michelle ward

new article - nov/dec somerset studio

It's a beautiful Fall day and it's hard to imagine that two months from today it will be Christmas.  In July I felt like I was in a time warp as my mornings in the studio were spent making these ornaments, then by afternoon I was floating around the in pool. It was weird to channel the holidays while wearing my flip flops.  That's the nature of working for a publication.  This week I'm in the middle of a project that you won't see until February.  In case you haven't heard, Somerset Studio is moving to quarterly for 2019.  In a time where we've learned that Stampington has retired a number of publications, and that Cloth, Paper, Scissors has closed it's doors, I am grateful to still have this creative platform.  I've been a fan and reader of Somerset since the inaugural issue in 1997.

 

 

With a handful of inexpensive supplies, you are poised to make a host of ornaments.  Spend and afternoon with a friend, sharing your materials, and you'll have plenty of glittering globes to give away.  

Here's a sneak peek of my article that appears in the November/December Somerset Studio: 

 

Do you remember making similar pinned-sequin-ornaments as a kid?  Chime in and tell us about it.

We Three Kings - new article

The September/October issue of Somerset Studio just arrived, which means it will be at your favorite retail store soon (also available online at Stampington.com). When they announced the theme of Art Doll Extravaganza I had no idea that I would actually heed the call. But I've always wanted to investigate the Three Kings and so what started as a plan to work flat with layers of paper turned into polymer clay sculpture.  I love PC as a medium, but definitely stepped out of my comfort zone when I embarked on these pieces. There were many casualties in the process, which led to better solutions and improvising on the fly.  Don't you love when that happens?  In the previous post I showed you my stencil on clay - that became the garment on Caspar.

You can read more about these guys in the issue - here's a peek at the article for my column, Make It Your Own.

If you're a regular reader you have seen my Nativity set, complete with the Wise Men.  Even though I love the collection, I've been interested in making my own Three Kings ever since seeing The Little Drummer Boy when I was a kid.  I'm so thrilled to finally have these guys completed and have so many new ideas for polymer clay!  

sneak peek

Back in May I began what became an ambitious project.  Starting with much different plans, the thing took on a life of its own and eventually morphed into using a familiar medium in a new way.  I will show you the results tomorrow.  Below is a sneak peek where I used my Damask stencil, rolled across it for an impression, then dusted with gold powder.  LOVE how the powder sticks to the clay and stays there after baking.  

New-to-me:  using clay to mimic hands and faces.  Here's a peek at the hand process.  Stay tuned for the update on the finished pieces tomorrow.

stencils + stencils!

So how cool is this?  A few months ago Lorna from Martha Stewart Living inquired about my Frond Collection stencils.  I've been waiting to hear about the results of the upcoming feature and found a copy of the magazine this week. (July/August issue).  It was such a thrill to see my own stencil line (GreenPepperPress.com) along with Mary Beth's (StencilGirlProducts.com) in the article.  The spread is also featured on the Martha Stewart website under DIY, see HERE.  It's so nice that on the site, and in the magazine, all sources are listed WITH the project - unlike the old days where you had to read the fine print in the back pages to find contact info.  

Thanks Lorna + Martha!  Cool projects!

 

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And in more stencil news - it's Mary Beth Shaw's birthday and she's throwing a party where you get to enjoy 14% off your stencil purchases today through Sunday (July 6, 7 8).  

All designs are on sale - you can find my designs HERE.

Receive 14% OFF all StencilGirl stencil designs - Use code:  MBS14

$100+ orders** CHOOSE 1 FREE Large STENCIL***
***You MUST put the L### in the comment box at checkout. Sorry, no exceptions.

**6 of the same size 10% discount is applied first! $100+ orders post-discount.
*Sale does not apply to wholesale accounts or StencilClub membership.

