Tag: design process

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Making a Calendar

The first step is printing the calendar.  Well, actually, I guess the first step is choosing some paper!  I always go for a thick paper that has a matte finish so that it can be written on with various types of pen/pencil.  This year I'm printing my calendar in 3 different size, but keep paper supplies simple, I've arranged the digital files so that they all fit on the same size piece of paper.  It does mean I have some cutting to do, but I find that easier than predicting how much paper in each size that I will need!

Once printed the next step is to cut them to the correct size.  I print on A3 paper, so my family planner style calendars can skip this step.  My A4 and slimline ones need cutting in half.  After this they need putting into order.  Mine usually end up being in a bit of a muddle after being printed and cut!  I do this in two steps:  1) lay out creating a pile for each month - which also makes me tidy my desk up first! and 2) gather up 1 of each to make the full calendar in order.  Now they are ready for assembling.

The first stage of assembling the calendars is to punch a semi circle at the top in the centre.  This enables the pages to be turned over the hanging hook.  I couldn't find a semi circle punch so I've been a little inventive with a circle one and some tape!  I also have it attached to an oh-so-technical piece of paper with a few guidelines drawn on to help me line up the calendar pages.

Next they need putting into the binding stage.  I prepare the binding machine by adding a binding wire and a calendar hook into the slot that I have along the back of my machine.  First they need the holes punching in along the top.  This is the bit I find the hardest because I like the semi circle punch to look central and my oh-so-technical piece of paper doesn't always seem to be so exact when I line the paper up!  Once the holes are punched in, the pages go onto the wire.

 

When the whole calendar is ready, the machine squeezes the wire together to stop the pages falling out.  One extra little tip that I picked up early on was to flip the back page over to the front before binding.  This enables the binding 'seam' to be inside the calendar, so it's hidden until the end of the year, rather than when you initially receive the calendar.

The final stage is to trim the wire over the semi-circle.  This is a bit fiddly, but I find it much easier than trying to bind using two separate wires.  And then they're all finished and ready to go off to their new homes.

You can find them in my shop here for most of the year.  
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‘Rooted’

This new art print is originally from my Envelopes of Joy project, so some of you may have seen it before, even though it is brand new to the shop.  You can read more about Envelopes of Joy here.

 

The Design Process

I've had the idea of a flower as an illustration to go with this verse for a long time, but every time I tried to paint it, it was never quite right.  So I put the idea to one side for a while.  Fast forward over a year, and it was time to begin getting ready for the next Envelope of Joy design.  Each month I spend time praying about what the verse should be and I really felt it was to be Colossians 2 v 7 with some red tulips.  This design has actually ended up incredibly similar to the original paintings I tried, but this worked first time.  Just shows that in God's timing, things work better!

 

To me, the splatters of red coming from the tulip show the 'overflowing' and the stem needs to be strong just like we need to be strengthened.  (We'll ignore that fact that tulips are well known for becoming droopy quite quickly - then again, look what happens when they aren't connected to the roots!)

How It's Made

I usually create each print in parts - mainly because if I make a mistake with one thing, I don't have to start again!  Sometimes the original piece is all one together, but if I'm making it as a product, I do it in sections to enable better editing digitally.  I begin with the painting which is usually done with watercolours.  I then draw out the text separately, although for this particular print it is more written than fancy writing.   I do this separately to enable me to play about with layout and text size without damaging the painting with endless rubbing out.  The next stage is to scan everything in and put it all together (I use photoshop).  Here I can play about with the layout again and ensure that everything is neat and tidy.  Finally, it's ready to print  and send to it's new home.

 

 

This design is now available to purchase in various sizes in the shop.

 

 

 

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Mary and Martha

 

This latest piece of artwork is based on something I’ve been pondering on this week.  As everybody finds, sometimes life gets so crammed with things and we find ourselves being busy all day every day.  I was reminded of Mary and Martha  in the bible and felt challenged about whether I’m being a Martha or a Mary?  Am I being so busy with the things that I think need to be done or am taking the time to focus on Jesus first?   Sometimes I find the ‘to-do’ list gets so long that it begins to control my day and the deadlines that I feel are there dictate what becomes a priority – just like Martha.  Really I should be like Mary, putting all those things on the to-do list aside to seek Jesus first.  I’m definitely not managing to achieve this all the time, but having this picture in my mind or up on the wall is another prompt to help me along in the right way.

 

 

 

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‘The Oak Tree’

This print is based on a verse that remember learning in Sunday School as a child. It also reminds me of a song we used to sing too and I can’t help but sing the verse now when I read it!

 

I painted an oak tree for the illustration on this print, because oak trees remind me of great strength. I’m sure we could argue that all trees are strong (once fully grown or established) but to me, an oak tree can withstand far more storms and is maybe the strongest and most resilient.  When we are following God’s plan and seeking his will in everything we do and face, no matter what storms come our way, if we keep fixed on Him we will find the strength we need in Him.

 

You can now find the print to buy here.

 

 

 

‘The Oak Tree’ print was originally painted for my Envelopes of Joy project.  Here you can sign up to receive a small A6 size print in the post every month.  There are various length bundles available, with a brand new print each month.

Click here for more information on Envelopes of Joy.

 

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The God Of Comfort

This print features one of my most important verses from the bible.  It comes with a story to tell, a very personal story, but one that I would now like to share.  I’ve been drawing for a long time but until recently I’ve hidden my art away, because to me, each one tells a personal story and I like to hide away and not share what I’m going through.  Sometimes it feels like I’m opening up my diary for someone to read and that’s almost how it is with this verse.  The picture itself isn’t important, it’s the words that mean so much, so here is the story.

 

When I was 16 I had a bible that was divided up so that you could read the whole bible in a year  I wasn’t doing a particularly good job of reading it – in fact I’d barely read any at all.  Now comes the emotional part – when I was 16, my mum died very suddenly.  That night as I went to bed I picked up my bible and began to read the chapters for that day.  I only got a few verses in…here’s what it said:

 

2 Corinthians 1 v 3-4:

‘All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us.  He can comfort us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.’

 

That verse gave me so much comfort.  I almost felt like after a strange day of bewilderment at what had just happened, living in a daze, suddenly it made sense.  One day I would need to have been through this experience.  It didn’t mean the following days, months, years became easy, but I remember feeling a sense of purpose to this sudden extreme change to my life.

 

So here is a new print.  Hopefully you’ll use it remind yourself and others, that we have a God who knows all.  He knows the bigger picture.  He knows the purpose of why we go through the things that we do.  He is the source of our comfort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Available to purchase here)