Learning from a beginner!

At my latest workshop, a new student, Ara McLeod tried her hand at eco-printing.  I let her have free rein with the materials and paper, and she came up with some incredible prints.  This is a lesson for all of us who are instructors.  Never say there is only one way to do anything!  Ara was fearless in her application of plant materials in a method completely new to her.  See for yourself her wonderful prints:

 

Tag team!

I have found more ways of using my prints, or parts of my prints.  Sometimes I have to trim a print down to fit a required size of frame.  I don't like to waste any part of my work, so I started looking for more ways to utilize these cut offs.  I was in my local craft store, and they were having a sale on printing stamps.  I found a stamp that looked like a tag.  I bought it and brought it home and used pigment ink to stamp some scraps of my prints.  the photos show the results.  I also do book markers from my scraps, and my friends love them.
The card on the left shows the stamp on blank paper.  The four tags are overprinted with the stamp, and it makes a very subtle print over it.

I'm Back!

Hello!  Long time since I've been able to blog.  My apologies, but first I had the flu,  then caught pneumonia. At my age, it is not easy on the old body.  I have really had to take it easy.  I did get to do a short one day workshop, but it took quite a toll on me and I had to really take it easy for two weeks after. My workshop was taught at the Pioneer Florida Museum in Dade City, Florida, and is an ideal space to hold a class.  The weather outside was in the low 30's in the morning, but we were warm and toasty inside the big barn.  I'm posting some of the prints by   Nancy Greenland and Amy Grief.  They did some outstanding work with great original design.  I hope you enjoy the photos.
I am also including some photos of various books I've made for my eco prints.  This will give you some ideas of what to do with your prints.  Nancy Greenland mounted her prints on black cards that came with Brown envelopes.  They are stunning.  Amy and Nancy explored tearing the paper before cooking to give a faux deckle edge.  It is another useful idea on what to do with your prints.  Some of the mini maze books (2" x 3") are just wonderful.