New Scarves

Lots of new patterns for my new scarves, Ive recently acquired a new batch of vintage tjaps (batik stamps) which are incredibly hard to come by, (especially the good quality pre-30`s tjaps) so its a real treat to use them and formulate new patterns. Ive spent a few days repeatedly inking up pattern combinations using them with some of my existing blocks to create new pattern lay-outs - one of which included the beautiful song bird I showed you earlier. Here Im printing it on indigo linen prior to sewing it up.

I`ve sourced another supply of vintage tjaps from France and it will take a little while to ship them over to England as they are quite a few in this lot so it will be a while before I get round to even using those ones, but its exciting to increase my pattern inventory either way.

Mothers Day

Mothers Day in pictures....some beautiful orchids, one or two dropped off so they adorned one of my buddhas heads instead

Okay Im a useless blogger - its been months since I posted and so much happens in between I forget to include it when I do write.
Well at the moment Im diversifying into cushion covers and block printed scarves - well everythings block printed so it takes a little while to build up a new collection.
Ive sourced the most exquisite indigo coloured linen which is perfect when block printed with pure white ink using my print blocks.
Im creating a raft of new patterns and its all a bit hectic juggling everything!
Well at the end of this week I will have the new range of linen scarves in my Etsy shop, all with new patterns - have a look at this new (but vintage) batik tjap (print block) which will feature intertwined in blossom on one of the scarf patterns.
I love birds, exotic blooms and intricate architectural patterns, so the new range is full of them.
Im sewing the scarves up this week-end and will be photographing them after that but I`ll put a first peek of them up here before they go in the shop.

Run up to Christmas

Its that time of year again, Christmas bells soon to be tinkling and its work, work.....and more work.
I found after a great deal of searching a new supplier of cotton for my fabrics and he has the most beautiful cotton going, its very much like linen and Im really happy. Now I just need to spend the time to sit there and cut hundreds of lengths of fabric to create my huge tea towels and cushions.

Shamefully I have not blogged for so long now I almost forgot how! Im finding it increasingly hard to multi task to the degree that Im doing now so something had to slip!
Studio is comiing along nicely - insulation is in, electricity will be next as well as water, my lovely old vintage belfast sink has been sitting patiently under one of my tree ferns growing soft moss...

I feel the urge to create new patterns, inspiration has come from a variety of places, I made an incredibly simple lino cut of cherry blossom based on one of my vintage kashigata (Japanese sweet molds) in fact it was so simple that after making some prints of it I decided to add a touch more detail around the stamen.
Next I want to make a bird pattern, something large and striking with blossom and paisley entwined in wings, beak and feathers......

Studio in progress...

Its been a long time since Ive posted anything but time is scarce andI cant seem to find enough hours in the day. The upside is finally after a superhuman effort the studio is going up, I cant wait.....space for my fabric, tables, sink, racks for my print blocks, press....how have I managed to date?
Ive started carving more patterns, some have been in the making for a while, the owl, the hunt scene and next a bird cage......

Craft Fair

So two craft fairs under my belt and its been an experience! Sales were good, much better at the second Fair in North London where the surrounding were beautiful and the farmers market was in full swing.
I feel like there arent enough hours in the day to print, design new patterns, carve lino or source inks and blocks - plus Im itching to paint our recently sourced vintage kitchen chairs (from an old church, wooden old school style with a gorgeous little shelf at the back of each one designed to hold the bible)
Yet I feel a sense of achievement, minor as it may be.