A range of shades

Ive started dabbling in metallic shades of textile ink, at the moment gold and silver.
The results were not as satisfactory as my usual densely pigmented inks (despite being twice the price) when block printed, due to the opacity but never the less produced a lovely sheen with those pretty light reflecting particles.
After a test on a range of my linen which I though would be most suitable (ecru, indigo and olive) I decided the gold worked the best on indigo and ecru. I will see how a full tester print fares.

Im yet to try the silver - probably when I do it will be with my giant linocut paisley pattern for a real twist.

I also decided to start colour graduating again with some of my block prints.
As my time is limited with regular print runs of certain items that are more popular in my Etsy shop (predominantly monochrome prints such as white on indigo) I have lapsed in other more colourful items such as runners and tea towels.
Today I printed a couple of runners in Big Ben, a gorgeous wallpaper block, and used grey and ochre with a subtle graduation in the centre.

They came out very well....

Perhaps I should also start colour graduating on my pods and hampers too - I have a tote in mind which will have detailed orchids which I have mixed soft muted blush pink and burnt orange inks which will be graduated.The ground linen will be a gorgeous mocha linen.