (great bakery in the neighborhood). Did I mention I am surrounded by bakeries: Mighty O Donuts, Zoka, and Hiroki? Another good reason to visit.

While sitting at my desk, thinking about getting my tax "stuff" together, I spotted one of my favorite cards designed by Brian Reed of Old School Stationers. Perched on a branch, two brown birds gaze into each others eyes and above the birds "I'm so glad I found you". I feel that way about my new space. I'm so glad I found it, I'm so glad I decided to make a change (not easy for me), and I'm so glad customers are also enjoying the space.