Slowly they go out..

Well, I'm moving at the speed of smell and have managed to get 4 letters out this past week.  Catching up slowly but surely.  Little gift stuck in each one.  I found these REALLY nice letterpress bookmarks from one of my suppliers.  Hope the folks that have received them like and will use them.

Digging out of the mail hole..

Well, here we are, a new year and hopefully a new start on getting the pens and paper back out and reconnecting with neglected correspondents and readers.

Life has become a bit more stable, work projects have started winding down (3 studio control room rebuilds in the past 3 months).  Kaylee has gotten into a good grove with school (3rd grade) as homework is a daily routine with daddy and what is expected nightly.

So with that, if you have sent me a letter and received no response. PLEASE let me know as life just got to me.  I have missed sitting down at night and turning off the world and letting words and thought flow out onto a page and leave the house to be read by another.

Till next time

Derrick

Write Note Pads (Martha Stewart Finalist)

Ok so Trump is a joke.  Chris Rothe and his notepads are not.  recently coming out with a new (vertical) notepad (think Steno) that I personally have been waiting for.

First - Goto HERE  and like/share/tweet and give a few votes for Chris.  Entries starts  Sept 21.

Next- the new pad, Graph Paper Ledger Notebook, was announced 2 days ago.  I am placing my order today, even having just received my order of new Shenandoah Field Notes and replenishment of Steno pads that I just plow through.

In a comparison on paper :)

Field Notes Steno
80 Pages
Gregg-Ruled
6x9
70# Bright White

Graph Ledger
120 Pages
Graph paper 3/16" 
70# Paper
Rubber Band
(Bonus) 5-digit code inside grants access to the purchaser to see which inner-city school will benefit from the companion donation notebook

ALL SALES benefit local schools








Had done an interview with Chris that was to be posted on the site.  Things happened, as some of you have read.  Subject so old now that the conversation would seem like a best of rather than an in depth conversation with a really nice guy that has a really interesting history with the family business.  Maybe redo it if Chris is up to it as so many things have changed with his shop, new products etc.

With that, back later folks, slowly the ship turns..

Derrick

Farmers Markets and Stamps

Wondering how many of you folks enjoy going to the Farmers Markets in your area.  Here in the Sacramento region, we have LOTS of them to choose from and almost on a daily basis you can find one within a relatively short distance from your home.

For our family thee are at least 4 large markets open over the week.  The largest being the downtown Farmers Market open every Sunday under the freeway.  Boasted as the largest Certified markets in the area - open year round.

If you are on your way to the coast to cool off, one of my favs is Sunset Magazines as well.

3. POINT REYES FARMERS MARKET, Point Reyes Station, CA
The scene: Outside Toby's Feed Barn, it's all about straw hats, local gossip, and live bluegrass. This low-key, all-organic market has only a handful of booths, but in a teeny, never-too-touristy town, it's a prime example of how quality trumps quantity.
The find: Look for a simple white banner in back that says G.B.D. That stands for Golden, Brown, Delicious: Osteria Stellina organic bread oozing with Cowgirl Creamery cheese, a fried egg, and a fat, juicy tomato slice if you so choose. Grab a hay bale and enjoy. Sat through Nov 5; pointreyesweekend.com

SO, where does this fit in with the stamps??  The USPS is putting out a set that I will be getting a few sheets for.  The Summer Harvest collection

 

Love the graphic artwork as I am a sucker for this type of lettering.

Don't these just make you want to seek these produce items out??

So this summer, do yourself a favor and seek out FRESH produce at Your local farmers market and support your local organic/certified producer.

Why Cursive?

Have any of you heard about Cursive Logic??

From their website:

Cursive makes sense with CursiveLogic

CursiveLogic is different from other handwriting methods because, instead of relying on rote memorization, CursiveLogic relies on the inherent structure of the cursive alphabet. The CursiveLogic instruction method contains two key features:

 

Letters grouped by shape ― Four foundational shapes underlie the entire lowercase alphabet. Rather than teaching the letters alphabetically, CursiveLogic groups the lowercase alphabet into four groups based on the shape of the initial stroke of the letters and teaches all of the similarly-shaped letters in a single lesson.  Letters are also taught in a specific order that reinforces the pattern.  By teaching all of the similar letters together, CursiveLogic captures the natural synergy of the alphabet itself, allowing each letter in the series to reinforce the proper formation of all the others.

Letter strings ― CursiveLogic captures the flow of cursive by teaching all of the similarly shaped letters in a connected string rather than as individual letters. CursiveLogic’s letter strings teach students to connect letters from the first lesson, allowing students to internalize the flow of cursive handwriting even before they have learned all 26 letters.

CursiveLogic also uses visual and auditory cues to reinforce the shape patterns:

Theme colors — Each shape string has a color—orange ovals, lime loops, silver swings, and mauve mounds—that reinforces the formation of the basic common shape.

Verbal task analysis — Students learn a simple, rhythmical chant that describes the path of the writing instrument as the letter shapes are formed.  The process of verbally describing a motor task while performing it aids the acquisition of new motor skills. 

And CurisiveLogic is fun!  Students young and old love tracing and writing our shape strings.  CursiveLogic is the only handwriting curriculum that has an “element of fun” that comes from the alphabet itself.  No cartoon characters, songs, or gimmicks needed!

From ME:  I have ordered this as a backer on Kickstarter.  I also received another copy in a early review that I submitted to Kaylee's second grade teacher.  We have all come to the conclusion this is a great way to learn cursive handwriting.

There is much discussion lately on the importance of hand writting and cognition.  There is a great TED talk from Jake Weidmann

If you have ever thought about teaching your youngin' to scrawl on a sheet of paper - give this a go.

D

Time to share the LOVE

For those of you who have been reading this blog for the past few years.  I work for a group of radio stations.  This to me is one of the most rewarding charity events we do every year.  The creative cards we get from every where is absolutely amazing.  

If you have the time, please join in.  For the main office send.

KUDL Day Cards for Kids

5345 Madison Ave

Sacramento, CA 95841

Thanks 

Derrick.

Cards for Addie - Part 2 - American Greetings

GOOD MORNING!!

It's raining - FINALLY raining in Northern California.. Sit and stay awhile won't ya??

With continued lovely wet stuff, I received a very nice email from American Greeting cards.

"We reached out to Children and the Earth (the organizers of Addie’s request) and came up with a way for people to sign a card that is sent on their behalf at no cost. We’ve created this page  where people can fill out a simple form and then we will print the signatures on Christmas cards that will be sent to Addie and her family."

Click on the picture - It's a BIG link.. (see made it easy and stuff)

So for those of you wanting to really load this little girl up with cards, here is a way that will be of zero cost to you but priceless to a little girl.  It's moments like this that I am thankful for a healthy child.

Please pass this along.

D