In April of 2021, I went out on a limb and purchased something that spoke to me in a way that sticks out in all of my years of buying and selling antiques. It was a lot of four antique sketchbooks from the late 1800s to early 1900s by architect and artist George Herbert Kitchin. I bought them from my (now) dear friend, Julia Butler of Ponder & Purchase. You can read more about them HERE.
I wasn’t sure exactly what I would do with them, but I knew the possibilities were endless. Aside from my own study and enjoyment of them, it would be fun to share the sketches with others in prints, patterns, and anything my brain can think up.
These sketchbooks have led to all sorts of surprising places. I’ve heard from some of George Herbert Kitchin’s extended family, from an author who has written books about one of his close friends, and I even inadvertently bought another antique sketchbook by another semi-famous Brit, Brooke Foss Westcott, who knew George Herbert’s father well. As an aside, Rev. George William Kitchin, Herbert’s father was the Dean of Durham from 1894 – 1912 and Brooke Foss Westcott was Bishop of Durham from 1890 – 1901 and they wrote each other letters, which still exist today.
I wish I had more time to explore all of the history and connections further. It’s definitely not a real problem, but it is a problem that I have too many interests and not enough time. I suppose it’s less of a problem than having no interests and too much time. Anyway, since I haven’t had time to take a deep dive into the world of research and ideas for how I want to share the sketchbooks, I went for what I knew and what I could get done – create a pattern for wrapping paper using some of the sketches from GH’s sketchbooks.
So, that’s what I did. (If you want to just buy the paper and skip the yada-yada of the post, you can buy it HERE.)
I worked with my assistant, Heidi, who helped me isolate the sketches so I could manipulate them and arrange them in a pattern. Oh my, I love, love this paper so much. I mean, it’s just wrapping paper, but it feels very personal and full circle to me in a variety of ways. For as long as I can remember, I have loved making old things new. That doesn’t mean redoing them and making them look modern, but making them useful in our modern lives. A bit of the past in the present. And I feel like that is exactly what I was able to capture with this wrapping paper.
We kept the sketches in “graphite” with a cream background, so they look like sketches and I think the scanned sketches translated so well. Even better than I expected.
I had to have a little love fest with the paper, so I wrapped some gifts and took lots of pictures.
While this isn’t a Christmas paper specifically, I wanted to launch it around Christmas since most of us are wrapping presents. Of course, this is great for any occasion and you can pair it with almost any bow color. I paired it with green to make it look a bit more wintry/Christmasy.
I was even able to keep the handwritten details on some of the cottages, which I think adds a special touch.
You can purchase the paper on Society6.com/missmustardseed. I have ordered all of the papers I designed with them and I am over the moon with the quality of the paper and printing. I have ordered some fabric and wallpaper samples from other sites for more possible products and I wasn’t as happy with the quality. I’m only going to sell what I want to use and have in my home and I love this paper. It comes in sheets (five per set) instead of a roll, which is the only downside. I have found the papers with will most medium to small boxes, but I definitely need to supplement present-wrapping with rolls of paper for larger gifts.
I have been asked about fabrics and wallpapers and I just don’t know if print-on-demand is going to offer the quality I would want to work with myself, so I need to keep looking. I’m sure a good option is out there. We’re going to be putting a lot of time and attention into renovating our home next year, but I hope to also spend a lot of time on design work and art. I really love it and find it so fulfilling, but it’s easily crowded out by other things that feel more pressing.
Anyway, I hope you love the Kitchin paper as much as I do! If you are on the fence, it might help you to know that Violet loved it and showed that by rolling all over it. I really need to get some doors on my studio!
I hope you can manage a wallpaper! It’s just charming! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Oh, so charming! I am thrilled you tackled this project…the paper is just delightful.
I love this paper! It’s so unique. I love artist papers. I have wrapped my boys presents in M.C. Escher paper on their birthday for years. Awesome!