The stencil sale begins July 6th and ends July 8th at 11:59 p.m. CST 

Time for Tea

The July/August issue of Somerset Studio is on shelves at your local bookstore now!  In my column I show some of the Tea Books I've been making.  It was 2001 when I made my first one, and have made several over the years - enough to fill a tea caddy.  In May we had out all the tea fixings for an early morning viewing of the Royal Wedding....including scones with clotted cream and jam.  I think I need to make a mini book for all the weddings I've risen early to watch.  Back in April my two sister-in-laws treated me to a fun cream tea in England, so I made a little book about that event.  There's always a good reason to make tea, and there's always a good excuse to make a sweet little tea book.  Here's a sneak peek at the article:

Some images that got mentioned in the text didn't show up in the published piece - like the tea caddy I found to hold my collection of books.  I scored this one at the Container Store - perfect fit!  

And I mentioned in the article that the tea party book was shown in a cup I inherited from my Grandma Campbell.  Here it is.

I love coffee every morning, but for special occasions we break out the tea.  These little books are the size of a tea packet, and some have a string and tag like a tea bag.  It's a nice departure to work on a small scale, and it's such an addictive process.  Great for a gift, and a fun format for an invitation.

P.S.  I spy my own work on pages 56 + 57 too as artist Edan Ruthan Miller makes a ring bound journal to remind her of ideas....clippings from one of my articles (HERE, May/June 2012) appear on her pages. 

 

The Unexpected Rosarian

I've been nurturing a rose garden for ten years in honor of my sister.  I love that the latest Somerset Studio arrives in May as it's the month I share a birthday with Shannon.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my visual journal that chronicles the past ten seasons of growth.  I never thought I would ever be a successful gardener, so it was unexpected that I have become a rosarian.  

(My mom even makes an appearance in my article....do you spy her?)

Two seasons ago my original rose bush passed 10 ft. tall.  

Here's a view from the side yard in 2014.

In March we had a terrible snow storm (several actually) that brought down many trees in the neighborhood.  On the left you'll see it didn't look promising for the roses, but then by the end of April, with some assistance of propping agents, they appear to be recovering.

And then this morning....I spied the first bud.  The promise of another season.  I'm so excited.

"Show me a garden that's bursting into life" from Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.

Are you a gardener?  Have you started a garden journal?  It's a fun process, especially during Winter as you wait for Spring.

 

 

MindFULLness OR MindLESSness?

Happy Monday.  I'm the guest over at StencilGirlTalk - the blog for StencilGirlProducts.  I think one of the hidden secrets of stencils is to use them as templates to help you draw.  We all LOVE using stencils with paint, but how about relying on them to use with pen only?

 

Go see my tutorial!  Disclaimer:  once you start, it's hard to stop!  Visit HERE.

 

new article: shadow play

The latest Somerset Studio has arrived - March/April 2018.  My column features recent experiments with paper cutting to create shadows.  The first photo is a close-up I took of one piece - derived from my Rose Window stencil.  I've always been intrigued by illuminated dimensional art, and while I didn't take mine that far, it was a fun self-imposed assignment to create pattern and depth with paper and just a few tools.  As I was turning the pages of the new issue, it was a nice surprise to land on Mary Beth Shaw's interesting article on pigments - there's a full page of my Maltese Mix stencil.  Very cool.

 

Article: Chromabridge Revisited

One of my favorite classes from college was Color Theory.  Not only did we learn a lot about hue perception and color relationships in conceptual form, but we also had to mix paint on swatches (hundreds of them), then cut and manipulate into compositions. There were many projects that had to adhere to strict format of presentation. Even with all the rules there was enough room for personal choices, thereby yielding unique expressions of creativity amongst my fellow students.   The lessons learned from that course still resonate with me today and it was so much fun to revisit – this time with less rules and no grading rubric.  The article appears in the January/February issue of Somerset Studio.

 

 

Below are pieces from 1984 - I still have the zippered leather three-ring binder filled with the assignments that gave me great angst at the time.  It was a pleasure to take artistic liberty as I reinvented using the Chromabridge to build new work.

