Blog Giveaway


Lynn has a fabulous art give away on her blog in celebration of her first year anniversary blogging.. Hop on over and leave her a comment for a chance to win one of her fabulous works of art. click HERE. This is one of the many possible pieces you could win. Good Luck!

Vintage Halloween Ads


I just couldn't resist sharing this image with you of a vintage Halloween ad. You can see more vintage ads HERE.

Halloween Blog Train-Starts Today!

This is the longest blog train ever assembled and to get started on your blog hopping journey-click on this link!
Ghost Train
Remember-If you download any of these freebies, please leave a Thank You in the comment section for each designer you snag from. Have fun!
It's all treats-no tricks!

Fun New 2" x 2" Lottery



What is a Lottery? Everyone makes their art pieces and throws them into the pot-or cauldron in this case. Throughout the month of October, we will be loading our frightfully, fun artful creations in the photo album and at the end of the month, someone gets lucky! Their name gets drawn from the cauldron and everyone sends the winner, their creations. We've barely started these twininchies, 2" x 2" and we've already gotten enough to have one drawing! We're working on our second lucky winner now! Will it be you? Come join us-the link to our yahoo is in the sidebar!
P.S. The brushes used in these two Twininchies are from AnnikaVonHoldt

Metal Pendant Workshop


I am having way too much fun creating some very unique, mixed metal pendants, thanks to Toni who is hosting this workshop for us over on our Yahoo group. Come join the fun! Link is in the sidebar. I used a variety of things, little screws, Tim Holts' swivel clasps and a small hinge. A star charm and some vintage brass. The old dirty metal behind the star is one I received in a trade a couple of years ago from Amber Dawn (Hi!) and it's been sitting around just waiting for me to get motivated. This piece kind of looks like a door knocker, huh? Two more to go, one for myself, one for the swap we are having on LT and one for a give-away right here on my blog. Stay tuned!

We are also hosting our Halloween ATC swap this month along with our Halloween Charm swap. For the next three months we will be hosting some fun, new challenges for the Holidays. Hope you will join us for some creative fun!

ATC Swap




We are gearing up for some Halloween swaps and art projects over on our yahoo group.
Hope you will join us!
These ATC's were created using the Halloween Collage sheets I designed for Sue over at CraftersCafe

There's a Blog Hop Coming!

Over at Kjoi starting this weekend, there will be a blog hop. The list of participants is posted on Kjoi's Blog and it promises to be a wonderful adventure. The theme is "Pets & Christmas" and this blog hop will last throughtout the month of September. There will be plenty of freebies via each blog you visit. Unfortunately I will not be able to participate on opening day, so I have added my free kalidoscope background papers for you to download early! Enjoy!
(One more thing-If you would like to learn how to make these wonderful papers, it is our digital lesson #7 for our yahoo group and most of these were created in my art studio using the September Designer Paper Technique. Link is in the sidebar, come join us!)









New Digital Blog

A Work in Progress

I decided since I will be spending lots of time creating digital art, I would start a new blog just to feature some of my creations. A place for you to visit and leave comments, share some of the steps of creation via tutorials and announce when the fee-base workshops are taking sign ups. The new blog is called: Cynthia"s Digital Gallery and the link is in the side bar. This blog features a black background, so hopefully it does not effect your eyesight.

Boise

The whole trip was planned around meeting up with some new friends, ladies I have the privilege of knowing through our yahoo group. Ladies I feel I have known for a very long time. Carolyn, Lynn, Barb, Judy, Merine and myself spent a wonderful, relaxing day doing art and getting to know each other on a more personal level. Unfortunately, I did not get any photos of us together. We were having so much fun, we didn't even think about grabbing some photos. It's such a wonderful thing to be able to have friends share art days together and I want to "Thank Them" for making me feel right at home.

Marina

I couldn't resist sharing this awesome photo with you. I tracked this guy down for several long minutes, took several shots of him, but only this one was worthy of saving.

Bear Lake

Before we started making the trip back home, I had hubby stop at the Marina for a few quick shots. Here are two of my favorites.

Family Visit

Part of our trip was a visit to Bear Lake to meet up with our twin daughters and their families for a birthday celebration. Our daughters had their 35th birthday and we got a wonderful opportunity to visit with everyone, including our grandkids. They absolutely loved playing on the tramp, going for wagon rides, chasing bubbles their sister was making and just generally having a great time. Yup-This is the triplets with their Daddy! They sure have grown and are 15 months old now. Wow! Time sure has flown by.

