And now for something completely different

Just to continue with my confirmation that I am no visual artist, I have decided to try to learn how to carve blocks for printing. This is using Speedball Speedy Carve plastic cutting...thing. Half the evening was spent just figuring out how to put the knife blade on the handle. The intro kit I got talks about inking your block and cleaning it, but there isn't one word about how to put the cutting tool together. I guess they reckon that if you can't figure out how to put it together on your own, then you really shouldn't be playing with sharp knives. 

About all I can say is that...I learned a lot. I stuck with straight lines and ended up with kind of a quilt block from hell. I would be talking about the green thing. And the rust colored thing, but that ink pad didn't seem to work as well.

As part of trying to learn to carve blocks, I'm also trying to learn how to draw Celtic knots and make fake mandalas. Note that I am saying trying to learn rather than learning. I think the difference is clear. And apt. But I shall persevere.

Here's a picture of the block itself. I'm going to need a lot of practice.

Sigh. But I'm happy to have started down a new rabbit hole.