Hand Printed Cushions

I hope that you all had a great Christmas and New Year!

A new year a new project for me and my deadline is tight which is one of the reasons I am very cross with myself! What's the saying, "Less haste, more speed!" I don't like negative posts as I am a positive person and negativity is never productive but a problem shared and all that...

A Lesson Learned:

Always Plan Thoroughly!

I have been making hand printed fabric for some prototype cushions and took time to sew the cushions first, adding piping and everything, printed on lovely 100% linen!

Because I decided to make envelope cushions I had a nice thick seam on the back which would cross where the image would be printed. If I had planned and printed first this would have been avoided! I should know better-slaps back of the hand! Well, in reality I can make another and mistakes are there to be learnt from but time lost I can't get back. Hopefully others can learn from my mistake!

unacceptable uneven image

On the upside I was able to print some other images onto fabric... on a natural mixed cotton:

3 pigeons in plum

Watch this space as I will be printing more of the Red Doves until I am completely happy with the result.

Work in Progress- Day 3 of carving the Lino Cockerel

When carving a lino it is the negative (what will be white) that I am removing from the lino. With no tone it can be difficult to see what lines you want to keep, the positive (colour) and visa versa. 

TIP: I find a really good way to see what the image will look like as you are carving is to use at least a 9b pencil and rub over the lino surface, similar to a paper rubbing. Saves ink and paper if less proofing is needed.

What I find irritating about paper rubbings, when you want to see the positive line impressions as it would print,  is the paper moving and also it doesn't pick up the finest detailed lines.

I think about another half a days work and then it will be time for proof printing. Really excited about this print, will keep you posted as the first print will be given away in my first big freebie and we all love those right? :)

New work...

Carving a beautiful bird lino tonight, a sneak peek... Think I may give the first print away in a competition, watch this space :)

New prints...Pheasant

I stayed up until 1am to finish carving the Lino but I'm glad I did as managed to go to the studio (John Howard's in Penryn) and print my first few prints. I chose a very deep red as I think the bird looks very proud, with elements of warrior symbolism-can you tell I watched the All Blacks at the weekend? I'm pleased with how the detail of the smaller feathers printed as they took ages to carve. Which bird or animal shall I do next? Any suggestions?