8/31/09

Music, Muse & Melange Transfer Challenge

It's Mmm..mmm..mmm...mmmonday!


Which M first? Musical Monday is the easiest place to start. Listening to Yusuf today while cobbling together my notes on tape & tile image transfers (see below). For more music & to share to your own tunes, click the MM button.


At Maternal Spark today, Monday's Muse wants to know - What is inspiring you this week?

My answer starts with yet another M - the Melange Blog Make a Transfer Challenge.

There are many ways to transfer an existing image from 1 place to another. Anything goes in this challenge - use printers, glass, fabric, paper, magazines, whatever. Here is the original post listing the (non) rules.

I decided to try something easy & went with a packing tape transfer. I used the contact paper transfer listed in Claudine Hellmuth's book Collage Discovery Workshop as a guide. I recommend this book, by the way - I have yet to try most of the techniques. But it is very easy to follow with great pictures and clear directions.

So here's what happened. Please note, I used the products I had on hand. Similar products by other brands should do the trick too.

I started with an original image that was laser printed onto basic copy paper over 2 years ago. (Yeah, I have some pack-rat issues). I popped the image a bit with colored pencils.

I taped over the image with clear packing tape & burnished with a bone folder.

More rubbing to make sure there are no air bubbles.


Soaked in water for several minutes.

Immediately, the piece curled up & kept sticking out of the water. I added more water & poked it a few times until it stayed submerged.

After 5-10 minutes I started gently rubbing off the wet paper. The ink stayed on the tape.

Still rubbing. Took a while to remove the last furry bits of paper that were only visible once dry. I just kept wetting & rubbing.


Here is the tape sticky side up. I was surprised it was still sticky after all the soaking.

Claudine Hellmuth adheres her transparent transfer to an altered playing card. I decided while my tranfer dried to use a white marble tile. Stamped the tile with this cool architectural stamp from Judikins. Pigment inks were used so that the line would soften a bit when sprayed with Krylon before the ink was completely dry (Figured this out while working on my last box)

Then I went in with a touch of color pencils & sprayed the tile with a Krylon Clear glossy finish.

After trimming the tape's edges, I glued it down with Liquitex gloss medium & varnish. I scraped across the tape's surface with the edge of my glue brush to remove air bubbles. An old credit card would work well too.

The contrasting finish was awkward (tape was too shiny), so I went over the whole piece with the gloss medium which I dry brushed again before it set. The faint texture of the brush strokes seems to bring it all together. You only see the strokes at certain angles. Viewed from the front, it has a uniform glossy finish. Now all is needs is some hanging hardware glued to the back.

Overall, this was a quick & easy process. A lot of fun too. If you give it a try, I'd love to see what you make. I have read though that you must start with a laser print or photocopy. Not an inkjet print, as the water will make the ink run.

To see more Image Transfer Techniques visit the Melange Blog. The comments on this Melange post have links to people's transfers. If you look over the past week's posts while you are there, You'll find several tutorials posted that show just how easy & fun image transfers can be

8/29/09

Studio Tour Saturday - Pam Carriker

Ooh. We are sooo lucky!

The talented artist & wonderful soul, Pam Carriker has invited us into her studio today.


"Inspired by the latest issue of Where Women Create," Pam decided to redo her art room. She wanted to give the studio a facelift using mostly items she already had.



After cleaning out her space, she refreshed her studio with a gallon of paint. Around the door she added her motto "Art At The Speed Of Life". This was the title of Pam's 1st published article. Getting published "was a defining moment in my art life and describes to a 'T' my creative state of being. It is how I live."



If you read any of the Stampington & Co. magazines (Somerset Studio, Somerset Art Journaling, Somerset Apprentice, Stampers' Sampler, etc) or Cloth Paper Scissors you may recognize Pam. She's had many art pieces & articles published in the last 2 years. CLICK HERE for a list of past & upcoming publications featuring her work.

Pam moved her work table to the middle of the room to open up the space. She painted the striped trim because "This added touch of black worked in the same way I use it on a journal page, tying together the hints of black around the room, giving it visual flow. "


The only item she purchased for the room is this cute upholstered chair. Here she has created a relaxing space for art journaling. Check out the curtain rod on the wall - what a fun way to display art!


This paper organizer is probably my favorite feature. Such a fabulous way to keep those colorful papers organized!

Many thanks to Pam for letting us tour her fabulous workspace. Click here to visit her blog; see more pictures of the "studio facelift" and read about the fun changes she's made.

