Sunday 30 March 2008


This is the latest linoprint in a series that i have produced inspired by local architecture. you can see more detailed images of it here : ) The technique used to create the image is very similar to the one i described in the entry i made on the 15th March. With this one i simply used two separate rollers, each with a different colour, (grey and black). Hope you like it!

Saturday 29 March 2008





Hmmm all that paper sculpting got me to thinking about anther artist whose work i love, Robert Sabadu. i just love the clean, simple lines he uses! and am building up a collection of his children's books : )   robertsabadu.com




i just had to share this with you, it is a link to an exhibition by an artist called Peter Callesen. He  creates 3D imagery from 2d sheets of paper. The thing i like best is the patterns and shapes he "leaves behind" along with his beautiful creations. You can see more of his work at;

Tuesday 25 March 2008


Here is my latest treasury on etsy.com it is inspired by the song, "A few of my favourite things", from The sound of music. Hope you enjoy it, i really liked making it!
You can find it in it's original state at:
etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=35622

Monday 24 March 2008




HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY HOPPY EASTER  : )

Tuesday 18 March 2008



here is the latest Linoprint print in my wee etsy shop.  It is called "friday night"

etsy,com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6494325

Monday 17 March 2008



i have managed to snag a treasury on etsy. The title, To err is human, to forgive, canine" so as you might guess there is a dog theme going on. You can view it in it's original state @ :
etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=34493

It will be there until  the wee hours of thursday  morning.
Absolutely everything in it is lovely but a few of my fav's inc:
bluebellfolkart's "circus dog" 
kaymcgonagh's "original dog etching"  
WelcometotheDoghouse's "french bulldog art print"  and
MessyfishDotCom's  "Chily plus Rita"
Feel free to leave a comment on the treasury page, if you are so inclined  : )

Saturday 15 March 2008















I thought that to day i would try to talk you through the process of lino-printing. 
I get quite a few inquiries as to what the process involves,  so here is an explanation of simple monotone (one colour only) printmaking. Coupled with photographs of each stage. 
(i will, at a later stage show the more complicated process of full colour lino-printing.) 
Firstly i cut the linoleum to the desired size. This is printmakers linoleum produced in Kirkaldy, Fife, in Scotland. It is traditional hessian backed linoleum manufactured specifically for printmaking.
I then transfer my image onto the lino, either by drawing it free hand or transferring it from my sketch directly to the lino using carbon paper. ( in this instance i drew it freehand).
Then using a series of lino cutting tools i carve into the linoleum.
 The important thing to remember at this stage is that where ever you cut/mark with the tools will remain white, so it is the opposite of drawing with a pencil.  Since when you draw with a pencil it is the marks you make which create the image  but with lino printing it is what you leave behind that make the image.  
Lino cutting tools come in two styles, a V tool and a gauge tool. As the name suggests the V tool makes V shaped marks and the gauge tool, U shaped marks. They come in a variety of sizes from tiny, little narrow to wide open tools and different patterns and textures can be achieved using a variety of tools.
 A true craftsman uses the entire spectrum of tools and has mastered the ability to use the tools to create beautiful imagery.
Through this process much of the linoleum is cut away and what is left is that which will be inked up. Using, linseed oil based, ink and a roller ink is then applied to the relief surface of the linoleum. 
At this point it is all to easy to "over ink" the lino.  This means that you have too much ink on the roller and you will flood the smallest of the  channels which have been carved into the surface, thus losing the details in the image. Although practice and experience is the simple way to combat this rookie mistake, my printmaking lecturer used to always say that when inking up your roller it should make a "hisp sound, like an egg frying in a pan"  : )
This the stage at which all your hard ,( but thoroughly enjoyable !) work nows pays off. 
The lino must now come into contact with paper to create a print. 
This can be done using a printing press or it can be hand burnished. 
Luckily i  have access to a beautiful printing press, which is 170 years old, in perfect working order and an absolute joy to use. (now that's my idea of sustainable design) 
To hand burnish a print  all that is needed is a very simple implement, for example the back of a spoon will work beautifully. Pressure is applied by rubbing the lino through the paper and voila,  the image is transfered. 
This is the most exciting point of the entire process since you have no real idea of what the print will look like until you peel back that piece of paper and then ... 

i do love printmaking.

Wednesday 12 March 2008


i am trying valiantly  to grow french lavender. i thought it would be so nice to awaken to the smell of lavender plus all of those healing and soothing properties seemed appealing but i fear i am fighting a loosing battle. it has not grown or flowered since planting months ago!

Friday 7 March 2008


this is my newest addition to my shop littlebirdesigns.etsy.com, Wee Westie
hope you like him?


went rumaging through some charity shops yesterday. here are my finds, some lovely illustrated books,  a set of three mugs, a soup bowl, milk jug and a pottery mug,  and three sets of most splendid buttons.    am quite pleased : )

Thursday 6 March 2008


It's official i'm addicted!   : )     feel free to check it out 

Tuesday 4 March 2008





One of my most favourite things about spring, next only to the return of daylight,  are spring flowers. Just now in the house i have tulips, iris' and some pussy willow from a friends garden ;)

Sunday 2 March 2008


New trasury on etsy last night. This one is called "dark days full of hope" In general i don't get many views of my treasury but i always think they look pretty darned good. Maybe i'm just incredibly vain  ha ha!