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Showing posts from January, 2012

Quote of the week

  via MightyWombat

Glue gel resist fabrics

I've been wanting to experiment further with gel glue for quite some time.   I had one go-round Elmer's school glue gel and learned about some of the properties, but this time I wanted to do abstract designs on fabrics and then use them later in different projects.  1. I chose habotai silk for the project, and ripped it into pieces that would be small enough to do on my counter top, near the kitchen sink.  I drew all over the silk pieces and let it dry for several hours.  The glue is still rubbery to the touch even after it's set. 2. The glue softens when you add water media, so I tried not to totally soak the fabrics.  Of course, if you've played with silk, you know it soaks up water and spreads it around like crazy, so just be aware that your design is not going to end up with hard sharp edges.  If that's what you want, use a different type of resist.  Paint you pieces darker and brighter than you want for the final fabrics.  I used diluted acryl

More artsy links!

  Eileen - The Artful Crafter You can transform plain glassware into unique home decor. Check out Eileen's first attempt with transparent glass paints. Glass Mushrooms Cherie makes glass mushrooms for the garden out of dessert bowls. Beading Arts Interested in publishing this year? How about starting out with a magazine?     Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

  Craft Buds Learn the basics of applique with a Valentine's Day themed LOVE t-shirt tutorial. It's perfect for kids or adults. Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world This week at Craftside there is a tutorial on how to make Steampunk photo hanger out of a knife and key, how to draw a wide-angle view, a unique quilted canopy photo, and a recipe for whole wheat cinnamon raisin bagels.   Crafty Princess Diaries The Crafty Princess reviews the Embroider Everything Workshop: The Beginner’s Guide written by Diana Rupp.   Eileen - The Artful Crafter Take a look at this awesome mixed media earring organizer.   Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery How to crochet a chain bracelet .   About Family Crafts This week's craft challenge is all about the tooth fairy. Make and submit your own tooth fairy projects.   Aileen's Musings Aileen shows you how to make easy peasy felt flowers using her BIGKick.   Technorati Tag

Yay for Linda!

Linda , who writes the Linda Jo Martin blog, is the winner of the Handmade Books book from Lark Publishing!  Congratulations, Linda! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Giveaway #4 from Lark Books

This is the final week! Most of you already know that Lark Publishing gave me all eight Studio Series books to give away this month.  I'm splitting them between here on Beading Arts and over on Mixed Media Artist , so please make sure you head over there when you're finished signing up here.  Each week for the whole month, I'll be offering one of the books on each blog.  I think that these are the perfect books to inspire you to try something new this year, and since January is traditionally the month we focus on education and all things new, the timing just couldn't be better. ***Free Stuff Alert!!!*** Last up is the Chairs book!  Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice! Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to conta

Recent publications: January 2012

Creative Pilgrimage: An Exploration of Artful Gatherings and Discovery of Innovative Art Techniques by Jenny Doh Acrylic Fusion: Experimenting with Alternative Methods for Painting, Collage, and Mixed Media by Dan Tranberg Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World by Christine Mason Miller Creative Foundations: 40 Scrapbook and Mixed-Media Techniques to Build Your Artistic Toolbox by Vicki Boutin Art Nouveau Designs by Pepin Van Roojen Layered Impressions: A Poetic Approach to Mixed-Media Painting by Katie Kendrick Delight in the Seasons: Crafting a Year of Memorable Holidays and Celebrations by Lisa M. Pace Beginner's Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop by Nykolai Aleksander Create Your Own Printable Scrapbook Papers: 135 Vintage Designs for use with Photoshop Elements by Jodie Lee Patterson Transparency Quilts: 10 Modern Projects - Keys for Success in Fabric Selection - From the FunQuilts Studio by Weeks Ringle and Bill Ker

Quote of the week

Marbled fabric quilt - part four

  Falling From a Blue Sky Once all the circles and drops were stitched to the foundation fabric and batting, I added another piece of the blue twill as a backing for the entire quilt. After squaring up the corners and trimming all the layers, I used a blanket stitch all around the outer edge of the quilt. I added four large white buttons to the back of the quilt, stitched through to strategic spots on the front where I could hide the stitches in the design.  The buttons will keep the quilt from sagging over time if I decide to hang it somewhere. All finished! Marbled fabrics - part one Marbled fabric quilt - part two Marbled fabric quilt - part three Marbled fabric quilt - part four Copyright 2012 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 , di

More artsy links!