To find out more about Pam, her beautiful artwork and upcoming classes (both live & online) please visit her website www.pamcarriker.com. She also has 2 shops on Etsy: PamCarriker for original art & The Bag Lady's Art for limited edition prints.


"This print is of an original that I created in honor of my step mother's fight against Breast Cancer. I will be making a limited quantity of numbered prints, the proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Center for research." - Pam Carriker.

If you would like to purchase this print and donate to a good cause, just click on the image to be taken to her etsy shop.

That's it for today. I'm really enjoying this new blog series. It is so much fun to get a sneak peek into an artist's private world. Want to show off where you make your magic? If you would like to invite us into your creative space, please let me know. (My email is in my profile.) I have a variety of interesting studios lined up through mid-October. But the calendar is open that.

Last note: I'm hosting 2 different giveaways from the printing company DigitalRoom.com. There will be two winners per random drawing. Click to enter the giveaway for 250 CUSTOM GREETING CARDS (ends 9/3). Or click to enter giveaway for 500 CUSTOM BUSINESS CARDS (ends 9/10). Feel free to enter both drawings.

8/28/09

IF - Magnify + new ATC


I'm submitting this necklace (something a little different) for this week's Illustration Friday challenge. The prompt today is a fun one - Magnify. A print of my charcoal drawing rests in a silverplate pendant & is covered it with a magnifying cabochon and faux tears. (available at ArtSnark.etsy.com) To see more interpretations on the Magnify theme or add your own, just click the prompt.

Lots of challenges/swaps with deadlines of the 31st so I'll be trying to knock a few out this weekend. This art trading card is for a Lazy Days Of Summer swap over at OutsiderArtists.

poppet holiday atc

I based it on a "Circus Doll" stock photo by Mizzd-stock on Deviant Art. If you haven't seen her stock images, they are outstanding. I highly recommend them.

We were given trading partners & I was paired with mixed media/collage artist Jann Clark. Poppet Holiday is a bit of a tribute to all of the wonderful big haired ladies she creates. You can check out what Jann's up to lately over at her blog, ForeverJann. Can't wait to see what she sends me - I'll be sure to share it here.

Well, I have to get back to work. But first a reminder that I've got 2 different giveaways going on right now. Each random drawing will have 2 winners:

The 1st pair of winners (picked next Thursday) each get 250 custom greeting cards - Click HERE for details.

The 2nd set of winners will be picked on Sept. 10th & they get 500 custom business cards each- details HERE

Thanks for stopping in. Hope to see you tomorrow for Studio Tour Saturday. I'm planning to feature a new artist's studio/workspace every weekend. If you'd like to schedule your creative space for a stop on the "virtual tour", there are open slots in October onward. Just let me know either in comments or use the email in my profile.

8/27/09

2 Winners Will Get 500 Custom Business Cards !

Welcome Back! We've got another juicy prize today!

The generous folks over at Digital Room are offering prizes to 2 more Lucky Winners. Each winner will receive 500 Custom Business Cards.


Those great guys over at digital room took a poll on twitter to see which products people would like to win. The most popular answer was business cards!

I'll let you in on a not-so-well-kept secret. I have had "Get business cards for Etsy shop" on the top of my to do list for about a year now. I just keep bumping it to the next week's list. Now I feel like there are no more excuses. If you win this giveaway, you won't have any excuses either!!

The 2 Lucky Winners will be randomly picked at noon (EST) on Thursday September 10th. To Enter, leave a comment telling us what you'll promote with your 500 snazzy new die cut business cards if you win. It is that easy!

Winners get to choose between 3 Business Card Sizes - 2" x 3.5" , 2" x 3", or 2" x 2"

Choose Paper: 14pt cardstock (matte or gloss coating) & 13pt cardstock uncoated

Choose Color: (4/4) Color both sides; (4/1) Color 1 side , B/W backside; (4/0) Color 1 side, black backside

The Sponsor states that Shipping must be paid by Winner. Offer Valid for UNITED STATES SHIPPING ONLY.

So, you've got 2 weeks to comment here & share what you would like to promote if you are 1 of the lucky winners. I look forward to hearing all the great things you guys are up to

Please Note: I'm also hosting a 2nd random drawing that ends Thursday (9/3). 2 winners of that drawing will each receive 250 custom greeting cards. CLICK HERE for the details on the custom greeting card giveaway

2 Winners will each get 250 Custom Greeting Cards!

Welcome back. Great prizes today!

