A thousand or so words (on Seth's blog) are worth a photo or two

Sunday's spotlighted blog

In the spirit of spotlighting blogs that are not part of OWOH, I found this blog a few minutes ago. Once again, I am trying to feature men's blogs who make or discuss art and art related issues. Therefore, today's blog is by Stonepost. I looked all over his blog and profile and couldn't find his name, but I think you'll enjoy this change of pace blog titled "What IS Art?"

As an aside, it's hard to have a silent Sunday when you have to explain something. My Silent Sunday post, which I have yet to create, will show photos only referencing the Art Secrets I will share at The Altered Page, Seth Apter's blog, today. I still have to come up with some art secrets, too. Yep, there are days when I'm way behind.

House party at Seth's tomorrow

As if the OWOH blog hop hasn't robbed you of valuable sleep, Seth Apter at the Altered Page is having a house party tomorrow, and YOU are invited.

Now I realize I have a lot of new followers who may not be familiar with Seth, so allow me to introduce you to your party host. He is an amazing artist and organizes collaborations like the original DisCo (disintegration) and the Secret Sunday project.

For the last 10 weeks, Seth has posted secrets gleaned from artists, some of whom are top names in their field. I hate to drop names, but some you might know are Sally Turlington, Julie Prichard, JoAnna Pierotti, Ingrid Dijkers, Sarah Fishburn, Dave Dube, Kelly Kilmer, Lynne Hoppe, Cyn Richardson, Lisa Renner, Mary Hunt, and others. I feel honored to be among these gifted artists and that Seth chose to publish two of my secrets on different Sundays.


One of my secrets involved rust, which is something Seth loves dearly.

Tomorrow is YOUR day, too. Seth has opened the secrets to any and everyone. Here is Seth's personal invitation:

"Remember to come by Sunday for my open house to share and hear secrets. Tomorrow's edition of Secret Sunday will be written by YOU! Stop by and leave a comment sharing your most coveted art secret and stick around to read all the others."

That means YOU can check out all the previous secrets and the ones that will appear tomorrow. You might even have one or two of your own you want to share. I'm sure I'll have one or two that I'll even photograph and use for my Silent Sunday contribution right here on this blog.

While I'm at it, I'll share the answers to two questions posed by readers yesterday.

1. Where do I get freezer paper?
I'm sure I got mine at WalMart. I've never seen it at Sams. I get my deli paper at Sams, but not freezer paper. You should be able to find it close to the wax paper, parchment paper, and aluminum foil at most grocery stores.

2. How do I glue items to the two previous backgrounds I shared, since they are both slick? For the EP background, I used PVA glue on both sides. That's just a fancy acronym for plain old white glue, like Elmers. I glued the non-stick side to book pages using PVA, then added my image on top of the EP using PVA. I never had a bit of trouble.

For the freezer paper/Alcohol Ink (AI) background, I've used both PVA and glue stick on the dull side. Either will work equally well, depending on the substrate I'm adhering it to. For the AI side, I mostly use glue stick because the image is usually cut from a magazine.

If all else fails (which it hasn't yet), I'll get out my gel medium, which I hoard because it's the most expensive glue I own. Gel medium sticks to just about anything, except the front of wallpaper samples. There's also a glue called "The Ultimate," which some people call white super glue. It would hold Bleubeard to the ceiling if he'd sit still long enough for it to dry. If you own a Xyron, the adhesive works good, too. However, it would NOT hold Bleubeard to the ceiling.

Hope that answered both questions.

Since Seth is not a part of OWOH, I've chosen his blog, The Altered Page, for my pick of the day. Did I mention he's a fantastic artist and photographer? You'll spend a lot of time at his place both today and tomorrow when you share your art secret(s).

Glitz and Glam Background Technique

It's snowing right now. We have around 3" on the ground. That means it's also cold, so I'm going to heat things up a bit today. I thought for sure I had shown this technique before on my blog, but after spending a good deal of time searching for it, I have decided I've never posted it.

Back in 2008, when my friend Theresa came to visit (see this recent post), she helped demo this technique while I took the photos. To my knowledge, this is an original background technique. I've never seen it anywhere before. As with many of my techniques, this one came about accidentally. I have several rolls of clear acrylic book covering that I was gifted with and had planned to make some backgrounds using it for a different technique. Specifically, I cut strips of various colors of cardstock in 1" strips, then planned to adhere them to the clear sticky backed material. After they were adhered, I planned to cut those strips in the opposite direction and adhere more clear material. Unfortunately, this stuff I have was too old and wouldn't stick to the cardstock. In frustration, I tried the following technique that I call "Glitz and Glam":

Materials:
Clear shelf lining, book covering, or any clear contact paper sticky on one side
Scissors
Heat tool
Embossing powders, several colors (colors of your choice)
Heat resistant surface


Cut the clear contact paper to a manageable size.



