I am working hard to meet my ‘design 20 cards by the end of July’ goal.  I’ve got a lot of work to do in the next two days.  Yikes.  Today, I only managed to produce one new card.  But I think it’s going to be a great candidate for the Gocco!

I’ve been sketching out some ideas for new greeting cards.  I’m still struggling to find “my style”.  I had a lot of ideas jotted in my notebooks, but staring at the jumble of notes just got too confusing.  The only way to find a solution was to start drawing and printing out samples.  My goal: 20 cards by the end of July.  Then I’m going to tack them all on my pin board and stare at them and eliminate the loser cards.

I think both of these will be great candidates for the Gocco.  I may stylize the cat one a little more.  Overall, I am loving the grungy font – it’s Zapatista for the fonties out there.

Monday night’s project: Get the hang of using the Gocco stamper by making wrapping paper.
I picked up a roll of kraft paper on the way home and got busy stamping. I didn’t worry too much about alignment – the rows are straight-ish but the slight variation adds a bit of charm (I think). Or maybe it was the fluorescent pink colour.

One of this weekend’s projects.  Something I was lacking at the last craft show was good signage and something quirky to ensure my booth was memorable.  On Saturday, I was lucky to find this little metal dressform at an antique shop (I know, it’s only antique looking.. that’s ok).

Since my business name is Paper Skirt, I thought I should make a little paper skirt for the mannequin.  After a couple of test patterns, I broke out the scissors and staples and dressed my mannequin.  I’m pretty pleased with the results… and I kind of wish I could sew myself a skirt to match.

My Gocco stamping kit arrived yesterday – along with more inks, screens and bulbs. This week, I’ll be testing it out on some different fabrics: mostly linen and cottons. I’ve got some ideas for a series of tea towels and napkins. I wish there were more fabric stores downtown because I’ve got a hot date on the 95 bus out to the Blair Fabricland.

Where is the summer going?  Yikes.   Mid-July… already??  I’m planning on applying to show at the Ladyfest Craft Sale again with a new line of products.

Gocco printed items will probably make up the majority of my application.  As long as my orders of Gocco supplies arrive soon!  (fingers crossed)  For now, I’m designing (and redesigning) and brainstorming.

This weekend was all about printing business cards.  Last show’s Moo cards were grabbed up!  But I think more people took them as decoration than for my contact information.  Oh well, live and learn.

I got my Print Gocco in the mail shortly before heading off to get married on PEI.  Today, I finally sat down and designed our thank-you cards.  With my design in hand, I headed to Staples to make “carbon” copies of the design.  I love Staples, but there are some odd characters making copies on a rainy Wednesday afternoon.

Upon return, I burnt and inked up the screen.  Press press press.  Let cards dry.  Voila!