Hello, Porridgians! And happy Monday to you! I’m really excited to be writing to you today… because, as you may or may not know, we’re getting ready for our 5th Annual Love on the Run event on this Valentine’s day!!! I’ll admit, I was a naysayer when it came to Valentine’s day. The idea of someone buying something for their lover on this day because they thought they had to was simply insulting to me. “Why can’t people show their love every day?” I wondered. “What’s with all of these silly thoughtless gifts?? Nonsense!” I thought.

WELL. Then Christopher went and started Love on the Run. I was only working at Porridge part time in those days, so I took part in the event as most people do, by coming in and typing up a note to my sweetheart that year. Maybe it was the typewriters (I have a thing for them) , or maybe it was the fact that it was so simple. It could have even had something to do with the fact that it was FREE- either way, my general attitude about  Valentine’s day quickly went from being “begrudgingly obligated” to “fanatic enthusiast”.

Each year since, I’ve had the pleasure of helping this event come together. And year after year, it has grown exponentially. This year, we’re going to have 500 bottles ready to fill with love notes destined to be delivered around Lincoln on Valentine’s day. The few days preceding February 14th will be filled with click-clacking keys, sultry sounds, and warm fuzzy feelings. We’ll have more support from local businesses that you know and even MORE help from people in our community, spending their time helping to spread the love. Love on the Run truly is something you have to participate in to understand the magnitude of the impact it makes.

This year will be our fifth year of hosting Love on the Run, and now- more than ever before- we need your help! Volunteers are the fuel that keeps this baby movin’! So if you’re local, please consider spending a bit of your time giving us a hand!  Become a Valenteer!

There are many ways to help. We are always looking for:

typewriter lenders-  as you know, love on the run features the quirky click-clack of antique typewriters. if you have a functioning typewriter that you’d like to lend to the event, please just let us know!

helper cupids- there are many tasks that need extra love before and during the love on the run event. if you’re interested in helping with anything from bag assembly, typewriter trouble shooting, ushering during the open house, or anything else you can think of, we could sure use your help!

delivery cupids- know your way around town? we’ve got just the job for you! every year, we’ve delivered a growing number of love notes thanks to our fantastic delivery volunteers! whether you’ve got all day, or even just an hour or two- spending time as a delivery cupid is sure to be one of the best things you could do to get yourself into the mood on valentine’s day.

sponsors- each year we’ve had a variety of delicious treats, fun photos, and fantastic goodies that have added to love on the run to make it special. if you have a local business and you’d like to donate a service or product, please let us know!

if you’re interested in volunteering in any way- please contact us!

Have you attended one of our Love on the Run events? Tell us what you thought. Share your memory by emailing us or Posting to our Love On the Run Facebook Page! And be sure to check out our OFFICIAL love on the run Website!

DON’T LIVE IN LINCOLN???

Still wanna feel the LOVE???

NO PROBLEM! 

We are raising money for trademarking Love on the Run. This event is, and always has been, a free event focused on giving love back to the local community. This year will be our 5th year of hosting Love on the Run, and our goal is to trademark the event for use in other cities regionally and even nationwide. The purpose of trademarking the event is to protect the charm and simplicity of Love on the Run and keep it free for the communities that participate. SO to get the ball rolling, we’ve launched a Kickstarter Campaign!! Check out our Kickstarter video for a bit more info. 

When this Kickstarter campaign reaches its goal, we’ll have the funds that we need to create a how-to manual that will draw from our years of experience with this event. This manual will include everything from tips on locating and servicing typewriters that are almost 100 years old, to ideas on organizing delivery of each and every note in your community. The trademarking will help us ensure that the Love on the Run event and the ideas and values that it was created from will be upheld no matter how many cities participate.

Now- just imagine all of that momentum, energy, and love in your city. What would your love note say?

Please do what you can to help us reach our goal. We have less than 30 days to do it! And tell ALL of your friends, too! Let’s put some more thought and meaning back into Valentine’s day. One bottle at a time! CLICK HERE to help!

We’ve got a couple of quick and exciting things to share with you today, Porridgians!  First of all, there are still a few holiday shopping days left before Christmas hits!  Take care of any last-minute gift giving with something handmade or vintage from our shop! Check out some of these great ideas!

