Leica Camera Moleskine Notebooks - The process

I have Jeannine of Saylor Made to thank for the inspiration behind this notebook. Jeannine had commented on Twitter that she liked the Cassette blank tape and wondered if I had a camera one too. I didn't, but it was such a great idea that it suddenly became a top priority!

Here's how I went about it.  

I prepared the lino with my design. Sometimes pencil lines are sufficient, however, this was late at night so it was best to redraw it with a fine felt tipped pen.

With the carving finished, it was time for the first print. I love this moment for the surprise that it holds.  

Rolling on the ink. I start to get a better idea of how the image will look printed.

Each new linocut gets printed directly into my art journal.  I could see at this stage that there were a few more cuts required, but I'm happy with the overall result.  

Finally satisfied with the design I was keen to print on the Moleskine Notebooks. These 2 designs are now available in a set or individually here.

More Creative Spaces over here!

A link to this post can also be found at Crafty Soiree.

Printing notebooks and carving stamps

I have restocked my Etsy shop! It's been a while as life has been taking many different and unexpected turns this year. There are some new hand carved stamps,

and I've also added 3 notebooks which I printed using my deer, sewing machine and sea urchin linocuts. I have made a few of the sea urchin ones (although none are exactly the same) however there will be only one listing each of the deer and the sewing machine notebooks.

Hope you're enjoying a great week. C xo

Prints for Dudes - DJ Turntable

Yesterday, I completed the second of my Prints for Dudes series - a DJ turntable. It's getting some good feedback so I feel I'm on the right track for linocuts with dude appeal.

Ye Gods and Little Fishes!

Another listing for etsy. A favourite saying of my Grandfather, Rupert.

That's Rupert on the far left. c 1930's Rather dapper don't you think?

Exploring the unknown, new energy, new skills, new knowledge...

Last night at 1.30am I finished listing my first items on my etsy shop. I was wide awake and not wanting to go to bed. A year ago, with two kids under age 4, I would have paid good money to be fast asleep with my head on my pillow. 

A couple of months ago I undertook an online course with Pikaland which really helped to kick my creativity back into action and I could not be more pleased. This isn't the only factor in my change in habits (thank you supportive husband, kids sleeping through, kids letting me do artwork at the kitchen table whilst they draw etc etc)  but it certainly lit the fire. I encourage anyone lacking motivation to get "out there" and mix it up with a course and other students. An online course such as the Pikaland bootcamp was perfect for me because although I chose to commit roughly 5 hours a week to the course I was able to do this whenever it suited me. Quite frankly, being online at 11pm at night in Australia was no disadvantage for communicating with students and tutors from all over the world.