 

As I was preparing for this article I reached out to the current instructor of the same class at the University of Minnesota.  Turns out she was also a student of Lee Fargo, and we may have passed one another in the halls.  I was disappointed to learn that students are no longer required to mix paints, and instead prepare all their assignments digitally, as most of the class is online.  While I think there is merit in learning how to build similar compositions with the aid of a computer, I also think the students are missing out on a huge element of discovery - using their hands to mix paint and apply to paper, using their eyes to discern equal steps of a gradation, and then carefully measure, cut and assemble a collage with tangible moving parts.  However, I got the sense that she is enthusiastic about the subject and the students are in good hands, regardless of the format.

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Don't forget!!!  Creative JumpStart starts January 1st!!  Have you signed up? Early registration discount ends 12/31 ($45) so get in on this deal!!! You will be treated to 31 days of inspiration to start the year with motivation to stay creative.

I'm excited to be playing along. Come join us!! More details here:
http://nathaliesstudio.com/learn/online-workshops/creative-jumpstart-2018/?wpam_id=15

 

 

Got spoons?

Many of you already know this - I collect souvenir spoons. Gathered from places we've visited, it's a fun ritual to pull out each year and reminisce as we hang on our Christmas tree.  One of my self-imposed assignments, on a long list of things I've been wanting to do, was to start journaling Christmas.  I've been wanting to capture the stories, the traditions, and document the history of our decorations and ornaments.  The easiest way to begin was to document the spoon collection.  There are so many, nearly 70, that they get their own journal.  The pages are a hybrid of handwriting and digital compositions.  There's still a long way to go before I'm finished, but it feels good to have finally launched the project.  You can read more about it in the current Somerset Studio - November/December 2017.

 

Telling the stories behind our spoons makes the collection even more special.  It's an untraditional practice that has become a tradition for us.  

What unusual thing do you do during the holidays?  They are approaching quickly!  Ack!!!

Grand Illusion

In the September/October issue of Somerset Studio, I've presented recent work on an unfinished wood castle.  You'll see I have a guest in my column - my friend Andrew Borloz shares his design treatment on the same item.  It's really terrific example of how there is always a means to "make it your own", the name of my column ;)   Be sure to click through to Andrew's blog post that further illustrates his colorful process and inspiration: HERE. 

This was such a fun project - working on the surfaces, then creating chess characters to inhabit the fortress.  My first impression, upon opening the structure on the store shelf:  Escher.  Scroll down for samples of his black and white work, with dizzying staircases.  You can see why he inspired my design direction.  Lots of stenciling on the outside, and collage on the inside - not as easy to paint in there so I relied on some favorite old engravings and copies of my own previous work.  Had to add in a few dollhouse ladders too - definitely a fun-house for adults.  This castle is still available at Michael's in the event you want to give a try.  (Don't forget to use your coupon).

Magazine is available now, thru Stampington.com or at your favorite bookstore.

 Sending positive vibes to our friends in Texas and Florida.  I'm working a fundraiser with some friends - you can help!  Stay tuned.

Old Faithful - TAGS

The July/August issue of Somerset Studio just arrived.  Below is a sneak peek of my article. Who doesn't love tags?  I consider them to be perfect platform for all kinds of creativity and have been using them for over twenty-five years, therefore I call tags "Old Faithful". The entire magazine is full of them as that was their selected theme.  Lots of good stuff.

 

In May/June I was lucky to be featured in Cloth Paper Scissors with my new Grid Iron stamps.  More tags!  Thanks Jeannine for the opportunity to show off the new rubber.

 

And speaking of faithful....you know I'm a die-hard HIM fan.  They have announced their farewell tour. *sad face*  Just got my tickets today - to two shows.  *happy face*  Wouldn't it be nice if the threat of a farewell tour was similar to other bands who have claimed the same, but continue to hit the road?  If not, we can always hope for solo projects from the beloved members.  