Shonshone Falls

This photo was taken from the observation deck across the river from the falls. This is a state park, which also offers a really old concept of river swimming. Up the river a ways, they have roped off a swimming hole for families to enjoy the cool water and have a wonderful picnic area. This brought back many memories of some fun adventures while I was growing up. I thought the practice of a family swimming hole was a thing of the past. Unfortunately I did not get a picture of the area.

Twin Falls-Cassia County Museum

We decided to spend a day in Twin Falls to explore the many adventures that this town had to offer. We discovered a wonderful little museum in the heart of town, right next to the county fair grounds, which was in full swing. This is a photo of the one room school house that had been donated and moved to the museum grounds. While not everything was fit to the period, it was still a very interesting place to visit.

Making Progress

I started adding some of the shading before I left for our trip to Boise but didn't have a chance to post an updated pic until now. Besides making progress with this painting, I'm also making progress with my non-smoking. While on our trip to visit friends, we made a side trip over to Jackpot, Nevada to try out some of the slots. The minute we walked in the casino we knew, they were all smoking environments. I was pretty pleased with myself though, I refrained from walking up to the first person I saw to beg a handout. LOL!

New Book Release

Jewelry Beyond Time is officially available!! Order your copy today by clicking the book cover in the sidebar (qualifies for Amazon's free shipping plan) or to receive a $5 discount from the retail price, you can order your copy via: Createspace and use the code: 95PJX7CX at the check out.
I want to thank all the contributing designers for making this one of the best jewelry books available on the market! You all did a fabulous job with your original jewelry designs. Thank you: Stephanie Chavez, Pam Crawford, Elizabeth Dawson, Sharon House, Kristin Hubick, Sherre Hulbert, Stephanie Loomis, Roberta Schmidt, Maura Simas, Kim Veldt and Julie Yokoyama!
And a Special Thanks to our Digital Designers as well: Mary Powell, Deb H., Christina Atkinson, Irene Alexeeva, Kara Jones, Stephanie Shimerdla, and Stephanie Chavez.

August 2009 Zine

I posted the new August Zine a day early since I will be off line for a few days. Just click the link in my sidebar. Enjoy!

Tempered Glass Pendants



These sand blasted, tempered glass pendants are now available. There are currently 9 designs to choose from with the "Hallow's Eve Collection" coming later next month. To see the available selection, click the link in the sidebar for the Vintage Bits N' Pieces shop. I have also added a "Create Your Own" option, so check it out!

There is also a beautiful new necklace I just finished that is available. Yellow Jade, Tiger's Eye, Jet Black, Spider Web Shell and Sterling Silver.

Moving right along


Well, I've switched from watercolors to acrylics for this painting and will try my hand at watercolors on something different. I've already got my eye on a water lily pattern that I can adapt. I picked up some 140lb paper yesterday too. I think that will also make a difference. You can see, I've almost gotten the canvas based in and I will be starting the shading next, then adding details. I can see lots of potential for details with this.
I'm making headway in my pursuit of breaking my smoking habit, down from a full pack a day to only 3 cigarettes. I can see not smoking at all soon. It hasn't been easy and I certainly don't want anyone to think it is. I have to make decisions every minute it seems, or at least every hour whether or not I have the will to say no to myself and not run to the kitchen to grab something to eat. I haven't felt hunger pains for years, but every time I do, which is often, I want a cigarette to take those pains away. Quitting smoking and being on a diet, really bites but I have noticed I am not suffering from sinus problems anymore. Now that's a really good thing! :-D

Watercolor


Well, I started painted the canvas and I must be doing something wrong. I think I am painting as if I were using acrylics. Even though I am watering the paints and have a wet brush, I am still painting in my usual style. I think this will end up being re-painted in acrylics, lots of details added and a new approach to using watercolors will need to be found. Maybe flowers would be easier. :-D

A Good Start


Well, I'm almost at the end of my 2nd week of quitting a bad habit and painting is definitely helping, not only to substitute a good habit with a bad, but it gives me so much pleasure to see a painting evolve. I base coated my canvas with gesso again and after it dried, I transferred the drawing to the canvas and added the mask to the areas that will remain white. I'm waiting for the masking liquid to dry but in the meantime, I need to decide if I want wacky bold colors or soft pastels. I'm leaning for the bold, because I never do bold except in my folk art painting and since this is a learning experience, I will go bold.

