Mixed Media Artist

Embossed card challenge by Michelle Mach

2012-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

How could I resist? My friend Michelle Mach offered to send out an embossed card to 25 readers who wanted to play around with embellishing them for Valentines Day. The rules were pretty simple: do what you want with the card and send an image to Michelle to share. I can do that!

I received one of Michelle's gorgeous Hearts & Flowers blank note card. How pretty is this? She sells them in her Etsy shop, which you can access through the link above. I decided that I wanted to do something non-Valentiney with mine, not to be difficult, but just because I'm really not the traditional Valentine type. I've got a set of four Walnut Inks that I don't use as often as I feel I should, so my first plan was to do multiple sprayings/wipings with the different colors, and then to gild the raised portions just a bit with some Pearl Ex powders.

I was so happy with the results of the multiple layers of inks that I came close to just stopping right there. But I still felt that a bit of glitz would help with the Valentine feel which was now totally lacking.

I added red, green, and gold...not exactly Valentine colors, but I'm very happy with it!

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,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

2012-02-10T21:51:00.001-05:00

Crafty Princess Diaries
The yarn shortage is over, and the Crafty Princess can show off a baby ghan she made for a donation drive she is running for Healthy Start.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
Eileen made a hybrid Valentine’s Day card inspired by a book she just read, I Heart Stationery by Charlotte Rivers.

Lindsay Sews
Have you ever wondered what goes into writing a quilting pattern?

About Family Crafts
Want to participate in a fun craft challenge? Check out Sherri's current pirate make-it-over crafts challenge!

Aileen's Musings
Check out the Blog Giveaway Aileen is sharing and find out how you can win a felt love banner kit!

Carmi's Art/Life World
Carmi had a whole week of CHA posts starting with this one about Basic Grey!

Craft Buds
Are you interested in writing and selling your sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet, or other craft patterns? Check out our tips and let us know if you have any of your own.

Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

New issue of The Bonefolder is available for download

2012-02-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Always a great read! Get yours now...The Bonefolder is a free download.

Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Book review: Complete Photo Guide to Needlework

2012-02-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

Linda Wyszynski has tackled a daunting subject in The Complete Photo Guide to Needlework. It helps a lot that she is a very accomplished needlewoman! Since photos are the main claim to fame, a word about them first: they are fantastic. Each image is clear and up-close so you can really see what the various stitches are supposed to look like. Likewise for the tools, materials, and threads that Linda discusses. The diagrams are equally clear and self-explanatory...a first rate job by Creative Publishing.

The first section is called the ABCs of Needlework, and it is extremely detailed in the explanation of what each tool is for and how to deal with charts, diagrams, transferring patterns, and the like...all the things you really need to know before you plunge in. From there, you can take your pick from embroidery, crewel, silk ribbon, bead embroidery, cross-stitch, and needlepoint. Or try them all! This is an excellent resource for a beginner who needs a good technique book.

Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Quote of the week

2012-02-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

This image looks like maybe it is from a t-shirt, but I'm not sure. I've seen it all over the net recently. Anyone know where it originated?

Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Manipulated fabrics - part one

2012-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Last week, I showed you the glue gel resist fabrics that I painted. Here is the first project that I used these fabrics for: I made manipulated fabric modules that I could later assemble into a quilt top. As you'll see in the future, I didn't end up using all of them, and I had to make more later to fill in the gaps!

1. I made several pieces with twisted tucks. Mark along each edge and sew with a loose running stitch between the marks, right through a small tuck that you make with your fingers. These do not have to be really precise unless you want them to be, but try to make the tucks about 1/8 inch wide.

2. Here is simply a close-up of my tucks. It looks like I ironed them, but I didn't. Silk habotai folds pretty well and keeps a finger crease.

3. I left all the thread ends, because I already knew that I wanted them in my finished quilt. You can snip them off if you like. Pin the piece down to a thin piece of batting. The batting isn't mandatory, but it does give a nice puff to the tucks when they are twisted.

4. Stitch with a running stitch along the top and bottom edge, pressing the tucks in the same direction. I added a small bead to each tuck.

5. Somewhere near the middle of the piece, start another line of running stitch, but this time press the tucks back in the other direction. Depending upon the size of your piece, you can add more than one twist.

6. Here's what it looks like finished. The only additional thing I did to prepare it to add to my quilt was to carefully snip the batting so that it was hidden by the edge of the fabric.

