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Showing posts from May, 2014

Artsy blogging round-up!

Beachy Souvenir Copper Coin Earrings These drop earrings were made using souvenir pressed coins from Busch Gardens and Sea World in San Diego. Pressing them through the machine is fun, but then you get home and wonder, "What am I ever going to do with these?" Here's one solution! Beading Arts Cyndi has decided that pleated silk shibori ribbon is where it's at for bead embroidery! Learn to Knit Yippy - doo - dah - day! With the help up the Knit Lab Craftsy class, the Craftsy Princess is learning to knit, for real! Of Faces and Fairies Charlene finds some gorgeous handmade fairy face pendants and charms she just has to share Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean has some free and very cool project tutorials, including one she created herself! These include a variety of cool techniques--sure to appeal to all creative people! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journ

Recent publications: May 2014

Map Art Lab: 52 Exciting Art Explorations in Mapmaking, Imagination, and Travel (Lab Series) by Jill K Berry and Linden McNeilly Washi Tape: 101+ Ideas for Paper Crafts, Book Arts, Fashion, Decorating, Entertaining, and Party Fun! by Courtney Cerruti Zentangle Inspired Art: A Beginners Guide to Zentangle Art and Zentangle Inspired Art and Craft Projects by Mahe Zehra Husain Stitch, Fibre, Metal and Mixed Media (The Textile Artist) by Alsyn Midgelow-Marsden Alternative Art Surfaces: Mixed-Media Techniques for Painting on More Than 35 Different Surfaces by Sandra Duran Wilson and Darlene McElroy Stitching Resistance: Women, Creativity, and Fiber Arts by Marjorie Agosín Embroidery for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide for Learning the Basics of Embroidery  by Darlene Carlso Patchwork Loves Embroidery: Hand Stitches, Pretty Projects by Gail Pan Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

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Book arts

I'm  crazy about books, and always have been.  I especially love everything to do with handmade books, including altered books and handmade journals. I love making them, decorating them, filling them, and even reading them!  Altered books: waiting for the lightning to strike! How do I get started? Who can I talk with about altered books? Other book arts groups Books on collage, altered and handmade books, and mixed media Mixed media arts magazines Paper and string: the stuff you'll need for book arts Some fabulous book artists Assemblage and sculptural books Sorted books project Brian Sawyer's bookbinding links Design ideas for page layouts Online publishers for your artist books More book arts resources for your surfing pleasure Making a crocheted book How to make a scrapbook wrap A few tips for making altered book cover frames A found poem altered book page Stab-bound scrapbook or journal  Altered books tutorial series   Fabric books series Altoid tin book A re-purpos

Artsy blogging round-up!

A Facebook Request Help a Crafty Princess out and learn how to "like" and also get blog update notifications through Facebook. Beading Arts Cyndi shares a really fun little project that will have you running for your button jar! Sunday Morning with Lynne Lynne Suprock of Simply Pretty Things stopped by for a playdate with Andrew. Check out what they made! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Book reviews: two new books with sewing and quilting projects

If sewing and quilting are not your main thing, you might feel intimidated to get started.  Books published by  Martingale  are out to change that.  They specialize in instructions, templates, patterns, and photos that are really easy to follow.  All projects have exact yardage and materials lists, cutting and assembling instructions that will guarantee your results. Sew Practical by That Patchwork Place A collection of designs for around-the-home kind of projects: tote bags, aprons, place mats, sewing tool covers, and even an e-reader cover. Sweet and Simple Sewing by Jessi Jung    This collection has straight sewing and also some simple quilting projects, including pot holders, luggage tags, quilts, cozies, wall pieces, makeup bag, purses, and a pincushion. Photography credits: Martingale, Brent Kane Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

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Collages

These posts are mostly featuring finished collage pieces.  More information on creating Background papers , Fabric painting , Image transfers , and Digital effects can be found at the appropriate links. Chickadee collage-quilt Watercolor paper geometric collage Upcycled paper towels There is a storm on the horizon Adding beading to your collages Sunflower fabric collage Margaret - a combination collage and quilt Making a collage with monotype papers: The Prodigal Peeled paper technique Paper and fabric collage  Abstract collages Waxed paper transfer collage More on abstract collages Mixed media piece with watercolor background Fabric collage with digital images  A geometric collage An organic collage A layered digital collage Simple collage with an image transfer Packing tape transfer collage Mixed media collage with embroidery Digital mixed media collage Encased collage Digital collage with scanned background Frottage collage Paper clay col

Artsy blogging round-up!

A Bead A Day Sometimes you just need a little jewelry pick-me-up to make a work Friday a little more fun. Lisa is sharing her Fun Friday jewelry and would love to hear about yours! Beading Arts Cyndi has been sharing some of the practice pieces that she made for her new e-book! Get Your Felt On Tammy takes a look at a book from Schiffer Publishing that's all about felt and felt making.  It's party time! Andrew celebrates the Grand Reopening of Allegory Gallery in their new location! Check out the recap of the event.  Mixed Media: Adding Layers Cherie creates a mixed media picture with her favorite colors. Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean reviews a lovely set of paintbrushes by showing what they do! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Yay for June!

