Apples and Orange :: graphic design and printmaking

Good Things

2011-01-31T15:13:00.000-07:00

Don't miss all the good stuff going on over at my new home! I don't "live" here anymore.

movin' on down the road

2010-11-22T22:02:00.002-07:00

Hello!

Guess what?!? I've moved.

My new site is up and running at http://applesandorange.com

If you're a subscriber, you can change your feed to http://feeds.feedburner.com/applesandorange/ioSc . If you're not, I hope you pop on over and check it out. If you like what you see, I'd love to hear from you.

Spring Into Action!

2010-10-05T10:53:00.001-07:00

The gorgeous ladies over at Spring have put forth a challenge for the month. They're posting a question per week and have asked readers to respond in their own way. This week, the question is:

I believe humans are all inherently creative beings. All of us. Every last person. It's funny because a response I get to my work is so often something like: "Wow! that's cool. I don't have a creative bone in my body." or "I can't even draw a straight line!" You know what? Neither can I. If I want a straight line I use a ruler. Anyway, I've always been so surprised by this kind of response but I think it comes from a common misconception of what creativity really means.

To me, creativity doesn't just mean painting a picture to hang on the wall ... "creating art" ... it has a deeper meaning. I think our brains have a tremendous capacity for creativity. Problem-solving in any way is creativity. People amaze me with their abilities to solve their own and others problems. That is the height of creativity in my mind.

You are already a beautiful, creative creature. You don't have to "create art" for that to be true.

tap tap tap ... is this thing on?

2010-08-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

Well, hello there! I've been a little scarce lately. The fact is, I've been doing some behind-the-scenes stuff, personally and professionally.

I've been thinking about this here blog and I've been wondering what I should post about. Part of that behind-the-scenes stuff has been working with Michelle Ward, the When I Grow Up Coach. We're about half way through our sessions and the experience has been a m a z i n g. It hasn't been what I expected; I had it in my head that we'd do the weekly consultations and I'd have my business all figured out and be well on my way to developing my product line and have my Plan.

It turns out that we needed to dig a little deeper first and work on my Procrastination issues (yes, capital P). Procrastination has been getting in the way of actually working on my business for real.

I was getting in my own way. There. I said it.

This will probably always be a battle for me, but already the wins are getting easier. I believe that, eventually, the battles will get smaller and farther apart.

I've been spending more time in my "studio" (extra room) and have taken real steps towards that product line I dream of. I still have my moments where the Procrastination itch gets scratched, but it's not nearly as defeating as it once was a few short weeks ago.

So, getting back to my opening statements: I've been wondering what I should post about. Originally, my idea was to write about my journey. That's only partially happened and not with any depth or consistency. So I'm going to put it out there to the Internet universe and see what others think.

So here are my topic/series ideas:
1. my personal journey from a dreamer-with-a-day-job to being my own boss
2. things I learn as I hone my printmaking skills and do product development
3. tutorials of what I learn
4. things that inspire me along the way
5. resources I discover
6. reviews of crafty business books (which I'm reading most of the time)

I know that I probably can't do all six of these with any degree of quality. What do you think? If you had to pick three of the things you were most interested in reading about, which would they be?

Feel free to comment here or send an email to me at info [at] applesandorange [dot] [com].

burn baby, burn

2010-06-02T06:30:00.011-07:00

If you follow me on Twitter you may have seen this already. I wanted to share a quick photo of my screen-burning. This is the third time I've tried this one and, while it's not perfect (yet), it did work.

I did a test print, but I don't want to give away too much too soon!

This is my screen-exposure "unit" set up in our guestroom. I can make the room super dark so it's the perfect place.

skills

2010-05-24T07:52:00.001-07:00

So I've been slowly working on a new project. Before I can print it, I have to polish my screen emulsion and exposure skills.

This is what happens when your emulsion is too thick. It "blows out" the stencil. Hopefully the third time will be a charm.

Passing Along Some Sunshine

2010-04-14T13:08:00.001-07:00

Because we can all use a little more sunshine, right?

