My friend Tracy Roos has a new article on Faux Tintype Photos published in the latest edition of Cloth, Paper, Scissors. To read more about it, click here. It is so great to see my art friends finding success. I think it's so important to build a community of art friends who will support you and celebrate your successes. So Tracy, congrats on your article! I can't wait to read it!
For those of you who have yet to see an issue of this magazine, get thee to a retailer! It's a fantastic new mag that launched in October featuring mixed media techniques. While Somerset Studios is geared to showing "eye candy", CPS actually focusses more on techniques. There are lots of pictures and great instruction. This is a good publication for those of us who have been doing altered art for awhile and want to learn something new. The instructions, however are easy enough to follow so that someone who was fairly new to altered art could also pick it up and find it helpful.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Altered Book Class Alert!
For those of you who live in the Lower Mainland area and are interested in learning about altered books, I will be teaching the following series of classes. Come join the fun!
Altered Books from Eh To Zed (A-Z)
This is going to be an amazing workshop covering everything from collage to niches to embellishments to journaling to overlays to using rubber stamps to Round Robins to paint and ink techniques to sourcing materials to tip-ins to creating windows and doors to alphabet stencils to paper weaving to using eyelets and brads to aging papers to ...... The list goes on and on.
Your finished piece will be more than just a unique and striking altered book; it will also be a reference guide to altered book techniques. You'll be able to refer back to it any time and see how you did each and every procedure.There is no way we could cover all this material in one evening, so I've decided to present these classes as a series of six Sunday afternoons. Four of the classes will be 2 1/2 hours and two of them will be 3 hours.The total cost is $198.00 and includes most materials. You will be asked to bring a few basics like scissors and glue sticks. Attendance is limited to 8 people, so sign up fast.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email!
Workshop series dates:
February 6th and 13th
March 6th and 13th
April 3rd and 10th
I'll soon have an altered book in the store, displaying the results of the first two classes, which cover the following:
CLASS ONE:
- Where to find a book and how to choose the right one
- Gotta Get Me Some of That! (notes on basic supplies)
- Altered Art: The "rules" of altered art
- Aging: Techniques for aging with Ranger inks, tea and walnut ink,
- Bead, Buttons, Brads
- Collage: Basics on creating collage
- Chalks: How to use them
- Cutouts: How to
- Dictionary: Several ways to use dictionary pages
- Doors: How to create them(Although embellishing the cover of your book is an obvious 'C' category, it will be covered in the last class. It's much easier to work in a book before the cover is completed, rather than after.)
CLASS TWO:
- Embellishment: List of things to use
- Ephemera: What it is and how to find it
- Eyelets: How to use and set them
- Envelopes: coin, glassine, etc. Adding them to your book and what to put in them
- Found Poetry: How to
- Folding: pockets, accordian, triangle
- Glues: Which glue to use for what
- Gleaning: Where to find bits and pieces to use in your books
- High profile embellishments: Why this can be a no-no
- Hand-tinting: Adding colour to black and white photocopies
Good stuff, eh?
Altered Books from Eh To Zed (A-Z)
This is going to be an amazing workshop covering everything from collage to niches to embellishments to journaling to overlays to using rubber stamps to Round Robins to paint and ink techniques to sourcing materials to tip-ins to creating windows and doors to alphabet stencils to paper weaving to using eyelets and brads to aging papers to ...... The list goes on and on.
Your finished piece will be more than just a unique and striking altered book; it will also be a reference guide to altered book techniques. You'll be able to refer back to it any time and see how you did each and every procedure.There is no way we could cover all this material in one evening, so I've decided to present these classes as a series of six Sunday afternoons. Four of the classes will be 2 1/2 hours and two of them will be 3 hours.The total cost is $198.00 and includes most materials. You will be asked to bring a few basics like scissors and glue sticks. Attendance is limited to 8 people, so sign up fast.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to send me an email!
Workshop series dates:
February 6th and 13th
March 6th and 13th
April 3rd and 10th
I'll soon have an altered book in the store, displaying the results of the first two classes, which cover the following:
CLASS ONE:
- Where to find a book and how to choose the right one
- Gotta Get Me Some of That! (notes on basic supplies)
- Altered Art: The "rules" of altered art
- Aging: Techniques for aging with Ranger inks, tea and walnut ink,
- Bead, Buttons, Brads
- Collage: Basics on creating collage
- Chalks: How to use them
- Cutouts: How to
- Dictionary: Several ways to use dictionary pages
- Doors: How to create them(Although embellishing the cover of your book is an obvious 'C' category, it will be covered in the last class. It's much easier to work in a book before the cover is completed, rather than after.)
