Revisiting Block Prints- Learning Curve

For some odd reason I got the bug to revisit block printing. I had only tried it once before and I thought of some patterning I wanted to try - so block printing came to mind. I carved the blocks & then printed. I was using some watercolor paper and using only a ink pad so the prints came out rather light. It was one of those "Duh!" moments - using heavy papers and not knowing what in the heck I was doing to begin with!

I had a fun afternoon and made a few ATC's to play with. Since this time I questioned what inks I should use and what sort of applicator. Thanks to the suggestions from some friends on the  QuiltArt list I have been able to get much better results today and I will post those results - hopefully side-by-side. Today, rather than water-color paper I used Bristol & muslin, and rather than applying acrylic paint with a brush I used a sponge brayer. I am here to tell you that the sponge brayer made a huge difference - though a foam brsuh would, I think, work too.

Here are the first day's results - too light bit fun none-the-less. I so enjoy just seeing where the day's interests take me sometimes. I have a quilt to art tomorrow - an art quilt - it's time to return to fabric and thread.

Playing With Prints

I have been playing about with mono prints recently. I should have been working on my Grab Bag Challenge piece that's due end of next week. What can I say? I needed some diversion and this was the perfect one ! I had cut this particular block some time ago - and had fun making some new prints in different colorways. This is one colorway that I liked a lot! For everyone in the US - have a terrific (and safe) Memorial Day weekend - and wishing EVERYONE a weekend full of love, laughter and creativity!

Sunday's Crowing

I just couldn't help myself! I had to try my hand at carving a crow today. I am fairly happy with the way he came out too. There will be others to follow I think. The bottom photo is the tag I designed for the "Epley Series". I sure am having fun! Anyone who says that getting older is bad - must surely need compelling hobbies to focus on ! The more I learn - the more I want to learn!

More Birds For My Brain

An Orchid

Lightly Inked Hummingbird

I enjoyed playing with some more block carving today. Lots to learn. The process in enjoyable. I will play more with these tomorrow - stil trying to find the right kind of paint - the proper amount of paint etc. I wonder if I am getting this carving thing out of my system? Asked as I am about to order more block material ! It's just too much fun to stop!

Hummingbird With More Ink

Our State Bird, The American Goldfinch

The Weekend of Not

It's the weekend of not because I decided to "not" this weekend. I felt like I needed some down time - with no pressure to accomplish anything that I did not feel "caw-led" to work on. Maybe not the best choice right now since my commitment list is long & some deadlines loom. I trust that the commitment list will all fall into place more easily however since I have elected to "not".

Early in the year one of the promises that I made to myself was to teach myself more about block carving. I have never really done any carving (other than two small pieces some months ago) & I wanted to try my hand at some more. As with most things, I think it's matter of practice in order to learn! I admire Elin Waterston and have been enjoying her blog where she has been showing her completed carvings - at the rate of one a day since the beginning of the year. So today I decided that I wanted to try my hand at carving a crow - and I am happy with the results. Happy enough that I hope to do some more of them while I tarry this weekend in 'not land'. I most definitely have birds on the mind lately!