Lino cutting

 The sun is shining and it is -3C out there . . .  I shall have to stay indoors, tempting as it looks to go outside . . . . I will just have to stay in and craft!!

I have signed up to a new swap with ATCs For All Group . . . try something new.

I have a lino cutting kit I bought for myself many moons ago . . .  too many to count!  I signed up as I now have a legitimate excuse to use this kit and actually try it out . .  today's the day . . . . BTW  this will be a long post as I am sure you want to know the ins and outs of how it went . . . . get yourself a nice drink (maybe a biscuit) and settle down . . .

The kit comprises of many parts, including an instruction sheet which I have taken out and read many times over the years. . . . then put it all away again.

So there it is . .  printing tray, lino of varying sizes and types, tube of ink, cutting machine (it all fits together to make the cutting pen, very clever) and a roller.

I used the piece of lino to the left and after several sketches on the flat side of the lino, decided to go with a primitive heart.  It was quite difficult at first, helps if you hold the cutting pen the right way up, but it did get easier.   I think that with more practice I could attempt the image in my head . . . . one day!

Printing was easier, on home ground as it were, first with Distress inks, then a pigment ink and then some acrylic paint.  I also used the printing ink but it didn't improve much.

Now I had tried out the 'stamp', I moved on and sorted out my packaging to make the ATCs . .

Oops! not that one . . 

This one!  The variety of packaging used is not indicative of any particular choices, more just for the background.  So I printed . . .

Hmmm!  they are ok but need to be more organised, I think, so try again . . .

Next packaging . . .  don't tell Phil . . .  I love his magazines and products but don't like too much waste so  . . .

From one box front I can get nine ATC bases . . . well done Phil for super packaging!

This time I tried to organise the stamping a bit better, having the finished ATC in mind.  Neglected to take a photo here but I did feel happier with the layout and colours.

Moving on . . . 

Once I had cut out the ATCs, I was quite happy with them, they are more or less how I imagined them.  

The disinfectant box . . . 

Phil's packaging . . .

Yes!  A very good morning's work.

I shall finish them off with a sentiment on the first ones and maybe an image and sentiment on the second set. . . . . sometimes ATCs have their own ideas  . . .