Start Printing Lino

I've been looking forward to printing the first exercise for my linocutting course. My burst of enthusiasm for making display props for my market stall got in the way. There was no way I was going to try to set up a space for printing on a surface awash with sawdust interspersed with various bits of wood and glue! This morning I managed to clear the space and get set up.

Over the past few weeks I've been progressively acquiring all the materials and equipment I need to print. Tracking down a dense foam roller as recommended by my teacher was the biggest challenge. I finally bought one from an art shop in Fitzroy. Unfortunately this morning it was nowhere to be found. Searching for it did result in a tidier living space, but still the roller eluded capture. I also found a lino block which I'd cut last year and never got around to printing. I decided to go with the soft brayer recommended for printing on paper and the not-dense-enough-foam roller which I'd purchased earler in my hunt for tools.

I can see how the different roller would be more effective in distributing the ink onto the lino, but the tools I used did get me a half-decent print.

My main purpose in printing this first block was to make sure there wasn't a fundamental flaw in my cutting before I embark on the second exercise. That mission is accomplished now. I was also quite interested in the effects of over-printing.

Oh, OK, then . . . in my enthusiasm I neglected to dash out to the studio and pick up some more fabric. To tell the truth I became interested after I realised I didn't have enough fabric. But it sounds better to say I was interested in over-printing!

One more piece of learning. It was OK working on the half of my dining table which I'd managed to clear, but a whole table would have been even better. Now there's a challenge for me. 

Small Pleasures

It's been a rough week. I won't go into details here, but by the time I'd finished my planned tasks in the city yesterday I desperately needed a bit of a pick me up. Here's what I chose.

I've replaced one of my most commonly used tools, with this delightful equivalent. You may recognise my favourite laminated birch from knitpro. I've used it for the first time this morning. It's smooth, well shaped and incredibly light.

Boo Hoo

I just spent a couple of hours improving my sound system. It should have been a happy occasion, but I came across a few technical difficulties and tough connections and my fingers came off second best.

No I didn't accidentally cut myself, I was very careful with the sharp things. I wore a blister on my finger with the tough connections. And yes, those are real tools: pretty, but real. They are part of my living room set of tools. There's also a matching hammer and screwdrivers. I have the usual ugly ones on a shelf in the hallway. These ones live in a wooden box on a shelf near my armchair. Why? I got them on sale when I used to have a tool shed in the back yard and wanted a handy set for indoors on a dark, cold or wet night. Just for fun really. Now to work out why my new digital radio keeps skipping bits of its high resolution sound. I was told I could buy the cheapest digital radio as long as I plugged it through a decent amplifier. Maybe I was told wrong. I don't really know much about such things.

Wishlist

I did some serious damage to my wishlist yesterday. I made a routine trip to the haberdashery warehouse to buy a small number of items. My strategy on these trips is to go with a very definite list. Otherwise the showroom can be overwhelming and all sorts of purchasing accidents are liable to occur. I have been wishing for a proper worklight for I don't know how long. A Daylight company lamp is what I really wanted. I'd decided to start comparing prices and models with a view to buying one soon. When I had dealt with my list, I started to check costs, features and accessories. Then I noticed that the model I wanted was on clearance: 25% off the wholesale price. I took my time making up my mind, but yes, I came home with my dream lamp. Now it's set up and in use.

It's one of those super-hot Melbourne summer days. Closing the blinds helps to keep out the heat, but makes the room too dark to work in. My old halogen light produced a fair bit of heat too. Now I can have cool light and colour accuracy. I'm so happy with it!

Warning

I just went to extract my new tools from their packaging--a significant task in its own right--and found this warning on the screwdriver: Next they're going to have to start issuing warnings about the potential hazards of ridiculous warnings!

Home Improvement Improvements

I fulfilled a promise to myself yesterday afternoon. I stopped at the hardware store and bought these: They are tools to make the installation of the next timber blind less of a stressful marathon--oh, and replacements for the bits and pieces I ruined in my determination to complete the job on Sunday. I can't think of a single textile application for any of them at this stage. On the other hand the less time and emotional energy I have to spend on home improvements, the more I have for textile adventures.