Beautiful paper – and a wonderful way to celebrate what would otherwise be hidden away. I also like the green ribbon you used. Do you remember where you found it? For fabric, you may already be aware of this company, but Spoonflower.com prints on demand and I’ve purchased fabric from them and was happy with the quality of the fabric. I don’t know if they will print for an individual, but it would be worth asking.
Society6 is so difficult to place sn order with. I wanted to check out your pouches and wrapping paper and placed an order for $177.00 so qualified for free shipping entered MERRY22 but the free ship did not take in fact my total went up in price. After working with it for 10 mins I decided to cancel it. I do not have the tollerance to deal with companies that are so unorganized ! ! Not a good time of the year to order anything My shopping is done for this year anyway !
I too can vouch for the quality of Spoonflower’s product. You can indeed create and upload your own designs for print and you can purchase a kit that helps you with colour and provides samples of the different fabrics and wallpapers.
It does indeed help to know that Violet loved it!! (Can you tell I have a cat?) This is beautiful and such a gift for you to share it with us! It is so incredibly unique and special! Thank you !!
Oh, my gosh! Love this so much! It’s beautiful and timeless in the very best way. Well done.
I would love to see some of the individual buildings as prints.
I love this idea! Well done.?
I absolutely love the paper and the books. I can’t wait to see your redecorated/remodeled home. I want to do our home like yours.
What a unique idea! Very nice 🙂
Hi DIL. You could sketch a cat in some obscure place in each one of the drawings and publish a Miss Mustardseed Find The Cat Sketchbook.
Great pic of V, my GrandCat. What is my other grandcat doing?
FIL
Love the paper!! Has a very architectural “toile” feeling.
Just wondering if there is any copyright issue with using the photos from Kitchins’ books in this manner.
(PS – Enjoy reading your FIL’s comments as much as I enjoy your posts!!)
I left a comment below addressing copyright and why this is not infringement (based on my research.)
LOVE this for the history and the story as much as the paper! What a charming wrapping paper it makes. My first thought was wallpaper, apparently many others thought that as well. I’d heard that Spoonflower makes a good quality custom wallpaper, but beyond that I’m clueless where to begin with custom wall coverings.
My daughter has designed, ordered, and used the Spoonflower peel-and-stick wallpaper and it is indeed excellent quality and easy to use.
I am mesmerized by these charming prints. I wish I could frame them in an old wooden picture frame but shrinking them down so I could get several of them into the frame. I love them! Also wish they came in rolls so my dogs could roll around on top! jk
What a treasure trove of sketchbooks you found. They are amazing along with the paper you created from them.
So beautiful! I love how this could fit well for any occasion. I know a lot of designers use Spoonflower for their fabric/wallpaper designs. I haven’t personally ordered from them, but have heard good reviews from other bloggers.
Marian, Do you have any idea how difficult it is to order from Society6 ? I think before you sponsor or put your items in any web site you should place orders to experience the difficulty or ease of dealing with a company ! Pls get back to me on this ! Tks.
Love it!
I have not had any issues ordering from them and I have ordered all of the papers I designed. What issues are you having?
What a unique way to share history!! THX for sharing your God-given talents with the world! He will bless you even more than what He already has!
The wrapping paper you’ve designed is charming, and a great idea, however, I think it would be a good idea for you to study up on the copyright law. Please allow me to explain the basics as simply as I can. For instance, when a person draws, or paints an original, “he” automatically owns the copyright. If that drawing happens to be sold, the buyer owns only that copy, not the right to copy it to use to make money for himself. The copyright remains with the original creator. If that creator happens to pass, the copyright automatically goes to his heirs. What you have done here would be like someone, sometime using drawings from one of your sketchbooks to create something, to sell, and claiming ownership. Using the images in a different manner than intended does not change anything. Copying artwork is fine, but only for your own personal use—not to make money for yourself. In any case, the copyright owner must be contacted for permission to use his images . In this case, Mr. Kitchin did the drawings for his own personal use, not to be shared. The copyright law exists to protect any artist from people who want to make money without doing the creative work. In this case, you do not have the legal right to make money by using his creative work, without permission.
