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Nikki Yeager's glue transfer technique

Nikki left me a comment recently, and in it she outlined a glue transfer technique that she uses.  Thanks so much for sharing this, Nikki! She wrote: I use some of those transfer techniques myself, thanks so much for posting them! It's really hard to find image transfer information by googling :( Oh, and I know we talked a while back when you posted on of my pictures...just thought I'd let you know I'm finally doing prints of my pieces . If anyone is curious I do a glue transfer technique: 1. use design markers to draw an image on acetate 2. coat a pictureor painting with elmer's glue 3. flatten the acetate (marker side down) onto the elmer's glue. 4. Let it dry and then pull the acetate off. The ink will stay on top of your image or canvas. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

How to turn people off

BIG HONKING WATERMARKS  Charley Parker has a brilliant post on how you should design your website if you want to insure that you never sell any work. Written tongue firmly in cheek, Charley cuts to the heart of several of my personal pet-peeves. But then he turns around and mentions a few things that I have been guilty of doing…ouch! The post is a great learning experience. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Book review: Altered You!

Altered You! by Karin Buckingham This book is adorable! Instead of buying all new clothes, help your teen (and yourself) to learn the joy of self-expression that comes through altering! Many of the materials needed for these projects are already hanging in the closet or sitting on your craft shelf. Many more can be found at the thrift shop. But it doesn’t end with clothing…oh no, there are projects to alter your stuff and your space as well :-) Bored with that book bag? Tired of that tee? Sick of that skirt? Alter them! This book shows tween and teen girls how to alter clothing, accessories, and room decorations to create great new looks with only the simplest sewing and crafting. Projects include converting jeans to capris, changing tanks to tees, making sweatshirts into shrugs—even turning jewelry into window art. Eighteen projects are shown before and after, with easy instructions and step-by-step photos. Basic sewing directions, supply lists, resources, and more make this the

Dibert sounds off on art

More artsy links!

  Creative Dreamer One last ornament...then on to Valentine's Day! Gadabout Media DIY Did you know that you can use LED lights to decorate for the holidays? Designer Alison Lewis shares her easy how-to for holiday bows.  Hankering for yarn Do you remember the story of the Shoemaker and the Elves? Well, Noreen has designed and made some adorable miniature clothes for the Shoemaker's Elves- or perhaps just to hang on the Christmas tree. She's posted tutorials for a tiny woven cap, embroidered felt jacket, woven pants, and even little wooden shoes.   The Artful Crafter Don’t toss those leftover holiday candle stubs! Here’s how to organize them for recycling later – after the holiday whirl subsides. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals
Time of Reflections I Wei Ying-wu 31x24 Fine Art Print Buy From Art.com

Artsy blogging round-up!

  Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world At Craftside there is a Steampunk-style cam chain necklace, how to make an image have a pop art look, recycle a milk jug into snowflakes, and a tutorial on making domed bead caps. Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy is going bananas, literally, over amigurumi again. Crochet folks take note!   Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Linda DID get a present or two made before Christmas actually arrived--check it out! Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter File this one away for next year...Madge's final Retrofabulous Christmas Craftabration Project for 2009! This one kicks tinsel!   Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Press On with Trylon and Perisphere Cross Stitch using a cool font from the book A Rainbow of Stitches   The Artful Crafter Don’t toss those leftover holiday candle stubs! Here’s how to organize them for recycling later – after the holiday whirl subsides.   Aileen's Musings To help

Merry Christmas!

Calls for entries and submissions

Wings and Feathers by Mark Sherman Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XXI : deadline 01/20/10 Wearable Art Competition: Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival XXI : deadline 01/20/10 11th Silver Accessories Contest : deadline 02/01/10 Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Make It From Scratch carnival

Frills in the Hills is hosting the Make It From Scratch carnival!!  Visit for recipes, crafts, stories and more.

Paper and fabric collage

Not the Measure of a Woman Not the Measure of a Woman uses several techniques that I've outlined in tutorials before here on Mixed Media Artist . It is primarily a paper quilt: I cut and sewed the paper pieces together using beads to accent the stitching. Other elements were collaged on top afterward. 1. Follow my directions for paper quilting to created a quilted background for your collage. Handpainted papers are used for some of the pieces. 2. Create an image transfer on muslin, using the transparency and inkjet method , or whatever method you desire. Here is a round-up of all image transfer tutorials . 3. Embroider with thread and silk ribbon around the transfer and cut out with pinking shears. Stitch or glue it into place. 4. The calipers and ruler were scanned and printed out. I cut them out precisely with an Exacto knife and glued them in place. 5. The lettered phrase was added last using a gold marker. Copyright 2009 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or re

More artsy links!

Creative Dreamer A Christmas tree named Charlie....and the elfin magic that makes him special. Gadabout Media DIY Do you really need jewelry pliers? And what is the difference between all those different "noses"? Chloe has a basic guide to get you started. Hankering for yarn Noreen became a grandmother for the first time last week, and so she's over the moon. She's made some cute little mini folders for baby pictures and has posted a tutorial on how to make these dandly little treasures. The Artful Crafter Just look at the darling ornaments you can make from mini clay flower pots!   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals
Botanique II Kimberly Poloson 14x11 Fine Art Print Buy From Art.com

Artsy blogging round-up!

