Finished up a second complete set of my 'like a rock' pairing. Hand cut linoleum block print in copper & silver, hand painted tribal design frame, and hand sewn & designed linen 'rock' soft sculpture. I am in love with this graphic combination of elements: the modern frame with the natural simplicity of the sentiment and rock.
Sent out a few envelope calligraphy samples today that I'm pretty excited about too.
New lino-cut thank you notes with kraft paper envelopes from last week's show. Although I really love carving stamps by hand, I currently prefer printing them with ink pads rather than block printing ink. Who knows, I may return to the traditional way if i decide to use a light ink on darker paper (and have room to spare on the floor while they dry), but for now this is oh so convenient. Oh, the beauty of being able to change my mind! I'm hoping to get them up in my etsy shop for the new year, along with a selection of sale cards from past seasons. Everyone loves a good deal, am I right?
And some photos from the RIT winter show last week.
A tiny original painting from last year that I finally framed.
I know I've said this before, but I quite dislike venturing out for holiday shopping. Too many people in a hurry. Too much time wasted, thinking the perfect items are going to jump out at me as obvious gifts for people I love. Sometimes it happens so easily like that. It does. But more often I come home after having carried something around the store for far too long, only to put it back on the shelf and leave. I have to admit, for the last few years I've been taking a more comfortable route; sitting at my computer in my sweatpants with a mug of coffee, clicking on the shopping cart icon, and waiting for my presents to show up on the doorstep. As an added bonus- it's so much easier to enjoy the snow when I don't have to scrape off my car and drive through it. Liam agrees with me. So here's my gift to you, friends: free shipping on anything from my etsy shop until the new year- weee! Ornaments, cards, prints, gift sets, pure joy. Go on and find something for someone (or for yourself)!
I'm so happy to share the first finished set of my 'like a rock' linoleum print and hand sewn linen rock. It took a good deal of playing around to create the rock pattern, but i'm happy with the freeform-ness of it. The linen has a few metallic threads woven in, which coordinate in a nice way with the copper & silver ink of the print. This first set goes to a most lovely expecting couple. Lindsay has such an honest, good heart, and I can't wait to read about her new motherhood routine amongst all of her other wonderful adventures. And that Nick guy has got a few talents of his own, too. The union of their passions has led to the creation of an awesome recurring event for Cincinnati. They are powerhouses!
I think it's a quite nice combo. Now, to hunt for some more frames to fix up!
This was today: Wegman's marshmallow treasures, my beloved wake up call cup of coffee, and a stem of sedum that I am trying to root, daringly sitting atop a wedding invite sketch. Living dangerously, I tell you!
Last Friday marked one year since closing on & moving into our lovely yellow house. I made this for Michael. I used one of those cheap cardboard house boxes from the craft store as a foundation, and then did a painted corrugated cardboard, chalkboard (black gesso), calligraphy treatment to the outside. I think it's rather darling. Maybe it, itself, will house ticket stubs or matchbooks or something of the like.
Getting pretty excited to share the next few wedding invitations I've been working on, which will be printed by a wonderfully talented, local, digital printing momma. I am also happy to announce that I can offer the very colorful selection of waste not paper envelopes with printed wedding invitation suites! Euro flaps anyone? Me me me!
Working on some linen rock prototypes and trying to draft up a pattern to share. These will be paired with the prints from my previous post. I think it's a rather charming relationship. Can't wait to share the finished set soon!
After so much anticipation of the flea market last week, I would like to share this framed laser-cut calligraphy piece that I ended up with, amongst other treasures. It has a nice vintage and folk art feel to it, even though it was dated 1990. I think the verse is quite nice, too. The color would be perfect in our dining room, but I have yet to commit to a final home for it. Look at all that lovely detailing! I am a sucker for tulips, hearts, and symmetry.
These are the beginning in a series of prints and projects from my new linoleum block. They are the result of spending a full day last week listening to Paul Simon and staring at my handsome little boy.
I wasn't too excited about the way these turned out, so I simplified the background for the last two prints, abandoning the idea of a white impression. I'm not giving up on this stamp yet. I'll post photos soon of the successful final use of this lino.
These hydrangeas are from our garden. Seriously, fresh cut flowers have the ability to brighten the dullest of days. Sometimes I feel that particular blooms are just begging to be brought in & cheer up our tables, mantles, and desks. I am loving the color of these ones from our backyard today. Goodness! Also below, more chalkboard signage for this (& this) wedding posted earlier. How great are those log slices?
This week, Liam got a little blister on his toe from all the jolly jumper excitement. Not a moment too soon, I decided he needed some shoes to wear (they will likely help him hop to unprecedented heights). The pattern is from Twirlybird on etsy, and was so easy to follow. I made them out of some denim I had from a pair of old jeans. I am dying to make her hightop boot pattern, too. That little boy might need a few pairs of each!
