Lovely Letters Pressed September 11 - 13=, 2026 Black Cat Farm | Boulder, CO
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TA B LE OF CONTE NTS
Welcome
Pages 4 - 5
Venue
Pages 6 - 7
Materials Daily Schedules Inspiration
Pages 8 - 11
Pages 12 - 15 Pages 16 - 17
Notes Pages 18 - 21 Boulder Local Favorites Pages 22 - 23 Our Team Pages 24 - 25
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The Warmest Welcome!
W ELCOME
We can’t wait to share this rare, unhurried time with you at Black Cat Farm in September, surrounded by colors hinting of fall, the natural rhythm of farm life, and the abundant creative energy and printing possibilties Allison Bozeman will share with us on this letterpress journey. We're looking forward to sharing three immersive days using our hands, finding our breath, and seeing what we notice when we allow ourselves to let time stand still. We remember that our hands can know things our minds sometimes forget. Through ink and pattern and paper, we’ll remember what we’re capable of. We'll share incredible farm-to-table meals, move our bodies through gentle yoga, and experience the kind of gathering that can only come from making by hand, side-by-side.
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Inside this Retreat Booklet you’ll find everything you need to get ready for our time together. We’re always here for your questions or special requests. There is just one ask of you, and that’s to leave the most important thing behind: your expectations. When we show up to an experience with a blank slate and beginner’s mind, without a preconceived idea for how it will be or how we’ll feel, we create space for delight, surprise, and maybe even a bit of magic to unfold.
We’re so happy you’re coming.
Ali, Eric & Jill
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W E LC OM E
Every retreat is its own unique experience, bringing together a beautiful mix of returning participants and brand new friends joining our Makerie family. The creative community we build together is one of the most cherished parts of it all, and we already can’t wait to create this with you and our own two hands.
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VE N U E
Black Cat Farm 9889 N 51st St Longmont, CO 80503
Parking As you turn onto 51st Street, drive past the farm entrance and you will see the parking area on your left.
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VE N U E
Venue
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M ATE RI ALS
You'll Take Home
*see page 19 for details
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MAT ER IALS
Set of Greeting Cards with Envelopes Set of Personalized Stationery with Envelopes Set of Little Love Notes with Envelopes Other Small Prints Your Own Personalized Polymer Artwork*
Shared Workshop Materials M ATE RI ALS
Equipment and materials we’ll provide to use during the retreat 4 Printing Presses (1 large, 2 medium, 1 small) Vintage Wood Type Photopolymer Pattern Plates Lead Type Ink, Foil & All printer Supplies All Paper & Envelopes
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Student-Supplied Materials Materials for you to provide and bring
*see page 19 for details
Clothes you don't mind getting a little inky.
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MAT ER IALS
Submit Your Own Artwork for Letterpress Printing *optional
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DAI LY SCH E DU L E
Friday, September 11th CURIOSITY 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Welcome Tea & Morning Snack 9:00 AM Introductions, Letterpress History, Techniques 10:00 AM Groups, Stations, Demos
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Farm-to-Table Lunch 1:30 PM Individual Design, Layout Stationery, Composing Room, Make Ready 3:15 PM Afternoon Snack 3:30 PM The Post : Wrap Up, Group Share & Paper Testing 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Open Studio 13
DA I LY SCH EDU L E
11:00 AM Small Group Design, Layout Greeting Cards
Saturday, September 12th CONFIDENCE 9:00 AM Morning Tea 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Gentle Body Movement & Breathing with Caitlin
DAI LY SCH E DU L E
9:30 AM Morning Snack, Goals for the Day, Troubleshooting 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Press Time, Stations 1-5 or Rotating Press Time 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Farm-to-Table Lunch 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Press Time, Stations 1-5 or Rotating Press Time 3:30 PM Afternoon Snack, Gallery & Celebrate 4:00 PM - 7:15 PM Open Studio 7:15 PM Black Cat Farmstead Dinner 14
Sunday, September 13th CELEBRATION 9:00 AM Morning Tea 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Press Time, Stations 1-5 or Rotating Press Time 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Farm-to-Table Lunch
3:30 PM Gallery + Farewell 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Open Studio
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DA I LY SCH EDU L E
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM Press Time, Stations 1-5 or Rotating Press Time
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IN S PI R AT I ON
I N S PI RAT ION
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N OT ES
Notes
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Submit Your Own Artwork for Letterpress Printing *optional Artwork Requirements • • • •
Submit artwork by Sunday, August 23rd Finished artwork size: 4" × 4" maximum Artwork must be black and white only (no grayscale or color) Black areas will print with ink. White areas will remain the color of the paper.
