YBC Book Review - "Modern Printmaking" by Sylvie Covey

Today's review is brought to you by my daughter Amanda Haskin.  You may remember her from years ago, she was my partner when we started this business, and this blog.  When I saw this book available through Blogging for Books, I thought it would be great to have Amanda review it, since she does has a masters degree in Graphic Design and has a dream to own her very own printing press and graphic business.  So, here we go....

“Modern Printmaking: A Guide To Traditional & Digital Technologies” – Sylvie Covey

Through her book, “Modern Printmaking: A Guide To Traditional & Digital Technologies” by Sylvie Covey, we are taken on a historical journey on techniques and applications of printmaking. From the basics of relief printing all the way to digital transfers, each process is meticulously outlined with historical reference and step by step instructions on how to properly achieve the specific style outlined in each chapter. Each style of printmaking outlined showcases one or two artists renowned for their respective process, giving credit to the innovators of the printing style period. From student to professional, this book is accommodating informationally no matter the expertise level. It reads much like a history book, but not so much that the content is unbearable to read through. With that said, I advise the reader start on a chapter that interests them the most. The book is written with a solid template for each chapter to where jumping around is easy, slightly predictable, and not confusing. I would categorize this piece as a solid reference book worthy of an artist’s bookshelf.

Now for some background on the author.  

"SYLVIE COVEY was born in France and studied graphic arts at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. She has taught digital and photo techniques in printmaking at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York since 2001 and has been an instructor at the Art Students League of New York since 1995. Her work has been exhibited throughout Europe, Asia, and North and South America and has been acquired by major museums and institutions. She lives in New York City."

You can purchase this book by following this link to Penguin Random House Publishing.  At $35.00, that's a great price for a hardcover reference book that you will use for many years.

Until tomorrow (I promise)

Have a blessed day,

Debbi

 "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

What's new at Yankee Burrow

I have been making myself crazy lately.  I have an idea in my head for my business that has been itching to get out.  I told you some of it last week, with my new landing page and all.  Then I started working on my banner and avatar.  I was desperate for an image that would convey who I am as an artist, besides scatterbrained. lol.  And this is what I came up with...

an artists palette.  I kept one paintbrush for my painting, added knitting needles, and a small beaded bracelet, and then, instead of paint, I used balls of yarn for color.  It was a beast to draw, first I drew it too large and scanning cut off the ends.  So I drew it smaller, but I had used pencil and it scanned too light, so I had to redraw using markers, which are not at all forgiving.  Every mistake caused me to have to start from scratch.  I drew several types of jewelry before I settled on the beaded heart, and after more balls of crumpled paper on the floor that I had left in my tablet, finally it was done.  This is was my final sketch.  I rather like it, but what do you think?  Then it was off to play and manipulate it on the computer to create what I needed.

This is the banner for my landing page and my shop page.

This is the banner for my blog (which you can already see above, but what the heck, here it is again.)

And this is my avatar.

Now, I do have these across most of my social media sites, but because my avatar is not square (who ever saw a square artist palette, lol) the end is usually cut off, but that's ok with me.  Now I'm off to design my new business cards and note cards and coupon cards and so much more.....wheeeee.

On a sad note, Amanda has left Yankee Burrow.  She is working full time now, and spends her free time with her family (and working on her own side business of graphic design with typography), so now I am on my own.  But that's ok, I wish more than anything for Amanda to succeed in her hopes and dreams.  And who knows, someday we may work together again.  We've been tossing around the idea of a physical shop where I can sell crafts supplies and give classes and she can have her printing press and create amazing greeting cards and invitations.  We all need to dream.  What is your dream?

Be blessed,

Debbi

let's go shop with the CAPSteam

It's been a while since I took the time to check out the shops in the CAPSteam, but first let me show you what I saw when I opened our Etsy shop today.

Amanda made us this beautiful new banner.  Isn't it great?  If you would like her to hook you up, just drop us a note, and she'd be happy to help you with your graphics.

First up is Grandmasswirlz.  Now I know it's the Christmas season, but people are still having babies, you know. lol.  In fact, my favorite nephew (I won't name names heehee) and his wife are expecting their first child in the spring, and our 5th great-grandbaby will be here about that same time.  So it's time to plan our gifts accordingly.  I love this Tier Playful Diaper Cake.   Go to the shop and check it out, there is a cute fish at the top! LOVE IT!!

Isn't this Light Blue Christmas Tree Topper beautiful?  One craft I have never tried is leaded stained glass created with whole pieces of glass.  I have done the kind where you use the liquid lead to draw a design on glass, then use the glass stain paint, but this is exquisite.  You can find this, plus much more, at the shop of MoreThanColors.  We have a very retro (old) star topper, you know the kind, garland and little lights.  My hubby likes it, but maybe I can talk him into a new one when he sees this!

I love vintage, especially at Christmastime.  I still have ornaments from my grandmother that I use every year.  There are great memories attached to vintage items, and when I saw this Pink and Cream Cathedral, my thoughts turned to my mom.  She had a mini village like this, I wonder what ever happened to it.  Oh well, you can find this vintage decoration, and others, at sunnydaze5.

Well, that's it for today.  Click on any link above to visit these great Etsy shops, and if your looking for a wonderful team of faithful Christians, check out the CAPSteam.  Till tomorrow, have a blessed day.

Debbi

BESTeam pretty in pink

Well, it's been a week without an internet connection, and you want to know what I discovered? You can't really work your on-line shop or write your blog from a cell phone, lol.  But I'm here now, and excited to share with y'all the new format we here at the BESTeam will be using to share the great shops and products of our other team members.  Instead of an indepth look at one shop, I get to share my favorites from three shops.  Yippee!  And as a theme, I chose "pretty in pink".

Agnes (aka BeaderBubbe) started out selling her jewelry to her friends, then she realized that this would be a great way to spend her retirement.  While she's not retired yet, her shop is open and full of great items.  I love this Hearts of Glass pendant.  You can also find her on twitter, facebook, and her blog.

Next up is Absolutely Kismet. Kirsten loves playing with beads, and mostly makes wine charms.  But she also created these Hot Pink Stitch Markers for us knitters. Made on a closed ring, and lightweight, these are a very pretty way to mark your rounds.  You can also find her on twitter, facebook, and her blog.

Tina and Mick are the creative husband and wife duo of Off The Wall Expressions.  They can take anything you can think of (and some things I would never have thought of) and turn it into a wonderful focal point; for the wall, cabinet door, or floor.  I absolutely love this Diva in Training.  Definetly a must have on my daughters Christmas list!  You can also find this dynamic duo on facebook, and, of course, their blog.

 Well, that's my trio of favorites for this week.  And remember, if you are an Etsy artist and a blogger, come join the BESTeam for support and promotion.

Thanks for reading, and please, leave a comment! Just be nice :~)

Debbi

mandy's got a new professional blog

As you all know, I share OurHomeToYours with my daughter Amanda.  What you may not know is that she is not just a wonderful daughter, a great mom, and an accomplished artist, but she is also a graphic artist.  She has her Masters Degree, and just started her own professional blog.  So please hop on over and take a look-see, leave a comment, and/or follow her.  And if you need her services, that would surely make her day. :~)  So here is it...(drum roll) tada.... Envision.Create.Deliver.Debbi