Hand printed wrapping paper

This is one of the items on my to-do list and has been for way too long. Now I know that I could screen print these and have had the opportunity to do so in the past but I want to print them in a different way. Either by hand with small size stamps, carved from either lino or the softer block option (so much easier to cut!) or by creating a repeat pattern from a drawing scanned to computer using photoshop. 

So my question to you is have you done this? and if so to what success?

My other question on this subject is where to get the right size paper from. I know that on average I'm looking at paper sized around 50x70cm. So where would I be able to purchase such sized paper? and where, if I wanted to get a design printed, would do this/print such a size?

Your help on this question would be much appreciated. I have thought that I could get an A3 size printer at home to do limited runs, as I don't want to print reams and reams of the same design(!) but A3 paper falls quite a long way short size-wise at 29.7x42cm and I'm guessing I'd need to stock up on inks as well!

Vintage paper leaf garlands

I have been cutting up vintage book pages(!), I know some people would say that's a crime but I'm recycling those books that even the charity shops end up reducing to move. They are going on to have new lives that even they didn't dream of! I've been using pages in my journal, cutting shapes from the pages for paper garlands and will be using the hard covers for some handmade journals, so thumbs up all round I feel. And what is even better is the price that I paid for these books in the first place, and the amount of items and enjoyment I can and will get from them (in fact already have), all for the princely sum of 20/40p per book, bargain I'd say!

pile of autumnal leaves?!

I know that there are so many shapes/images that can be cut from paper, but I have to say as well as all the intricate papercuts that are out there I do love a simple shape, cut and stitched together to create a garland. And to be honest I have hung these up across one side of my little workroom as I've completed them, and they look better the more that there are. If you've only got room for one string it would look great but a few definitely makes more of an impact.

vintage book pages and doilys, delicate combination and simple

I've strung these up with the other circle ones I made a few weeks ago. And in the morning light the other day I could envisage them working so well at a fairy tea party, ethereal and light and how perfect as a back drop or around the room for a sweet hen tea party or a reception. hmmm...something magical...

intertwining strands

I am so loving keeping it simple with these garlands at the moment too, basic black and white text, white self-patterned paper, sheets of musical songs, lace like doilies. The only touch of colour on them is the thread they are stitched together with. As you may know, as I've mentioned it before, I'm helping with the decorative bits and pieces for a friends daughters wedding next year, and I'm thinking a 'wall' or backdrop of lengths of garlands would look great, catching the breeze, rustling lightly and even working as a background for photos too. I'm really liking the ideas I've seen of enormous lengths of crepe paper fringes as decoration as well. I have such love for paper at this time!

What are you loving right now?

Handmade Journal (2)

Well as you may know from previous posts I have made my own journal and am now starting to 'play' in it. So, I wasn't happy with my first page spread (although that's probably not the right word really). I didn't feel like it was 'finished' in a way so that I could move on to the next spread. Hmmmm..... I know it's not supposed to be 'perfect' but I could not leave it as it was, so I have been back to adjust things a little and to add bits. I'll know when I'm finished with it! 

I have also been adding some bits as base elements for the next couple of page spreads too.

I've also been using my new washi tapes in the journal mix! It's the first time I've actually purchased and used any. I've seen them from afar as it were, used in other people's work and in many projects but it's the first time I've got my hands on any. I love them! So satisfying, such colours and patterns available.

I seem to have gone a bit neon pink?!! Ah well, there is more work to be done here, so back to play! x

Paper garlands

I love garlands and enjoy making them as well. Way back when I was at art college I used to have a small washing line with inspiration pieces pegged to it, so to me a garland is almost an extension of that. Having something decorative strung about your space.

I've seen a lot of different people make simple paper circle garlands, so thought I would whip up a few myself.

old music paper + self patterned waxy paper + thread = pretty musical garlands. I think they work best when there are a few strings draped about together.
Have you made any?

Inspiration: journal (2)

I am a Writer by Michele Maule

Still feasting my eyes on some great inspiration for playing with paint, pen, paper and collage in my journal. Loving the layers and textures and how pages can become 'artworks' in their own right :)

Journal assembly started...

I have been compiling tools and papers in preparation for some journal making. Doing Mary Ann Moss' online class Full Tilt Boogie is very rewarding in the gathering and re-using of so many bits and pieces, to create a unique journal to doodle, write, paint, scrawl and collage in. Ahh the satisfaction of creativity. I'll show you my finished journal when I have completed it, just the stitching to do now!

Thrifting and making............

What have you been up to lately??

I have been thrifting...

Old tablecloths and crochet doilies sent to me from a lovely lady I met at a fair, to reinvent into other things


A bag full of old trims and binding given to me by a work colleague (from her mum's over flowing stash!)


'New scraps' in the way of wonderfully colourful pieces from India from Yarnahoy. I have been looking for some really gorgeous colourful snippets of fabric to use in my work as well as the more muted vintage toned pieces



And making.....

Experimental new additions - cushions


Oval pins


Cushion


Hearts for a friend for her wedding, part of her gifts for a few special ladies. I'm waiting on a sketchbook through the post to cover for her for another v special lady too, will perhaps show pics when complete



A couple of page spreads from my journal, now that I have stitched all the pages into it.
I created these from paper and fabric scraps, such fun! I have used so many scraps up, bits of paper carrier bags, bits of random paper, photocopies of work, old monoprints, old used wrapping paper, old magazine pages and postcards with snippets of fabric stitched into the mix as well.



And finally a photo of my journal full with its pages, all handmade by me, I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed making this

Now to be brave and actually use it, I don't want it to be too precious and be left unused!
Hope you're enjoying the sun wherever you are ;0 x