Remove the protective backing, exposing the sticky side of the paper.


Place the contact paper on your heat resistant surface sticky side up. You may have to weight it down, depending on how much it wants to curl.


Tap a small amount of your first embossing powder (EP) color in various areas of the paper.


Repeat step four using a second color. The second color should be in a different location, preferably in an opposite corner.


Repeat step four using as many colors as you choose, until the entire surface is covered with a thin layer of embossing powder.


Using your heat tool, emboss the entire surface. Once cool, run your hand over the entire piece to be sure all the embossing powder has been heated. This is a very deceptive process and you will probably find you missed a few places.


This is what the completed front or (formerly) sticky side looks like when finished.


This is what the completed back or smooth side looks like. Sometimes the back is prettier than the front.

The brand of clear covering was quite thin. Theresa was able to hold the heat tool close to the surface, which is not normally the case. I also have some clear covering that is quite thick and will bubble and melt if the heat tool is too close. Be sure to test your covering before you begin your actual piece.


The thicker the EP is applied, the less transparent it is. If you continue adding EP to the project, it is best to do so after you have begun the embossing process, rather than at the beginning.


If you get a blob of EP on your page, gently tap the underneath (smooth) side to redistribute it. If you like the look of more EP in one spot, be sure your heat tool is far above the surface when you begin, or you will just blow the EP away. I cannot stress enough how you should run your hands over the cooled project. You may think you have melted all the EP, but there will probably be some you have missed. The surface will feel smooth if the EP is completely heated and grainy if it isn't.

Experiment with different colors, and use clear EP if you want to use the sheet as a foreground, rather than a background. Gold and black are especially nice. This is an easy, beginner background.

In keeping with spotlighting blogs that are not part of the OWOH giveaway (until after the event has closed), here is a blog with so much eye candy, you might have to give yourself an insulin shot. I present you with Sue Pelletier's blog. I saw her work in Cloth, Paper, Scissors and just had to find her blog. If you like mixed media (and who doesn't if you follow my blog?), today's blog will have you going "WOW."

Freezer paper and AI background technique

This is a technique I first demoed in April, 2009. I'm bringing it back because many people followed Tim Holtz's 12 tags of Christmas posts. In one of his posts, he made the comment that you could not use photo paper with AIs because it stayed sticky, but needed to use glossy paper. Since glossy paper is not always available, and since it's rather pricey, here is a low cost alternative to both photo and glossy paper. As an aside, you can tell how new and clean my vinyl table covering is in this photo. I can assure you, it isn't that pristine now.

One of my students in my AB 101 online class, Beverly W., came up with the concept behind this fun background. Of course I had to try it, since it fits with my idea of finding alternatives to high priced materials. Beverly doesn't have a web site, but I appreciate her allowing me to use her idea.

Supplies:
Freezer paper
Alcohol Inks (AIs)
Blending solutions
Scissors
Craft sheet or some way to protect your work surface
Optional: rubber gloves


Tear a manageable piece of freezer paper from the roll. Note that there is a slick or shiny side and a dull side. Make sure the shiny side is up.


Randomly apply several drops of three or more AIs to the shiny side of the paper.


Working quickly, squirt blending solution all over the paper, not just where the ink is.


Fold in half and squish together.


Manipulate the ink by pressing and pushing on the paper. Try not to crease the fold.


Open the paper and see if you like the results.



If not, add more blending solution and more AIs. Repeat until you are happy with the results. Now you can cut it to the size of your project.

These were a lot of fun and went quickly, since the AIs dry fast.

Is everyone enjoying the OWOH annual blog event? Remember, you don't have to offer a giveaway to visit your favorite blogs, along with a few new ones you might find. As of six am, there were 762 blogs registered.

Today's blog spotlights Rachel Baldanza who lives in NY, and in keeping with the spirit of OWOH, is not part of the giveaway. Since many of my readers are painting faces at the moment, I thought her blog might be something different and inspiring. If you click on "next page" at the bottom of the page, you'll see one of her sketches and a peek at her sketchbook.

A day with my friend Dana

Yesterday I spent the day with my art friend Dana. For those of you new to my blog, her MIL died on Dec. 31. Dana and her husband own the house she lived in and will soon be moving there.

This is the view across the street from Dana's new home. The snow geese have taken over the pond for the winter. They love Wichita rivers, private ponds, and bodies of water because unsuspecting people decided to feed them one year and the geese decided to stay and get fat. About 10 years later, they won't leave. Why fly south when they can find food here? Although they were adorable the first couple of years (and NO, I never fed them), they are now a menace, as anyone who has had to walk through their slippery poo will tell you.

