Camping Trip

A few of my instagram photos from my camping trip at Jervis Bay. We camped near Booderee National Park, and I just can't emphasise enough how beautiful that place is. The forest grows right next to the sand, the beaches are pristine and the water is such a clear blue.

We saw kangaroos and a wallaby feeding on the beach, did a lot of snorkelling, reading on the beach and lazing around. I am back to work now with a few projects in the works, fully rested and recharged.

(I will share some more photos once I get them off my camera!)

Happy New Year!

(photo from my instagram)

Happy New Year everyone! After a busy Christmas period, I have been staying in spending all my time in the studio. I've been experimenting with new patterns and trying out some different ways of doing things. It's been wonderful to just be able to paint for fun again, without having to worry about the outcome. I hope you all had a good restful break with family and friends like I did!

Free Printable: Christmas Tags

I designed these little Christmas gift tags to use in my gift wrapping this year, and thought I should make them available for you too. The pattern is taken from this card, one of my linocut designs. I used illustrator and photoshop to change the design around a bit. I would love to be able to have this printed on wrapping paper!

Download your free gift tags here  (for personal use only please).

Make sure your print settings are set to 'high', and use thick paper or card with a textured finish for best results. Use a hole punch to cut out the hole at the top and you're done. Perfect for any last minute gift wrapping!

Market preparation

Today I have been counting all my prints, cards and tags in preparation for the Millthorpe Markets on Sunday. These tidy piles are the least of it, you should see the rest of the studio - so much mess involved getting everything organised.

Hoping for some good weather. If you are going, I would love for you to stop by and say hi!

instagram

Now that Harley has upgraded phones and given me his old iPhone (all my phones have been hand-me-downs), I have been able to join instagram. Now I have another thing to distract me from doing any real work. Pinterest is the worst when I am procrastinating. I scroll through all the pretty images, repinning to my boards when suddenly I wake up and realise hours have passed. I'm not even kidding. If you would like to follow me, my instagram user name is ameliaherbertson.

I know I haven't been posting much, things have really picked up and I have been super busy with markets and custom orders. Right now, it is 11pm and I haven't had dinner yet (or lunch). I am drawing like crazy and to get ready for the Millthorpe Markets on this Sunday. I'm so excited, they are always fun. Except for last time when our whole stall nearly blew away in the wind. This time we are taking weights and tent pegs!

Lino printed Christmas Cards

Christmas Tree


Noel


Merry Christmas card

 I know I am late to be releasing my Christmas cards, I can't believe it is (almost) that time of year already!
As usual, these cards are hand printed with my own carved lino blocks on thick textured paper.

Pinterest Picks: Studio Spaces

I have been dreaming of a new and more spacious studio to draw and lino print in. Pinterest is the best place to scour for inspiration! My boards are slowly growing with beautiful images. These are my favourite art studio inspired pins.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

New Christmas Card Designs

I have been busy designing and carving new block prints for my Christmas card range. Here is a sneak peek at one of the designs..


This is how I start a new design. A rough sketch in pencil which I then transfer on to the lino by rubbing the back of the paper and leaving the pencil markings on the lino.



I was going to make it a cleaner image, and tidy up all the black marks around the letters but I have decided I like it that way. Now I have to get printing the design on cards!

I'm Back

I am now back to work after a much needed break from designing, printing and drawing. I was feeling burnt out and I really needed a break from everything, mostly the computer and the internet, to recharge and find inspiration and the urge to create again.

I feel much more ready and excited to take on the Christmas rush and get to work.

Thank you to everybody who visited my stall at the Handmade Canberra markets last month! It was so nice to meet you all. Also a huge thanks to the hugely talented photographer Erin Dando who took these gorgeous photos of my stall! Check out her website, I just love every picture on there. xx

Market Preparation

These past couple of weeks have been wonderfully busy for me. Wholesale orders, markets and orders from lovely etsy and MadeIt customers have taken over my life, but I love it!

I've been lino printing and drawing like mad in preparation for the Handmade Canberra markets on this weekend! I will be there Sunday only, and I can't wait. If you are in the area be sure to pop by and say hello, and check out all the other talented designers.