simplepretty

identity work for garden & gun magazine

Charleston’s Stitch Design Co. is a constant source of inspiration. Their graphic design work is modern yet elegant, and their letterpress goods, produced through sister company Sideshow Press (with the help of third member, Sideshow’s presswoman, Virginia Gregg), are staples in my stationery arsenal. I’m glad that I get to visit Charleston frequently, as I am fond of Southern architecture + interiors, and now, Southern design. And wouldn’t you know, the ladies of Stitch, designers Amy Pastre and Courtney Rowson, couldn’t be nicer. I’m so pleased to have made their acquaintance, and I hope you’ll enjoy reading their answers to my “Getting to know ….” series.

custom stationery for Craig Fuller

stationery for Tara Guérard/Soirée

Getting to Know: Amy Pastre and Courtney Rowson, Stitch Design Co.

I start my day …. (A) Early. I have a three year old and a 3 week old, so needless to say, we start our days early. I’ve always been more of a morning person in that I get the most of, and my best work done in the morning. I love the mornings that I’m able to sneak into work early, turn the ipod on (and play it a little louder than we do during regular work hours) and get to work. (C) With a big cup of coffee. I typically work late and get back to it pretty early so I love to start the day with a warm cup and a crazy, but fun, morning getting my family ready for the day. After that, on to my to-do list …

Inspired by …. (A) We always look to items of the past to inspire new designs. Looking at vintage type, patterns and printing methods is often a place where we start the design process. We are always looking for that balance of looking to the past while still infusing our designs with a clean, modern aesthetic. (C) Textiles, fashion, vintage books, food, interiors, blogs, travel … there is so much out there to be inspired by and I try to find inspiration everywhere I go. I would say traveling might be my main source of inspiration. Discovering new restaurants, visiting museums, exploring different landscapes and checking out the local culture all seem to really fuel my creativity.

Favorite place …. (A) Hanging with my family. There’s nothing better than a Saturday when there is nothing to do but just enjoy each other. Those days happen most often each summer when we go to stay at my family’s cabin in northern Wisconsin. My parents have a log cabin in the woods on a chain of 11 lakes. We spend our days boating from lake to lake, and our evenings in front of the fire or in the sauna. (C) At home with my husband and our two little ones. If I had to name a specific place, it would be our annual pilgrimage to Maine. We always play our visit for the end of summer, just as we are at our breaking point with the heat and humidity!

Never without …. (A) I try to keep things simple. Sometimes too simple: I’m pretty famous for not having my phone on me; I even find myself at at the grocery store without my wallet more than I’d like to admit! Courtney’s always helping me track down my keys at the end of the day as well. So, I can’t really think of something I’m never without: I just keep thinking of the things that I should never be without but seem to always be missing! :) (C) My laptop and my curl control cream.

In 2011, I hope to …. (A) Continue to strive to do good work – work that is beautiful and communicates. Work that is pleasing yet smart. To continue to collaborate and work with inspiring clients, to continue to find ways to develop products and items through Sideshow that are a true outlet and source of inspiration. (C) Continue to build on what we’ve established for Stitch and Sideshow Press. We hope to produce smart designs and quality products that people enjoy!

Thanks, ladies! I’d like to add that I stand in awe of all these two accomplish. I look forward to watching Stitch Design Co + Sideshow Press grow and evolve. The latest addition is the Sideshow Press ecommerce site, which launched in May with the full line of cards and stationery, and “coming soon” wedding, baby, and social stationery collections.

little dipper card

save-the-dates with audubon liners (could be my favorite ever)

images courtesy of stitch design co./sideshow press

if you’d like to see more about stitch design, check out my flickr set taken during my april 2010 visit. you can also read earlier simple + pretty posts dated 10/2009 and 4/2010. not to mention, there is a stitch design blog + twitter.

p.s. congrats, Amy + Courtney on the arrival of your 2011 babies! xo to your growing families ….