Playing with Fire

The new Somerset Studio just arrived.  Here is a sneak peek of my article.  You know you're onto something good when you can't stop. At some point you have to put down the tool, quiet the inner voice that keeps coming up with additional ways to push the technique, then document the body of work with the camera, and start writing about the experience.  When you're in the groove you fear that hitting pause may become a permanent hold.  However, as I showed you last weekend with the tattooed eggs, it was not hard to get back my mojo a few weeks after the premier voyage into pryography.  I think this one will keep my attention for some time.

 

 

How cool is this?  Two weeks ago the new Uppercase magazine arrived.  A writer named Brendan Harrison wrote an article about pyrography too, also called Playing with Fire.  I loved hearing his take on it.  

 

Thanks to all my friends who have stepped up swiftly and lovingly to support another friend.  And to those of you I've never met, how cool that you joined in too and have trusted me to pass along your positive messages of healing and cheer.  I know it's going to be powerful as I can feel the spirited energy within each piece.

silver linings seeker

On the newsstands now or very soon, the Jan/Feb Somerset Studio - with my article: Silver Linings.  Made with gelli prints that were painted back in October 2013, I decided to finally USE THEM as they were in peril of being pitched.  Pages are stitched together - a tip I got from my friend Julie Prichard in one of her online classes.  I'm a Silver Lining seeker - trying to see the good in every situation, no matter how difficult.  Quotes of affirmation, collected over time, now reside in this new journal.  See the article for more about the process.

 

 

 

Don't miss out on the early registration discount for CreativeJumpStart2017.  Offer good through the ball drop on Saturday night.  Join in for a full month of creativity videos and giveaways - from 27 artists.  Last year was so much fun - my first time as a presenter. Happy to be back again.  Come along!!

draw the line

Just in - newest Somerset Studio.  My Make It Your Own column for this issue is Draw The Line - got the title from a sign that hangs over my desk.  We get so jazzed about stencils with paint, ink, gelli plates, spray paint....we often forget to just use with pencil or pen. Into the coloring book trend?  Make some pages of your own with the assistance of stencils, and some freehand mark-making.  Love the stencils you already have?  Pump up the contrast by adding outlines - draw the line!  Magazine hits the stands this week.

 

 

 

 

sacred earth

The current issue of Somerset Studio has arrived.  If you've been following me for a long time you'll be familiar with the subject of my article - collecting dirt, which evolved from collecting sand.  See the magazine for the full story.  They left out the final photo of a tip I offer of how to secure a cork on a bottle to keep the contents safe, so I've included it here.  Thank you to everyone who wrote me about the previous article highlighting Sam's new venture.  I really appreciate hearing from you and that you took the time to reach out and share your enthusiasm. We've had a lot of orders recently so I'm going to be refilling the shop this weekend. 

 

Mom! I'm published!

Last week the new Somerset Studio arrived.  My column in this issue features our son Sam and his new venture:  Painting with Purpose. Look at this face - it says it all.  He was so excited to see his work on the pages of the magazine that regularly arrives here. Our thanks to Stampington who recognized it was a worthwhile story - art making a difference. 

 

 

We've already gotten some lovely emails about the article, and a handful of orders from new customers!  We are adding more selections this week.  

Thanks for sharing your kind words and enthusiasm for our story and our project to create purpose for our special guy.

Link to our store: ETSY: ForYourSpecialNeeds

If you missed the post about our shop, see HERE.

 

giveaway

Stampington is offering a copy of the May/June Somerset Studio, and I am combining that with supplies I used for my article in the issue. You can win both the magazine and the fabric journal + embellishments.  Leave a comment below to be eligible, drawing will be noon on Friday (EDT - east coast time).  NOW CLOSED - We have a winner!  Scroll to bottom.  