7. Here is another example, this time tucked the long way and with multiple twists added. And after all that, I didn't end up using either of these pieces in the quilt! Ah well, some day a project will come up that just screams for these ;-)

Glue gel resist fabrics
Manipulated fabrics - part one
Manipulated fabrics - part two
Manipulated fabrics - part three

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,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

2012-02-03T13:55:00.002-05:00

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there is a recipe for Vegan Captain Crunch french toast, eye-candy in the form of a unique quilt canopy, drawings turned into coloring books, a fun book video and a crazy knitted scarf.

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy takes a look at one of The Crochet Dude's newest books written for those of use who donate our crochet goods to charity.

Eileen - The Artful Crafter
You can transform plain glassware into unique home decor. Check out Eileen's first attempt with transparent glass paints.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen has a cool steampunk inspired valentine artist trading block tutorial for you.

Craft Buds
Learn how to frost cupcakes like a pro and turn your favorite chewy candy into some fab cupcake toppers for the Superbowl!

Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Yay for Carlyn!

2012-02-02T18:05:00.000-05:00

Carlyn Clark, who writes Crafting with Style, won the Chairs book! Congratulations, Carlyn!

EcoFreek...need more free materials?

2012-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Nicole from EcoFreek wrote to me and told me about her interesting site. You can use it for both gathering and dispersing!

Our mission is to provide a means for people to find items they need while reducing landfill waste.

ecofreek.com is a search engine that searches the web for free and 'for swap/trade' items people no longer need or want from over 45+ major sources, providing the most diverse and accurate results anywhere in the world. ecofreek also includes garage sale items and listings, estate sales, moving sales, flea markets and more.

Also included are items for trade like books, sports equipment, antiques, automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles, CDs/DVDs, computers, property, seeds/gardening supplies, and lots more (including pets looking for new homes).

We also encourage people to exchange and re-use items though our search engine and also our 'places to give things away' section.

Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Calls for entries and submissions

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Bead-It-Forward bead quilt project
Deadline: 03/01/12

Lark Publishing: 500 Lights
Deadline: 03/01/12

The Ugly Necklace Contest
Deadline: 03/15/12

From Sketch to Art Quilt
Deadline: 03/16/12


Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Quote of the week

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

via MightyWombat

Glue gel resist fabrics

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

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.

3. Let the fabrics dry completely. Overnight is best. Begin to remove the glue by gently scraping it off with your fingernails. At some point you will have removed all you can in this manner, and you'll need to add water. Water, with a bit of mild soap, will dissolve most of the glue. It will also remove some of the color that you've added, leaving you with a paler version of what you started with. That's ok. It is what it is, with this technique.

4. Let your fabrics dry again, and iron them gently. Use parchment paper to protect the iron and board surface from glue residue. I love the sloppy uncertainty of this technique. Here are a few more examples, the first one drying and last two after the glue has been removed:

Glue gel resist fabrics
Manipulated fabrics - part one
Manipulated fabrics - part two
Manipulated fabrics - part three

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,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

2012-01-27T09:41:00.000-05:00

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 Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Yay for Linda!

2012-01-26T19:07:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

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 contact you. No contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: February 2, 2012

Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Recent publications: January 2012

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

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 Kerr

Nature's Beauty in Applique: Pretty and Practical Projects (That Patchwork Place) by Susan Taylor Propst

Civil War Quilts by Pam Weeks and Don Beld

New English Paper Piecing: A Faster Approach to a Traditional Favorite by Sue Daley

Creative Pilgrimage: An Exploration of Artful Gatherings and Discovery of Innovative Art Techniques by Jenny Doh

Creating Decorative Paper by Paula Guhin

Acrylic Fusion: Experimenting with Alternative Methods for Painting, Collage, and Mixed Media by Dan Tranberg

Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Quote of the week

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

Marbled fabric quilt - part four

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

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,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Artsy blogging round-up!

2012-01-20T08:41:00.001-05:00

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!

2012-01-19T18:04:00.000-05:00

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

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

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 contact, no win, and I simply have to go on to the next person. Deadline: January 26, 2012

Technorati Tags:mixed media,collage,assemblage,digital art,photography,altered books,art journals

Mixed Media Artist

Embossed card challenge by Michelle Mach

More artsy links!

Artsy blogging round-up!

New issue of The Bonefolder is available for download

Book review: Complete Photo Guide to Needlework

Quote of the week

Manipulated fabrics - part one

More artsy links!

Artsy blogging round-up!

Yay for Carlyn!

EcoFreek...need more free materials?

Calls for entries and submissions

Quote of the week

Glue gel resist fabrics

More artsy links!

Artsy blogging round-up!

Yay for Linda!

Giveaway #4 from Lark Books

Recent publications: January 2012

Quote of the week

Marbled fabric quilt - part four

More artsy links!

Artsy blogging round-up!

Yay for Shirley!

Giveaway #3 from Lark Books