First up: 2 lucky winners will each receive 250 Custom Greeting cards from DigitalRoom.com. Yep, two winners!

Just picture this: a lovely set of 7" x 5" folded cards with Your Design on the cover.

Use these custom greeting cards as an extra special invite for your next part or event. Prepare for the Holidays. Showcase your artwork. Promote your shop. Or just show off your cute kids and pets!

The 2 lucky winners will be randomly selected at noon (EST) next Thursday (9/3) To enter, just leave a comment sharing what you would do will do with your greeting cards if you win. It is that easy to enter. Please note, this week's drawing is open only to USA shipping addresses - see sponsor's rule s below. Also leave a way to contact you if your email isn't in your blog profile.

A couple of rules from this week's sponsor, DigitalRoom.com:

Each Prize Winner will receive 250 7" x 5" Greeting Cards (half-fold); 10 pt cover with Matte or Gloss coating.
Each card is full color outside with blank inside (4/0)

Shipping must be paid by winner. Offer Valid for United States Shipping Only.


Many thanks to Digital Room for donating this awesome prize! By the way, they also make custom postcards and lots of other cool printable items.

Now put on your thinking caps - there are so many possibilities with this prize! Tell us what you will do with 250 customized greeting cards if you win.

Please Note: I'm also hosting a 2nd random drawing that ends 9/10. 2 winners in that drawing will each receive 500 custom business cards. CLICK HERE for the details on the business card giveaway

Today's Winner of Limited Edition "Liquid" Print Is...

LoveCharlesVintage

Congrats! I'll contact you today with info on how to collect your awesome prize.


Many thanks to random.org for selecting the winner. My assistant has started The Big K (kindergarten) this week, so I'm on my own here today - somehow I managed to push Return without him :D


Special thanks to the talented & generous Felicia Kramer, who donated a piece of her colorful art to the giveaway. If you've signed up on Felicia's blog for a chance to win my original drawing, Idle Hours, she'll be picking a random winner today. Pop over to her blog to see if you're the lucky winner.


Thanks to all of you who entered. I've got 2 New Giveaways coming up later today. Be sure to check back for prize & entry details

8/26/09

Trying Out Tags

Hello all. This week's Mix it Up with Melange Challenge is Abundance. Bitten of a bit more than I can chew this week, so I may have to pass on this one. To post your own interpretation or view others click HERE & go to comments section for links.

Last year I bought a bunch of altered Tags from the etsy shop QueenBee's Altered Needs for gift wrapping. They were so cool, I had a hard time parting with them. Each measured about 2.5" x 5" and had a fun vintage look as well as a sweet vanilla scent. I did keep a couple for myself. Here is 1:


I then picked up a few from another of my favorite etsy shops, Glimmering Prize. These are mostly vintage images stitched onto tags with text and fiber embellishments. Here's my fave of the lot:


So now I've got the bug! Carol over at QueenBee is hosting a tag swap that I managed to get in on. While I've been having fun with ACEOs, I kept meaning to play with tag. This is getting me jump started at last.


Woo Hoo - Finished my 1st tag! This is front & back of a mermaid tag. Need to add some string & I'm afraid I didn't leave much room on the back for anyone to write ....

Decided to tea stain 5 of the blank tags. I like the old look.


Left more room on the back of this 1 but didn't realize the ink would leak through once I sprayed a protective coating.

This is the last 1 I played with before bed last night. Same ink problem on back...harumph. I also need to decide if I'm going to embellish these with any fibers & sparkly bits too....

That's about it today. Day 2 of Kindergarten for the little guy. Now that I've some extra time on my hands, I'm trying to catch up on all of the tasks left unfinished this summer. After that & a deep studio clean I hope to schedule a bit more art time in this fall.

By the way, here is your last chance to enter tomorrow's noon (EST) random drawing for 1 of Felicia Kramer's Liquid prints! Just leave a comment before then to enter. To view some of Felicia's colorful artwork & read her interview CLICK HERE. If you'd like a virtual tour of her Studio, click HERE.

Also over at her blog, Felicia Kramer has another bright idea, Felicia is holding a random giveaway of my original drawing/painting Idle Hours. Winner will also be picked at noon tomorrow from those who comment on her blog before then. CLICK HERE to view this one of a kind prize & enter her contest

8/25/09

RTT - Feeling Linky?

