Cloth Paper Scissors PAGES Vol. 3 is HERE!

Woohoo!!!  PAGES volume 3 is finally here!  I downloaded the digital version tonight so I could see the layout in the magazine of my article, "Revealing the Edge", starting on page 100.  Because it is a "how to" article, most of the pages are not shown so I have posted a few more below.    All of the imagery applied on these pages was made using the first release of Joggles Stencils!  Go HERE to see the original stencils and the newest released stencils by Barbara and myself!

This is the last publication that I have "in the works" but 2013 has already been an amazing year!  Again, I am so fortunate to have been given the opportunities with Interweave that I have and hope that I can share more with them soon.  

Margaret

My Very First Official Repeat Pattern!

I'm soooooo happy!!!  I just created my very 1st official (meaning technically correct) repeat pattern!!!  There's no stoppin' me now!!!  Yay!!!  All of the rest of my designs up until now have been manually placed (which does get old).  Had to share :)

Happy Monday :)

Margaret

Studio Sunday and FREE GIVEAWAY!

Wow it's been a crazy busy weekend so far and this morning I was able to sit down and play.  Here is a sample design of what I hope to do after finishing the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design on-line workshop!!!  My goal is to be able to exhibit at Surtex next year or at least one of the huge trade shows so I can pursue licensing my designs.

I have so much to learn and composition is a huge part of it.  The workshop is in 3 sections and will run through the fall.  I'm dedicated to make this work for me!

FREE GIVEAWAY

This DVD is a great reference tool for anyone wanting to find ways to create their own personal imagery!  I can't stress how much this mission means to me and believe everyone can define their style more quickly by using easy techniques to create their own imagery!  Take a chance, download or order the DVD and share it with your art friends.  Make a play date out of it and try some of the easy techniques to get started on your own journey!  Trust me, you will not be disappointed!!!

The free giveaway includes one DVD and 2 FREE Thermofax screens of your choice from my Etsy shop!!!

Leave a comment here on this post and I will use the random number generator to pick the winner on Friday, May 31st.  

GOOD LUCK!!

Studio Sunday Back from Connecticut

First...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all the wonderful Mom's out there!!!

I'm just back from Connecticut where I took the 3-day workshop with Michelle Ward and Lynne Perrella called Far Away Places!!!  You will want to clear your schedule for this time next year as they have already booked the 2014 event which promises to be even better than this year's!!!  Three full days filled with art instruction from two of THE MOST INCREDIBLE mixed-media artists ever!!  Lynne and Michelle made Somerset Studio and Stampington what they are today along with a number of other artists that were originally a part of the True Colors art journal journey!  

I'm sharing my work from the workshop to tempt you with next year's workshop.  This image above was made using Michelle's techniques and her stencil images.  LOVE the colors!!!  The image below was also created using Michelle's techniques and stencils but also includes one of my NEW STENCILS, Pots Silhouettes!!!

I'm really, really not good with faces except on art dolls LOL.  Lynne created this amazing banner layout really building out faces and everyone created VERY COOL stuff!!  I was challenged :(  The image below is using a model's face from a fashion magazine and collaged on top of my previously created papers, Michelle Ward's stencil and one of my own NEW STENCILS, Sunflowers.

The next one basically the same (I'm really bad with faces)! LOL

Michelle's workshop was creating this magical far away place in an accordian style format which included pop out windows and layers of stencils and collaged images.  Another one of my NEW STENCILS was used to create the stone wall effects.  This was so much fun!!!!

This is the cover below.

My far away place was sort of on a Myan theme and I had created a lot of my own personal imagery to use in this specific project as you can see the tiles applied.

I really challenged myself to keep the colors very light in order to build the layers on top of them.  Michelle is AMAZING with stencils!!  She knows exactly how much paint to apply and remove to create depth and shadows with tons of interest and mystery!!!

That sun is a part of my NEW STENCIL, Ancient Ruins!   

So it was a SUPER FANTASTIC fun-filled, creative weekend.  Barbara from Joggles.com came with me and we had a blast, met a lot of amazing women and created some new friendships!  Definitely check out 15 NEW STENCILS that both Barbara and I created for the Joggles.com line!  Click HERE to go right to the stencils page.  I will be creating more with the new stencils and will share the examples here soon.  

AND GUESS WHAT I JUST RECEIVED!!!

You know what that means!!!  

