My new Docs

I just had to show you my new Doc Martens! Aren't they lovely? I treated myself to them when the sole started to come away from my old (well 1 year-old!) trainers. These were on Ebay brand new at under 40 quid, so I grabbed them. Soooo comfortable for walking the dog and standing watching rugby matches on draughty pitches. They've had lots of admiring comments too. Mmmmm...smug mode! :-)

Now see what you've done...

It was Gretel's blog ( http://allaroundus.blogspot.com/ ) that started me off.....the printmaking bug has bitten again!
It's been at least 20 years since I last got out my wood engraving tools. I once even owned a table-top Albion Press...but I sold it, like a fool. Anyway, reading Gretel's blog and seeing her lovely old woodblocks and printers 'sorts' made me wonder what sort of condition my stored engraving kit was in, up in it's cardboard box in the attic. So I yanked down the ladder and crawled up to have a look.
Well the ink roller had literally melted! Left a sticky deposit on everything. I should be able to replace the melty bit though, so I've kept the holder. Everything else was perfect though. I'd forgotten how nice the burins looked in their custom cigar box holder (made by an ex-boyfriend). I found some old proofs too, not very good, I was still struggling with my style in those days and was a bit tentative; and it shows.
Soooooo...time to have another go, although this time I shall be printing using an old spoon as a burnisher. Maybe if I keep at it I'll get hold of an old pinch press or adana. (I still also have all my galley furniture and quoins; see how the terminology surfaces again! hee hee!)
I'll post anything worthwhile!