Once we got to Dana's new home, we were reminded of how a life can be interrupted. Dana and I agreed that this should be the first thing to go. So we turned on the lights, celebrated the tree one last time, and spent the next hour or so locating saved containers, and packing up everything Christmas around the tree.

After the tree had been stripped of decorations and lights, we took a well deserved break before tackling the decorations everywhere around the house, including the ornament on the wall in the upper right of this photo. Dana and I carefully collected some art fodder from the Christmas things, wrapped and stored a few special ornaments from Dana's husband's childhood, then packed everything else up to sell.

Before we left around 6:00 pm, I took a photo of one of the many, many walls where we will soon be stripping wallpaper. You can tell this was done professionally, so we're hoping the stripping will be easier than if the previous homeowners had done it theirselves.

And because I didn't have time to copy photos from an old technique, I decided to share the inside cover of my hands AB which helps reinforce the pages. The background is made from paper towels found at service stations used to clean your car windows. They are light beige and take water without breaking down like paper towels will. I colored them with a few pastel watercolors, then added various magazine images.

I seem to be on a Liz/Elizabeth link kick. Today's blog is by my dear friend Elizabeth Golden. Many of you probably know Elizabeth. Her art is always stunning, never disappointing. I know you'll love it and find it as inspiring as I do.

Crayon background

This is not a new technique. In fact, I made this tutorial last May. However, I lost all my photos when I lost my computer, so all I have are my blog photos.

I decided to repost this today because most everyone I know, including most of my devoted followers, are probably blog hopping around the OWOH (see sidebar for link) giveaway or have a giveaway they are hosting. If you haven't checked out the OWOH event, please do. That will keep you busy all day long, I promise.

Over the next few days, I will be posting a few of my favorite background techniques. Those of you who have never seen this technique will appreciate it, those who have can go back to blog hopping. Once the giveaway slows down a bit, I'll resume regular posting. As of midnight CST, there were 579 confirmed blogs and I had over 100 people who had visited me. I was thrilled, especially for the first day.

Without further ado, here is a simple and fun technique even your children will enjoy. My secret for fun is the warming tray. I have made these backgrounds before on the stove using a pizza pan, but it is hard to control the heat, so you end up smoking the crayons or taking the chance that they don't melt. When I found a warming tray at a garage sale awhile back, I was thrilled. It is just the ticket for this technique.

Supplies (from left):
Warming tray
Iron (I didn't use it)
Heat tool (optional, I didn't need to use)
Foil, preferably heavy duty
Crayons, preferably Crayola brand since they have more pigment
Substrate such as card stock (not shown)
Dress pattern or tissue for second background (not shown)
Beeswax for second background (optional, not shown)

Cover your warming tray with foil. Turn the warming tray on to medium.


While the tray is heating, remove the protective papers from your crayons. It is much easier to do this before you begin.


Draw a design on the heated foil. This is supposed to be a pumpkin. Have I not mentioned I can't draw anything?


Gently lay your card stock onto the melted crayon. Don't move it around, just lay it flat on the tray.


Gently press until the crayon has soaked into the card stock. You will be able to see the crayon soak through the paper.


Lift the paper straight up.


This is what the pumpkin looks like now.


I repeated the color in the same spot and repeated the process. This time I didn't let the crayons melt as much, so the color didn't spread as much and the pumpkin looks better defined and less like a blob.


Clean your foil using a paper towel. There is no need to add more foil. As long as you clean the foil after each color, the foil will last all day long.


For the second experiment, I repeated removing the protective paper from the crayon, but this time I simply squiggled lines on the foil.


Lay dress patterns over the melted crayon.


Add more crayon on top of the dress pattern, making sure it is completely saturated.


Lay your card stock or other substrate on top of the dress patterns, being careful to not twist the substrate.


Gently lift one edge of the card stock and remove from the warming tray.


This is my completed piece. You can see where I got more color in some areas than others. If I want to even the color, I can do that using my heat tool, an iron covered with protective foil, or a small clover iron (you get these at the craft store, but I don't own one).

Consider using tissue paper instead of a dress pattern and add leaves between layers of tissue. Always add crayons or beeswax between each layer for good coverage.

The warming tray doesn't get hot enough to burn or smoke, so it is safe for children. This is a fun technique that will keep children and parents occupied for hours. The bonus is, you will have loads of backgrounds or images you can use in any of your paper projects.

