Monday 21 December 2009

Winter Solstice Greetings





Soon the days will be getting longer!


More of him later...

I have been busy over the weekend - the Christmas cards are posted, the decorations down from the loft, presents bought - if not wrapped and the house reasonably tidy. As we are having a very quiet Christmas there is not a lot more to do - just the last bit of food shopping.  So I have had time to play with my new toys.

lino prints

After my couple of days etching in the autumn, I got the urge to do some printing and lino is an easy one to do at home. As well as a piece of traditional lino I also got a piece of synthetic lino which I used for this ATC sized print. I tinted the paper by rubbing stamping pads on thin card and printed with some water soluble printing ink. Of course I had to have another go at needle felting too - quite a contrast to the messy printing. But both are involving sharp tools! I hope you like my little 'blue-tit' loosely based on the real bird using the rather bright colours I had. Thank you to everyone who has sent me links to needle-felting sites, they have given me lots of tips.

 
Stand by your journals
A reminder soon of the challenge to create an art calendar page for January.

13 comments:

  1. He's lovely Jill - you are so clever! Those lino prints too are stunning. I must get on with something crafty - having spent all week pottering round with my box of tissues I must now get going or we will be on bread and cheese for 25th! I did make a stab at a crazy patchwork stocking for my daughter having heard today that she is coming. I'll let you see it later.

    Looking forward to hearing more about the journals - I know I said I'd join in but am not at all sure what I have let myself in for!

    Jane

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  2. Mr Blue Tit is lovely .... I just haven't had time to google this needle felting lark but will be child free for the whole of next week so will make time then. x

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  3. Lovely Jill, the blue tit and the lino prints, they're great - and yes, soon the days will be getting longer! Merry Christmas. Lesley

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  4. Love the lino prints but love the blue tit even more. He is adorable :-) Oh yes, the calendar for January......I'm ready...bring it on!

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  5. Aren't you clever, they are both wonderful. I've been toying with the idea of doing some felting, it's on my To Do list but the only trouble is the list is rather long!

    kate

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  6. Jill,
    You are an unstoppable force! I feel a Noah's Ark of needlefelted wonders coming on.... great linocuts too. I am too cack-handed (as they say where I come from) i.e the tools tend to slip out of my hands and make unscheduled marks. Lovely graphic image too. Lesley

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  7. Oh I love your blue tit - what a cutie! And I am also with you in looking forward to longer days, though the snow at the moment is lovely. Happy Christmas & New Year from me! Selina

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  8. He is adorable. I would love to see how you make them. Have a wonderful Christmas.

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  9. Keep playing Jill........ so successful! The prints are lovely, but oh, that blue tit!!! WoW! He is just gorgeous.

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  10. Lovely work Jill. I too am very glad that the shortest day has passed and look forward to spring!

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  11. Jill,
    While I remember, there's a link I think you'd enjoy. It's full of lovely needlefelted animal toys and a few tips too. Have a look at www.chushka.com/gallery/toys My personal favourites are the birds, mainly the owls. Check it out. Lesley

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  12. I love your needlefelted animal toys they are adorable.
    I would just like to say thank you for putting the comments on my blog and taking the time to give me the info I needed. Today I have been to PINK PIG and bought 2 of the A4 journals ready to start on the 1st Jan. I am lucky in that Pink Pig is only 20 minutes from my house.
    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and a Happy New Year to you.
    Pat

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  13. I have just discovered your blog & admire your varied talents & sensibilities. Very much love the felted blue tit.

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