Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from November, 2010

Eco-friendly gift wrapping

Eco-Artware has some fabulous suggestions for inexpensive and environmentally friendly gift wrapping!  Since we've just moved into that season, you might want to take a peek at all the great ideas, and maybe even do some of your holiday shopping at their site.  Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Slow Cloth

I joined a group on Facebook awhile ago called Slow Cloth .  I thought some of you might find it interesting, so if you're on FB, take a look.  Here's a description of the group: This group, created by Elaine Lipson is open to anyone who works with textiles and fabric in art, craft, design, fashion, or business. The Slow Cloth approach to textiles is process-based, honoring and protecting textile traditions while celebrating contemporary innovation, creativity, sustainability, and community. Slow Cloth is not a project or a technique -- it's a philosophy, an attitude, an approach to the work. Slow Cloth includes hand- and machine-stitching, personal passions and commercial endeavors; in all cases, it's characterized by joy, skill, contemplation, beauty, and expression. The Slow Cloth philosophy embraces teaching, community (global and local), diversity, and the responsible sourcing and use of materials. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digit

More artsy links!

  Embroidered Napkins Cherie is personalizing some napkins to give away during the holidays. Beading Arts Don't miss the beautiful Murano glass pendants that Cyndi will be giving away now and all through next month!   CreativeDreamer June's pulling one out of the archive for this week... one of my favorite recipes of the season... peppermint fudge. You will not believe how simple this is!   Eileen - The Artful Crafter Have you heard about Crafters' Anonymous? We're tackling our stash, one step at a time!   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Book Review-Wild Color, Revised and Updated Edition: The Complete Guide to Making and Using Natural Dyes. Aileen's Musings Aileen offers you Starbuck's upcyled bird ornaments to create. Gather the kids and have fun making these ornaments to hang on your tree, give as a gift or use as a tag!   Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi has a two part name tag making project highlighted this week.   Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there is a tutorial on how to paint a bee and dragonfly, draw a pilgrim, Native American and English Guard, videos on how to sew a yo-yo and a preview of the new show Brew Masters and how to paint on a vintage postcard.   Crafty Princess Diaries After much feeling around, Tammy has definitely determined which baby yarn she thinks is the softest.   Eileen - The Artful Crafter Who couldn't use another tote bag? Here's a Koi Beach-

Happy Thanksgiving!

Recent publications: November 2010

  Digital Collage and Painting, Second Edition: Using Photoshop and Painter to Create Fine Art by Susan Ruddick Bloom Creative Illustration Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists: Seeing, Sketching, Storytelling, and Using Found Materials by Katherine Dunn Inner Excavation: Exploring Your Self Through Photography, Poetry and Mixed Media by Liz Lamoreux The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry by Kate McKinnon Embroidered Textiles: A World Guide to Traditional Patterns by Sheila Paine The Practical Guide to Patchwork: New Basics for the Modern Quiltmaker by Elizabeth Hartman Quilts Around the World: The Story of Quilting from Alabama to Zimbabwe by Spike Gillespie, Karey Bresenhan, Marsha MacDowell, and Hollis Chatelain Magnificent Spiral Mandala Quilts by RaNae Merrill Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Chalkboard speech bubbles

What a clever idea!  Kami Bigler came up with this lightweight, easy, and useful project, and posted it on Make and Takes .  Could you make your Thanksgiving family pictures more interesting this year...? Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Expanded square flowers

Last week I showed you some expanded squares I was working on.  Even though I thought that they might make interesting yardage, especially the hearts, I decided to start by just messing around with applying one square as a transfer to some fabric.  1. I decided to use the T-shirt transfer method , so I printed the pattern out onto a sheet of transfer paper.  2. I used Quinacridone violet and Lumiere crimson acrylic paints to color some muslin fabric in a plastic bag .  3. After the fabric has dried overnight and been ironed well, iron on the transfer, following the manufacturer's directions.  4. I used additional Quinacridone violet , Lumiere crimson , and added some Lumiere halo violet gold to enhance the fabric.  You can see the biggest problem with T-shirt transfers: you can always tell where the edge is.  I will have to take that into account and use it to my advantage when I use this in a finished piece.  Stitching or beadwork which emphasizes the o

More artsy links!