I love Random Thoughts Tuesday - it is like spring cleaning for your brain!

randomtuesday

1st day of kindergarten for my son. It is eerily quite around here....

My furry brain isn't used to getting up early , so I'm just gonna share cool stuff from around the blog-o-sphere today....

Someone sent me this link last week: How 6 people accidentally found a fortune. My fave is #4. What's yours?

Lili's Lair recently featured goth model Wednesday Mourning. I just love the way her site opens.

Today is the last day to enter the Personalized Blog Background giveaway from Art By Canace.

Had 2 Etsy sales out of the blue last week. Has been eerily quiet in the ArtSnark shop lately so it came as a pleasant shock.... course I turned right around & blew any profit on more art!

As a big fan of Captain D. & Lego, I'm totally digging the Us & Them blog today

A few sites I'm into lately (may be repeating myself here, if so sorry....):
museumofbadart
propnomicon
teako
alchemywebsite
fantastic.library.cornell.edu

Final note today, just leave a comment to enter Thursday's Giveaway this week. The prize is a print from Felicia Kramer's Liquid series. Click here for contest/prize details & to read her interview.

Looking for more random? Head over to The Un Mom for some winkers, AC/DC & pretzel talk.

The Un Mom

8/22/09

Studio Tour Saturday

There is something fantastic about entering the secret lair of another artist. I'd like to start something new on Saturdays - whenever possible I think it would be fun to go behind the scenes, to see where the magic happens. Won't you come along?

Today we've been invited into Felicia Kramer's home studio. If you missed her feature on Thursday, please click HERE to enjoy some of her colorful creations and thoughts.

Nature Preserved 2 by F. Kramer

Felicia: The condo I live in was in very poor shape when I moved in so almost every room has been completely remodeled over the years. A very small loft area was the only room available for my studio, and I knew it would not be enough space.


So I had the floor extended as far as I could – although it’s still a small space - and then worked with a designer at a big box store for the built-ins.


I found a cabinet style that had matching pieces for kitchen, bedroom, and office so I was able to design it specifically for my needs.


So there’s a desk station with file drawers, a sewing area with fabric storage, bookcases, large pantry storage for art supplies, and two custom storage/work tables on wheels. And I have every bit of it filled!



The first four photos were taken when the remodel was first completed. It’s quite a bit messier right now – as you can see in the last photo!



Wasn't that fun? Thanks for taking us around, Felicia. I absolutely love all the bookshelves and the big worktables by the windows! To see more of Felicia's world pop on over to Felicia Kramer Has Another Bright Idea or visit her Etsy shop, Another Bright Idea.

Liquid Purple Digital Collage Print by F. Kramer

Would you like to win a free limited edition print from her Liquid series? Just leave a comment on this blog before noon (EST) 8/27 to enter the random drawing. 1 lucky winner gets the Liquid print of their choice. Contest is open worldwide with free shipping. CLICK HERE to read more about this giveaway & see some of the beautiful images from this colorful series.

8/21/09

IF - Caution!

For Illustration Friday's prompt, Caution. Digitally tweaked from an old charcoal figure study. To see a variety of takes on the prompt or add your own spin, go to illustrationfriday.com and click either enter your link or link viewer.

Yesterday I featured an interview with artist Felicia Kramer. Click here to see the interview and read about next Thursday's Giveaway. The prize is a print from her "Liquid" series. Basically, anyone who leaves a comment before noon (EST) on 8/27 will be entered in the random drawing.

Also yesterday I was featured on Felicia's blog Felicia Kramer Has Another Bright Idea. She is also hosting a giveaway (same rules and deadline). The Prize is my original drawing, Idle Hours. Mounted in an 8"x 10" acid free mat, it is ready to frame.


For your chance to win this piece, visit her blog & leave a comment before 8/27. Its that easy. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a creative weekend!

8/20/09

Double Giveaway .... with a twist !!

1st off: sorry about the occasional wonky links (most work). I've been fighting blogger all morning to get this post up. Now it won't let me fix errors.....grrr... but please enjoy & thanks for visiting.

Welcome! How are you? Lots going on around here today….

Featuring a new artist, Felicia Kramer & her fabulous creations. Plus she has generously donated a piece of her colorful art for the next Thursday Giveaway!

Now for the Double Trouble: At the same time Felicia is featuring my art on her blog.… and she’ll be giving away one of my matted drawings!

