The end result...

So following on from my previous post I had decided to re-think the type of patterns I was combining for the new bird lay-out and opted for an ornate repeat tjap instead of large blowsy florals.

I decided one of the birds should feature as an overlap over this ornate repeat but the reality with block printing is that you have to think a bit laterally when mixing two patterns together that need to overlap.

First of all I printed one of the birds in black ink and nipped down to my local stationary shop to have it laminated - (therefore wipeable) before cutting the outline out.

 You`ll soon see why in the next step.

Then I block printed some panels of the indigo linen destined for a hamper with the onate repeat flower tjap with the laminate of the bird firmly stuck on the top of the linen (with a bit of sticky tape on the back) in the middle of the tjap print area.

 Before carrying on repeating the floral over the top of the bird - creating an outline area where the ink would go whilst still following the repeat pattern.

This is what it looked likeonce the laminate bird was gently eased off.

The laminate was covered in thick white ink by the end of this -which washed off easily.

Finally I printed the first bird - very carefully onto the overlap space left underneath the laminate area

And then the second bird to complete the pattern. I loved the result - worth the gamble.

I also printed some smaller linen panels  using only one bird for smaller pods.