• • •
Vector PDF, or AI (Adobe Illustrator) High-resolution black-and-white PNG (300 dpi minimum) Please email your artwork to Allison@birddog.partners with the subject line: Letterpress Plate Submission | Your Name
We'll review each file and reach out if any adjustments are needed before your custom plate is produced. We can't wait to see what you create!
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N OT ES
Letterpress celebrates clean lines and thoughtful use of space. Botanical illustrations, line drawings, simple icons or motifs, abstract shapes and repeating patterns (think fabric design) work really well. Consider high contrast elements and a .5” line weight, super fine details and delicate sketched lines may not reproduce well. Please submit one of the following:
Farm Life, Dress and Comfy Shoes, Gates and Doors What a treat to be on a working farm! Depending on the weather, (which can be very unpredictable in Colorado) we may work and play outside so please plan to bring appropriate clothing for various conditions to keep you cozy and comfortable - warm hats, sun hats, jackets, scarves, fingerless mittens, etc. Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the farm, where there will be uneven surfaces and potential muddy spots. This is definitely a ‘no-heel’ zone. Being on a working farm, please be thoughtful about closing gates and doors you encounter. Thank you in advance.
N OT ES
Open Studio Time Each of our retreat days, you are welcome to cozy up in the barn or your favorite farm spot to continue your creative work. There will not be an instructor present so this quiet time will be yours. Check our schedule for times.
Farm Dinner Notes For those of you joining us for dinner on Saturday night, the evening begins at 7:15 pm on Saturday evening. The dress is comfy and casual. Please note that other guests with reservations will be dining at the farm on the Friday and Saturday nights, but our group will be seated together. The barn/workshop space is reserved exclusively for us throughout the retreat. not to include you in images or video footage. Thank you!
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Cell Phone Usage We encourage you to use your phones as little as possible during workshop time so you can immerse yourself in the experience and be present to the learning. If you do bring your phone into the workshop place, please put it on silent mode and step out of the room when you need to make a phone call during class time.
Photography Release
Social Media Sharing If you share this experience on instagram, please tag our team at @themakerie, @blackcatboulder, @caitlinrosekenney and @birddog so we can celebrate what you’re posting.
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N OT ES
We might have a photographer capturing parts of the weekend. Some of these images may appear in print publications, promotional videos, or other marketing purposes. If you opted out of being photographed during the registration process, please make sure to remind us upon arrival so we know not to include you in images or video footage. Thank you!
Local Boulder Favorites B O UTI Q UES
EATS
Cedar & Hyde well-curated modern day mercantile with thoughtfully made women’s apparel and one-of-a-kind decor
Avanti upscale food court; amazing rooftop views
LOCA L BOU L D ER FAVO R I TE S
Common Threads great women’s clothing consignment Hytte & Co. the loveliest curated home goods boutique; sister to Suti & Co. Liberty Puzzles gorgeous locally made wooden puzzles with the most uniquely shaped puzzle pieces Süti & Co. scandinavian goods you can’t resist The New Local beautiful collection of local art made by women and non-binary artists
Basta wood-fired goodness; do not miss the campfire ice cream Bramble & Hare Black Cat’s sister restaurant; the coziest farm-to-table restaurant with an ever-changing exciting menu Cozobi contemporary Mexican cuisine deeply rooted in tradition; try the sweet potatoes! The Kitchen gorgeous seasonal American bistro; garlic fries for the win!
Two Hands Paperie locally owned paper & creative goods haven 22
Local Boulder Favorites C O F F EE S HO PS Boxcar Coffee Roasters a sunny, energetic vibe with excellent lattes
Boulder Bookstore dreamiest local institution in the heart of downtown; look for an author talk while you’re in town
Süti & Co. the coziest cafe in town, this Scandinavian-style cafe makes the most beautiful desserts
Trident Booksellers book lovers haven with new and used books emphasizing art, culture, poetry and spirituality
Check out our Google map with these local Boulder favorite spots!
HIKES Anemone newly redone, this mildly challenging 3.4 mile loop takes you into the foothills Bobolink lovely, flat 2.4 mile out & back trail along a creek in east Boulder Boulder Valley Ranch just north of Boulder, this 3 mile flat loop has majestic views
LO CA L BO U L DE R FAVORI T ES
Creature Comforts sweetest cafe serving all day coffee, beer, & wine
Trident the very first cafe in Boulder and still going strong, attached to the loveliest small independent bookstore
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INDEPENDENT BOOKSTOR ES
Ali DeJohn
OU R TE AM
Makerie Founder ali@themakerie.com 303.885.3807 @themakerie
Eric & Jill Skokan Black Cat Farm Owners jillskokan@aol.com @blackcatboulder
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Caitlin Rose Kenney Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher caitlinrosekenney@gmail.com @caitlinrosekenney
O U R T EAM
Allison Bozeman Artist and Teacher Allison@birddog.partners @birddog
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We very much look forward to sharing this special creative experience with you.