Hatch Show Print at EMP in Seattle

Hatch Show Print, Nashville's almost-130-year old letterpress print shop, is bringing an exhibit of their work to the Experience Music Project in Seattle. Hatch is known for it's music industry posters, designing and printing event posters for everyone from B.B. King to Dolly Parton to the White Stripes. But they've got some great work from events as diverse a Negro League baseball games to the Kentucky State Fairs, too. I've been a fan since the owner, Jim Sherraden, came to speak when I was in school for design. Exhibit runs October 11, 2008 through July 16, 2009.

Grey Garden Thank You Notes

We are excited to release these 4 new thank you note designs, hot off the presses last week. I am kind of into muted yellow at the moment (We've even used yellow, tan and a smaller dose of watermelon pink for our 2009 Valentines), and love this combo with light blue and warm grey. These are available on our website, in boxes of 8 folded cards and blue or white envelopes, for $12.50. They are printed with vegetable based ink on lovely FSC-certfied & recycled white stock.

Tuesday's the Big Day

Here is some inspiration to get out and vote. These posters are part of the AIGA Get Out the Vote 2008 campaign. See more submissions, and find out how to buy your favorite poster here. No matter who wins, Wednesday means no more political TV spots, something I think we can all celebrate.

ANOTHER Occasion we hadn't thought of

Apparently we are just not thinking over here at Pinkerton Design. While we've been busy designing birthday, anniversary and thank you cards, the geniuses at inSPOT.org have been coming up with "Hey, I think I gave you an STD!" cards. The scary thing is these are for real. See all your options here.

let me introduce myself...

Or just my arms & toes, that is. I've worked here at Pinkerton Design for a year and a half and I believe my big break was our tote bag photo shoot! :) Thanks to all the great blogs for the press coverage since launching our new site! It's exciting to see blogs I read religiously admiring Pinkerton as much as I do. And now I'm all over the internet. Mom and Dad would be so proud.

WORKING ON: Todd & Holland Tea Catalog

There isn't much time these days to take on graphic design projects, but every year I do design Todd & Holland Tea Merchants' catalog. Here are a few shots from this year's photoshoot, along with a couple faves from last year. Photos are all skillfully taken by Chicago photographer Kipling Swehla. Lots of fine teas and most of the accessories you see here are available on the Todd & Holland site (where you can also sign up to receive the finished product, their print catalog). Ok, back to working on it, enough talking about it.

Print & Pattern Blog

Thanks to Bowie at the oh-so-inspiring blog, Print & Pattern, for the great coverage of our recycled totes yesterday. See the profile here and while you're at it, peruse the many other great finds she's collected.

Illustrator Adrian Johnson

A friend of mine owns a pizza place in the UK (Clever Wally's) and introduced me to the work of London illustrator Adrian Johnson, who does work for his pizza business. I love these illustrations, kind of retro but modern. Especially love this witch, I guess because Halloween is on the brain. I am fascinated when someone takes something you've seen drawn a million times (a tree, a bird) and draws it in a way you would not expect. There is lots to see on his site, and tees for sale here so you can order your own little piece colorful, funky art, right here in the U.S. of A.

Photographer Dick Garvey

On a recent trip to San Juan Island, we stopped in Scott Milo Gallery in Anacortes, WA, and discovered these beautiful large-format prints by local photographer Dick Garvey. Generally a city girl, I was surprised how drawn I was to his agricultural shots -- instead of what could be a cliche shot of a farm in the hills, his versions are graphic, modern, and seem to be taken when the light is at its most interesting. The prints we saw were huge - so much more impactful than these small, on-screen versions. I hope they don't all sell out while I debate which is my favorite!

An Occasion We Hadn't Thought Of

The greeting card industry doesn't get profiled much on TV shows (the only exception we can think of is 90's sitcom Caroline in the City, which we never watched), so we cracked up recently while catching up on the Flight of the Conchords on DVD. John Hodgman makes a cameo as a greeting card exec, agreeing to use one of the Conchords' songs in a musical greeting card. Predictably, it's not a big money-maker, especially since it gets used on a card for an occasion with not much mass appeal: HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY, SON.

BOO.

With just over a month until Halloween, it's time to load up on mini candy bars and contemplate what you (or your kids) will be this year. Too bad they don't make these anymore - problem solved! And if you are throwing a party, you are going to need invitations! This is our first year offering Halloween imprintables -- there are two designs, jack-o-lanterns and not-so-spooky spider. Both come in boxes of ten, with orange envelopes, and can be easily customized at home with your laser or ink jet printer. Available on our online shop!

Lucky Deals in Seattle

Pinkerton thank you notes are featured in September's Lucky Magazine. Seattlites -- visit Paper Delights in Wallingford, one of our favorite local shops, and get 20% off everything, including Pinkerton products! Paper Delights, 2205 N. 45th Street, 206.547.1002

First Things First

It's a little intimidating writing the first post in a blog, so let's get this one over with. Done. Moving on.