As part of the award, here's what's I shall do:

Put the logo on my blog or within my post.
Pass the award to 12 well-deserving bloggers.
Link to the nominees within my post.
Let them know they received it by commenting on their blogs.
Share the love and link to the people who gave me the award.

Thank you Bobbi for spreading the sunshine! It really did make my day.

Here's my list of sunshine:

Julie of Random Meanderings
Art by Nicole Duquette
Lu of Summersville
Jessica Swift
Tiffany of Crafty Fanny
Megan Auman of Crafting an MBA
Jen of Indie Fixx
Michelle Ward of When I Grow Up
Katherine (and Mingus and Dottie) of Phetched
Alicia of Posie Gets Cozy
All the folks over at Spoonflower
Danielle of Danielle Stewart Design

Pen Pal Love

2010-03-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sending out some love ... I have really been enjoying my pen pals from the Indie Fixx Pen Pal Project. Here are a couple photos of what I've received from a couple of mine.

The garland is from Bobbi. Isn't it cute on my manzanita branch?

This cute whale drawing is from Nicole. It's like she knew my bathroom has turquoise tile! So cute and perfect.

Slices of Sunshine

2010-03-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

I've updated my Flickr album with some new stuff.

What do you think?

Pen Pal Project

2010-02-22T11:19:00.005-07:00

The wonderful Jenn at Indie Fixx has started the Pen Pal Project. I've signed up (I'm number 27 in the comments) and I'm so excited to begin. What a great way to inspire each other!

one great reason

2010-01-29T07:00:00.002-07:00

This post from the gals at Rock Scissor Paper is an example of why I should have my camera with me at all times. It's a great reminder for me because one of my New Year's Resolutions is to take more photos to help me *see* all the beauty and inspiration that is around me every day (Which, by the way, I've failed so far).

Images are the property of Rock Paper Scissors.

How fabulous are these colors. Enjoy this little dose of inspiration and creativity.

recent favorites

2010-01-27T07:00:00.001-07:00

I thought I would share some recent finds on Etsy I'm coveting.

Printable DIY Gable Box from Finch & Hawk

Burnt Mango Orange Stacked Deco Silk Screened Slip Cover from erin flett

Tealeaves 6-color screenprint from jackiepeppermint

Bouquet wall clock from decoylab

screenprinted folk bird tree tote from dutchdoor

Poison Arrow greeting card in the New Wave Victorian line from thespottedsparrow

All images are from their owners' Etsy stores.

before and after

2010-01-25T13:07:00.009-07:00

I have a little before-and-after for you today. A little art for my husband as a Christmas gift.

I found these pseudo-oil paintings in a thrift shop. They were labeled "French, 1950's". I think the frames are beautiful and were exactly what I was looking for.
So, I primed over the prints, painted the frames with a lovely brushed nickel spray paint (Valspar, I think) and transferred the silhouettes I did of our two pups and painted them with gouache. I added monograms for them too. "A" for Addie and "C" for Conner.

Ta-Da! They're hanging in our living room next to my Keep Calm poster (in Apples and Orange orange, PMS 151) from sfgirlbybay.

vote for me!

2009-11-19T10:06:00.005-07:00

As previously mentioned, I entered a design in the Spoonflower contest.

Will you vote for me? Be sure to click "submit" at the bottom!

Thanks!

calendar contest.

2009-11-10T11:59:00.006-07:00

I've entered a contest! It's a Spoonflower themed contest. This makes me super nervous because, you see, I've never done this before. I'm not sure when voting will be. I've submitted a calendar design I just happened to have done this week.

My plan is to actually screenprint the calendar, but I thought it would be fun to submit it for voting.

You can find my design here.

ornament swap!

2009-11-05T15:25:00.004-07:00

freshly{blended} is hosting their 4th annual ornament swap.

I'm thinking about signing up, but I don't put up a tree. Is it weird to participate in a swap without a tree to hang them on?

If you're going to sign up, you better hurry (as should I), sign ups end on Nov. 7.

stamp happy

2009-10-09T09:26:00.003-07:00

Look what just came in the mail!