  Aileen's Musings As a gift to you Aileen's created 2 beauitful recipe cards for you to download and print. Cathie Filian Check out Cathie's quick video on how to make a Christmas tree from a tomato cage.   Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world The Holiday Goodness Giveaways are in full swing with lots of great answers to fun questions and a week more to enter to win free books along with a free knit placemat pattern with a plaid detail, ribbon and pom pom trimmed dish towel, apron and Christmas tree how-tos, and an inside peek into artist studio with some fun recycled storage ideas. Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy has received the first submissions for her book's gallery, and talk about impressive! Wow! Some amazing metal jewelry by Victoria Tillotson.   Cross Stitch at About.com Wishing you Merry and Bright holidays with a cheerful free pattern perfect for the holiday season. Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Where did

Trip to Snowbird Utah

I accompanied the love of my life on his last business trip! So that you don't think it was a total vacation for me, I brought back pictures to show you that I was hard at work...refilling the well :-) It's important to take an artist date once in awhile, just to refresh and relax you. These dates can also be a great source of new material for your work, as you can see from these images. I think my next little quilt will be of spruce trees... Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Yay for Gina!

Gina Louthian-Stanley is the winner of our book giveaway, Chain Style ! Congratulations!! Gina wrote: "I use mostly base metals and other found metals This book would assist me in making and incorporating the chain. Thanks for offering the giveaway!"

Recent publications: December 2009

Collage Fusion: Vibrant Wood and Fabric Art by Alma de la Melena Cox Digital Landscape Photography by Michael Frye Dover Digital Design Source #3: Classic Floral Designs by Dover Press Complete Digital Painting Techniques by David Cole Steampunk Style Jewelry by Jean Campbell Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Calls for entries and submissions

Quilt Visions 2010, No Boundaries : deadline 01/30/10 Handweaver's Guild of American, Enchanted Yardage : International deadline 01/25/10 US deadline 02/15/10 Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Stab-bound scrapbook or journal

I made this computer circuit board journal quite a few years ago, but I've recently become interested in making some more stab-bound books. The very best beginner's book for those who want to explore book binding is Shereen LaPlantz's Cover to Cover . She has detailed directions for doing Japanese stab binding, and I will only be skimming the surface here. The term stab-binding refers to the fact that you will be lining up a pile of papers and the covers, and sewing through the entire stack with each needle pass. To make a hard-covered book like mine, you'll need to construct the covers (at least the front, but preferably both front and back covers) from two pieces of board so that they can bend at the spine crease. Here's an overview of the steps taken: 1. Trim all the pages to the same size and line them up. 2. Make a two-piece cover with the spine piece around 1/2" to 1". Wrap the two pieces with an 1/8" gap between them, using decorative paper

More artsy links!

Creative Dreamer I'm issuing a dare to help spread random acts of holiday cheer...come see what it is...I dare ya... Gadabout Media DIY Make a cute little snowman softy using a vintage knitter, knitting loom or even a spool knitter! Hankering for yarn Last weekend, Noreen met the most amazing child who dazzled her with her insight and wisdom... The Artful Crafter A bead spinner is not required, but certainly recommended, to make a beautiful seed bead Christmas tree like this one created by Shaaron. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals
Abstract Collage I Jonathan Parsons 20x24 Fine ... Buy From Art.com

Artsy blogging round-up!

About Family Crafts Do you make your own Christmas cards? If you do, please take a moment and share your designs and then browse through the pictures of other peoples' creations. Aileen's Musings Aileen's found a great use for those left over cards you have! Check out her Recycled Christmas Card project. Cathie Filian Whip up a vintage style wreath for the holidays! Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world The 19 Days of Holiday Goodness Giveaways is week 2, leave your answer to the day's question and you are entered to win a free book and while you're there check out how to make pockets from coffee filters, crochet a 4 color spiral, some cool fashion insights, a whole bunch of recycled clothing ideas and a bit of architecture. Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy is thrilled about a new set of bamboo crochet hooks she finally purchased from an Etsy seller. Cross Stitch at About.com Having a hard time finding time to stitch during the holiday season?

Artist profiles - part five

Blue Moon by Peggy Dembicer Peggy Dembicer, paper weavings and beads Susan Lenz, art quilt and fiber arts Lizbeth Meredith, altered books and collage Helene Deroubaix, collage and mixed media Tejae Floyde, polymer clay Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Giveaway: Chain Style

FREE STUFF ALERT!!! Excitement is brewing! Back in October, I wrote a review of Chain Style by Jane Dickerson for Beading Arts . Well, I now have a copy to GIVE AWAY!!! As I wrote in my review, Jane has written this book for jewelry design beginners, who want it easy, stylish, and FAST! There are 50 designs to inspire you, which will give you a wide variety of styles. I'm sure you'll find some that catch your eye no matter how experienced you are. So here's my question for you: if you already make jewelry, what materials do you like best? If you don't make jewelry (yet), what would you most like to be making? :-) Leave me a comment below, and you will automatically be entered into the drawing, which will take place next Wednesday evening. Note: I've also got giveaways for different books starting today, Dec 9, 2009 on Jewelry & Beading and on Beading Arts . Feel free to sign up for those too! As regards FTC disclosure guidelines: I have received this

Just when you thought you knew everything about fractals…

…you realize that there’s a whole new generation of fractal-generating software that you know nothing about! Feast your eyes on Rajahh’s Webshots albums full of flame fractals. Rajahh uses Apophysis , open-source software created by Mark Townsend. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Question of the Month: Making gifts?

Question of the month: Are you making Christmas or holiday gifts this year? I’m making some more of my fabric stuffed hearts, but this year, I’m going to add beads! Here are the instructions for them . So what are you making? You can either post your answer here in the comments, or even better, send me an email with your a list of what you’re making, a link to your site or blog, and a picture of your work if you can…even if it’s in process! Send it to cyndi @ mazeltovjewelry.com (remove the spaces), and put MM Gifts in the subject line. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

More artsy links!

Gadabout Media DIY Use glass beads and wire to make a charming little snowman charm bracelet or pendant. Hankering for yarn One of Noreen's fave Christmas traditions is to make little comfort bears for the women's shelter or other charities. This year, she designed little bears to be made on the vintage Mattel knitter (or other crank machines). Here's the link to part one of the tutorial. Hankering for yarn part 2 And, here is the link to the second half of the Amigurumi Teddy Bear tutorial. Jewelry & Beading Cyndi is sharing a series of Gift Guides for handmade jewelry lovers! The Artful Crafter Whatever the holiday, make cute pop-up place cards to organize the dinner table and delight guests of all ages. Arts & Crafts Examiner Do you need some holiday gift ideas for your favorite crafty kid? Creative Dreamer Ramblings on patience, car repair, and some cute holiday house ornaments Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , p
Asian Collage IV Mauro 10x13 Fine ... Buy From Art.com

Artsy blogging round-up!

The Impatient Crafter Madge is feeling Retrofabulous this holiday season! Check out this vintage inspired mixed media jewelry project idea! About Family Crafts Check out these creative gift wrapping ideas. You simply cannot give someone a fabulous homemade gift using ordinary, store-bought wrapping paper. You can easily and quickly personalize the wrap as well as the gift. Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world The 19 Days of Holiday Goodness Giveaways is in full swing, leave your answer to the day's question and you are entered to win a free book and while you're there check out how to make a Christmas tree from a tomato cage, some cool Steampunk jewelry, a ribbon wreath, and a great beer and turkey leftover recipe. Crafty Princess Diaries A light tent can make all the difference when photographing your crafts. Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Linda built a house--a gingerbread house, that is! Check out photos and learn more about this party concept th

Mixed media artist: Maxine Kollar

Artist: Maxine Kollar Blog: Everything Everybody and Everything Else I am a self-taught and still learning artist. I have an interest in many art forms and am eager to do all of then at once. Since I am retired I have the luxury of taking this path now in my life journey that includes art. When I was young I knew I could draw and now that I am older and an ‘empty nester’ my time is filled with creating something whether it is a drawing, quilt, felted piece or beaded jewellery (which I am also learning as I go). I enjoy meeting like-minded individuals over the internet from all locations in the World and trading for art or talking about techniques or just getting information. I could spend days on end just reading loads of Blogs that are filled with such imaginative and valuable information. I first started my journey making Art Trading Cards (ATCs) either collaged or fine art hand drawn. This was back in the fall of 2007. ATCs are 2.5” x 3.5” (standard worldwide). I have to say th

Make It Merry!

It's the first week of December, so it's time you got cracking on those holiday crafts. Here are some winter treasures to get started with. Winterscape Needlepoint Ornaments Create a needlepoint ornament with these Winterscape printable patterns. Cheryl Fall has your pattern and how-to. Antique Christmas Scraps Use these great looking antique Santa illustrations to use on all your paper projects-- scrapbooks, cards, ornaments and newsletters! Knit Tinsel If you can make an I-cord, you can use a fancy eyelash yarn to make knit tinsel in no time for your hearth or holiday tree. Sarah E. White shows you how. Shrink Plastic Necklace Use shrink plastic to create unique charms to make necklaces and other items of jewelry. These are quick to make and are perfect for last minute gifts! Sweater Holiday Lighting Make a light-up Christmas tree using an old sweater and a little know-how form the Sweater Surgery blog. Printable Paper Sleigh A Printable Sleigh to fill with goodies. This sle
...Has Become... Thank you all very much for weighing in on my poll! I've decided to keep the new background, but I have lightened it up somewhat so that it's not distracting from the content as much as the original version was. I appreciate all the input :-)

Calls for entries and submissions

Art Quilting Studio : deadline 01/15/10 Sew Somerset : deadline 01/15/10 Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals