Craftivating: July 2008

Feeling Crafty

Labels: bird, crafts, door, eucalyptus, front door, homemade, wreath | at 11:09 AM

I've been feeling very crafty lately. I think it is due in huge part to being very busy and stressed out at work, working all day on things that I really dont want to be working on (mostly because I redo the same project over and over again because no one can make up their mind). So I've been going home and working on things that I actually do want to be doing. And I have to tell you.. its really been helping. I am at least feeling some sort of accomplishment and that I am not wasting all of my time. I can say that I accomplished something throughout the day.

This is one of my recent projects that I wanted to share. I recently moved into a new apartment and realized that it is not as nice as my old one. So I've been trying to spruce it up a bit. The door in particular is quite ugly and I decided that I just cant look at it anymore. So I made a wreath. I visited Michael's purchased a basic plain wreath, blue eucalyptus, and a cute little bird. I didn't really know what I was doing when I started, but it came out very nice if I do say so myself.

I love the little bird the most.

Printmaking Batch 3

Labels: cards, carved stamp, gold leaf, leaf, printmaking, stamp, stationery | at 11:05 AM

So I'm on my third project now and it is my favorite of them all. This time I decided to try out one of the Utrecht Easy Cut blocks, similar to the Speedy Carve rubber blocks. Consensus = I LOVE IT. It was super easy and fast to carve, it laid the ink so evenly on the paper, and was definitely easier to clean than the lino-blocks too. Not that the lino-blocks are hard to clean because the ink in water soluble, but I don't like that the wood absorbs the water (obviously). The idea behind this project was to create a gold leaf skeleton. I think they are so pretty and I have been seeing them all over the place, especially as jewelry - earrings and necklaces. I think these cards are subtle and very charming. More pictures posted on Flickr.

Printmaking Batch 2

Labels: block printing, cards, carved stamp, flowers, lino-block, linoblock, poppy, printmaking, stamp, stationery | at 9:40 AM

For my second project I decided to make a flower print. I found a little drawing online and used it for these prints. So its not an original drawing of mine, but I like it just the same. I think they are adorable and nostalgic almost. I was still learning the little trick on this batch. I am getting some ink on the edges of the block which is leaving little marks on the card. By the end of printing I caught on and realized how not to do that, lol. I think the colors are lovely. I love the light pink card with the red ink.

To see more view my Flickr.

Printmaking Batch 1

Labels: block printing, cards, carved stamp, coral, ink, lino-block, linoblock, printmaking, seahorse, stamp, stationery | at 9:20 AM

This is my first batch of printmaking experiments. Overall I thought it turned out really well. I was experimenting with the ink thickness, pressure application, hand pressing, all of those variables that make the prints vary in their look. For a first try I think they are adorable. I bought all kinds of cute cardstock, cut it down and folded it, printed then outlined the design with silver and gold metallic paint markers. I loved the finishing detail of the outline, it made them look so fun and fancy. I printed 75 cards in this batch and decided about after 25 that I needed to buy a press before I made anymore prints. So that is what I did. I got a great response on these cards. I posted all of the pictures on Flickr if you want to see more.

Printmaking

Labels: block printing, cards, hand press, jack richeson, lino-block, linoblock, press, printmaking, stationery, utrecht | at 11:00 AM

I am really starting to get into printmaking these days. I have always been interested in it, but never really knew that it was all about. So I've been doing some research and a few batches of test prints. After my first batch of prints I decided that I needed to invest in a small hand press to spare my hands and wrists from pressing them all myself. I am glad that I did too because after about 50 prints the hands really start to pay for it. The press was much easier and laid the ink more evenly. I found this nice little press at Utrecht, they also had it available for a higher cost at dickblick.com. The only problem that I have with it is that it only presses the back 1/2-2/3 of the platform. You can kind of tell in this picture that it doesnt press all the up to the front. I am not sure why they would design it this way, but it seems like wasted space to me. Maybe I just have not figured it all out yet, which is completely possible. :) Overall I think it was a great find.

Wedding Invites, RSVPs and Reception Cards

Labels: invitation, invites, reception, rsvp, wedding | at 9:45 AM

I've been working on my best friend's wedding invites and all of the things she needs to get printed for her wedding that is this October 4th. After 5 months.. she has finally approved the designs for the invites, RSVP's and Reception cards. Hallelujah. I am not in love with the look she decided to go with, but it doesn't matter. She is the only one that needs to like them, and right now she LOVES them. So I'm happy. I am going to be dropping off the files and the paper at the printer today at lunch and I am thrilled to get that out of my hair for a little while. Once we get them back its going to be chaos to get them mailed out on time.. trimming them all to size, assembling the inner packets, addressing the envelopes, postage, etc.. there is still a lot to do. It overwhelms me just to think about it. I will be happy when I can get a breather from all this wedding business she has me doing. Next up after the invites are going to be the menus, table cards, place cards, bar menu, programs, etc. It is going to be a busy couple of months.

Starting a new

Labels: crafting, craftivate, craftivating, crafts, handmade, homemade, projects | at 7:34 AM

I've decided that since my personal blog was overflowing with crafting and design projects that it was time to start a new blog all about my crafting adventures. I have been visiting Utrecht, Michael's and Jo-Fabs on a weekly basis lately and have a lot to show for it. So this will be the new home of all of my projects along with my Flickr account. I've got a whole list of blog topics already so I hope you are excited.

Craftivating