CLASS TWO:
- Embellishment: List of things to use
- Ephemera: What it is and how to find it
- Eyelets: How to use and set them
- Envelopes: coin, glassine, etc. Adding them to your book and what to put in them
- Found Poetry: How to
- Folding: pockets, accordian, triangle
- Glues: Which glue to use for what
- Gleaning: Where to find bits and pieces to use in your books
- High profile embellishments: Why this can be a no-no
- Hand-tinting: Adding colour to black and white photocopies
Good stuff, eh?
Monday, December 27, 2004
The Post Xmas Report
Well, I survived the insanity of the holidays! I have been working on putting the house to rights this morning. Our tree is down, the decorations put away-just vacuuming left to do!
So my gifts included the elusive tip for my soldering iron so I can now try making microscope slide jewelry. I also got 2 Making Memories books on sewing and paint. There are alot of cool ideas in them. I have 2 new rubber stamps added to my collection, a pair of Fiskers snips and a mitre box so I can make assemblages. YAY! (Nothing like getting a pile of tools for Xmas, eh?)
Anyway, I am hoping to have time this week to work on getting my classes ready. I also want to get my pages for the Naughty Book I am hostessing done. Looking forward to getting back into art making after not doing it for over a week. WITHDRAWALS!
One more day of playing hooky though today. We are going to the movies this afternoon to see "National Treasure" which I have wanted to see for awhile now. More art and pics to come soon!
So my gifts included the elusive tip for my soldering iron so I can now try making microscope slide jewelry. I also got 2 Making Memories books on sewing and paint. There are alot of cool ideas in them. I have 2 new rubber stamps added to my collection, a pair of Fiskers snips and a mitre box so I can make assemblages. YAY! (Nothing like getting a pile of tools for Xmas, eh?)
Anyway, I am hoping to have time this week to work on getting my classes ready. I also want to get my pages for the Naughty Book I am hostessing done. Looking forward to getting back into art making after not doing it for over a week. WITHDRAWALS!
One more day of playing hooky though today. We are going to the movies this afternoon to see "National Treasure" which I have wanted to see for awhile now. More art and pics to come soon!
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
New Art
Just a quick post so I can share some new art. I made some new ATCs for the swap we just had on Sunday. I used my watercolour crayons to add the colour and a bit of rubber stamp ink to add the polk-a-dots. They were quick and easy which was the whole point since I was madly making them the night before.
The other picture is another mirror I made using vintage perscriptions and medicine labels. I really enjoy doing the mirrors.
My family arrives tomorrow for the holidays so this will lakely be my last post till after Xmas. Wishing everyone a peaceful and enjoyable December 25th.
The other picture is another mirror I made using vintage perscriptions and medicine labels. I really enjoy doing the mirrors.
My family arrives tomorrow for the holidays so this will lakely be my last post till after Xmas. Wishing everyone a peaceful and enjoyable December 25th.
Friday, December 17, 2004
One Week!
So here it is Friday morning and my kitchen table is still buried under a pile of art supplies. I mean literally. I still have ATCs to make for Sunday and I am in the middle of doing some pages in Penn's altered book. I seriously doubt I will have the table cleared by this evening. Sunday morning is more likely.
I also want to post some pics of the latest art work I've done. I just haven't had time to do it. Maybe by Monday if I can wrap up (pun intended!) all the Xmas prep today and tomorrow. I plan to spend the whole day shopping today and then wrapping this evening. Tomorrow I plan to do the making of food stuffs I usually make to give away to friends. Anyone else feeling the crunch?!?
Happily I hostessed an Artsy Santa Swap which means that everyone who participated sent their giftee a parcel with one art piece they made and something to create art with. (Like a zig pen, some ephemera, etc.) I have my parcel sitting here, unopened, ready to go under the tree. I know I am going to enjoy it Xmas morning. I love getting art in the mail-it just makes me so happy. Although this week, I did have a mail DISASTER! As I have mentioned before, I am doing a sort of Artist's Way project with a group on N'ness. I have been waiting for my packet of intro letters from all the participants. It arrived Monday, looking a little worse for wear. I opened it, only to discover that somewhere along the line, someone had dropped it in a puddle, rendering it illegible. All the inks ran to the point that it looks like someone smeared a bit of black ink on a page. It was completely ruined. So I emailed the project hostess and she is going to make another copy for me and mail it out at the end of the month. It was *SO* disappointing.