Today's blog is The Quilted Turtle. I had to search for blogs that didn't have the OWOH giveaway. This gal's blog is an eclectic mix, so it should appeal to some of my dear followers. By the way, her name is Liz.

One World One Heart 2010

The day has finally arrived!




It's a day of magic where people from around the world can come together in a spirit of giving, sharing, and mutual respect.

This post will remain on top until this event is concluded. Please scroll down for newer posts.

The magic carpet has been cleared for takeoff, Bleubeard has rubbed the lamp. We're almost ready.


Bleubeard, always eager and willing to help, has your ticket, and I will be passing out your favorite cyber beverage once we get under way. So now it’s time to enjoy the ride to a land where handmade gifts abound.

Before Bleubeard passes out your ticket, there are a few things you have to know in order to qualify. This event is for any and every person who visits my blog. Although I would prefer you have a blog of your own, since this is a worldwide event, I will accept any and all entries this year, but that may not be the case in future years.

This event is open from January 25 through February 15. All you have to do is leave a comment on THIS post to qualify for the giveaway gifts. You are sincerely welcome to leave comments anywhere on my blog, but to be included in the giveaway, you must leave your comment on this post only.


I know that Bleubeard is excited to take off, but there are a few more items we must cover.

This event ends at 10 am CST on February 15. If you aren’t sure what time zone I’m in, just check the clock on the sidebar of my blog for the current time where I live. Please note this is 10 in the morning. That will give me time to count, verify, and announce my winners.

Once the event has ended, I will post a message on this post and in the comments notifying everyone the event has concluded. Any and all comments that I receive after that will not be considered when I determine the number of eligible entries. I will use the random generator to pick all winners and will announce the winners sometime in the afternoon of February 15, after I have notified each winner.

Please note: If you have a blog, I will notify you on your blog.

If you have a blogger profile, but no blog, you must leave your e-mail address.

If I can’t find your blog easily from your profile, or you have several blogs, you must leave your e-mail address.

If you don’t have a blog, you must leave your e-mail address.

Once I have notified you as a winner, you will have until Monday, February 22 to send me (via e-mail) your mailing address. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will choose an alternate name. ALL GIFTS will be given away.

Once I have your mailing address, your gift will be in the mail the following day. As I did last year, I updated the winner post with when I shipped each prize and when the winner received it.


Now that all the formalities are out of the way, Bleubeard and I are anxious for the magic to begin.


Six lucky runners up will receive a handmade 5 ½" X 8 ½" collage. Each collage is on sturdy board, backed with decorative paper, and ready to hang. Some will have ribbon hangers, some wire (my choice). If you win and have a preference, please let me know (which encourages a speedy response from winners). If the piece you want is still available, I will send it to you.


Two lucky winners will receive decorative quiltlets. These are approximately 6" X 10". They are decorated with fabric and vintage paper, have batting, and the same decorative fabric on the back as the hands. Both have tabs for easy hanging from a dowel or tree branch (not included). One has beads that dangle, one does not. The first place winner will receive the one with beads.

Because it's a bit difficult to see the gifts while riding the magic carpet, I have scanned them below. All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

"Home of the stars" (mixed media collage on heavy board)


"Home is where the heart is" (mixed media collage on heavy board)


"The Neighborhood Watch" (mixed media collage on heavy board)


"Cold Fish" (mixed media collage on heavy board)


"The Rising Star" (mixed media collage on heavy board)


"She yearned for color" ((mixed media collage on heavy board)

First and second place winners will receive a handmade ready-to-hang quiltlet.

Second place: "Heartbroken" (fabric and decorated vintage paper)


First place: "My heart is in my hand" (fabric, decorated vintage paper, ribbon, and handmade beads)

Bleubeard and I appreciate you stopping by. Good luck.

If you follow my blog, you know I feature a blog each day. What better way to honor Lisa Swifka than to feature her blog today. For those of you who don’t know who Lisa is, she is the creator and host of One World One Heart, an event that promotes peace, love, and kindness around the globe. Please check out her blog and be sure to thank her for hosting this event. I know it’s a daunting task to oversee this event.

Update

Never in a million years would I have believed the incredible response I have received for my giveaway. As the number of comments approaches 400, what seemed to many who left a comment as a generous giveaway, has now turned into less than that. In the next day or so, I will add FOUR more handmade 5 ½" X 8 ½" collages. Each will be runner up prizes, which means there will be a total of TEN runner up collages to choose from. Thank you again for your overwhelming responses to this event.


"Off the Rack," (mixed media on heavy board)


Asian Beauty (mixed media on heavy board)


"Master Key" (mixed media on heavy board, will come with key on hanger)


"Love" (Mixed media on heavy board)