In the latest issue of Somerset Studio: explore the Artist Portfolio of Jeanne Oliver, art inspired by the movie “Amelie,” and quirky vintage photos adorned with colorful handmade hats. Find tutorials for altered birdhouses that are perfect for spring, experimenting with encaustics, and weathered collages by Amy Wilcutt, see some fun washi tape ideas with Mary Beth Shaw, learn how Lynne Perrella interprets the Ballet Russe with alphabet letters, and my own article - Simple Stitch + Stash (using studio scraps, in peril of being discarded, to build collages on canvas pages).  

Sneak preview of my article in previous blog post HERE.

 

With scraps of lace, miniature starfish, and bits of mica, I began using my stash on the pages of a pre-made fabric journal.  I had so much fun stitching that I carried on playing with thread in different ways.  I found the practice to be very relaxing and addictive and before I knew it I was moving on to a second book.  I have quite a stash of these - maybe we could meet somewhere and have a class? Would be fun!  

 

Enter a comment just below to be entered for the drawing.  Good luck!

We have a winner!  Ozge Basagac!!  

Thanks to all who came over here to enter.  I appreciate all your kind words.  

Hope you'll stop by again!  I also hope if you take up simple stitching you will

share your work - would love to see.

new article

The May/June Somerset Studio has arrived!  If you subscribe you may have it by now - hits the shelves around May 1st.  My column is about using up items from my stash, and venturing into stitching.  I really loved working on this fabric book and have finished additional pages which I will show you sometime soon.  You'll recognize that my topographical interest made its way onto a spread, of course! My friends Lynne and Mary Beth have colorful fun articles for their columns - be sure to get a copy.

 

 

new article "inside out"

The March/April issue of Somerset Studio just arrived.  I am thrilled for my friend Anna who is on the cover and inside with the Artist Profile - her signature work is lovely and unique.  Since the theme is Mail Art my column features art made with security envelopes, and then I segued into using postage stamps.  If you've been following my blog you know I love these security paper patterns, found on the inside of the dreaded bills.  I've been collecting and cataloging for years - now I can't stop making stuff with them.

See my other posts using security envelopes last year.

http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/2015/07/painting-on-a-grid.html

http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/2015/07/have-a-happy-4th-of-july.html

http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/2015/07/more-envelope-cutting.html

http://michelleward.typepad.com/michelleward/2015/06/someone-call-security.html

Recently scored from Etsy - an origami ball geniusly folded by FANSHEFOLDS  

There are patterns here I don't have!!  Maybe it would be fun to show you my collection and if you have a pattern I don't have we could trade!!

updates - new article and workshop schedule

The January/February issue of Somerset Studio has arrived.  If you've taken the Compose Yourself workshop with me then you've tried the exercise I illustrate and describe in my column.  I first learned of it back in grade school - didn't know the term for it until a few years ago.  Notan - the Japanese word for dark/light harmony.  (I could insert a HIM reference here, as they have an album called Dark Light, but I will refrain.)  You can see I used my chess stencil again.  The full set of stencils/masks will be released in January. 

 

Compose Yourself is on my schedule in 2016.  It will be offered through Pratt School of Continuing and Professional Studies on February 13.  Registration is open. CALL 855.551.7727  or follow link to register:  HERE  (type in Michelle Ward, using caps as shown)  

 

Here is a sampling of my Pratt workshops this Spring.  Visit my WORKSHOPS page for full descriptions and schedule.

 

 

And don't forget - if you plan on joining Creative JumpStart the $45 fee is good through 12/31.  It will be $50 after that.  Visit Nathalie's site HERE for all the details.  My first video will be included!!  HCIT?

cut it out!