I only mention this to help you protect yourself. copyright infringement can be very expensive. (and it should be.)
I appreciate it! It sounds like you know a lot more about this than I do, but, based on what I do know, I didn’t see how this would be an infringement.
1 – Artistic works are covered under copyright for the artist’s lifetime plus 70 years. GH Kitchin died in 1951 meaning we are outside of that copyright window.
2 – These were all created prior to 1923 and are considered in the public domain.
3 – GH Kitchin has no direct heirs and the four sketchbooks I own were sold in an estate by his brother’s family. There are many GH Kitchin sketchbooks still remaining today. Several are in archives in England for Architects to study and I have seen a few prints of his sketches for sale online.
Also, by putting the sketches in a pattern, I am creating something new with them, which is a pretty common practice in pattern design with works that are not covered by copyright.
I hope that explains things a bit better and shows that I did do my research. 🙂
Marian, I’m pleased to read that the sketchboks are aged enough to be considered in public domain. That’s the angle I hadn’t known, and of course you are right. As I said in my initial reply, the wraping paper you have designed by combining the sketches, is charming., and i’m agreeing with you and so many readers who love it. You have given him credit for his work, which I also applaud. –Anita.
Thank you, Anita! 🙂
I have a bit of experience in copyright having managed a print shop years ago, and I don’t think the laws have changed. I just want to add to this. We were bound by law to not copy anything that had a copyright, however if that item was changed 10% the copyright no longer applies.
Thanks! I appreciate your input. And yes, when uploading art to Society6, you have to sign that it is not under copyright or you are the owner/creator of the work.
I’d use a marker and draw little wreaths with red bows on the doors
That is such a great idea!
I love the paper product! Just so unique and special for one-of-a-kind gifts.
I will caution against any fabric from Spoonflower. In the last month I made placemats and napkins for my son from the Spoonflower fabric he and his partner carefully selected. There were three separate pieces of differently figured fabric and the quality was…dreadful. I’ve been sewing for 50 years and I know fabric. The cotton prints were incredibly stiff, even after washing, as well as fading considerably during a cold wash cycle. What was touted as a yard of fabric was short as the print started 2 inches from each end, leaving only 32 ” of fabric with which to work. I have never worked with any product except fabric from Spoonflower so I cannot comment on wallpaper or paper products but I will say that one will be better served with other fabric.
Yes, I tried putting some designs on Spoonflower and ordered samples and I wasn’t very happy with how they felt or washed. I’m a bit of a fabric snob, but my experience was the same as yours, which is why I haven’t offered print-on-demand fabrics.
I don’t like to post negative things normally, and I have been a longtime fan, but I have to say that whether it’s in the public domain or not, it just feels wrong to alter or use some else’s work and make money from it. It sets a bad precedent of buying up old artwork and reusing it in a different way than intended. I would think as an artist yourself, you would not want someone to profit off your work. You are artistic , create your own original pieces!
I appreciate you sharing your opinion, but, as an artist and a lover of art, I’m afraid I have to disagree. Think of all of the t-shirts, notebooks, puzzles, notecards, wrapping paper, garden flags, prints, books, and more that showcase the work of artists and makes their work accessible or known to people who might not visit museums or be able to afford original art. They can enjoy it in a way that is useful to modern life or enables them to enjoy paintings they may never see in person. A Monet painting doesn’t have to be a painting…it can be a shower curtain, wallpaper, a hoodie, or a digital display. Have you seen what curators/creators did with Van Gogh’s starry night to create an immersive experience? (The exhibition recently traveled to Raleigh, NC.)
Songs in the public domain are continually being remade in their entirety or written into new songs. Stories are continuing to be retold (think of all of the adaptations of A Christmas Carol and Jane Austen’s works.) Graphics that are in the public domain are continually being used on new products.
This is what keeps creative works alive, relevant, and accessible. Imagine if the only place you could see an impressionist painting is in a museum or a private collection. Art would only be accessible to a select few.
