Block It Off

Those of us who are happier with paint-splattered fingers rather than a fresh manicure tend to be kindred spirits so I thought you might enjoy a peek at the wrapping paper Elizabeth James makes for herself. With degrees in Art History and Interior Design, Elizabeth is the creative force behind Pacific & Rose hand-blocked textiles.

And I know you've seen various types of rubber stamps applied to paper many times before, but I really like how Elizabeth uses large-scale blocks to achieve a look that resembles fabric. She also experiments on newsprint, as well as butcher paper, for a multi-layered effect.

For Mother's Day, if you have a mom who appreciates art or the unexpected, why not put a new spin on the standard newspaper-as-gift-wrap concept? Or if her taste is more classic, create something unapologetically pretty using pristine craft paper as a base.

A range of Indian woodblocks are available through Pacific & Rose's online shop (along with curtains and those terrific kitchen linens seen in past posts).

Related posts to get the creative juices flowing: The Zucchi Collection and Setting the Mood.

A word of advice: Elizabeth says it is necessary to use a blockprinting ink. She describes it as very tacky and sticky but notes that a regular paint will seep into the crevices of the block. She squeezes a little ink onto a flat surface (piece of tile), then rolls a rubber brayer in the ink to cover the brayer, and then rolls the brayer onto the block. When she places the ink-covered block down on the paper, she gives it a good thwack with a rubber mallet, to better transfer the ink. The blockprinting ink may be purchased at art supply stores, or a site for textile artists, Dharma Trading.