It's a good reminder to pack your artwork/projects in a Ziplock bag before putting them in an envelope. It will save them from being ruined like mine was!
Well, I had better get a move on if I want to hit the malls before the crowds do. I'll give the monthly ATC swap report on Sunday night. Happy holidays everyone!
I also want to post some pics of the latest art work I've done. I just haven't had time to do it. Maybe by Monday if I can wrap up (pun intended!) all the Xmas prep today and tomorrow. I plan to spend the whole day shopping today and then wrapping this evening. Tomorrow I plan to do the making of food stuffs I usually make to give away to friends. Anyone else feeling the crunch?!?
Happily I hostessed an Artsy Santa Swap which means that everyone who participated sent their giftee a parcel with one art piece they made and something to create art with. (Like a zig pen, some ephemera, etc.) I have my parcel sitting here, unopened, ready to go under the tree. I know I am going to enjoy it Xmas morning. I love getting art in the mail-it just makes me so happy. Although this week, I did have a mail DISASTER! As I have mentioned before, I am doing a sort of Artist's Way project with a group on N'ness. I have been waiting for my packet of intro letters from all the participants. It arrived Monday, looking a little worse for wear. I opened it, only to discover that somewhere along the line, someone had dropped it in a puddle, rendering it illegible. All the inks ran to the point that it looks like someone smeared a bit of black ink on a page. It was completely ruined. So I emailed the project hostess and she is going to make another copy for me and mail it out at the end of the month. It was *SO* disappointing.
It's a good reminder to pack your artwork/projects in a Ziplock bag before putting them in an envelope. It will save them from being ruined like mine was!
Well, I had better get a move on if I want to hit the malls before the crowds do. I'll give the monthly ATC swap report on Sunday night. Happy holidays everyone!
Monday, December 13, 2004
The Christmas crunch is on! I am trying to get shopping done, work and still have time for art. It's quite the balancing act!
Right now, I am working on designing a couple of classes-I have been asked to teach which pleases me greatly! I had some ideas and am now putting them down on paper. I have a to-do list growing a mile long. I have had to put several of my own projects on the back burner till after the holiday madness and I promised my dh that by Friday, I would have the kitchen table cleaned off and ready to go for the holidays. Right now there is a mountain of art supplies spewed all over it and projects in various stages piled up. My kingdom for a studio!!
I have also been invited to do an Altered Book/Altered Art trunk show at Pat's Quilting in Ft. Langley in the new year, so if any of you are interested, I will post info here when I have the specifics. In the meantime, if any of you are into fabric ATCs, check out the current edition of Quilting Arts Magazine. It has a whole section devoted to them and the pictures are very good. (Click on the table of contents to see a sampling.) It's so cool to see all these great mediums merging. The lines are blurring folks!
Okay time to head off to work! Have a creative day!
Right now, I am working on designing a couple of classes-I have been asked to teach which pleases me greatly! I had some ideas and am now putting them down on paper. I have a to-do list growing a mile long. I have had to put several of my own projects on the back burner till after the holiday madness and I promised my dh that by Friday, I would have the kitchen table cleaned off and ready to go for the holidays. Right now there is a mountain of art supplies spewed all over it and projects in various stages piled up. My kingdom for a studio!!
I have also been invited to do an Altered Book/Altered Art trunk show at Pat's Quilting in Ft. Langley in the new year, so if any of you are interested, I will post info here when I have the specifics. In the meantime, if any of you are into fabric ATCs, check out the current edition of Quilting Arts Magazine. It has a whole section devoted to them and the pictures are very good. (Click on the table of contents to see a sampling.) It's so cool to see all these great mediums merging. The lines are blurring folks!
Okay time to head off to work! Have a creative day!
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Gotta get a book!
I am still breathing! Honest! Just hugely busy with the hustle and bustle of the season. I am working a Christmas contract for the agency so my computer and art time has been limited.
Someone mentioned a wonderful book in the other day Crafting Personal Shrines. I went to Amazon to see what it looked liked and realized it was one of the books I hoped a store nearby would get in at some point. It's coming home with me as soon as I can find it. Can't wait!
Also on my shopping list for me (What's Xmas without a little personal shopping?!?!) is Stampington's ATC Anthology. I can't think of a better way to spend the holidays than curled up with a good art book. Mmmm! Idyllic!