Ooooh, I'm so excited. It's so beautiful and I can't wait to use it.
It came from this Etsy shop.

Print Gocco Fun

2009-06-09T12:29:00.010-07:00

I promised I'd be back with more, and here I am.

click on the image for a larger view.

I printed my business cards using my Gocco PG-5. This was a first for me. I was so nervous to use it since supplies are so precious, I didn't want to mess anything up. I read and re-read and watched tutorials until I was confident it was as easy as it looks. And, it is! I even printed two colors, which is difficult since the PG-5 doesn't have any built-in method of registration (I used graph paper, by the way). I used this and this as my encouragements.

I will admit that I made a couple mistakes, but I've learned from them. First, and this one I expected and was prepared for, I didn't use smooth paper. I was completely compelled to buy Eames Painting in Canvas Finish (in solar white from Neenah). It's beautiful paper and it was a must-have. The other errors were minor. I should have paid more attention to the paper registration when I was printing the first color.

All in all, I had a great time, and it didn't take long. I did let the orange ink dry overnight just to be sure it was dry enough for round two. Then again, overnight before trimming.

Now I want the other Gocco machine with the registration and larger printing plate. I also wish I'd climbed on to this wagon a long time ago (I've had my Gocco for several months).

well hello there!

2009-05-29T07:00:00.001-07:00

I've been missing for a bit, haven't I?

Here's a little peek into something I've been working on.
More soon ... I promise.

Autmn Leaves

2009-04-20T06:00:00.001-07:00

My forest has entered autumn. Now with the spring leaves and autumn leaves, I need to work on sizing. Currently this would come in at 48" wide. I'm certain they don't need to be any larger. Should they be smaller? Let me know what you think.

Click on the image for a larger view.

A Real Forest

2009-04-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've worked on the trees. That star pattern previously posted just wasn't doing anything for me. Here's a new one. I am happy with this pattern. I need to try a few different sizes to see which works best. I've chosen fairly natural colors ... brown for the trunk, green for the leaves. Maybe I should try autumn colors? Have two different color-ways. Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear from you.

Click on the image for a larger view.

See the Forest

2009-03-30T07:30:00.001-07:00

Here's a pattern from the tree in the previous post. The actual size is 12" square. So, that means each tree "star" is nearly 3 1/2" square.

What do you think? Would this work as curtains, a sun dress, pillow covers, a skirt, slip cover, etc.?

Click on the image for a larger view.

Make Like a Tree and Leave(s)

2009-03-17T10:00:00.007-07:00

I am taking a short break from my leaves. I haven't been able to make the repeat work, so I'm stepping away for a moment. But, before I do, what do you think of the yellow? I love yellow. It's so happy and cheery. I would like to see this as yellow curtains for a bedroom (or any room). What better way to wake up (this coming from someone who is not a morning person!)?

So, in the meantime, I'm going to shift my focus to another pattern I've started. Here's the new one ... what do you think?Have a happy Tuesday!

Tricky Repeats

2009-03-12T15:05:00.008-07:00

In my attempts to repeat this pattern, it revealed it's flaws to me. I don't recall where I saw it, but I remember a tutorial about tiling patterns. (assuming I remember it correctly) You divide the pattern into quarters and switch the top right with the lower left, and top left with lower right. This then allows the outer edges to align properly when printing. Kind of like turning something inside-out.

I can't get it to line up! So, now I either start over or try to find what's causing the flaw.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Now if only I can find that tutorial ... Any suggestions?

CORRECTION: I found the tutorial. And it's by, none other than, Julia Rothman on Design Sponge. I bookmarked it (Thank you Delicious!) and there it was, waiting for me to rediscover it!

The Alphabet

2009-03-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

This has been in my head now for a while. I'm relieved to finally get it out. It's so satisfying when something comes out as you picture it in your head, isn't it?

I would love to see this on a T-shirt, tote bag, or sofa pillow with no repeat. I could even print onto a nice cotton paper stock and hang as wall art.

Click on the image for a larger view.