  Getting Mixed Media Supplies From a Library Sale Cherie hit up the library sale this week and got some cool books to craft with.   Beading Arts Cyndi has been trying to encourage everyone to get out there and take a class this year! Creative Dreamer Starting the journal... Inspired by a song, June begins the journal journey... come along!   Eileen - The Artful Crafter Take a look at this awesome mixed media earring organizer.   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

  Aileen's Musings Aileen shows you how she created magic by turning an ordinary paper mache torso into a lamp that looks like patinaed copper! Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world This week at Craftside there are tutorials on how to spin extreme tail style yarn, make ATC's from magazine pages and punches, an ironic heart frame from unusual images, and a recipe for laminated parsley pasta.   Crafty Princess Interested in knitting or crocheting for charity? Tammy invites you to join a new group of charity yarn crafters. Eileen - The Artful Crafter Eileen's happy to be back in her niche. Have you found yours yet?   Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery How to make an origami bunny Easter garland   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Yay for Shirley!

Congratulations to Shirley , who writes Beads & Bread .  She just won the Tables book from Lark! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Giveaway #3 from Lark Books

Most of you already know that Lark Publishing gave me all eight Studio Series books to give away this month.  I'm splitting them between here on Beading Arts and over on Mixed Media Artist , so please make sure you head over there when you're finished signing up here.  Each week for the whole month, I'll be offering one of the books on each blog.  I think that these are the perfect books to inspire you to try something new this year, and since January is traditionally the month we focus on education and all things new, the timing just couldn't be better. ***Free Stuff Alert!!!*** Next up is the Handmade Books book!  Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice! Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you.  No contac

Spoonman Creations

Totally ridiculous and thoroughly enchanting!  That was my reaction to finding the Spoonman Creations booth at the Portland Saturday Market when we went out to visit Dani :-)  It was one of the busiest booths at the whole market! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Quote of the week

In the Shadow

   In the midst of working on my marbled fabric quilt, I found myself wanted to get ready for the next project.  You probably do that too...work on multiple projects at the same time...so don't yell at me :-) A few weeks back, I ordered some more silk fabric from Dharma Trading , so while I was at it, I also ordered some inkjet printer silk.  If you're going to do a lot of printing, it makes more economic sense to treat your own fabrics and attach them to carrier sheets of paper yourself.  But if you just want to experiment and mess around a little, these prepared sheets are the way to go.  The image that interested me to use again was the fire tower from the top of Mt Washington in New Hampshire.  Or maybe it's one of the weather towers.  Climbing Mt Washington was Mike's and my honeymoon trip, and we re-enacted it for our 20th anniversary.  Minus the 50lb backpacks.  That meant up and back in one day, but when a 4 star hotel is waiting for you at the bottom, wh

More artsy links!

  Eileen - The Artful Crafter Eileen's happy to be back in her niche. Have you found yours yet? Keep an Eye Out for Someone Special Cherie makes a picture with a Chinese fortune.   Beading Arts Do you struggle to add Swarovski rivolis to your bead embroidery? Cyndi has the solution for you in her brand new e-booklet, Three Bezels Plus a Bonus !   Creative Dreamer June is beginning a long running tutorial about creating an art/visual journal... from stuff you already have around the house! Come find out the details, then join in!   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

  Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery How to make a recycled sheer curtain flower fascinator. About Family Crafts Play along with the current craft challenge. Make a craft or two using CD cases and submit them!   Aileen's Musings Aileen shows you how she repurposed a cardboard drink carrier into something beautiful using her new toy a Sizzix BIGKick.   Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world This week at Craftside there is a bit of Valentine inspiration, tutorials on how to face paint dragon and hydrangea masks, ideas and inspiration from Manga artist Melanie Schober and a recipe for coconut veggie muffins.   Eileen - The Artful Crafter Eileen shows how to make a lovely flowered bolster pillow to dress up a room.   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Yay for Nancy!

Nancy , who writes Porch Days , is the winner of our first Lark book giveaway, Handmade Dolls .  Congratulations, Nancy!! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Giveaway #2 from Lark Books

Most of you already know that Lark Publishing gave me all eight Studio Series books to give away this month.  I'm splitting them between here on  Mixed Media Artist and over on Beading Arts , so please make sure you head over there when you're finished signing up here.  Each week for the whole month, I'll be offering one of the books on each blog.  I think that these are the perfect books to inspire you to try something new this year, and since January is traditionally the month we focus on education and all things new, the timing just couldn't be better. ***Free Stuff Alert!!!*** Next up is the Tables book!  Just leave me a comment below and you'll automatically be entered to win.  If you tweet or post on Facebook or other social spots about the contest, you can leave a second comment and be entered twice! Please make sure that your link will lead me to an email address, or else I won't be able to contact you.  No contact, no w