This just in, November/December issue of Somerset Studio.  My article "Creating Opportunities" is about making the commitment to dimensional elements on your page before you start adding your layers of paint and collage.  One of my favorite mantras, as a teacher, is to tell you to "Commit".  Just start with one thing, then each decision you make is informed by the previous commitment.  That's easy to say when you are working on a painted or collaged foundation.  But once you have invested time in making a background it may be a little stressful to cut into it.  I've observed this in workshops - we start with paint, then I hope to encourage some slight-of-hand tricks with cutting and folding, but there is a reluctance.  So I changed my method of teaching, and we begin with the deliberate cuts and folds, then add the paint, collage, and stencils. The commitment to adding cut-out shapes, and the placement of where they are positioned, is not influenced by anything since the canvas is blank.  With dimensional features established, you've created opportunities for how to proceed.  See the magazine for more details, and many other terrific articles.

 

 

sticking with white on black

I had so much fun using the white pen (Uniball Signo UM-153) on black that I wanted to keep going.  Like, I wanted it to go on and on.  So it made sense to move on from flat panels to an accordion.  I could loosely plan an overall concept for the evolution of the design, but then work page by page.  To me, the format meant it should read well as a whole when unfolded, and that was exciting to me...each portion or panel segueing forward.  

What prompted an accordion?  Back in April 2014 I shared how I had an epiphany and turned my favorite Escher poster(s) into a folded book.  See HERE.  Since I did not have a place to hang the four long horizontal posters, they sat gathering dust (for several years) and were in danger of getting damaged or worse, discarded.  Now I can hold his masterpiece in my hands and page through blissfully.  Escher definitely influenced my desire to work in a connected series of drawings and patterns.  I love his panoramic morphing and transitioning of imagery.  Genius.

 

 

 

Being in a mindset of two camps, linear and organic, I took two different paths - starting one with a grid, and one totally free-form.  You can read about these projects in the July/August Somerset Studio.  My copy arrived Friday so if you subscribe yours will arrive any day.  If you don't, the magazine should be on the shelves of your favorite supplier very soon.  The theme for this issue is Black and White, and it is fabulous!!

 

 

I'm not done yet....more to come.

 

song books

May is nearly here so that means the rose buds are starting to form, and the new Somerset Studio is showing up on shelves and in mailboxes.  My column is about making your own songbooks, celebrating favorite lyrics to beloved tunes.  I will be teaching Bohemian Rhapsody at The Ink Pad in NYC on Saturday, June 20th.  To learn more see HERE, and to reserve a spot, call 212·463·9876  I'll provide the music, the lyrics, and the accordion book.  Hope to see you there!

 

 

 

Consider making a song book as a gift - this one was made for Graham.

 

 

 

Don't you love that reading the lyrics makes the tune pop in your head?  What song will you illustrate?

The Gates - 10th Anniversary, day eleven

 

I dedicated my column in Somerset Studio (March/April 2015) to the anniversary of The Gates.  My issue just arrived!  If you subscribe yours should be there soon.  Official newsstand date is March 1st but I've heard they have been spotted on shelves already.  Lots of beautiful articles, check it out!

 

Annual Collaborative

I just received the lastest Somerset Studio!  Inside you'll find a collaborative article by me and my friend Lynne Perrella.  It's the third year of working in tandem, exploring a theme with our individual interpretations.  It's also a sneak peek behind the scenes for some of the material we will cover during our workshop in May.  For the pieces you'll see in the January/February issue we focused on the ever classic phrenology head diagram.  The workshop will encompass much more - but we can't give it all away in an article ;)

 

 

I had a blast reinventing the image, and altering into a movable-parts object...think of the things you could have swirling behind within the mind!

 

When we were brainstorming about plans for the upcoming workshop, we easily reigned in the ideas about a concept but were struggling with a title.  Lynne proposed that we consider incorporating two phrenology heads as graphic elements for the announcement.  It was a perfect suggestion since we have a running dialogue each December about a pair of ceramic phren heads that appear together each year in the Bergdorf Goodman holiday windows in New York City.  The talented designers adorn the twins in a festive manner and place them in the elaborately decorated vignettes.  Every year it’s a hunt to find them among the countless extraordinary visual delights behind the glass.  Lynne had another epiphany: to borrow the name Curiouser & Curiouser* for the three-day class - an ideal choice to accompany the double-head logo we devised, for a workshop offered by two teachers who love to encourage curiosity, especially when it comes to creativity.  Here are some of the appearances in past years:

 

*Curiouser & Curiouser was the theme of the 2009 BG Windows, inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass.  Our workshop will not be related to Alice, we will certainly be advocating for all participants to adopt her sense of adventure. 

