Every Picture Tells a Tale

As Christmas approaches I have been kicking back a little - the presents are pretty much sorted. I can get the last couple at the weekend thanks to what is now a family tradition....my husband and I sneak out on our own for a quick Christmas shop and long lunch while the children have a break with the grandparents. In the meantime, I have been having fun cyber browsing book blogs. I could lose hours this way!!

I have always loved illustration as an art form. There are books from my childhood which haunt me still for their beautiful, bold and characterful illustrations. Some of these I have been able to track down and others yet elude me. Gus the friendly ghost is how I remember this one - I was heartbroken to discover that we no longer had it but was delighted to be introduced to the online world of secondhand books in my search for a replacement. It's not quite the same as the real thing and certainly lacks the charm and adventure of a rummage through dusty bookshelves, but I have been reunited with some old friends this way so I'm prepared to go with the flow on this one.

by Jane Thayer, illustrated by Seymour Fleishman

I think I re-found it through AbeBooks but most importantly I have now been lucky enough to share it with my children, along with some others from the same series.

Today's little treasure is this one, 'True Tall Tales of Stormalong: Sailor of the Seven Seas' (by Harold Fenton). Best of all, I was able to order it straight-away and now I can hardly wait to snuggle down under blankets with the children for an adventure on the high seas with these beautiful illustrations, all by Joan Sandin:

Now if anyone can remember/locate a book of children's poems which I think was called 'Happenings' that would be fantastic. There was a poem in it about someone becoming/being a crow, I can't remember it clearly. I do know this, it was an oddly chilling poem which left me anxious every time I read it but I would love to re-read it now to see how I respond as an adult.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. See you on the other side. XXX

Feature in the Folksy Blog!

I was delighted to be amongst those acting as Folksy Ambassadors at their Christmas Fairs this year and here is the feature giving the highlights of my day in Gloucester with theMADEproject http://frankly.folksy.com/2012/12/05/the-big-christmas-made-market

Feel very shy about it now - life doesn't stop throwing up new challenges does it!? Thank you for reading. :)

Product Photography - Back to School

I know I am not alone with this and am calling out in frustration for help. Anyone setting up online has to meet and tame the dreaded photography monster - at the moment the little beast is getting the better of me.

I have read and re-read pages and pages of tips. I have spoken with photographers who clearly do know what they're doing and I am still struggling.

I diffuse bright natural light. I watch out for hard shadows. I use a camera which allows me to make adjustments (frankly need a course on these) and have had some help getting a basic set-up. I have a tripod - and use it. I have a light-tent for white background shots - and use it (still not brilliant). I AM DOING SOMETHING WRONG.

I need help. Maybe that's all I needed to write in the first place. I'll be back when the fairs are over to tell you how they went and maybe I'll have formed a photo training plan by then. Hope so.

X

Off with the old and on with the new

One of the things that I have learned over the last year (well almost) since I set up Inkyprints-Originals is that it is important both to build an identifiable brand and keep it fresh. Once the basic portfolio was set then adding to the range of designs and products has been the way forward...and this never stops. Partly driven by creative impulse, partly motivated by commercial imperatives and partly prompted by a product process review, I have been busy carving new designs for a new range. Exciting and fun for me to do.

But what does this mean for the old designs? Well bar a couple, they are all going going gone. That's right - the current pocket notebook is being discontinued. Already? I know. It makes sense though, trust me. I'll be listing the full remaining stock of pocket notebooks on Folksy and Etsy over the next week and hope they fly off to new homes to wait it out for the Christmas cheer.


I have given a few hints on Facebook so it's only fair that I do so here as well, but the full reveal will have to wait a couple more weeks.  I'm looking forward to it.

Feathered friends joining the flock

Flip Flap Floppy with Fish

Can't wait to show you them all soon. Have a lovely weekend. X

Lino-Love Folksy Friday

I just couldn't help myself, and I'm not about to apologise. I have been indulging in a little bit of Lino-Love over a cuppa. Could do this all day but that would be naughty, and I don't like everyone to know just how naughty I am. Go on, a little of what you fancy does you good and who am I to argue with such an old adage.

Zebedee

James Green Printworks

Helen Maxfield Printmaking

Amanda Colville Linocut Prints

Stuart Brocklehurst - Printmaker

Lovely. All lovely. Thank you xxx

Goblingate and the swallows

Ok, so time is limited and when I head up to the studio for a printing session I have a target in mind and it makes me all grobbly and cross when I don't make it. My last session was like that and I blamed it on the goblins (in clogs no less) stomping about in the attic. In truth it's probably got a lot more to do with the cooler temperatures affecting the inks than with studio goblins. I suppose. Hrmpf.

Anyway here is a snapshot of what I was up to - there will be lots more of these and they are destined for journals. The swallows themselves are also taking their place in a multi-block limited edition print, but more of that later.

Don't dismiss the notion of studio goblins though - they are real. Oh yes, and mine wear clogs just to make sure I can hear them dancing in their own delight. X

When all the world is still and quiet...

..the pigs come out to fly at night.  Oh yes, I'm having none of this and pigs might fly nonsense. You just need to be a nightowl to know it's true. I have just done this little swine for some fun - I always feel with characters like these that they could be part of some wild and daring adventures. One of these days (or nights in this case) I shall sit down and get the whole story from them, chapter by chapter, to pass on to you...magic carpets, lost arks, cave dwellers and all.

He's not in Folksy yet (or Etsy - oh yes, I've been busy, but more of that in more posts soon - promise) but will be soon. Remember to look up next time you're out late. X