  Pine Cone Peacock Ornament A fun Christmas craft you can make with the kids, then hang on the tree as a keepsake ornament. Teen Lingo The TopTen Words that Eden heard from her teen daughter and their meanings   Beading Arts Cyndi currently has TWO fabulous giveaways going on: Acculon beading wire and a Murano glass pendant! Craftpaper Turkey Card A quick and easy homemade Thanksgiving card that uses up your leftover craft paper.   CreativeDreamer I was asked if I could create a tutorial for a repurposed book like the journal I did... so, I created on... part 1 is here.   Eileen - The Artful Crafter Here’s a cute tote idea incorporating a sticker embellishment made of cardboard and coated with epoxy. Yes, just plain cardboard!   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Yay for Lotus!!

Lotus , of Whymsicallotus , is the winner of the free e-book chapter! Happy beading and exploring, Lotus!!

Artsy blogging round-up!

  Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter Madge Crafts from the Couch and Shares a Retrofabulous Christmas Stocking! Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See how to make an illuminated broken windshield glass filled vase inspired by the book Eco Craft.   The Crochet Dude Drew unveils the November purse as part of his Purse Pattern of the Month Club! It's a sexy little number with a metallic copper finish.  About Family Crafts Are you wondering what kind of crafts to make for local craft fairs and church bazaars? Check out these ideas and share your own.   Aileen's Musings Get ready for Thanksgiving morning by making Pumpkin Biscottis ahead of time. Aileen has a pumpkin biscotti printable recipe card ready for you!   Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi is inspired by a magazine cover to make a cute pine cone tree.   Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there is a chance to win a copy of The Complete Ph

Data sculptures by Nathalie Miebach

Unbelievable!  I'm a total sucker for anyone who combines art and science, and Nathalie Miebach does it so so well!  She takes data from different scientific studies, such as astronomy, ecology, and meteorology and creates woven pieces that represent the findings.  Most recently she has turned her hand to musical scores. Go visit her site.  Right now! via Craft Magazine Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Bead Journal Project registration is open!

Registration will close on December 8, 2010 so register early!  Once the project gets underway, you will be invited to participate in the BJP blog so that we can share our work and our questions with each other as we go. To register, please send a request to our registration angel at beadjournalreg11@gmail.com . Your request should include the following information to ensure it is processed correctly: 1. Your full name, first and last. 2. Your web name or alias, if you have one. 3. Your email address. Please give us your "best" email address, onethat is not likely to change during the year and one that you checkfrequently. (Note: we don't contact you very often.) 4. Your home address. 5. Your telephone number. 6. Do you have a website? Y/N – If yes, what is the URL? 7. Do you have a blog? Y/N – If yes, what is the URL? 8. Were you a registered participant in any other Bead Journal Project? Y/N If yes did you complete the project for the year? Y/N 9. If you a

Expanded squares

Expanded squares are so much fun to make.  I recently had an evening when I didn't feel like doodling or doing the zentangley sort of thing, so I got out some black and white stock paper and my X-acto knife, and I went to town. After cutting out the squares, I scanned them into my trusty Adobe Photoshop CS3 program and made digital stamps with them.  I wanted to see if either would make interesting fabric yardage.       Copyright 2010 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed electronically provided that entire file, including this notice, remains intact. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

More artsy links!

  20 Sweet Thanksgiving Treat Ideas A roundup of fun Thanksgiving treats your kids will love. Beading Arts Registration has just opened for next year's Bead Journal Project! Don't get left behind!   CreativeDreamer A book, repurposed into a journal... and, it's the November give away! Come see!   Eileen - The Artful Crafter When the going gets tough; the tough get going. Have you thought of making a bit of extra money by crafting in your spare time? Read Eileen's advice to "worried mom" Gina.   Homemade Recipe Gift Ideas Creative ways to share your favorite recipes with family this holiday.   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

  Eileen - The Artful Crafter Here's a cute tote idea incorporating a sticker embellishment made of cardboard and coated with epoxy. Yes, just plain cardboard!  Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter Heidi Goes Glam Necklace and Madge's Pre-Debut Debut on JTV!   Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See how to make a recycled bottle lid broken heart charm inspired by the book Fantastic Recycled Plastic   About Family Crafts If you are looking for an almost instant Thanksgiving activity, check out these free, printable Thanksgiving projects.   Aileen's Musings It's that time of year again to be thinking about cards an giftees. Aileen offers you a unique coffee sleeve card project to inspire you!   Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi makes a set of meaningful Remembrance Day cards with a free digital download.   Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there is a chance to win a copy of 1,000 Type