New Adventure

After a little over 40 years of having a habit of smoking, I have decided to quit. 40 years is a long time to develop & ingrain this habit and it will take tremedous willpower to alter the bad habit of relaxing with a cigarette and a cup of coffee. In order to break the cycle I have devised a way to replace a bad habit with a good one. I am going on a new adventure via my art studio. I am going to finally learn how to paint with watercolors. I have decided to remove the fabric painting table from the center of my studio and set up my easel again with some good lighting, but I won't be using my favorite acrylics this time around. Watercolors have always intrigued me and with the help of a few selected books which feature some additional techniques, I am giving it a go. My first canvas will be 20" x 16" because I never paint small and the design is finished. Once I get it transferred to the canvas, I can begin. I'm very excited and I would love to share this adventure with you here on my blog by posting my progress occasionally. Off to prep a canvas.

Mixed Media Digital Collage Kits!

I have finally gotten a few mixed media digital kits uploaded and available to purchase on my "digital gallery" site. Please click the link in the sidebar to check the previews out and to purchase these fabulous, fun kits!

Artist Pin Swap



Over on Sherre's yahoo group, (look for the link Arttechniques Yahoo Group in sidebar if you would like to join this fun group!)they are doing an Artist Pin Swap and here are samples of several I made using poly clay and wire. I really like the textures and contrast of the colors. The shine from the wire and the flat dull surface of the untreated clay. (no finish was added like diamond glaze, but I did use a silver metallic alcohol ink for the metal effect.)

New Workshop for July


Poly Clay Pendants will be our featured workshop for the month of July on The Latest Trends Yahoo Group. To join us, click the link in the sidebar. This is one of the pendants, (I call it: "Grunge") that I made as a sample for this workshop. I love the addition of using wire with the clay, it adds so much contrast.

Zine Challenge


We have a challenge for you this month in our June Zine! There are three cabinet cards, courtesy of Sherre, to play around with this month. The theme is "Patriotic" and if you would like us to showcase your creation in our July Zine, please send me an e-mail with your artwork as an attachment. There is a button in the side bar. Thanks and have fun!
To grab these cabinet cards: check out the June Zine at:
http://thelatesttrendsinmixedmediaart.com/

June Zine

The new zine has been loaded to the website and features another terrific artist, a fabulous wax resist project and a fun project using cabinet cards.
http://thelatesttrendsinmixedmediaart.com/ Check it out!

Digital Tutorials


Do you have the digital software, but don't know how to get started creating digital collages? Come join us at The Latest Trends yahoo group, link in sidebar. We are into our 2nd lesson, adding texture to virtual solid color papers and our next lesson is how to create brushes. The image posted here, is a work in progress and the lessons are basics only, but you will be able to play with your software, have fun and learn some easy clicks of the buttons.

Grandson's T-Ball Game


Saturday, I had the pleasure of watching my Grandson's first t-ball game. It brought back wonderful memories of all the games his Dad played. Since everybody was yelling his name, he knew it was his Mom when I would call out to him: "Hey Kid! Hit me a Home Run!" Boy, could he hit that ball. So now, my Grandson will get the nickname of "Hey Kid". :-D
I used a few of my own elements & background paper for this layout, but I also went blog hopping during the baseball blog train and gathered up some wonderful themed elements too. Check out: http://digital-keepsakes.blogspot.com for all the blog links.

Granddaughter


I recently received some wonderful pictures of the triplets and while I haven't had time to create digital layouts for each of them yet, I plan to in the future. Here is the first one. She looks so sleepy and has the most amazing blue eyes. :-D

FREEBIE










I have been playing around with my PSE and designed this embossed frame for all of my friends to play around with. I left it full size; 12 x 12 so just right click and save as. You may use this for "Personal Use Only". Please do not share it, but direct your friends here or my other blog at: http://inmyartstudio.blogspot.com to download it for themselves. You may re-color or re-size it if you wish and print it to use in whatever art you like doing. I'll be using it for a digital piece I'm working on, that I will post later. Have fun!

New Swap


Sherre is hosting an Egg shaped ATC swap over on the Latest Trends. I had so much fun making these. I used foils from little chocolate eggs, which hubby helped me eat. He was so careful removing the foils so they wouldn't tear into little pieces. LOL! Anyway, the due date for this swap is April 25th, so there is still time for you to join us! The link is above.