This was my evening snack last night. Vanilla ice cream with sprinkles will always be one of my favorite indulgences. I love when the colors start to dissolve and create rainbow swirls. Just MAGICAL.
For my cousin's fiance's bridal shower yesterday I made a custom return address stamp & a wreath with their house number on it. I used a similar technique as my christmas ornaments from this year, except that I crocheted with jute on a masonite ring instead. It was a bit tricky since the jute has so many loose fibers, and doesn't slide easily on the hook, but I like the natural texture look much more than yarn.
This week's pinterest creation- a sewn stash basket! That purl bee site seriously has the best projects. This was so simple, and was just what I needed as I sat around with Liam in the air conditioning. The grey fabric was left over from his rocking chair cushion. This is my first attempt at keeping his toys and teethers contained, a battle that I'm sure will prove nonsensical.
A quick update with some new slate table number trivets to coordinate with a chalkboardy, rustic themed wedding. Seating chart and other reception signs to come!
We've been preparing for Liam's baptism, and thinking of nice things to make for our small brunch afterwards. I've seen so many sweet little buntings around, and thought I'd take a stab at one. The fabric is a mix of some that I've had since I was young & some that I bought for the hexagon pillow I made this summer. For the back I used a light blue color linen, because I'm totally enjoying linen right now, but also because I had some lying around. I plan to hang it in the nursery afterwards. Buntings are a complete labor of love.
These are some of the last creations of this year, so what better time to share them than on the last day of 2011? The table below is one that I refinished for a most wonderful aunt. The color of the top is best seen in the photo from a few posts ago.
And a final custom calligraphy piece. I wish the metallic inks translated from my scan!
So excited to share some new projects of 2012, including a few wedding ensembles, printable invitation templates, desktop wallpaper calendars, and my greatest creation yet! :)
Happy New Year!
Here are a few things that I've managed to get together before the Annual Winter Crafts show at RIT tomorrow. It will be in the SAU and fireside lounge from 10-4pm, so stop by if you're around campus!
Still brainstorming my banner on this wreath. I am thinking "be joyful".
Ok, so this won't be with me at the booth - it's a sneak peak of a new piece of furniture I'm working on.
With the holidays approaching, I've been getting into appropriately seasonal projects. I have a few exciting collaborations in the works with Amy of greengirlpress, which I am particularly looking forward to, including a limited edition watercolor calendar & a lovely chilly weather christmas card. Stay tuned for more updates!
I have been spending too much time on pinterest, being inspired by lots of things that distract me from my to do list. Below is a result of one recent pin.
Tomorrow is the Annual Craft show and fundraiser at Mercy HS from 10-4pm. This will be one of only a few holiday shows for me before the baby comes, so come on out to 1437 Blossom Rd and support local artists and alum. Cecelia Hayes will also be there with her lovely rose pins!
Is there anything better than working in the studio with a bowl of tomato soup in front of you? I would argue that there is not! And oyster crackers to top it off! mmmmm
These chevroned tree ornaments are getting packaged up for Saturday's show at Mercy HS. I'm hoping that they are popular grab and gift items, being paired with a handcrafted holiday card. We'll see! Many more preparations to wrap up by this weekend.
A detail of an heirloom nightstand that I recently refinished for a very good friend. I decided on doing a more contemporary vintage look, with textured crackle sides and a more muted palette than I usually use. I'm really liking the floral motif that I designed for the top. Furniture is always such a fun challenge.
The boxes came in for my packaged ornaments and prints for this year's holiday shows. I'm pretty excited about how they look together, and hopefully shoppers find them to be the 'ready to gift' gifts that I intended them to be. I'm still debating whether or not a ribbon around the box would cover up too much of the print. So many decisions!
I am loving this weather! It's always so refreshing to be comfortable in jeans and a tshirt or sweatshirt outside, and it's perfect for furniture refinishing. This piece we came across at our favorite church flea market, which I mentioned a few posts back. We had been on the hunt for a buffet, and this happens to match in a quite extraordinary way to the china cabinet that we got from the salvation army a few years ago. Can't wait to give this a good sand and polish it up! We are planning on white for the top and sides, and sanding down to the natural wood grain for the front. I'll post progress photos as we get working on it.
The most recent invitation that I've done, for my lovely cousin Molly. She is accenting a very classic black and white wedding with tiffany blue and an eggplant purple, which I think will be so elegant. I loved the different elements here, especially my new baker's twine & metallic teal ink envelope calligraphy!
This is a sneak peak to something that I'm working on for my fall and holiday shows. I've been making felt ornaments for a few years now, and thought this year that I'd create designs to coordinate with some of my more popular prints. I plan on selling them as a packaged set, with some sort of gift wrapping. I will post more of the combinations next week.
Still keeping up with tiny little baby creations. This one was knit from a (free!) pattern on the lion brand yarn site. I attempted making this after being inspired by the adorable blabla knit stuffed animals.
