18 August 2008

Big Blog Post - Well for me Anyway.....

Today I sent off my contribution to the 'art of the note gocco swap' run over at clothpaperstring. Great idea and Sarah who ran it all has taken on a mammoth job. Over 50 contributors - wow! I was really happy with how my little note cards turned out, they measure about 10cm square and I handmade all the envelopes. Big job. What do you think? I searched high and low for this kraft card. Anyone know somewhere I can get some more? Preferably in Australia.

So this is my idea of a boy doll. Yeah I know, it's a boy in a skirt, but I love the wee little scotty boy and his lil' bagpipes. I thought I could name all these softies, ie Hamish MacDougall and his bag-blowin' mate Angus McTaggart. I cut these wee boys from lino and stamped onto some lovely fine weave cotton. On the back is a lovely brush cotton tartan. On the front, of course, is a lovely ginger scotty boy. The back looks like a chop- mmm tasty! I think they're cute. Thoughts anyone? Would you buy yer wee barn a chop-like, skirt wearing, ginger, bag pipe equipped, scotty boy softie?

Just to share - this is my current obsession. Wooden forks and spoons - sparked from a few blog posts back. Sourced from a local packaging place I am in love with these wooden lovelies. They also come in bamboo, but these ones are made from pine. I don't know what I'm going to do with them, probably just stay obsessed for a while and look, touch and rearrange them.

29 comments:

Michelle said...

wow the cards are beautiful.
was going to ask.
do you think gocco is easier than lino prints for fabrics? i realize the cutting out for lino is hard but to print the finished product is it easier.

Diana said...

Hi Michelle, I like the rough look of the linocut. I find the cleanup easier with the linocut than the gocco - less things to wash. The linocut is a temperamental medium, but I love it. With lino you need a fine weave material to get a decent print, otherwise it can get quite patchy. With lino I can go big, but with the gocco the size is more restricted. I must venture into the world of photo emulsion one day, but just a bit hesitant.

Anonymous said...

You have lost me. I'm not sure what type of meduim this is. What is Gocco and Lino?

Janie in MO

Tacha said...

The cards look great. Love the string tying them together.

fi said...

love the cards and the wee scotsman! i also loved you article in Mixtape, cant wait to try some lino carving:)

mel bomba said...

Your cards are fantastic and I can't believe you hand made envelopes (you're crazy) Love the boy doll to, every time I came over this way I always feel like going to the art shop and buying some lino.

Suzy said...

Those cards are gorgeous. I have to get mine packaged up and shipped out!
And I love the doll - I think my babby would definitely love a chop-like, skirt wearing, ginger, bag pipe equipped, scotty boy softie :)

Mel @ Skye Rocket Sews said...

Oh,Di...loving the softie's ! Where can I buy one? My girl's will love him,my hubby's from Glasgow,so it's perfect!
Your cards are beautiful! Just stunning!
Mel.x

Diana said...

Thanks guys, Mel and Suzy those scotty boys will be uploaded to my madeit shop in the next few days hopefully. Glad you like them. Janie the lino is short for linoleum. Basically just a rubbery tile which I cut with cutters and make prints out of. The gocco is a japanese screenprinting system, very cool and lots of fun.
Di

Liesl said...

I love your wee boys - they are fabulous.

There are a few places on eBay that sell kraft card. One store called "Plaza DJ" does some different sizes in 205gsm, if this is any help?

Amy C said...

the cards are stunning, you are super clever and talented.
THe simple string tie works beautifuly.

Bianca said...

I really like the gocco cards, they're so cute. and scotty boy rocks.

kitty stitch said...

hi diana looks like youve been busy, love the card print, lucky you having a gocco! No-ones mentioned your cutlery!! Well I think it looks lovely, can see Heather Moore liking those!!

Jedda said...

I love the cards and those little guys in skirts are brilliant. Now about that kraft card...what weight is it? I use something similar for my packaging, Ill find out more...

Diana said...

Hey hoppo bumpo. Yep,actually bought this 205gsm from Plaza DJ. Have also ordered some more, but I want to buy in bulk, such a greedy crafter ..I know! I love this kraft paper the cards look so much better in the flesh. Thanks Kitty Stitch for loving my cutlery. Jedda the card as mentioned was 205gsm. I would love this weight or even a 250gsm. Jedda, Has Gavin sold yet? I think I'm in love with Gavin and his bucky beavers.
Di

Jedda said...

Hi Diana
Yeah Gavs gone and on his way to the states, had to laugh at the idea of him smiling all the way there. But good news.. he has siblings! Trevs the latest addition, and Colin is on his way, just as bucky and just as cute...in a strange kind of way that is.

Belinda said...

So impressed with the post, the cards are great but I am so loving the scot. I did highland dancing as a young girl and it brought back such memories, if you ever think of doing a scot girl let me know particularly in purple (my kilt colour).
Have agreat week.

Michelle said...

thanks for the info.am trying to get a trip in down that way in a couple of weeks.and want to hit ecksleys [how ever they spell it] and stock up on some different mediums to work with.i so wish i would have done lino cuts at school...but miss out on that one.

Anonymous said...

the notecards turned out awesome!

Anonymous said...

your cards arrived in my mailbox yesterday - they are very cute - well done!

Chris said...

Hi Diana, I saw your softies at Honeybee on Darby st. They look great. Congratulations. And I love the wee Scot boy. I made my 2 year old boy a kilt, and everyone loves it, especially him. Chrissie

Diana said...

Thanks Chrissie. How cute are boys in kilts? Sooo cute. I'm going to the Olive Tree Market on 6th September at The Junction Public School. Should be a great market. Hope to see you there.
Di

Anonymous said...

Hello Di,
I have really enjoyed looking at your images of your happy creations!
They make me smile!
Susi,
Three Little Birds

wardstorms said...

hi diana,
these were the first of the swap that i received in the mail. i love them, they are so cute, so sweet. i don't know if i will be able to use them because i want to keep them for myself! :)

Unknown said...

did someone say GINGER? I love a ginger boy ;)
Those cards are fab, I love them. I love the little ginger scot, he looks rather like the little ginger creature sat next to me.
And I have a strange obsession with wooden cutlery at the minute, but I can't seem to find any forks on my travels of restaurants to nick (but plenty of spoons...)

ckillin said...

hey diana, so many comments, hope this doesn't get lost. essentially i came over here to tag you (just what you've been secretly hoping for, right?) but i'm in love with your cards and scotty boys (and like you i've been searching high and low for small square, recycled paper cards to print on - so if you have any luck let me know). And those forks and spoons! very desirable, just the kind of thing i would obsess over too.

but.. back to my initial quest.
i've tagged you.

Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking to them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

Anonymous said...

They are fabulous! I love those!

erika said...

these little boys are so cute!!!

Unknown said...

Oh these are fantastic! My boyfriend is from Scotland, but his name isn't that scottish sounding (and he doesn't even have a tartan on his father's side!), but I did go to school with a Hamish McDougall!

Thanks for the cvote on the bubble as well.