I made it at last. Everytime I have had the intention of sitting down to write I had an interruption from one person or another and I include myself here.
What have I been doing you might well ask. I have been quite a busy little bee – or multi tasking as some would say. After making those birthday cards a couple of weeks ago I made up my mind to do more crafting and on Saturday morning I settled down in my craft room and began to think about creating some Christmas cards for my daughters shop (as I had promised).
It is a long time since I attempted any lino prints and I felt eager to have another go as I like the quality of the prints and the fact that once you have carved the original design you can print an unlimited amount of cards. It is also appealing because unlike rubber stamps the design belongs to you and it is exclusive.
I had no particular idea in mind for the card design other than it should be slightly vintage in feel and perhaps a Christmas Robin would be appropriate for a shop called Birdhouse Interiors. So I flicked through my sketch book and settled on a drawing I had done some time ago of a Robin. Not the best drawing in the world but the shape isn’t too bad and it seemed quite promising.
I converted this into a more simplistic black and white shape transferred it onto the lino then set about carving out a picture remembering that the bits I remove would come out as white.
I did a few test sheets before printing on the actual cards.
Then the production line began…first with the black ink…
then I applied the red ink for the breast and berries by hand. Finally the Christmas greeting was done with a rubber stamp.
And voila here is my line of Christmas Robins.
I can’t say it turned out just as I had in mind I think that will take much more practise but at least I have made a start and my daughter is delighted.
All packaged up and ready to go. I can’t believe that only this morning these cards were just an idea in my mind and didn’t exist.
Now I just need some inspiration for my next one.
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Wow, your cards are amazing! It must feel great to create something like that.
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It was good to do something but I was a bit disappointed with them. Still now I have the momentum going with more practice I might get better.
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Your are so talented, not only in your drawing but in lino cutting too! I haven’t lino cut since school and it is something I would love to do again one day. I bet the cards will do very well. Lovely originals! x
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I had great fun you should try it. I had intended that they were more folk art but I need to simplify the shapes much more. I have just come from your blog your fairy is so cute – I think you are the talented one!
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Beautiful cards! Gets me into the Christmas mood! Thanks for sharing the process! I’ve always wondered!
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Thank you – I am quite excited now to attempt another one so hope I can find another free day soon!
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Wow! They’re lovely!
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Thanks Laura
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Lovely to see the process and the cards are brilliant. Absolutely beautiful.
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Thank you – I need to do some for myself to save some money and use up some of my craft ‘stuff’.
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These are lovely, I am sure the recipients will appreciate them. Holly and mistletoe for the next?
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My thoughts exactly – they can be a more forgiving subject than doing birds. Probably try a Xmas tree too.
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Fantastic – what could be better – fun with the lino ending up with a superb set of cards – time very well spent in my book. Now I think I shall have to get mine out as soon as the daughters go back to school – too busy being a taxi this week!
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Must be half term then! I can certainly recommend the lino cutting I had great fun.
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Your cards are so lovely. You are well organised making cards in good time.
Sarah x
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Believe me it is less of the organisation and more of the desparation – I promised my daughter some cards for her shop weeks ago!
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The cards are gorgeous and selling quickly! X
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Not too quickly I hope – I haven’t made my own Xmas cards yet!
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If you run out of time I can sell you some lovely robin ones x
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Very funny!!
I have been collecting ideas for another design…but don’t want to overload your customers with too much choice!!
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