In the case of GH Kitchin, his work isn’t widely known and I’m hoping by putting it out there, it can be enjoyed and admired by more people. It’s something I feel excited about and I think it’s a worthwhile endeavor and certainly better than just keeping those lovely sketches in a drawer.
We can agree to disagree on this, but I hope you can appreciate my perspective on it and see how sharing and recreating works of art helps them to be enjoyed by more people.
Though I love the paper, and applaud the fact that you gave him credit for the original skeches, copying work by another artist to make money for myself is somthing I would never do. Marian, the many t-shirts, etc. that you mention are almost exclusively rip-offs, by lazy people trying to make an easy buck. You are in a “grey area” with the wrapping paper, in my opinion, though I love it. At least you gave him credit for his work. If you had ever had a personal exerience with one of those people, you might see it differently.
I have had experience with having my work reproduced without credit, permission, or payment and I did pursue it and received compensation for it. There are many cases, though, where my work has been reproduced or my photography has been used without my permission and I didn’t receive anything for it or have much success in having it removed. I am a living artist, though, and my work is actively covered under copyright laws, which makes it an entirely different circumstance.
We have established this is not copyright infringement, but, beyond that, I do not feel like this is lazy, unethical, or lacks integrity. I invested in the sketchbooks and worked many hours to scan them, research them (I also purchased personal letters, postcards, and scrapbooks to learn more about the family), digitize the sketches, and create this pattern. In addition, I have credited and celebrated the original artist. I have done all of this with great respect for the artist, his story, and his family.
Copyright is an important conversation and I take it seriously. But, I am also not willing to create from a place of tightfistedness and paranoia. Art is best when it is created and shared from a place of generosity and abundance, and that is the spirit in which I approach my own work as well as the work of GH Kitchin that is in my possession.
I hope that explains my perspective as well as my intention.
I’m not suggesting that you’re unethical or lazy. I only said that most people who do rip-off other artist’s work for t-shirts, etc. are. You did give credit to the artist at least, and his work is classified now as public domain. The work you did putting it together as wrapping paper is great, and it’s beautiful.BUT, let’s face it– that work wouldn’t have gotten done if there wasn’t an expected payoff, whatever else you say. Most artists would never publish another artist’s work to make money for themselves, and it’s got nothing to do with being tight-fisted or paranoid. Period.
I really do appreciate your comments, but I feel you are calling my integrity and character into question and my integrity is very important to me. If you think I make creative decisions based solely on money, you don’t know me very well. I am not making the paper for a big payout (I make $1.80/order on the wrapping paper.) I am doing it because I am excited to share GH Kitchin’s work and I thought the wrapping paper was a creative way to do that. I’m sorry if you are disappointed in my choice, but I hope you can respect that we simply disagree on this issue. I do wish you the best and appreciate the conversation.
I absolutely love how you did this, it is beautiful. May I ask where you got all the bells. They are lovely.
I bought them from JSH Home Essentials. She carried them each year. You can also find them sometimes on Etsy.
Thank you Marian.
I love that you brought a vintage architect back to life with this project. Very nice work. The books he produced are such a treasure too. I recently uploaded my watercolor paintings to society 6 and created wrap as well. It arrived today, just in time to read this post. You are right, it’s lovely paper. I cannot wait to wrap a few special gifts. Thank you for this post.
These prints would make wonderful throw pillow covers! I always buy mine from the artists at Society 6. Black and white prints would be amazing!
Your wonderful wonderful wrapping paper is just pulling my heart strings. Marian this is just so inspiring and drafts are stunning. Thank you for feeding my soul. I haven’t been this thrilled with inspiration in such a long time
I bought this paper as soon as the post went up. It arrived quickly, and is of the highest quality. I was thrilled with it. It was a bit of a leap to purchase it, not knowing if it really would be as beautiful as your posts made it look. It exceeded expectations. I am grateful you put your efforts into things that are quite distinctive. I would love to buy this kind of thing that you are directly involved with, rather than to see all the links to Walmart, etc, but I do understand that is the source of income that makes the other things possible. You are an artist and I appreciate you.