Calls for entries and submissions

Longitutde - Yardage Exhibit Deadline: 02/01/12           Fantastic Fibers Deadline: 02/04/12       International Wearable Art Fashion Show and Exhibit Deadline: 02/08/12       Latitude - All Media Exhibit Deadline: 02/15/12           Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Quote of the week

Marbled fabric quilt - part three

It took awhile to figure out how all the circles were going to be placed on the background bright blue twill.  I moved them all around several times over the course of a few days.  Finally, I got them all arranged to my satisfaction, and discovered that I really wanted a few that were raindrop or teardrop (you decide) shaped rather than round. A quick detour while I made the drops, rearranged the elements again, and pinned them into place. I chose a bright golden yellow to stitch the shapes down to the background fabric.  After thinking about it for awhile, I decided that it would probably work best to stitch down all the shapes that were on "top" of the pile first (which coincided mostly with the bottom of the quilt), and then work my way up through the ones that were partly obscured.  Stitching was tough going, because the background fabric was also backed with interfacing and there was a layer of batting too, so there were a lot of layers to stitch through. 

More artsy links!

  Creative Dreamer June has received many requests for a tutorial for her spikey paper balls... and she's happy to oblige! Come see how simple they are! Cupcake Plate Stand Cherie makes a stand for cupcakes out of vintage plates.   Eileen - The Artful Crafter Here's how to make a lovely flowered bolster pillow to dress up a room.   Beading Arts Have you heard about Take a Stitch Tuesday ?   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

  Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter Make some Retrofabulous Pulp Fiction Thank You Cards!   Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery How to make an old pair of shoes glitter-tastic! Aileen's Musings Aileen shows you how she created a patinaed copper steampunk necklace using paper!   Craft. You. Meet the man behind TV host and mid-century modern lifestyle expert Brini Maxwell . Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at our crafty world This week at Craftside there is fun idea for using a pretty teacup as a doll dress from the new book Creative Pilgrimage, tutorials on how to embroider a backstitch chain and a cable chain, fitting info on different types of pants and a recipe for raw ice box chocolate chip cookies.   Crafty Princess Diaries The Crafty Princess shows you how to get cozy with your favorite cup of tea.   Eileen - The Artful Crafter Add beautiful kaleidoscope effects to your hand made cards with iris folded designs.   Techno

Call for casting

Click image for readable version The show will be shooting in LA at the end of February and through March. The time commitment is only about 3 - 4 days. Casting will proceed until all spots are filled.  There is no website or network being disclosed at this time.  Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Giveaways all month long!

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about the opportunity that Lark Publishing has given me!  I think you already know how much I love their books: the photography, the layouts, the projects in general...I think they publish some of the best inspiration and how-to books that you'll find anywhere.  And I just love the little Studio Series, where they've taken over 100 selections of the best pieces from the 500 Series.  It's like having a pocket-sized art gallery...except that your pocket needs to be a bit bigger than average ;-) Anyway, get to the point Cyndi!! Lark gave me all eight Studio Series books to give away.  Yes, that's right...score!!  And I'm going to split them between here on Mixed Media Artist and over on Beading Arts , so please make sure you head over there when you're finished signing up here.  Each week for the whole month, I'll be offering one of the books on each blog.  I think that these are the perfect books t

Paper sculptures in Scotland...the end of the story

  Paper Sculpures Flickr album by chrisdonia Do you remember the fantastical book art sculptures that were popping up in certain (really blessed!) libraries and museums in Edinburgh?  Well, there are now ten of them, and apparently that will be it. The artist, a woman who chooses to remain anonymous, stated by letter that these sculptures were thank yous for special places. You can see lovely photographs and the farewell letter at the link above. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Quote of the week

Usually I wouldn't share something that misuses an apostrophe like this, but it's too funny not to pass along.  Now that was the proper use of an apostrophe in "it's"  :-)

Marbled fabric quilt - part two

The quilt that I'm currently working on is an unusual one for me.  I usually don't know where I'm going with a project for quite some time after I actually start on it, but this time, as soon as I had all the marbled fabrics together, I knew what the quilt was going to be named: Falling From a Blue Sk y.  The design that I envisioned was going to be composed of marbled fabric circles of several sizes centered on slightly larger solid-colored fabric circles.  To choose a color for the backing circles, I gathered up a handful of my marbled fabrics and headed off for the fabric store to audition some possibilities. I found a pretty fuchsia cotton twill which seemed to look good with all the different fabrics, and a bright true blue cotton twill which I chose to be the background fabric.  That's not the blue cotton shown in the image above...you'll have to wait till next time for that! I ironed lightweight interfacing to the back of circles before cut