Collage Re-do

Sometimes I do a collage that after a while I look at it and think to myself, "I could use that canvas for something better". You won't see the before, but here is the after. 

I used some vintage Japanese documents, washi paper, and a piece of a damaged print by Keisuke Serizawa (1895-1984). Serizawa was a master of katazome stencil dyeing and in 1956 the Japanese government made him a National Living Treasure. I have several of his limited edition calendars and have posted them previously (although it may be time for another post!)

New Collage

Here are a couple of new collages. Vintage documents, postage stamps, handmade papers - all of my favorite things to collage with. On the first collage, I also used a metal bird and branch with a nice green patina. I purchased them a number of years ago to make some jewelry that never happened.

Soon to be for sale in my Etsy shop TheTornLetter

Valentine's Day

 Happy Valentine's Day

Shades of Blue

 I did this collage using a bunch a letterpress scraps and various papers in shades of blue.

Mini Junk Journals

I made a few mini junk journals from various scrap papers and some kraft moleskine journal covers that I ruined when printing but decided were still good for something. I took the original notebooks apart, collaged the covers, added my own papers and re-stitched the down the middle. These two notebooks are for sale in my Etsy shop, The Torn Letter.

Beautiful Letterpress

In my wandering on the web, I came across letterpress books by British artist Julia Humfress. She has printed 3 books highlighting wood type and I was lucky enough to be able to purchase the 3rd book. The books are beautifully printed and bound in a limited number. (Book 1was completely sold out but I was able to buy the digital version of Book 2 and while nice, definitely not the same as having the original letterpress version.)  The book is really tactile with rich colors. If you love letterpress, definitely worth having in your collection!

Here are some highlights of the third book which may still be available on Julia's website https://www.woodwordsletterpress.com/ She also has prints available and you can see images from the first 2 books

book front

opening page

my favorite spread

back cover

First Collage

My first collage of the year. This one was done on late 19th century McGuffey Reader book cover. I used vintage French papers and a French postage stamp with an image of a sailing ship. I may mount the collage on a wood panel but I haven't decided yet.

2021

 Happy New Year!

 Making my Christmas card

Carving the Linoleum Block

On press

My finished card for 2020

French Stamps

Now that my Christmas gift buying, wrapping and shipping are all done, I had a little time for a new collage. I received these nice stamps on a package from France, and combined them with scraps of handmade and vintage paper, a coffee filter and some type rubber stamps.

Gift Wrap

I did these 2 patterns for a Spoonflower fabric challenge but they both are perfect for gift wrap. I also made die-cut gift tags from some of the elements. Both designs are available in my Etsy shop.

Holiday Treat Wrap

Sweater Bear Wrap

Time for a new collage

 I received a package from an Etsy seller in Russia and some nice stamps were on the package so, I had to make a collage. The purple papers were letterpress printed and I combined them with a vintage ticket.

2021 Calendar

 I finally finished my 2021 calendar and it's for sale in my Etsy shop.

Calendar cover

January thru April

May thru August

September thru December

Collecting

 Last post on embroidery (for now). These are from a beautiful piece of embroidery that I believe my grandmother purchased in France in the 1920's. My aunt said it was always used as a table covering. The piece is quite large with fringe on the edge and the silk is so fragile that it tears if you even look at it the wrong way!

Collecting

Here is a detail of some embroidered pants that my grandmother brought home from her travels. Although she was very stylish, I can't picture my grandmother in silk haram pants! I wish I know what the writing said.

Collecting

I collect lots of miscellaneous stuff, including vintage textiles. Below are a few of my favorites.

The piece in the background was purchased in Vietnam. The small bag in the top left is a Banjara piece from India with cowrie shells decorating the corners. The bag in the center is Lakai embroidery (the opposite side has different embroidery) from central Asia -probably Uzbekistan. The small bag in the top right belonged to my grandmother and I believe is from Greece. My grandmother travelled all over the world and growing up, we had a costume chest filled with embroidered shawls from Spain, fabric from the Mideast, a traditional Portuguese vest and apron, and much more. My sister now has the chest, but I got most of the textiles.

New Letterpress Print

I did this cactus print for a custom order and now have it for sale in my shop.

I seem to be terrible at keeping real cactus alive so I purchased the faux ceramic ones from Etsy seller Woggie's Place.

New

New letterpress cards in my Etsy shop.

Time for a new collage

Here's a new little collage I did. It's mounted on wood and uses all my favorites. I found an old worn tape measure that is now one of my new favorites for collage.

The Torn Letter

For the last few weeks, I have been re-vamping my collage shop on Etsy. I changed the name to The Torn Letter, gave it a new look and re-photographed many of my collages.