Of course, it goes without saying that we’ll also have our usual variety of letterpress holiday stationery for you to choose from. Just in case you need some extra special cards for some extra special folks on your list.

As always, our store hours are Monday-Friday from 10am-6pm and Saturday from 10am-3pm. We will be closed Saturday, December 24th as well as Monday, December 26th to spend time with our families over the holiday. We will also be closed Monday, January 2nd to wrap up our New Years’ celebrations.

Speaking of the new year, we’ve got some exciting events in the works!

For example, Check out our Saturday Pulp Kids’ Papermaking class on January 21st! Have you ever wanted to make paper with your kids, but didn’t want to have pulp all over your kitchen? Never fear! We’ve created the perfect solution!

We will supply lots of pulp, coloring, and other fun stuff to add to your paper. For only $10, you will learn to form and ouch your sheets of paper. When you’re finished, we’ll press it, dry it, and make sure it’s ready for you to pick up within the next week!

This class is limited to 6 parent/kid duos! (parents must be present) If you RSVP to the Facebook event, be sure that you also contact Porridge Papers (pulp@porridgepapers.com or call 402.742.5415) to reserve your spot.

If you can’t get in for the first class, don’t worry! We’re going to be having one every month!

AAAANNNNNND… those of you who are long time fans of Porridge, know all about our Love on the Run event that takes place every year… well I won’t say much, but I WILL tell you that this year’s event is going to be BIGGER AND BETTER THAN *EVER*!  This will be our 5th annual Love on the Run and we’ve got some really great ideas coming along! If you’re interested in helping with this year’s event, please feel free to give us a shout!  We’ll need more volunteers than ever before to help with everything from coordination, setup, typewriter help, and of course, delivery on Valentine’s Day!  Participating is truly a warm-and-fuzzy feeling inspiring experience, and help from our fantastic volunteers and sponsors is what keeps the Love a-flowin!  If you have any questions, suggestions, or ideas, send us an email at hello@ porridgepapers.com!

Lots of fun stuff is going on here at the studio lately! We’ve been shopping for all KINDS of holiday goodies! This year will be the best holiday season ever at Porridge Papers, for us AND for you .

If you haven’t been in since the remodel, now is a great time. We have just finished decorating the new(ish) space for the holidays and it looks AMAZING in here! Since the remodel, we’ve also started getting in a variety of vintage and handmade gift items in addition to our usual letterpress and handmade stationary. You’ll find new handmade bags, aprons, fountain pens, wooden watches, locally made soaps, antique magazines and many other nifty gifty things!  For example, check out the pop-out plantable ornament cards, made right here!

It should also go without saying that you’ll be able to pick up some fantastic holiday cards while you’re here. We’ve got a great selection of cards from our usual favorite stationery companies, as well as a handful of designs that were printed right here in our studio!

 OR if you’re looking for personalized holiday cards, we’ve got them! Check out the designs!

You can have your name printed on the outside or inside of the card at no additional cost. that’s 25 personalized letterpressed holiday cards for only $50!!! And if you want to save on all of these fun new things, come in this Saturday During our  ”holly jolly” sale, complete with eggnog and cookies! All paper and cards will be 10% off and personalized holiday cards will be $40 per 25 (normally $50).  AND if you spend $50 or more you’ll get a porridge papers canvas tote bag!

See you Saturday!

taryn and jon from 10/11 news stopped by yesterday to film a segment for the first anniversary of their show! why you ask? did you know that paper is the first year anniversary gift. we thought it fitting to honor them with a hand set print commemorating the success. but it was not that easy, taryn had to pull the print herself! after a few times practicing  she was good to go live. you can watch the video right here!

it has been fun playing around with all the new type and cuts we picked up a few months back. we are still finding interesting fonts and old advertising cuts. in the coming months we will be hosting print sessions where you can come in on saturday and for a small fee have access to all the type and a few proofing presses. stay tuned for details.

bryan

kimberly

chandler and price 10x15 with a kluge feeder {a.k.a the claw} - our newest automatic feed press, the claw is of c & p lineage and is capable of cranking out letterpress brilliance on our handmade papers! what more could a machine ask for?!

heidelberg windmill 10x15 {a.k.a heidi} - she is our windmill. she traveled with us all the way from albuquerque where she grew up. while she may be quiet, it’s enchanting to watch her at work.

ally

rachele