2011 Calendar

It took me all summer to design my 2011 calendar, cut the linoleum blocks (some more than once!) and print it on my letterpress. Finally, it's done! Here are some pictures of the finished pieces with the linoleum blocks and the printing in progress. The type was done on the computer first, and then the blocks were printed. It's a limited edition of 40 and it's available in my shop, here.

The Compleat Martini Cook Book

I found this book (and yes, the name is spelled incorrectly) at the Rose Bowl Flea Market last Sunday. The pictures are fabulous, the recipes sound pretty bad (but after a few martinis, who really cares?) The book was published in 1957 and is dedicated to all of the publishers that rejected it. The recipes are simple to follow and involve things like canned soup and frozen peas.

Fall Colors

A collage of fall colors

The vintage handkerchief is from Heirloom Linens
The tiny bird painting is from peace of pi
The jumbo paperclip is from By Belinda and purchased at a craft show.
The vintage button pins are available in my shop Two Hand Too
The fan shaped item is the lid from a ceramic Japanese box.

Squirrel and Owl Embroidery

This embroidery is from a set of place mats that I found at the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena, California. The colors remind me of autumn although the tree and flowers are completely fanciful. I like the squirrel peeking out from behind the tree.

ABC Book

I picked up this ABC book at the J.Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. It was published by the Getty this year and has lots of fun illustrations about all kinds of art. You can purchase the book here

Crazy about...Pincushions!

I really wish I sewed more so I would have an excuse to buy one of these pincushions. Maybe I need a new item to collect...
Top row right to left: Needle felted pin cushion with a sweet elf attached (AnnaBelleArts),
Leather bottom pincushion with two cute pins (Mairuru),
Retro crochet pincushion (MK4designs)
Middle row right to left: Vintage Cappuccino Cup Pincushion-Blue/green (Ayoka), Red, White and Blue Embroidered Bottle Cap Pincushion (upthecreek),
Tiny World pdf Pattern Tutorial (mck254)
Bottom row right to left: Hand Stamped Fabric Pincushion in Upcycled Jello Mold (T Hein originals), Queen Anne's Lace Pincushion (from my atelier), Pincushion jar red (almapottery)

Collecting

One of my favorite children's book illustrators is the husband/wife team of Martin and Alice Provensen. This little book, "Karen's Curiosity", was published in 1963. I love the pen and ink technique of the drawings. There is a companion book called "Karen's Opposites" but I'll save that for another day.

More Patchwork

Exhibiting at craft shows means you meet some really nice vendors and see some really cute booths and product. Here are a few of the booths around me at the Long Beach show.

Pretty Paris had a booth that reminded me of a pastry shop full of tasty bonbons


Relight made soy candles in recycled glassware and their booth had a retro flare


Chabuki had super cute clothes for baby

Patchwork Show

I had a great time at the Patchwork Craft show in Santa Ana and in Long Beach. Here are some pictures from my booth of my product. In the display are Moleskine® notebooks that I have letterpressed from my hand cut linoleum blocks. The small notepads in front are made from vintage playing cards.

I also sold small collages and paintings. I sold lots of Birds and Owls. What I didn't sell will be available in my shop in the next week or so.

New Letterpress Cards

I have some new cards in the works. Here is one of them at various stages of printing.
The inspiration for the card is the vintage Franciscan plate. This one is available from DeLois on Etsy.

First I printed the blue, and then the green.

Next comes the type. This is a birthday card so I also have to print the inside message, not to mention the logo on the back. All in all, the card goes through the press 5 times. Each color is a separate printing block. I print on a Kelsey tabletop press, which you can see all inked up on the left.

After everything is printed and the ink is dry, I fold the cards, photograph them, package them, and then list them in my shop. It's a long process!

Craft Shows

I'll be in two craft shows in June-both sponsored by Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts. You can get more information at www.patchworkshow.com I got this great vendor's apron from Clayroad Collectibles It's made from all sorts of vintage fabrics and lace. I'll be wearing it next weekend (June 6) at the Patchwork show in Santa Ana, California

Felt Purse

My sister gave me this felted purse for my birthday. I love the purple and orange together.

Dancing Cats

I purchased this card a few years ago because it made me smile. It's done by Sugarbeet Press and you can see more of their cards here

Collecting

Here is another children's book with nice illustrations. This one dates from 1964 and is about two brothers who make up a game about color when they are stuck inside on a rainy day.

Collecting

I love children's book illustration and this is one that I found at the flea market. The book is called "Surprise, the story of Molly and Mops" It is about a little girl and the surprise present her dog Mops gives her for her birthday. It was published in 1935 by the Whitman Publishing Company of Racine, Wisconsin and the author is Charims, (Charlotte Helen Smith) whom I can't find any information on.

Flea Market Find

I found this nifty stainless steel coffee container at the flea market. I love the little red handle on top. It's missing the glass insert but still comes in handy for storing my binder clips.

Inspired by Lace

So much lovely lace
Top: Vintage Lace Brooch (ThatOldBlueHouse2), Ceramic Lace Vessel (raquelmasri), Pincushion (brendasbag)
Middle: Pincushions (namolio), Lace and Linen Storage Buckets (Ornamelle), Leather Cuff (LemkaB)
Bottom: Rennes Lace Necklace (FoxAndClover), Purse (afra), Lace Sea Stone (Kfirsten)

Shades of Green

I fell in love with this vintage cup and saucer (left) made by the Swedish company Rorstrand. The pattern is aptly named Triangla. It inspired the little drawing of the bird and flowers (right) which is available in my shop. The illustration is done on a paint chip that has 4 different shades of green.

Spring is here

The lupines in my yard are blooming. What a brilliant blue!