When I was in high school, if we wanted a special font for a project, we couldn’t just go to our computer and play with the word processing software, much less search the internet for more options. Instead, we bought stuff like these Formatt sheets from Graphics Products Corporation. Each letter had to be cut out individually with an X-Acto knife, removed from the backing, then aligned carefully next to other letters by hand on whatever project piece was being worked on. The clear sheet the letters were printed on was adhesive-backed, so getting the placement right the first time was important. It was tedious, and I enjoyed it. The only thing I remember clearly that I used these for was a newspaper I made for Spanish class, though maybe I also did something for yearbook. It was a long time ago.

And yet, I still have these. I have moved them across the country. I was going to throw them out recently, but had a change of heart. What will I use them for? Do I need to know that now? Maybe I will actually do some scrapbook pages at some point. Maybe I will get back to my paper journal and do something with them there. Yes, there are easier ways to achieve similar effects now, but these have a charm to them for me. So there they sit in my studio, waiting.

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On this date in 2016: Why the Waffles?
2015: It’s Beginning to Look a Little Like Christmas
2014: Hair Clippings
2013: WDW Day 5: Magic Kingdom and the Studios
2012: On Being An Hourglass
2011: On Being a Negative Force
2010: With Attribution
2009: Better to Light a Candle
2008: Procrastination
2007: My Most Memorable Day & One Picnicker, All Alone
2006: Four Days in Utah
2005: Winter Count—August
2004: Back When It Was Warm
2003: Not According to Plan
2002: Missing