my new toy: the L Letterpress

Are you a fan of letterpress stationery?  Me too.  I love the look, the texture ... it just feels luxurious.  This week I've been playing with the L Letterpress combo system from Lifestyle Crafts and it is kind of rocking my world.

The L Letterpress is actually a plastic system that you run through a die cut machine to simultaneously ink and deboss the paper, which creates the look and feel of real letterpress.  I love that this system gives the at-home crafter the opportunity to experiment with letterpress - you don't need a studio, or a 1,000 pound machine (although that sounds dreamy, too).   While it won't replace the ancient method, it sure is a lot of fun.  You can learn a little more about the L Letterpress by watching these demo videos.

Last night I devoted the evening to my tube of pink ink and made lots of valentines.  For this first card, I did a blind deboss (no ink) for the words "I" and "you" using the Scholastic Plate.  I also pressed some matching envelopes with my last initial on the back flap.

 I used the Blossom printing plate to create this all-over blink debossed card, and a die cut to add the love tag (the word love comes from the Twigs and Sprigs printing plate).

More love cards ...

And finally, a little something for Ruby's wall.  Now I just need to find a frame.

Can you tell I love that Blossom all over print?  It is one of my favorites.  I also can't wait to get my hands on the new plates that have just been released - the Botanical and Wooden printing plates are calling my name.  And don't get me started on the custom plates.   I see glorious Homemade by Jill letterpress in my future.

If you want to get in on the letterpressing fun, Lifestyle Crafts is offering you a 20% discount using the online code: LC2011BLOG02.  The code is valid through Friday, February 18.

Check out The L Blog for more eye candy and inspiration.