Journal cover at Retreat

We had our second retreat of the year at The Outlook (Boonah) a few weeks ago and I had been gifted some sample sized pieces of one of Ricky Tims fabric range from Maynards Store (also in Boonah). Rectangles seemed to be a theme for a few of us on retreat and so I started to make a base fabric from 2 1/2" x 4" rectangles (finished size 2 1/4" x 3 3/4").  The new base fabric was then printed with gold textile paint (in the shape of a silky-oak leaf), then decolourant was painted onto the lino cut leaf. When dry, this steamed into a shadowy effect that seemed to balance the strength of the gold print.  A few pieces of grass from outside our building were printed into the "empty spaces" before the cover was lined and stitched - a new journal cover.

 Rectangles cut and ready to assemble

Silky oak leaf lino cut (actually cut into softer compound)

Printed with gold textile paint

 Lining (created with Procion MX - twice dyed)