STAY TUNED FOR THE FREE GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Studio Sunday - Pattern Making and Journal Pages

What a difference it makes to wake up to big windows filled with blue sky and green tree tops!!  It definitely lifts the spirits for sure!  I've been working intently on the workshop I am taking, the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design, and I am loving it!  There are over 100 students in this module and they are all simply amazing artists.  It is so much fun and so very interesting to look at everyone's different styles and it will be even more fun as you see their styles fully develop into their pattern designs.  We are supposed to be working on our doodles and looking at shapes and patterns in nature and existing designs.  I kind of get away from myself as soon as I bring those images into PSE and begin manipulating them.  On this design I couldn't stop playing :)

I have to remind myself to stay focused :(  With all the pattern play, I have a new screen for my Etsy shop.  I see this as a really cool texture underneath other imagery OR as the base for some very interesting embroidery!!!  Hmmmmm

I received back my artwork from the Art Journaling Exposed V. 2 article and there are a few journal pages I really loved and want to share that were not shown in the e-magazine.

This one was shown but I love it so much!!!

This is the fabric cover on one of the journals.

Lots of fun making these and as I continue with the on-line workshop, I'm sure there will be a million more I will have to make to use some of the fun I'm creating!

Have a fantastic weekend and step outside to soak up the blue sky and all the variations of green around us as the trees, bushes and flowers begin exploding in color!!!

Margaret

Studio Sunday and Bee-utiful Digital Design

Welcome to Sunday!  I've been busy working on new screen and stencil designs as well as just following my muse.   I've been doing a little research on symbolism and the bee is a symbol that I gravitate to in many ways.  One of the reasons I went searching for a bee image is because I have an Alex and Ani bracelet with a bee on it which symbolizes perseverance.  The bee is represented in many different cultures in slightly different ways, as many animals are, and additional symbolism includes hidden wisdom, fertility, accomplishing the impossible and the sun and energy.

It's all really interesting to me so I have decided to do a little art project creating imagery that includes symbolism that reflects me as a person.  Instead of listing a number of qualities with words, I am going to use symbols to sort of tell the story of me.

So this is the first image in my "personal symbolism series".  I printed this image (6" x 6") on top of copies of previously created artwork.  Layer, layer, layer!!!  I really love how the colors just pop through the design and creates a different look with each background.

I've got a whole bunch of new ideas swarming around in my head and I spent the entire day exploring one single image.  First I drew a turtle shell then scanned it into Photoshop Elements 10 and manipulated the heck out of it!  Here is a sneak peak as I'm not exactly sure how I will use the new imagery yet.

I am putting together imagery to use during the Far Away Places workshop with Michelle Ward and Lynne Perrella that I will be attending May 10-12.  These are "Ancient Tiles" that I'm creating to use in the workshop as I create my fantasy far away place.  I'm really excited about it!!!  I think I have been so tied up with other projects that I really missed all of my digital play so I totally let loose yesterday and it was a very fruitful day!

Starting Monday, I will be all absorbed in the on-line workshop I am taking called the Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design!  This workshop is going to change my life :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Margaret

Margaret's Got a New Toy...Oh Boy!!!

And she's off!!!!

and peeling LOL

(how the heck am I going to use these?)

Ahhh...now there is something I can use!  

Ooops, is that a little sneak peek of a new stencil design????

Custom Thermofax Screens in my Etsy Shop

Seeing as now I operate my own Thermofax screen machine, I am ready to take customer orders.  To order a custom screen with your artwork, follow these steps:

1. Send me your high-res jpg file first to my e-mail address at the top left of my blog.  Once I receive your image, I will determine if the image is acceptable for screen creation or if minor edits need to be made.
   
2. If I need to clean up the image slightly to produce a cleaner screen, I will send you a final proof for your approval.
   
3. Go to my Shop and select the size screen you would like and once I receive payment, I will produce and ship your custom Thermofax screen.  

There are 3 different options to choose from.  

The first is a full 8 1/2" x 11" image which is the largest size I create.  This size is $14.00.

The next size is half of the full size which is approximately 5" x 7".  This size is $11.00.

The last option is for 4 mini designs that are approximately 3" x 4" in size.  This option is a little more expensive due to the fact that I have to cut and tape off 4 separate sections.  This size is $16.00.

Once the screen is made, I will delete all artwork you provide from my computer.  If I modified your image at all, I will send you the clean file so you have it for future use.  I will not store your images for future use as the artwork is owned by you and I do not want to be responsible for it once the screen is produced and shipped.

LAYOUT CHARGES

If you have an image that you would like to create a repeat pattern with, I will work with you to  create the layout you desire, but there will be an additional design fee of $5.00 applied to the overall cost of your custom screen.  A proof will be provided for your approval and the final file will be provided to you for future use.

Feel free to contact me with any questions about this service before sending your imagery to me.  Have you checked out my new Workshop DVD, Paint, Print, Layer, Collage: Creating With Personal Imagery?  This is the perfect workshop to help you create your own personal imagery that you can then order a custom Thermofax screen from!  Click on the image to be re-directed to the Interweave Store for purchase.

Thank you!

Margaret