Let’s Print.

Yes – it’s just before Christmas – and the pressure is on. I had to get out the old small print table to finish a special gift. It fit’s in my laundry room. Thanks to my husband – first, for moving this table around as much as he has (many years of lugging). And secondly for putting up with drying cloths strewn around the kitchen.




The goal is to have a space set up to keep all of my projects in one area – so we don’t have to live around prints and ink and paper, cloth – etc. It seem to just expand once I open one of may bins that I use to shuffle things about. I’m sure anyone reading this understands the dilemma of “creating” without a designated space.

This is the reality at this point – so I will do my best to contain the fray.

I wanted to post these images to show that you really don’t need a huge space to work printing cloth. The screens need to be small – and I usually don’t work in “repeat” on a true print table. I tend to shuffle around my small table – creating the repeat in a more organic method. The plan is, however, to have my designs printed in a proper method, in true repeat – so to make full yard goods. I will be ready to use these patterns myself – and look forward to making them available for sale.

The one downside to a true repeated cloth is that you cannot engineer the placement of the images like you can when you print specifically for an object. I think this fact will keep me dabbling in printing on my small table – for special projects in the future.

These napkins show how the Large Swirl works so nicely as an individual image – centered on these large napkins. As the napkins are folded the image changes and creates an interesting complimentary geometry between the circle and the square.

I will be putting engineered printed napkins up on my site after Christmas. These are very good quality linen / cotton blend – and last through many washings.

Gumbo Goodness

Gumbo Goodness

I am recuperating today from our holiday party last night. Lots of great friends joined us for a fun time. There is nothing better than a spicy gumbo to warm up on an icy night like the one last evening. It feel a bit decadent when making this recipe for such a crowd – so I couldn’t help but take some photos of the beautiful ingredients before the were added to the pot.

Here is my little helper– pulling the tails off of the many shrimp.


I always make too much – and promise myself that I won’t do it again the next year. Somehow I end up with the same amount each time. This year there was less left over due to some fine eating – thanks to all who took the pot down to 1/4 full!!(I make about 6 gallons in all – 5 with the kielbasa – and 1 gallon with only seafood).


Due to popular demand I have listed the ingredients below – no secrets here. You may want to divide the units by 5 to get a reasonable dinner amount.

5 gallons Seafood Gumbo (with kielbasa): serves 50 to 75 (party style)

3 pounds kielbasa - cut into 1 inch slices – then quartered
1 2/3 cups olive oil
5 lbs Okra (I buy frozen packages – already cut and tastes great)
10 cups chopped onion
5 cups chopped (larger pieces) red bell pepper
5 cups chopped (larger pieces) green bell pepper
20 cloves garlic (through a press)
4 large cans low sodium chicken stock (approx 20 cups)
5 cans whole tomatoes drained – and smashed a bit
5 tsp. ground cumin
5 tsp. cayenne pepper
2.5 tsp. salt
2.5 tsp. ground black pepper
5 bay leaves
5 lbs shrimp (can be frozen and pre cooked)
3.75 lbs. sea scallops (large ones cut into quarters)
3.75 lbs. cooked lobster meat (tail meat is the best)
2.5 lbs (40 oz) back lump crabmeat
10 table spoons Italian parsley (chopped)

1. Make sure your pot is big enough!
2. Brown the kielbasa in two batches in pot. – set aside
3. Pour 1/2 oil and the okra into pot – cook till soft.
4. Add the onions – peppers - garlic and rest of oil – cook down till tender.
5. Add stock, tomatoes, spices, bring to simmer – and let cook for 20 min.
6. Add non – cooked seafood – cook for 5 min.
7. Add cooked seafood and parsley.
8. Can be served right away – or saved even overnight in a non- metallic container.
Happy eating!!

Now this is fun!

Now this is fun!

I had this urge last month to take some pictures of houses in my neighborhood. There are some great house shapes on my street. Some are Sears’s kit houses from the 20’s and this one is a Victorian from the late 1800’s. This image shows a linoleum block that I cut out using the victorian as a reference – a sort of portrait.


The best part about linoleum printing is how satisfyingly quick and easy the printing is. Carving the block is another story. I used my rolling pin and meat pounder to press the paper onto the block– but will upgrade to real tools as soon as I have a chance.


These are the first prints. I plan on doing some in bright colors – I love seeing the multiples.


On a couple I have painted in the sky with gouache, which gives a moody feeling. Check them out in my shop when you have a chance and let me know if anyone has any good tricks for printing. I have a hard time getting the ink to print completely evenly.

All for tonight…