Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Block Print Christmas Card Inspiration

The notecards below gave me an idea for this year's Christmas cards: block prints!

I always want to do something artsy and handmade, but chicken out at the thought of decorating 50 plus cards. I'm thinking, if I could learn to do block printing between now and November, I could make a master design and print the year's cards at home!

I love the look of chunky woodcuts (particularly Mary Azarian's Farmer's Alphabet and Gardener's Alphabet books). I could tailor the size of the block print to correspond to the size of salvaged envelopes.

If I get really industrious, we can use our yard sale make-your-own-paper kit, too.

Someone remind me of this daydreaming when I am scrambling to sign Hallmark cards with a baby on my lap, okay?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Meredith, I once carved my own block (it wasn't on wood, it was something plastic-y...rubber?) at a summer camp we were working at. Then we used a hard rubber brayer to roll on the ink, and stamp. It was addictive! If you could get the carving done before Baby, then you and your toddler could have a blast making the cards. Giving me an idea here, too!

Debbie

Anonymous said...

Debbie, you probably were using linoleum. That's what I use - I've never done wood block, but I've heard lino is easier to cut.

Roberta said...

I would love to know how to do this, do you happen to have how-to links? I'll try to google it, would you just call it "block-printing? Is that kinda like screen printing?

Anonymous said...

I don't have any how-to links. Maybe it was lino...it was about 1" thick. I think the crafts director (a professional illustrator) purchased the blocks, paint, brayers at an art supply house. They were professional grade, hefty. We also did screen-printing our own T-shirts that summer. It was a different process altogether but again, we used the brayers.

Debbie

Anonymous said...

Or, breyers?

Debbie

Roberta said...

I have used the brayer (sp?) with stamping. That helps me get the general idea. I haven't googled it yet but plan to. Thanks. :)