We hope you'll join us in May!  Three whole days with two teachers in an amazing studio space at a lovely location with other eager and enthusiastic artists!  For details visit Workshops here, or on Lynne's site www.LKPerrella.com 

no-bake gingerbread house....yep, cardboard!

For several years I've been infatuated with cardboard.  The truth about any supply or substrate: the more you use it, the more you learn.  Since cardboard is a plentiful supply, it is always within reach, and you can try all kinds of things with it.  There's nothing precious about it....trial and error is a good thing.  The only thing you need is a fresh set of blades and some imagination.  After writing articles about using cardboard, including matchboxes and small kraft boxes, for more than a year in my column for Somerset Studio, I thought the year end finale would be the perfect place to show off my Gingerbread House.  

I've been wanting to make one like this for a while, and finally got around to it.  As I say in the article, it doesn't take any less time to make versus bake, but it will last alot longer.  I planned ahead, and have hinged openings in the back, with little shelves behind each window, to accommodate a battery operated votive.  HCIT!

 

 

My scallop and stone stencils were the perfect tool to create shingles and a brick fireplace.  I have to admit I kinda knew that when I was designing them.  I know, it's early for thinking about Christmas decorations....I'm just putting out Halloween stuff....but it's the time of year when days fly by.  Let me know if you make one of your own!

 

 

 

just arrived

Last week I received the new book by Joan Bess:  Gelli Plate Printing:  Mixed-Media Monoprinting Without a Press.  It is fabulous, with easy-to-follow processes - I already have some new ideas for making textures on the gelli plate.  As I wrote to Joan, I applaud the force she has become by infusing creative energy into this community with her genius invention, and the classy and stylish manner in which she presents many ideas on the blog, with the photos and video tutorials, and now this book!  I recently scored the new small size gelli and can't wait to break it in - Joan makes it look so effortless, and it really is!  Visit GelliArts.com and GelliArts.blogspot.com, and pick up the book at your local store or an Amazon.  In addition to many techniques you'll want to try, the book has a guest gallery that displays how other artists are using the addictive printing process.  

 

 

 

Also, just arrived is the newest issue of Somerset Studio.  In my column, Make It Your Own, I write about taking some travel souvenirs and moving them from the keepsake box to the wall, so that they may be enjoyed every day.  Are there any treasures you have tucked away that should move to your wall!  What are you waiting for?

 

 

 

I'm prepping and packing to teach in San Diego next weekend.  It's been ten years since I've visited California - looking forward to it!!

serendipity boxes

Still defaulting to cardboard......I've been collecting anything and everything with brown paper packing.  These little craft boxes are a terrific addition to my cardboard sculptures, and they were the perfect fit inside an assemblage frame.  See the July/August Somerset Studio for the complete article. 

more B&K

More pages from my Black&Kraft journal.  I've prepared a tutorial on Constructing and DeConstructing cardboard as a journal for Stampington's blog.  See that HERE.  It's a companion to my column in the recent Somerset Studio.  In the right sidebar albums you can see more of my cardboard journal pages.  (If you're reading through a feed, click HERE for the album).  I need to get it updated, but there is alot to see there.  Sneak peek below of some stencils that will debut soon ;)

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!  I had a terrific week of celebrating - a good start to a year of being 50!  And the roses are now in full bloom - hundreds of them came out this week.  I'm a lucky girl. 

Only six weeks until CREATE NJ kicks off!  I'm preparing lots of stuff for the workshops and vendor night.  Hope to see you there!!