Printmaking with Kids

While I am not inclined to take on such projects everyday, today was a holiday for us all as the boys were out of school and I was playing hooky. I absolutely love all things related to printmaking and had been waiting to dig into this EyeCanArt kit given to the boys on their 5th birthday. Yes, I waited until age 6, but it was worth it.

The monster designs were independently crafted by each of the boys, with some assistance on the cutting and overall strategy. We rocked this out in two stages (design-cut and glue, then print), and based on some of my project edits, we executed it a little bit different than the kit recommends. Mainly, this is due to the fact that I misplaced the proper papers included in the kit. {I stored them flat between books, and am baffled as to where they are.} It still worked with a tweak or two and was marvy for an inaugural attempt. {The main issue is that I used very thick tag board to build the design on, and more thick pieces for the design-including the soft foam sheets}.

I dug up some of the tools I had on hand for linocuts, including some super old orange speedball ink and a large brayer. This helped because we kept one brayer mainly for the ink, the other to burnish the image. I loved using the kraft paper for the boys images, as they were somewhat tribal in design and it made a nice contrast. Mine are ancient, from PaperSource, though I couldn't find them on their website just now.

Art Kit by Truly Fine Design


I think some of the best gifts for kids include art supplies and books. The boys were recently invited to a birthday party for which I created an Art Kit as the bday prize. Kids have the most fun and allow their imaginations to wander when they are given access to random materials. So I included the following items:

  • Glue
  • Crayons
  • Construction Paper
  • White Paper
  • Blank Cards & Envelopes
  • Rainbow Selection of Pom Poms
  • Googly Eyes
  • Pipe Cleaners
  • Neon Office Labels
  • Foam Sheets in 5 Colors

Interested? E-mail me. The combinations and price points are infinite!

Happiness is...

Happiness is...Coffee, Best Friends, Responsible Ecological Choices, and Great Design

I had the pleasure of spending great BFF time with KT in Minneapolis last weekend. While my original gift idea was to locate a quality version of the old "Best Friends" necklace, with the charm split in two, we found something better. In our shopping excursions we located a sophisticated, yet utilitarian item already on my holiday wish/give list:

I Am Not A Paper Cup James Burgess, 2007 An eco-friendly alternative to disposable cups, this double-walled porcelain version with a pliable silicone lid keeps beverages hot and doesn't burn your hand. Found in a variety of locations--momastore.org, thinkgeek.com--we found these at Paper Source in Uptown Minneapolis. I heart mine.

North Park Craft Mafia-Holiday Hit List

While I was busy being cold in Minneapolis, Truly Fine Design made a guest appearance as swag in the goody bags for the North Park Craft Mafia Holiday Hit List event in Point Loma. This group of gals really rock the glue stick and I encourage you to check them out. I hope to join in the Valentine festivities in 2009, and maybe even get some prezzies finished up on the 16th.

Crafty Conspiracy Craft Night @ Filter - Dec. 16th!

Do you like to craft? Come craft with us on Tuesday, December 16th at Filter Coffee House in North Park! Get those last minute holiday gifts completed, or join in the group project. We'll be making some fun ornaments for the tree! Be there!

Tuesday, Dec. 16th
7 - 9 p.m.
Filter Coffee House
4096 30th St., San Diego - 92104