A few years ago Sarah’s friend, Audrey, purchased a small early 20th century hand letterpress that until recently was in storage. Since we live in a community of artists, someone is always interested in finding new ways to create unique pieces of art – artifacts that are pleasing to the eye. One of those artists, Stephen, gave some of his studio space for the press to be mounted and used. As an “inaugural” run Audrey, Stephen, and Sarah created some artwork to be made into plates for the press.
Letterpress became famous in the West when it was first used by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century. Before that, in the 11th century the Chinese had invented it using ceramic typesets for the lettering. This methodology for printing was used for over 500 years before losing prominence in the age of the computer. In the last two decades letterpressing has become popular as an artisanal form usually used for special mailings or artistic artifacts.
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Sarah designed our Christmas card this year to be printed on the letterpress. This design required two separate presses—one for each color of ink. In all, we did over 800 pulls of the press to create these artifacts.
From the Gospel of Luke the card shows visually that powerful moment when Jesus, the Word, became incarnate. The act of swaddling Jesus was not just a method of warming and protecting a young newborn, it was also evidence of the historical moment when God became flesh and lived among us. We can see why the angels proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest”!
Each card was then numbered and signed by Sarah and is suitable for framing and hanging.
Below are two videos of Sarah doing each of the two different print pulls.
Merry Christmas!!!
Kirk & Sarah
LETTERPRESS | Christmas Card 2015 – first color on Vimeo.
Received my card yesterday. Thank you for including me in your release. It is beautiful and now even more special because of the story behind it. Hope you guys have a wonderful Christmas and look forward to seeing you here or maybe we will see you sometime this year where you are.
Thank you, Dietra – We’re glad you like the card. We were only in Waxahachie for a few days around Christmas and (because of the crazy tornadoes that thankfully only knocked out the power) we didn’t go very far from mom’s house the whole time we were there! Sorry we missed seeing you guys…definitely let us know if you get anywhere near Charlotte! We’ll have a guest room ready for you 🙂
Thanks! What a beautiful card and very special. May God continue to bless you two and use you in sharing his word with others.
Merry Christmas,
Ken
Thanks, Ken. We’re so glad you like the card! We really wanted to do something special for our friends and family this past year.
I had no idea you went to such pains to produce these cards! We received ours yesterday and will surely keep it for framing. Thank you! and God bless you in your work as you serve Him.
“Chickie”
Ahh, Thanks Chickie! Miss seeing you guys – hope you’re doing well.
That is a unique, simple but very beautiful. A GREAT Christmas card that we will display through the new year.
Thank you so much.
Sarah GOD has given you a wonderful talent. Kirk you have started a ministry that we know will grow over the years.
Blessings <
Thanks so much for the kind words, Helen and Jerry. We’re so glad you like the card!