This girl is going to crawl off now and stretch out on the couch and watch the Amazing Race. (And try to stay awake.) Catcha later!
Someone mentioned a wonderful book in the other day Crafting Personal Shrines. I went to Amazon to see what it looked liked and realized it was one of the books I hoped a store nearby would get in at some point. It's coming home with me as soon as I can find it. Can't wait!
Also on my shopping list for me (What's Xmas without a little personal shopping?!?!) is Stampington's ATC Anthology. I can't think of a better way to spend the holidays than curled up with a good art book. Mmmm! Idyllic!
This girl is going to crawl off now and stretch out on the couch and watch the Amazing Race. (And try to stay awake.) Catcha later!
Thursday, December 02, 2004
EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!!
Hi Everyone, I have some really exciting news! For those of you who are big fans of altered art, there are two new books coming just in time for the New Year. One is available in January and the other hot on its heels in February. If you are making your list for the holidays, you might want to add these babies! They are currently available via pre-order and even though they won't be under your tree, wouldn't it be nice to have something to look forward to after Christmas? Inspiration for the long winter days! Here's the info:
Altered Board Book Basics and Beyond: For Creative Scrapbooks, Altered Books & Artful Journals by Jan Bode Smiley
This book is now available for Pre-order (just click the link above) and will be released in February. It's the first book in C & T Publishing's new division focusing on paper crafts and they are very excited about it. In addition to this book, they are also producing blank board books ready for altering. Some of you may know how much work it can be to prepare a glossy children's book, so you'll know why they decided to supply blanks! The first batch will be available in 5 x 7 and 6 x 6 sizes. These should be available by February also.
The Art Of Fabric Books: Innovative Ways To Use Fabric In Scrapbooks, Altered Books & More by Jan Bode Smiley
This wonderful book will be available in January and is also available for pre-order. (Again, just click the link above.) Here's what C&T had to say about it:
"Fabric and altered books - the perfect creative combination!
* Altered books are one of the hottest trends in crafts today. Artist Jan Bode Smiley seamlessly blends fabulous fabrics with book arts for cutting-edge ideas every quilter, paper crafter, and scrapbooker will want to try!* Learn how to use fabric as a natural addition to scrapbook and altered book projects and for books made entirely of fabric and embellishments* Includes ideas and inspiration for fabric pockets, frames, mini-quilts, and more* Creative, doable projects using paper, fabric, thread, findings, buttons, and other embellishments*Techniques * Projects *Inspiration!"
I am really excited about both these books, since this will be the first time I have had art work published. I have several pieces in each book and it was a thrill to be able to work on this project. I was even able to meet Jan, the author, in the early autumn. From what I have seen, these books are going to be beautiful and a great addition to any library. Can't wait to have them in my hot little hands!
Altered Board Book Basics and Beyond: For Creative Scrapbooks, Altered Books & Artful Journals by Jan Bode Smiley
This book is now available for Pre-order (just click the link above) and will be released in February. It's the first book in C & T Publishing's new division focusing on paper crafts and they are very excited about it. In addition to this book, they are also producing blank board books ready for altering. Some of you may know how much work it can be to prepare a glossy children's book, so you'll know why they decided to supply blanks! The first batch will be available in 5 x 7 and 6 x 6 sizes. These should be available by February also.
The Art Of Fabric Books: Innovative Ways To Use Fabric In Scrapbooks, Altered Books & More by Jan Bode Smiley
This wonderful book will be available in January and is also available for pre-order. (Again, just click the link above.) Here's what C&T had to say about it:
"Fabric and altered books - the perfect creative combination!
* Altered books are one of the hottest trends in crafts today. Artist Jan Bode Smiley seamlessly blends fabulous fabrics with book arts for cutting-edge ideas every quilter, paper crafter, and scrapbooker will want to try!* Learn how to use fabric as a natural addition to scrapbook and altered book projects and for books made entirely of fabric and embellishments* Includes ideas and inspiration for fabric pockets, frames, mini-quilts, and more* Creative, doable projects using paper, fabric, thread, findings, buttons, and other embellishments*Techniques * Projects *Inspiration!"
I am really excited about both these books, since this will be the first time I have had art work published. I have several pieces in each book and it was a thrill to be able to work on this project. I was even able to meet Jan, the author, in the early autumn. From what I have seen, these books are going to be beautiful and a great addition to any library. Can't wait to have them in my hot little hands!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)