June Crawford , who writes A Creative Dream , has won a copy of   Make Your Mark !  Congratulations, June!

Book reviews: three new books with fast and easy quilting projects

The following books are all published by Martingale , which specializes in instructions, templates, patterns, and photos that are easy to follow, and pretty much fool proof!  If you haven't done much quilting before, these books are always a good place to start.  Some feature traditional quilt block patterns, while some are contemporary and original. All have yardage and materials lists, block assembly directions, and quilt assembly instructions too. Fabulously Fast Quilts by Amy Smart After covering the basics of quiltmaking, there are 4 sections of super-fast quilt techniques: strip piecing, quick corners, sliced, and stacked and sliced.  Each shortcut method is exlored in a couple of variations to show you just how easy it is to get different looks from the same technique.  Some of the designs end up looking fairly complex, amazingly. Simple Appeal by Kim Diehl Kim includes 14 designs that use patchwork or applique to make everyday items for the

Quote of the week!

Layering Techniques For Mixed Media Art Projects

A guest post by Alison Lansky One of the best things about creating mixed media art is that the possibilities are pretty much endless and there is a huge scope to have a lot of fun expressing your own creativity through various mediums. One of the key elements of mixed media art work is layering the various materials to create exciting textures and to add more depth to the piece. Let's take a closer look at some great layering techniques that you might like to try. Layering Paint and Gesso Another great layering technique combines regular acrylic paints with gesso and it is perhaps the easiest technique for beginners to master. Gesso is traditionally used for priming canvas ready for painting. It looks very much like standard white acrylic paint, but it is much thinner and dries hard to create a stiff surface with a slight texture. Many artists use gesso as a base to stop their paints from soaking into the canvas. However, in order to make gesso part of your mixe

Artsy blogging round-up!

A Bead A Day Are you taking time to yourself to allow creativity to flow? Lisa gifted herself with a Saturday and was inspired to create! Beading Arts Cyndi has some metal goodies from Fire Mountain Gems to give away! Call for Bird Nests Yarn crafters are being called on to help out some baby birds by knitting and crocheting tiny nests for them.  Creating a Poetry Book Cover Cherie talks about the process in designing the cover for her latest poetry book. Resin Crafts Blog What else can you do with resin filled bezels? Why make art cards! Snap out of it, Jean! There's beading to be done! Jean writes about a reunion which she had with her sister and her cousins last week which included great memories, delicious food, and jewelry! What will a group of jewelry designers make working from the same materials? Check out what the participants of the Deep Waters Challenge made! Each of the pieces is inventively unique! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage ,

Book review: Make Your Mark

One of the simplest ways to add a unique decorative touch to everyday items is to hit 'em with a couple of markers!  Of course, you want to make sure you choose the right marker for the job, and if you're a bit timid, you might also appreciate a few ideas and maybe even some templates... Search no further!   Lark Books has published Make Your Mark , with all the insight and guidance you could ever need to start marking up everything in sight, using markers, paint pens, and even bleach pens!  It's cute: the designs are non-intimidating and cheerful.  You could easily let this new obsession get out of hand, but I'm going to leave that up to your own discretion and self-control. GIVEAWAY ALERT!!! Would you like to win a free copy of this book?  Here's what you need to do... please read this carefully.   Leave me a  comment here and include your email address.  If I don't see your email address, I won't be able to contact you.  No contact, no win, and

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Digital effects

Another topic we visit pretty frequently here is different digital effects tips and tutorials (including those that mix physical and digital work). So I thought that they should get compiled for future reference too!  Digital line art methods  Achieving sepia tones Poster edges in Photoshop   Expanded squares Old linen postcard look for your photos Using the pointillism filter in Photoshop Duotone prints with Photoshop Van Gogh style flowers Fractured photographs A spooky tree - playing with layers Hand-tinted prints with Photoshop Adding a shadow with Photoshop Photoshop border with a burned edge Combining cartoon and vintage imagery Creating a glowing blurred border Tesselation tool online Graphic style florals Messing around with curves Mixed media piece with watercolor background Combining texture shots into a new image Making a layered digital collage Mixing digital and physical art Digital manipulation with a torn landscape "Match colo

Artsy blogging round-up!

A Bead A Day  Do you have the urge to alter your beads and components? Lisa's pondering the reason why she sees smiley faces on yellow charms. Beading Arts Cyndi has written a second chapter to her book Bored By Back Stitch , in which she shows you how to combine bead embroidery stitches for more complex motifs and designs. Egg Earrings Complement Eggs in Nest Charm Bracelet Make these quick, easy, eminently wearable earrings to go with the Eggs in Nest Charm bracelet Eileen shared last month or to wear on their own. Finding Inspiration in Reading Check out what the participants of the Inspired by Reading Book Club made for the April selection,  Interpreter of Maladies  by Jhumpa Lahiri. Golden Glass Sculpture With Solar Lights Cherie makes a couple solar lights for the yard using plates and ashtrays. New Novel & Quilts! This new novel has some online freebies you can get right now, including the first few chapters as well as a quilt pattern that is featur