So, after you’ve enjoyed this post and signed in for your chance to win 1 of Felicia’s gorgeous prints, visit her blog FeliciaKramer.blogspot.com and enter the giveaway that she is hosting over there.

Now, on with the show!

I met the talented artist Felicia Kramer through the Visual Arts Street Team on Etsy. Her wonderful etsy shop, Another Bright Idea, contains an assortment of colorful pieces in a variety of mediums. Felicia has been kind enough to join me for some virtual coffee and talk about her creative process. For more info on the pieces featured here, just click on the image.

So, Felicia, have you always been interested in making art?

Landscape of an Artist Soul - Digital Collage Print

Felicia: I have been making all sorts of art and crafts ever since I can remember. My mother taught me to sew when I was a child so my creations will sometimes incorporate fabric and sewing techniques. I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University with a printmaking emphasis, during which time I developed my papermaking technique. I decided after college that I couldn’t afford to be a “starving artist” so I joined the corporate world as an event producer, where I often used my creative talents. At the same time, I continued with art projects, mostly for friends and my large extended family. I don’t limit myself to any one medium; I like to explore all types of materials and techniques and my cluttered workroom is a happy testament to that!

You work in several mediums. What are some of your favorites?

Felicia: I suck at drawing. I really do. I took so many drawing classes in college but I destroyed almost all my work, keeping just a few. I have a hard time doing very precise artwork; I’m much happier when I’m freely exploring color and line, overlapping different images and delighting in the happy accidents that result. That’s why I enjoy doing my handmade paper sheets – there are limits as to how much you can control the process, and the colors and textures and uneven edges that result when the paper dries are a lovely surprise.

Antiquities 2 - Handmade Paper Collage

I began making handmade paper while still in college and have used it in various artistic creations since. The technique I use to unmold the pulp creates a smooth surface texture much like parchment, and since any sizing have been removed in the process, the paper is very soft and delicate.

Like most artists, I’m always picking up bits and pieces of the outdoors in my small garden and when traveling, so my handmade paper collages often include nature’s bounty.

Nature Preserved 1 - Handmade Paper and Pressed Leaves Collage

My cards and photographs also offer a peek into my postage stamp sized garden and my neighborhood.

In My Neighbor's Garden

I really love the colors & movement in your Digital Collages. They are so organic! How do you go about creating them?

Felicia: My most recent passion is digital collage. I love exploring by manipulating my original photos and combining them with all sorts of ephemera to create a particular mood. And by producing limited editions, I am able to offer the prints at affordable prices for original artwork.

Hope for a New Beginning

Serendipity plays a part in many of my digital collage prints. I use Photoshop, and overlaying art pieces over each other and adjusting the opacity can result in some of the most mouth-watering effects. A perfect example are my “liquid” prints. As I was taking photos of blue iris, I accidentally over-exposed a few shots. They were so unusual and textural that I decided to work with them, layering them with other backgrounds and adjusting color and opacity. I’m so pleased with the results!

Readers will be pleased too. Felicia has generously donated 1 of her gorgeous "Liquid" prints for the latest Thursday Giveaway! Even better, the winner gets to choose their prize from a dozen beautiful pieces in the Liquid series.

Liquid Blue Iris 1

To enter this random drawing, just leave a comment on this blog before noon (EST) next Thursday (8/27). Contest is open worldwide with free shipping. It is that easy! Just make sure there is a way to contact you if you win.

Liquid Magenta Digital Collage Print

To view the selection of "liquid" prints, go to Felicia's Etsy shop, AnotherBrightIdea.etsy.com. Above her shop banner is a search box. Looks like this:

Type in liquid & click search. Alternatively you can find them by looking through her Digital Collage Prints & Floral Photo shop sections.

Special thanks to Felicia for sponsoring this week's Thursday Giveaway! Knowing how much I love peeking into studios, she's also sent several pictures of her workspace. Tune in Saturday for a virtual tour of Felicia World & see where she makes her magic,

Also, when you have the time, pop on over to her blog Felicia Kramer Has Another Bright Idea to read about yours truly and try your hand at winning this original drawing:

Ready to frame, Idle Hours is signed/dated and is mounted in an 8" x 10" acid free mat.Containing a hint of my Red Riding Hood obsession, it originally appeared in this post for Illustration Friday.

While you are there be sure to tell Felicia what you think of her creative thoughts and awesome art!