Stamp Carving

My hand carved stamp collection has grown by one

Reference Library

Here's a few extracts from the second completed inspiration book.

 Each Image in this volume has a connection to the content of the page on which it was placed, the stamped words are quoted from the text and are the basis of the image's connection. 

Reference Library

Here's a few extracts from my first completed inspiration book (the others are only half finished) ...

For years I've been collecting images, for reference, research or inspiration and until recently they've all been residing in box files - jumbled together and rather in-accesible. To resolve this I started putting some of the images in salvaged books (books that would otherwise have been pulped or similar) creating a collection of inspiration books - my own reference library - which I find a much better way to look through my image collections.

Each book has its own theme - so to speak- a way of making the volume somewhat coherent, the book featured below is filled with copies of vintage photographs.

Pin Cushion

My new quilted pin cushion, made using tiny samples of upholstery fabric 

Portable Printing Boards

I now have my very own portable print board, (basically a slightly soft surface to use when printing) the portable factor is particularly handy for storage and space - the last thing I need is a massive print table crowding my already packed work space. Duncan kindly made these two print boards (one each obviously) from old drawing boards (donated - on request - from the school's technology department) which were then covered with neoprene (textiles department), a waterproof layer ( plastic tablecloth) and finally a plain white top surface (cotton sheet). The waterproof layer is to protect the neoprene from inks and similar, since its the neoprene that gives the board its soft surface it would be a bad idea to allow ink to dry on it - it wouldn't stay soft for long.

I'm now really looking forward to getting some printing done...
(incidentally to see duncan in action creating these/ anything I've left out check out duncan's post)