Earring Swap



Lesley is hosting an earring swap over at the Latest Trends. Rusty &/or found objects. Here's a pic of the earrings I made for this swap. I really had fun hunting down the elements to use for these. Somewhere along the line, I managed to either trade for these awesome green flowers or bought them in a bag of other goodies at a yard sale. The cameos were actually buttons that I removed the back of and the red discs are wooden circles that I inked. Join the group and sign up for this swap, there are some pretty amazing earrings already being posted, of which I wouldn't mind wearing!

April's Designer Paper Technique

Grab yourself some old magazines and have some fun tearing out the pages for this awesome paper technique! Sort your pages by color and group them with colors that compliment eachother. Use watercolor paper or thin cardboard as a substrate and decoupage your torn papers on randomly. To texturize, apply gel medium, (not heavy body) and rake through it with a fork or other impliment. Add a colored glaze, 3-5 times and you are done. You can then dry brush on some gesso or metallic paints, whatever your heart desires. Make sure you allow plenty of drying time between each layer of a wet application.

April's Newsletter/e-zine

I got the latest issue of our monthly newsletter loaded, after attempting it 3 times and making changes so all the images are loaded now! LOL! Every month I run into a small problem and this month it is the layout of the newsletter, it's not centered on the page as it is suppose to be, but oh well, I have the right settings. It never fails though and never ceases to amuse me. :-D I hope you enjoy this addition, we have some wonderful new book reviews, an artist interview with Pam Crawford, a new discovery in a wax technique and some freebies for you, courtesy of Sherre.
If you would like to be a featured artist in an upcoming newsletter/e-zine, please leave me a comment, with your e-mail and I will get back to you soon. Thanks & Enjoy! :-D Cindy
http://thelatesttrendsinmixedmediaart.com/

Blogging

Sorry I haven't been posting recently, but I have been extremely busy putting the final touches on our April Newsletter (will be posted April 1st), doing the first edit on the soon to be released "Jewelry Beyond Time" (bookcover will be posted soon!), making samples & writing instructions for the monthly designer papers and April's workshop! I am also working on some mini-digital kits that I hope to be offering to you soon on my other blog. http://inmyartstudio.blogspot.com If you haven't visited before, I hope you will soon!
Reminder: http://inkastamps.com is having a 30% rebate until the end of March! Details are on my other blog. This offer is soon going to retire, so if you are into rubber stamping, collecting collage sheets and want inspiration from the design team, check out the site. Also, Inka has a few freebie images for you! :-D

New Paris Fashion


Altered Art-Mixed Media makes the runway! I really couldn't decide whether I liked this recycled birdcage hat or the garbage can lid hat. You can see all of the fabulous creations via this link! Enjoy!


Easter Parade


I created this assemblage by using a square of styrofoam, covered in moss, wrapped with a strip of paper and a picket fence made with a Martha Stewart border punch. The awesome musical bunnies are from a collage sheet available from Inkastamps. (She is having a 30% discount for the month of March-see post below for details!) The Easter sign are rub ons and the base is recycled from a tic-tac-toe game. The giant egg is paper mache' wrapped in dress maker's tissue, painted and splattered to look like a real egg. It is the size of an ostrich egg, a fun size to work with!

Wax Workshop


Here is one of several finished pieces from the wax workshop that I am currently teaching on the Latest Trends group. There is still time to join us! This was created on a 5" x 7" clayboard substrate, with alcohol ink background and a laser print transfer. I used the white beeswax instead of the natural honey color, but that was just my preference at the time.

Encaustic Wax Workshop



I will be teaching a free wax workshop on the Latest Trends on March 13th. This week we will be prepping our substrates and the list of supplies has been posted. If you've always wanted to learn to do some fun techniques with wax, here's your chance. Learn to incise the wax, add image transfers, inks, embellishments, rub-ons, etc. The book I used for inspiration is: Encaustic Wax by: Patricia Seggebruch which is just full of mini workshops using wax. A must have book for your private library of reference materials.

