My Lino cut Christmas Card......

Here we have the limited edition lino cut christmas card, I have just listed them in my etsy shop now if you fancy taking a closer peep. ( My etsy shop is in the side bar )

But...

I thought it would be nice...........

to show you the process, just in case you fancied making your own cards this Christmas :)

( Also look above, you get to see a glimpse of my cute ancient spoon rack ! )

Well first things first, draw your design on your lino with a fine marker pen,

Then begin to carve out your design, using the larger carving heads first.....

Then later changing to the finer heads, to refine the detail a little.

I like to hold mine up to the light, or on a light box if you have one, if not use your lap top screen---that way you can get a better idea of what your print will print out like...

Now for the messy bit, use a roller, to evenly spread your ink, I like a red base, but you can do what ever you wish..

Then I use a smoothing out tool, but the base of a clean cup would do just fine, and I rub it all around, to make sure that the print is even.

Then you have something like these....then I hang them up till dry.

Then the  next day , I like to hand paint the rest of the colours in, as I like the depth that this gives the picture and I think it then makes all the cards, each a tiny bit unique.

This all does take time--but there is no rush, allow yourself a couple of days for the carving, I found myself constantly refining it and then putting it away, so that I could look at it the next day with fresh eyes.

I hope you have enjoyed this post, with christmas approaching I am going to make my blog especially helpful. Tommorrow I will show you how I make my mince pies and freeze them, I make them with a crumble and sliced almond topping--so watch this space...

Heres to a stress free Christmas !

x x x