Ink, card and robins.

There have been some changes in routine here at Ballistic Owl, for those of you who follow me on Facebook you will already know why, but for those who don't, perhaps you could join in the owly fun over on www.facebook.com/BallisticOwl. I post updates as and when they happen and little studio bits and bobs, as well as inspirational images from my travels about the region. 

Anyway for those of who don't know I now have a job four days a week in the fabulous Newcastle Arts Centre  in Details art store. It's a great place to work and I've met some lovely people and starting to recognise the regular customers. The shop stocks a vast array of media and materials from tracing paper to artist quality oil paints and anything inbetween.

I've been enjoying my time in the studio more as time here is more concentrated than before, but in a good way. It means I have to plan my activities such a this week,  where I've been making my own Christmas cards, something I've not done for a while. I had a great day printing and getting the ink out and covering the room with prints on Monday and had already made a start on my robins, but did more of those on Monday afternoon while my prints dried. Today (Friday) I've finished off my robins and I'm now assembling my cards, with the wishful thinking I'll get them written on Sunday!

Screen printing session

First few robins being made

All felted and outlines stitched (sure there's a pattern in there somewhere!) 

A finished card!

I've also been enjoying drawing (with a little purchase from the shop!), I love drawing and I've got loads of media to play with, but these pencil crayons are beautiful. They're Faber-Castell polychromos and beautifully smooth to draw with and blend well too. There's 120 crayons in the series and I have 47, so I may be on the look out for the others too!

An evenings entertainment.

So remember if you want to keep up with my studio snippets pop over and find my page on Facebook or follow on twitter. I will continue to write my blog with news too, so do keep popping by.

It's time to think about Christmas!

Paperchase - Japanese temple 8 for £4
Paperchase- Flock 16 cards for £7.50
Paperchase- Candy cane Christmas £3.00
Marks and Spencer - Glitter deer 20 for £4
John Lewis - Midnight sparkle 5 For £5
John Lewis - Wishes charity cards 28 for £5

It's that time of year again where I start to think about what Christmas cards to send to my family and friends. I go through the same train of thought every year do I make my own or buy some? So I've been having a look to see what's out there to help make up my mind.

I love Paperchase and they produce some fantastic cards and wrap, often they have something a bit different. I picked out the flock and the cut-out as although it's been done before Paperchase have done them tastefully. I love the pattern on the little fat robin. I also liked their Japanese inspired cards with typical architectural features of Japan.

M & S last year had some fantastic cards, but this year the designs seem paired down. I like the glitter deer, but they don't give me that christmassy feel. Perhaps it's the blue that puts me off?

John Lewis' collection seem to focus on vintage and simplicity either in colour palette or imagery. I like the use of pattern in the midnight sparkle card and the cute bunny. But £5 for 5 would mean they would be reserved for special people and again it's blue mmmm! The font used on the charity set drew my attention and also the sophisticated colour palette and the nod to eras past.

All in all still not sure, a bit more research maybe and some drawing to see what I can come up with.