Special Announcement

Inkastamps (click the link on my sidebar) is offering a special 30% discount/rebate in honor of my joining her design team. Wow! I am honored! This discount is available through the month of March and to grab this special, just type my name (Cindy) in the message to seller box on the check-out order form and a refund of 30% will be made to your qualifying purchase within 24 hours. If you are ordering via snail mail, you can deduct the 30% off discount/rebate on qualifying merchandise.
NOTE: This offer does not apply to prize awards, items already on sale, grab bags or items on the "Vintage Found Items" or mounting supplies pages at Inkastamps.
Inka has some amazing stamps, in a vast selection of categories and while you are there, visit the gallery pages and get to know the other design team members. Lots of talent there folks!

Tuesday-Feb. 24th

Zeb will be teaching a new workshop on using wax with recycled glass bottles! So go join the Latest Trends group, (link above) gather up all your wax supplies, a couple of glass bottles (ball jars, wine bottles, flower vases, etc.) and join in the fun!
I will be teaching another wax workshop in March, using "Encaustic Wax" by: Patricia Seggebruch as a reference. We will be exploring various materials in combination with wax. Hope you will join us for these learning experiences. As always, our workshops are free to our members. You just need the necessary supplies which most artists have already!

Are you ready for another fun workshop?


Over on the Latest Trends, Peggy G. will be conducting a new workshop on friday, "Painting on Denim" and you won't want to miss this! Peggy is a published artist who has been featured in Belle Armoire several times, as well as several other Somerset Publications. This workshop is free to all members, you just have to puchase your supplies. (Acrylic paints & something made out of denim- which you probably already have!) In an earlier post, I shared a denim jacket that I was working on, well, I'm still working on it but hope to get it finished this weekend during Peggy's workshop. The felting on the back was done with the embellishing machine and organza was quilted over the top in the center panel. There is a pair of painted jeans (June 2007) that were done with a stencil of the alphabet & a can of spray paint!

New Posts



Over on my new digital gallery (link in side bar), I have been uploading some new collages that I hope will inspire you to get creative with whatever software you may have on hand. Here is the most recent one, designed with various elements from a purchased kit by Tiffany, called: "In the Air" and is available at: http://inspiredbydominicdesigns.blogspot.com along with a few of my own vintage elements like the Chinese overlay and converted Dover image. The font is called: Chinese Take Out. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks!

I wanted to take a minute to "Thank Everyone" who visited my blog yesterday, everyone who participated in the party and everyone who left me a comment. I so enjoyed the party and loved visiting all the blogs, finding some new friends and viewing all the fabulous art! I want to "Thank You All" for sharing your lives, your worlds and your art with us during this fun event!

Blog Party Freebie


I know I am a day early but I will be having some family (my triplet grandbabies!) over the weekend and wasn't sure when I would have time to load this collage sheet for all of my blog visitors. Thank you for visiting, I hope you bookmarked this blog and I hope you will join our yahoo group: The Latest Trends.

New Blog

I have started another blog to showcase only my digital artwork, so I will no longer be posting those to this blog. To see my lastest creations, please visit: http://inmyartstudio.blogspot.com Thanks!

Feb. Newsletter

Our Feb. newsletter is now available at: http://thelatesttrendsinmixedmediaart.com/ Sherre shared her "Seredipity Hearts" project with us this month, plus a couple of book reviews and to say "Thanks" to all of our loyal followers, there are a few free Valentine image downloads for you to enjoy. Don't forget to sign up with Lesley for the blog party coming next weekend! Sorry, but we are not archiving our newsletters, so on the first of each month, a new newsletter will be posted and the old removed.

Altered Book Project


Stephanie is doing an on-going altered book workshop for us over on the Latest Trends and so I've started this new Asian Themed book. I just finished the abacus today and used Carolyn's Feb. paper technique for the texture on this cover. I've barely begun my altering of this book, so stay tuned.

Bringing It All Together




Combining scrapbook die-cuts, with stamping & throw in a little Mixed Media and this is what I have been working on the past few days. I had no idea how long glitter glue took to dry! I started with a balsa wood type box. I then stamped a background using a background stamp from www.Inkastamps.com in sepia. The trim was done with a Martha Stuart hand punch for edging papers. The Ballerinas were die-cut using a file provided by Ruth Denton on her blog: http://scrappingaway.blogspot.com and the cricut machine. I love the Petaloo flowers so I combined them with an antique porcelin knob, threw on a tag, glitter glued the tutu's of each of the ballerinas, added some flat back rhinestones and after two days of drying time, here's the finished box. I will use it in my studio to store the Petaloo flowers for future use.