from the sketchbook

(little bits and pieces from my sketchbook...just click to enlarge)

i've gotten frustrated with the printing quality of my linoblocks. they are not at fault really; linoblocks just show off bold geometric designs the best, but my drawing style leans much more toward line-y, detailed little vignettes which just gets lost with this method of printing. i don't have the space to do engraving like i did in college or screenprinting so instead of carving new stamps and having to simplify or change my vision, i'm just going to scrap the linoblock stuff for the present (all except my polka dot towels which i love too much!) and move onto something that i know i can do.

i've been toying with the idea of how to add more ready-to-go embroidered pieces to the shop for a while now and am now finding it to be the perfect solution to my linoblock dilemma! with it's illustrative abilities, embroidery will be the perfect way to transfer all the little details of my drawings to fabric while at the same time pulling in some loose ends for the overall look that i want the shop to have. why didn't i think of this before?!


so during our string of rainy days this week, i'm busying myself in my sketchbook making doodles of vintage looking cooking utensils, herbs, seed packets, and tea accessories that i will later refine into my own embroidery patterns. the mediums of drawing and embroidery definitely feel "closer to home" for me and i think the change will allow me to show off my design sense more in the final items. and better design = better sales (i hope!).

some (good) changes.

lately, i find much of my time to be wrapped up in wedding projects and planning, but a part of me can't wait for this planning to be over so that i can focus on fixing up the shop! i feel pulled in so many directions at once and have so many projects and new items waiting in the wings. i find myself glancing at the piles of fabric yearningly; there's something about uncut fabric that just leaves me chomping at the bit!

the first big thing on my project to do list will be a few new aprons...new fabrics, wider ties, and some pleats i think! the second big project will be making more linen and flour sack dishtowels using the linoblocks pictured above, among others, which i carved after my own drawings. I just need to have an entire day to print a whole series of apron pockets and towels, in addition to the polka dot ones i currently make. then i can embellish these printed designs with a bit of embroidery to accent the handprinted shapes or compliment the fabric patterns used.

i can't wait to share the finished items with you...in the meantime, it seems i'm going to be a very busy little bee!

keeping up the pace

ooooo i am falling behind on my blogging...but i sure have caught up on busy work for the shop! i am doing a lot of experimenting with the new sewing machine—and i've already broken and replaced a needle on it which obviously shows i am doing some serious work here ;)

i've been drawing and carving new linoblocks, making a custom clutch for a friend, learning to felt (if you are a felter i now have a deep and lasting respect for your patience level), hand sewing more matroishka sachets, working on some new designs for pillows (i've been wanting to have them in the shop for some time now), and making masses of labels to use in upcoming projects so i don't have to stop each time i need one. phew!

i'll be keeping the pace up through the end of the week at least (with a short break to watch the last BSG episode on Friday, tear) so it might be a bit quiet round the blog for a couple days more...stay tuned though because i'll be opening up GVK's first ever give-away right here on the blog on March 21st!


p.s. speaking of BSG, i think what Edward James Olmos said at the UN had to be the coolest frakin' thing EVER.

printing with potatoes

i spent all of this past sunday doing laundry and printing more polka dot linen towels in every color imaginable: cherry red, baby blue, hot pink, pepto bismol pink, persimmon, mint, and grassy greens to name a few. if you're interested, you can always place a custom order with me for a particular color to match your own kitchen!

I use a stamp carved into a potato for my polka dots, quite a simple technique but it works beautifully. This can be a fun project to do with kids as well—just skip the fabric paint and use paper with a kid friendly paint that won't stain clothes and walls. Soon I will have to show you the new linoblock stamps i am carving though which I'm anxious to start experimenting with.

and on a completely unrelated note, tomorrow is my birthday! i just can't help getting excited about birthdays—some think they are mostly for kids, but if that's true than i guess I am always going to be immature :)

Valentine's Lined Envelopes are Here!

I got some special papers just for Valentines and here are some of the new envelopes made with them, now in the shop; pretty and a little old-fashioned and perfect for your special valentine! Take a peek, I hope you like them!


In other news, I've finally got some new linen towels that will soon go into the shop as well. Unlike the previous batch, I put these in the wash before setting the ink with the iron. This left them all with a perfectly faded vintage look (now that the ink has been set, they won't fade any further). The red now reminds me of a vintage coca-cola sign.

In this batch, I also tried out some of the kitchen tool linoblocks i had carved along with the usual potato stamp polka dots. I love the way the colanders turned out (see the turquoise towel above) and hope to post the first of these tomorrow as long as I can get through all the photography i need to do of new items!