New owl prints and a Giveaway!

I decided to have another play with my owl lino print (the one in my header) and had fun printing onto different grounds such as watercolour, handmade papers, and brown paper bags. I then took a few a bit further with collage.

'Viewpoints' linoprint with collage © Caroline Soer

Here's one I made by printing onto a flimsy paper with a holey pattern. It's difficult to see here, but you can probably spot it in the centre of the 2nd photo above. This allowed the background map to show through a little - clicking the photo to enlarge will help! I added more torn papers for trees and finally some printed words.

Soon there was quite a flock - this is my owl portfolio!

And then the family grew a little larger when I decided to scan the smaller lino prints into my computer and print them out on watercolour paper.

'Ice owl' print © Caroline Soer

'Storm Owl' print © Caroline Soer

'Woodland Owl' print © Caroline Soer

I think they look quite smart in a simple black frame ( the prints measure 20 x 25 cms or 8" x 10" so easily fit into a standard frame). The first 5 will be flying into my Etsy shop this week but before that I'm going to GIVE AWAY one here on my blog!!

So, if you'd like a chance of winning one of these prints please leave me a comment to say which one of the 3 prints,' Ice Owl', 'Woodland Owl' or 'Storm Owl' you prefer. Everyone is welcome to join in - regular commenters, occasional followers and new visitors alike! I'll draw the winning name on Sunday and then I'll print your favourite owl on Fabriano watercolour paper. Your owl print will be signed and then packaged carefully, ready to make its journey to you where you can pop it into a frame!

Good luck!

Out and about in Malaysia - Melaka

Here are a few photos from a short trip we've just made to Melaka.

The historic centre of Melaka with its old Dutch buildings.

This is Phyllanthus emblica or Melaka tree after which the city is named. A Sumatran Prince, by the name of Parameswara, is credited with the founding of Melaka around 1400. According to a legend he chose this location when sitting under a Melaka tree and watching a small mouse deer chase his hunting dogs into the water. The Prince was impressed, concluding that a place where the weak can triumph over the strong would be very suitable for a settlement and he named Melaka (or Malacca) after the tree he was sitting under.

These are the fruits of the tree Phyllanthus emblica. They look like gooseberries and are extremely sour (believe me - I tried one)! It is claimed that the highly acid, fresh, raw fruit, is full of Vitamin C and when followed by water, produces a sweet and refreshing aftertaste (I didn't get that far!).

The colourful trishaws are decorated to the hilt with artificial flowers, tinsel, flags and fairy lights, you name it, they've got it!! Taking a trip in one of these is a bit of a squash for two people, but a good way to see the city!

An old ox cart at the museum.

Beautiful carved bird's head on old wooden fishing boat. Click the pic to enlarge - the detail is wonderful.

The Melaka riverside is being developed. A pedestrian walkway has recently been constructed, and it's pleasant to stroll along here and stop for a drink at one of the cafes overlooking the river. We took a boat trip along the river one evening - everywhere is very brightly lit with fairy lights and we passed by some lovely traditional kampung (village) houses - unfortunately I didn't have my camera with me :(







Finally, I leave you with some pics of some wildlife! Sorry, the quality of the Lemur pics is not great, but I couldn't resist posting this cute little fellow!