On art as a career

Other careers suck too, but at least you get to use crayons. ~ Jim Krause Agree?  Disagree? Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Giveaway: Found Objects and Unusual Materials

On Beading Arts , I've been sharing about how I launched the fourth (and probably final) chapter of my brand new e-book. The series is called "Every Bead Has a Story - mixed media bead embroidery" , and chapter four is subtitled "Found Objects and Unusual Materials" . Chapter four is 82 pages long and covers more techniques that will enable you to tell a story better than ever before with your bead embroidery: wired elements, resin, buttons, hardware, liquid clay, silicone, and wool roving.  There are three step-by-step projects included that will help you get started integrating the texture and drama of mixed media objects into your bead embroidery.  You can read more about it at the link above. ***FREE STUFF ALERT*** Not everyone who reads Mixed Media Artist is involved in beading or jewelry-making, but if you are interested in this topic, leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win a free copy of " Found Objects and U

Don't forget about the big folks

Last week I shared a resource for some wonderful children's crafts that would help decorate your place for Thanksgiving.  Well, I figured that the big people need something aimed at them too, and Craftster turned out to be a great place to start. Handmade table runner Thanksgiving and autumn decorations Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Playing with bleach

You probably know that if you use bleach on black cloth, you're often left with unexpected colors.  You can use diluted bleach in a spray bottle, household cleaners with bleach, or the newer bleach gel pens.  Whatever form you choose, it's always  fun to see what pops up. Mostly when I've used bleach on black, I end up with tan or rust, or at least some sort of brown.  But I recently found a piece of fabric that had a purple base to the dye.  How cool is that?  The fabulous Jane Dunnewold suggests that when you go shopping for cloth, you take a bleach pen with you.  Beg for a small sample or buy a small swatch and go out to your car to test it.  Then go back and buy the ones with the best colors! Anyway, I decided to try a shadow technique with my current piece of cloth.  Here's how I did it.  Warning: both bleach and the neutralizing solution create hazardous fumes, and are irritating to eyes and skin.  Take all precautions when using them, including eye pr

More artsy links!

Mexican Spice Recipe Consider Giving Some Homemade Spices to Your Friends and Family This Holiday Season Beading Arts Cyndi has a SIGNED copy of the wonderful new book "30-Minute Necklaces" to give away!   CreativeDreamer I'm not sharing a craft, or an art project I am working on, or even a recipe this week...I want to share some really beautiful images that I captured last week in my local cemetery... come see what you think.   Eileen - The Artful Crafter Have you considered designing and selling your own paper goods like cards, cupcakes toppers or party favors? Then you need to know a few things about incorporating the work of other graphic designers.   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

  Crafty Princess Diaries If you have moved over to using e-readers, such as a Kindle, then you need something pretty and hand-crafted (of course) to protect it.   Eileen - The Artful Crafter When the going gets tough; the tough get going. Have you thought of making a bit of extra money by crafting in your spare time? Read Eileen's advice to "worried mom" Gina. Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter Madge shares an update from 'the busy zone.'   Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See how to make a mini die cut leaf bracelet notebook inspired by Eco Books.   About Family Crafts Read through these creative Thanksgiving tradition ideas and then share your own.   Aileen's Musings Check out Aileen's scrumptious fall cookie recipe with a cool printable recipe card you can print out and include with a plate of cookies to give to your friends and family!   Carmi's Art/Life World Carmi uses paper scraps to quilt some

Dani's Halloween costume

Now that the competitions are all over, I wanted to show you my baby's Halloween costume for this year.  Staying with the theme of wings, she created this amazing Phoenix costume, complete with stilt legs.  Yes, that's the capitol building in the background...she is currently living in the neighborhood :-) You'll be able to see more shots as soon as she's able to post them on her blog, Danielle Hurley . Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Calls for entries and submissions

People's Choice Award (Wearable Art Awards) by Kimberly Andert Wearable Art Awards 2011 Deadline: 12/10/10   Fiber Plus Deadline: 12/10/10       Fiber Directions 2011 Deadline: 12/13/10       Altered Couture Deadline: 12/15/10   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Thanksgiving crafts for the kids in your life

Just because mine are grown and gone doesn't mean that I don't still ooooo and aaaaah over cute stuff like this!  Visit the Hostess Blog for lots of great ideas.  Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals