Mixed Media Artist

  Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside's got a tutorial on how to crochet a picot cast-on, turn a catalog into a journal from the new book Creative Wildfire from L. K. Ludwig, a free pop up bird card template, a cool free bird image and fun pictures from Unique LA with a "celebrity" sighting!   Crafty Princess Diaries Looking for some Mother's Day crafting ideas? Tammy suggests making a resin pendant. Cross Stitch at About.com About.com Cross Stitch Forum members had a go at the free Day Complete Band sampler and now you can see their results and get the free pattern yourself. Not only does it have a stitching theme, you will also get a chance to learn lots of new stitches.   Margot Potter The Impatient Crafter Madge shares a how to for teens in this quick and easy jewelry project for ILoveToCreate Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery How to make beaded gift wrap from the lovely book The Art of Gift Wrapping by...

One of my paper image transfer articles appears in the recent issue (Issue 17, April 2010) of Artella's Art Journal Journey . There are quite a few other technique articles in the issue too, including using shaving cream and using transparencies, and inspirational articles on journaling your life journey and getting out of a creative slump. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Stylish Mosaics: Over 20 Contemporary Projects for Your Home by Anne Cardwell Art Making, Collections, and Obsessions: An Intimate Exploration of the Mixed-Media Work and Collections of 35 Artists by Lynne Perrella Inchies: Create Miniature Works of Art Using Textiles and Mixed Media Techniques by Peggy Donda-Kobert Stitched Postcards: Beautiful Textile Designs in Miniature Using Quilting and Mixed Media Techniques edited by Christa Rolf Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

They are soooo cute!  There are four of them, and they've just started to get some feathers along with their fluff.  Visit them anytime at The Owl Box .  Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Poetry is Just the Evidence I made this piece quite a while ago, but never got around to writing up instructions.  I suppose that at the time, it seemed so simple that I didn't think I really needed to, but now as I look at it, it's not completely obvious to me all that was done!  Hope I can remember properly! I started with this marveous quote by Leonard Cohen: "Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash." I was involved in an online beading art group at the time, and I knew that I wanted to do something with that quote for one of the challenges. The challenge turned out to be working with color combos that you usually avoided. Well, apple green, red, and bright yellow kind of fit the bill!  This is a small piece, only 8 by 8 inches.  1. I started with plain black and white fabric, stitched together into a square nine-patch, and I used textile paint to add color to selected squares.  2. T-shirt transfer...

Home and Garden Cafe Make a leaf press to press those summer flowers and leaves, then you can use them for crafting later. More video tutorials on Tottie Talks Crafts People keep asking Noreen how to get started with spool knitting, and also, how to finish the cords. So, she made 2 new video tutorials to show how.   The Artful Crafter This week Eileen is offering some free striking vintage photos from the 30s and a chance to win the eBook “Altered Ancestors: 50 Techniques for Using Vintage Photos in Art”. Creative Dreamer Goodness...giveaways everywhere...I think I'll have another one too! Come see what I'm giving away!   Gadabout Media DIY April 22 was Earth Day, so to celebrate Chloe has some easy tips for "greening" your craft room or studio.   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Festivities Revisited 2 Ruth Palmer 16x20 Phot... Buy From Art.com

Aileen's Musings Aileen has a wonderful Mother's Day project to help make it a banner day for mom! Find out what Canvasette paper is while you check out her easy background technique. Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there is a sneak peek into the new book Mixed-Media Dollhouses, how to draw a Zombie Voodoo Doll, make 2 types of paper flowers from recycled book pages, and how to use white glue and tape as resists in fabric altering.   Crafty Princess Diaries Tammy has added another charm discovery to her sterling silver charms and pendants sale page, 2 gorgeous mermaids. Cross Stitch at About.com Connie made an oops with a stitching project when she laundered an item that wasn't colorfast. Have you ever had an oops like that? Vote in the poll and let us know.   Farm Girl Roots, City Girl Style Linda's finally going to intentionally make a quilt for herself! She's picked the pattern and is usin...

Artist: Limar Blog: On a Separate Note  Limar makes wonderful digital art collages, which she sizes down to mostly ATCs and 4x4s to show on her blog.  Working digitally allows her to experiment with a lot of different techniques, colors, and design ideas.  I love her work, and I'm sure you will too.  Visit her at On a Separate Note to see more! Limar writes: I can't say that I have a specific idea or purpose with every piece I do. I usually just take an image and blend it with different textures, brushes and blending modes until I like the result :) Often I have so much thoughts and ideas going on in my head, that it results in nothing :) When that happens it helps to jump on some of the art challenges that's out there. You get an actual theme and can work from there. Up until now my work has been exclusively digital due to lack of space. But we moved recently and now I have a corner that is just mine, so maybe I finally can get my hands dirty :) Somet...

Mixed Media Mosaics by Laurie Mika Using very few tools and not even too many materials, Laurie Mika shows us how to make polymer clay tile mosaics which are simply a feast for the eyes. Well, "simply" is the wrong word. Although these are not difficult to make, the finished effect is dazzling. You would think, to look at her work, that you’d be having to keep dozens of clay colors in stock, but Laurie works with primarily only black and white, using paints, beads, mica powders, and other media to add color to her tiny treasures. I am not really a polymer clay person. It’s never grabbed me the way it has some of my art friends. I’m not quite sure why, because I really wanted to like it and to work with it at one point. I do work with it a bit in jewelry making, but when it comes to mixed media, not so much.  This delightful book may make me change my mind. It’s full of techniques, all of them easy for clay-dummies like me. And Laurie’s got a whole bunch of sample project...

Lee Valley Tools Check out the hardware and tools sections. You won’t be sorry! American Science and Surplus Incredible stuff at unbelievable prices! Lots of junk you’ll just have to have. Be forewarned… Woodworks Ltd An amazing selection of wooden craft parts to build with. Sky Blue Pink Advertises cool stuff for non-fancy prices! Volcano Arts Handmade book and bookbinding supplies, paper marbling, clock parts, kits, etc etc. Ready Stamps This is the place that you must use to have stamps made from your own designs. Not only are the prices competitive, but Ready Stamps is a community-based business of The United Cerebral Palsy Association of San Diego, promoting the independence of disabled persons through training and employment. MisterArt A full selection of art supplies Together with Dick Blick (below) you’ll be able to find all the put-it-together stuff you’ll need. Dick Blick Another very complete art supply shop. Between Dick Blick and MisterArt (abo...

Here's another fun tool for you to play with in all of your spare time!  Shape Collage Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

  Creative Dreamer Violets are everywhere! Let's sugar some for sweet goodie decorations! The Artful Crafter How to make an envelope book for little treasures or clutter. Beading Arts Cyndi has just finished up a floral necklace that features fabric! Gadabout Media How to make bandanas for your favorite fur kid   Gone Fishing Cupcakes Super quick and easy. Perfect for dad on Father's Day   Mirrors and Poetry Cherie uses lines from her poetry to create one-of-a-kind mirrors.   Organizing Scrapbooking Stickers Follow along with Katelyn as she organizes her art studio, starting with scrapbooking stickers.   Tottie Talks Crafts This week, Noreen made 3 new video tutorials showing different techniques for spool knitting with 2 pegs - great for jewelry making and lots of other things, too!   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Vintage Collage IV Danny O. 12x12 Fine Art Print Buy From Art.com

  About Family Crafts Not knowing much about iris folding, Sherri rolled up her sleeves, gave it a try, and shares her step-by-step adventure and free templates with you. About.com Cross Stitch Connie's sharing a free pattern that was inspired by a piece of artwork she saw in an episode of Monk. You never know what the source of inspiration will be.   Aileen's Musings Are you in need of a royal crown? Aileen has an oldie but goodie tutorial she's sharing with you.   Cathie Filian Cathie is doing back flips over the release of her new book, 101 Snappy Fashions! Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world This week at Craftside there are tutorials on how to crochet a "no-chain" foundation row, 17 ways to crop a photo, draw flames with Drew Brophy, change the color in a free cherry blossom print download and a call for entries for 1000 Steampunk Inspirations.   Crafty Princess Diaries While doing some sprin...

Here are my last steps to finish up the fabric postcard.  I added a backing of ultra-suede and began stitching on beads and some more buttons.  On the first image, you can see the stacks of beads that will form ruffles once I've woven more beads between each stack.  The second image has the completed ruffle near the bottom. Here's a ring bezel that traps a larger bead and some of the button and bead clusters that I stitched on.   And here is the completed postcard: Part one Part two Part three 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

1000 Steampunk Inspirations Deadline: 06/01/10 Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Here is a fabulous chart by Golden that gives you all the specs on the individual colors.  Of most interest to me is the permanency and the opacity vs transparency.  Each color on the chart is clickable to get all the info that your art-geeky heart could desire! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Little by little, I added stitches that would give higher relief areas to my fabric postcard.  I used mostly stitches that I already know, but decided to add a couple new ones for variety.  As the layers built up, I got happier and happier with the piece.  You know how there's always that awkward stage when it just doesn't seem to be coming together?  Add more layers and it'll be fine! Here are the stitches that I used in these higher relief areas: Woven buttonhole stitch, buttonhole wheels, threaded buttonhole bars Knotted buttonhole stitch Basque knots, French knots Bullion stitch Chain stitch rosettes Heavy thread couching Palestrina stitch Knotted feather stitch Star stitch Buttons, buttons with woven bars Spiderwebs - ringed, whipped, and woven Lace flowers Part one Part two Part three Copyright 2010 Cyndi Lavin. Not to be reprinted, resold, or redistributed for profit. May be printed out for personal use or distributed ele...

  Beading Arts Cyndi has found a *lot* of seed bead tutorials lurking in her blog's archives! Crafty Blogger Katelyn has an easy tutorial for making your own stencils from a magazine page.   Frugal Home Ways to make an old desk come to life. Gadabout Media DIY Do you have a beloved piece of fabric, but can't decide what to make out of it? How about making a piece of jewelry? It's quick, easy and very pretty!   Home and Garden Cafe For Earth Day try making a toad house by recycling an old clay pot. The Artful Crafter Does your craft space need some decluttering? Here are some ways to donate your excess projects and supplies. Tottie Talks Crafts Noreen has figured out several different ways of weaving triangles on the pothholder loom, using yarn. Here's a video tutorial for the bias or continuous weaving technique.   Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Derniers Frimas David Graux 9x12 Fine A... Buy From Art.com

The Crochet Dude Drew reorganized his garden this spring using squares, and the results are fantastic! About Family Crafts If you cannot wait for April showers to bring May flowers, here is a collection of flower crafts you can make now.   Aileen's Musings Back in November Aileen posted about an Erosion Bundle Project she's participating in....yesterday she opened her bundles after 5 months! Stop by and see her after pictures...   Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world Craftside's got a great tutorial on how to sew tie style straps, a peek at how to turn ideas into inspired design, identifying different types of metal, a thread painting tip, a lace detail and a bit of ballerina brilliance from the hot new book Mixed-Media Dollhouses. Crafty Princess Diaries Knitters will be happy they know the Crafty Princess after finding out about this great 40% off deal on the new book entitled In the Loop.   Margot Potter The Impatient Craf...

I have been taking an online class with the fabulous Sharon Boggon called Sumptuous Surfaces .  I've long been an admirer of Sharon's lush style, her penchant for piling more and more embellishment onto a square than you'd think it could take, without it looking the least bit crowded. Sharon has us working on linen, which is really a treat. I highly recommend the class, and I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the process shots from the sample piece that I'm working on.  I've listed the different stitches that I used.  Most of this piece was worked in size 5, 8, or 12 perle cotton, or in silk threads.  Towards the end I added buttons and beads.    I pulled threads to mark off the postcard-sized piece of linen and traced the outline of my spiral design lightly in pencil.  I used Portuguese stem stitch and coral stitch to do the outlining.    I used an irregular Cretan stitch to do pulled thread work on a low relief area....

Yes, like so much of the nation, I've gotten sucked into checking up on Molly the Owl and her brood once or twice a day.  I swear these little guys are growing visibly larger each day.  There are three babies now, but one of them is stretched out asleep under the other two! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Haute Handbags Deadline: 05/15/10   PMC Annual Deadline: 05/15/10    Art Quilts Lowell Deadline: 06/01/10     Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

One of Liniecat's fun collages I was so happy to get this response from Liniecat regarding my latest Question of the Month !  I have to say that this would be an amazing adventure, and I can see exactly why she'd like to return: I flew once upon a time, with the RAF as a loadmaster and went round the world to some simply amazing, off the tourist path places. ( Midway Island for instance where primary coloured budgies flew around like sparrows do here in the Uk..and Gooney birds landed in a cartoon like, base-over-apex manner! So funny to watch but in the sky, they fly elegantly and effortlessly) ......BUT ..... if I had the choice, I'd want to go back to see Kathmandu - because at every turn there was something stunning and of interest to photograph, and high above Nepal were these statuesquely magnificent diamond hewed mountains, that reflected the suns rays and were all manner of colours at all times of the day. The streets were visually fascinating, the people ...

A duotone makes a really nice alternative to a black and white print, and they're so easy to do in Photoshop!  No longer are we subject to the whims of the chemicals as they develop and (maybe) give us the subtle tones that we want.  My three favorite combinations are based upon black with burgundy, black with cyan, and a sepia tritone that uses black, magenta, and yellow.  I chose black with cyan for this image from a recent wedding.  I hope your monitor will show the color, but you might just have to take my word for it that this isn't a black and white portrait.  1. Make a good quality black and white image using your favorite method.  Mine are at the link. 2. Flatten the image and chose Grayscale for your Mode.  Discard the color information when it asks you.  3. Chose Duotone for your Mode and either use one of the presets or load your own.  You can adjust the curves boxes next to the ink colors.  For this sample, just...