Cloth Paper Scissors

Feeling Lucky?

Jenn Mason — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:08:00 GMT

I am! I had the chance to play with some letter punches (thanks Vintaj), alcohol inks, fabric ribbons (thanks Objects and Elements), wire and beads and I created this Lucky pendant in honor of St. Paddy's day.

It was a loud project for sure. It required a hammer and a steel block to pound an old sterling silver spoon flat, a coping saw to cut off the handle and then pliers and more hammering to bend the rest of the handle back to make the "bale". I will definitely be on the look out for uniquely shaped, odd spoons on future junking trips.

Have you ever tried making a mixed-media pendant? I'll be coming back often as we approach the deadline for our "Mixed-media Pendant Swap" (click here to read more about the swap.)

So check back for more of my pendant creations and have a Happy St. Paddy's day--or as my mum would have me say, "Top O' the morning to ye!"

Cheers,

Announcing the Cloth Paper Scissors "Make It Pretty" 2011 Calendar Finalists!

Barbara Delaney — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:33:00 GMT

Thank you to everyone who took part in this year's Cloth Paper Scissors calendar contest: “Make it Pretty!” We had lots of wonderful entries, with everything from flowers and hearts to pets, plants, and portraits. We are thrilled by the number of entries and the variety of techniques used. Narrowing the field was not easy, but we did, and we now have our finalists.

Congratulations to everyone who took part.

The following artists should send their actual artwork entry to us at 23 Gleasondale Rd., Stow, MA 01775, as soon as possible, and no later than April 5^th. Please check the contest guidelines on our Cloth Paper Scissors Community.

“Down by the Chicken Coop”
Staci Swider
Augusta, GA

“Love Forever”
Kelly Lish
Beaverton, OR

“Red Poppy Pods”
Katherine Statsenko
Hyde Park, NY

“Pretty Snow”
Candyce Martens
Lake Villa, IL

“Medieval”
Ronni Hunter
Lakewood, CO

“Pretty Colorful…”
Samantha Conklin
Converse, TX

“Pretty Wordy”
Leilani Pierson
Chicago, IL

“No. 99”
Kayla Fujimoto
Geneva, IL

“Hearts and Flowers” and “Flower Garden”
Mary Beth Volpini
Newport Beach, CA

“Make It Pretty as a Button” and
“Make It Pretty as a Walk in the Woods”
Lou McCulloch
Medina, OH

“Garden Party”
Christy Renken
Los Alamos, CA

“Pretty as a State of Mind”
Cindy Armstrong
Homewood, AL

“Strawberry Tea for Miss Bee’
Felicity Wingfield
West Sussex, England

“Make it Pretty…Clear”
Jan Jackola
Osage, MNB

“Pretty Little Things”
Erin Radniecki
Corvallis, OR

“Buttons”
Niki Siebert
Bloomfield, NJ

“Pretty as a Picture”
Normajean Brevik
East Lyme, CT

“Pretty is as Pretty Does”
Lisa Thorpe
Healdsburg, CA

“Pretty versatile; Pretty Simple; Pretty!”
Cindy Fort
Fort Worth, TX

“Queen of the Tulips”
Jessica Moreau-Berry
Whitefield, ME

“Make It Pretty”
Sheila Allen
Port Orchard, WA

Paperama Giveaway from My Studio

Cate Prato — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:34:00 GMT

So, if you have too much paper, what do you do? Give it away, of course!

I have 10 packets of papers--vintage, new, and found--for the lucky winners. What you see in the picture is just a sampling. Each packet will include at least 30 pieces.

All you have to do is a leave a comment stating your favorite studio or tip from a past issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Studios magazine.

I'll draw the winners on Thursday, March 18.

Let the commenting begin!

I Can Hardly Contain Myself - Studio Makeover

Cate Prato — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:33:00 GMT

So, I have been sorting, and sorting.

I learned long ago in previous attempts to organize aspects of my life that I am not a categorize-to-the-nth degree sort of gal. For example, my recipes are lumped into four categories: desserts, main courses, appetizers, and vegetables. The "desserts" section is the thickest, by far. But it doesn't pay for me to break it down into finer categories, because I spend too much time trying to remember whether the Oreo ice cream pie is filed in "cookies," "pies," or "ice cream." I might as well just throw them all in together and sort through them each time.

So, for the most part, I am not dividing my art and craft stuff into refined categories, and that is working for the big things:

Fabrics? No problem: fold the big pieces and put them on open shelving; contain the scraps in see-through bins.

Papers? You have all given me some great suggestions: flat files or drawers seem to be working best for me when it comes to sheets; rolls go in a high-sided tub or basket.

Buttons? Divided by color and put into Mason jars. I keep a pretty tray handy so I can spill the buttons out and sort through them (my favorite part) without getting them all over the place.

Yarns? In a big tote bag or two. I'll sort through them later.

Fiber trims? Roll up the long pieces and hold them together with ribbon or clothespins. The short bits that won't tangle too much get thrown into a glass jar higglety-pigglety.

But then we get to small found objects and papers, and things get tricky. My "just lump 'em together" solution doesn't really work here, because paper bits and trims get crushed. And "found" items are often one of a kind, or can't be categorized except in very small groups.

For example, I have a few doll parts (thanks to my daughters' Barbie destruction program) and a few interesting rusty bits, but not enough for a bin or drawer. And then there are all those little interesting items that might be useful at some point: the tiny mitten template I discovered in a cookie tin filled with sewing flotsam at a tag sale, or the rusty needle set I found in the back of a drawer; the needles can't be used, but together with the rust stain on the paper, they have a certain artistic je ne sais quoi.

All that potential labeling gives me the hives--but then, how to contain these objects, keep them safe from harm, and find them again when I need them?

Or, am I just keeping too much junk?

What's your advice? How do you organize and store your found objects?

Reader Question: Rainy or sunny weather?

Barbara Delaney — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:29:00 GMT

Our Reader Question in the March/April issue of CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS is: How does the weather affect your art?

Today it's like spring in Stow, Massachusetts, 47°! But I hear we may get more snow tomorrow...and let's not forget the torrential rains we had last week.

Does the sunshine inspire you? Do you love all of that natural light, and all but shut down on cloudy days? Or do rainy or snowy days give you the push you need to hunker down and create some art?
Does the weather affect your art making at all? How? I want to hear all about it.

I have had some interesting responses already, but I’d love to hear from you, too.

Email me: bdelaney@interweave.com. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

~ Barb D.

Remember Ruthann-A lesson in sharing creativity

Jenn Mason — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:44:00 GMT

My facebook page reminded me today to stay in contact with Ruthann. Unfortunately I can't do that because Ruthann's shining light left us last May. I met Ruthann when she worked with my husband and over the years I saw her creativity grow. I would send her early copies of my books and eventually talked her into submitting her artwork for consideration for a book. She was an all around wonderful person but our contact existed primarily through creativity. She was generous in her compliments and I can't help but think how proud she would have been of my new position here at Cloth Paper Scissors. What my friendship with Ruthann reinforced is my need to encourage creativity in everyday life.

I'm sure many of you have people in your life like Ruthann, those people who can't wait to see the next thing you create and who have ventured out of their own box because of the joy they experience when they are inspired. I encourage you to spend time thinking of them today and creating something with that energy those thoughts bring to you.

Go ahead! Be creative. Celebrate life--both past, present and yet to be.

And, Ruthann, thanks. I will never be able to forget you, and I'm glad I never will.

Weekend Inspiration Part 4

Jenn Mason — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:04:00 GMT

Good morning and my apologies. I actually wrote this post yesterday but it disappeared into cyberspace.

Today's Muse is Deniseb1069 and I just couldn't pass up her short and sweet prompt:

Deniseb1069 wrote

on Sat, Feb 20 2010 10:43 PM

Show me a mixed media representation of what's in your heart today.

I recycled some old glazed postcards and gelatin print samples, added some glue, flocking, and glitter and created my Mail Art Affirmation. I used the saying that I also love to use when I'm doing book signings--Follow your art.

Short, simple and sweet--Just like Deniseb1069's prompt.

Remember to email me if I've used your idea this week. I've already sent one these postcards off--I look forward to them all finding "home".

Cheers,

The Studio Makeover Continues

Cate Prato — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:33:00 GMT

What great responses to my plea for help in getting my studio act together! I'm still reading them-and laughing at a lot of them-and I intend to consider each piece of advice.

I did want to show you pictures of the attic space. It's tough, because it's small and I'm shooting into the light from most angles. I spent some time there this past weekend sorting, tossing, reshelving, and thinking and have come to some conclusions.

1. I thought I had an excess of fabric, but in reality, my biggest problem is paper. I can't seem to pass up interesting postage stamps, vintage-looking wrapping paper, any vintage image, tissue paper, and any found paper with anything on it that looks remotely useable in some way at some time in the indefinite future. Having it is not really the problem though; the problem is how to store it. Still thinking about that and open to your suggestions.

2. I have some large pieces of vintage fabric that are wonderful (old teal velvet, thick-but holey-chenille bedspreads). But I am never going to use more than a pillow's worth. Should I cut it up? Sell or give it away? Wait until the kids head off to college and then re-decorate like crazy?

3. I do like the sunny, warm loveliness of the tea room. But I also like the solitude of the attic room. I may need to find a compromise, as many of you suggested.

Speaking of the attic room, here are the pictures. While I was up there, I considered that it might be a good idea the to use the room itself to work in, but to store many of my supplies in the main part of the attic, where there are some built-in shelves.

Here is the view from the door, before I did any reorganizing:

This is a view of my worktable, again "before":

Here is the worktable "after." It's not done, but at least I have some space to work on:

A view of the fabrics "after." Yes, after, because I don't actually like my fabrics in neat, color-coordinated piles (though I know that works very well for many people, particularly quilters). I prefer the serendipity of the haphazard juxtaposition.

Let me know what you think!

Weekend Inspiration Part 3

Jenn Mason — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:22:00 GMT

Simple cut and paste is what it took for today's suggestion from Whenigrowup.

I was immediately threatened by the letter "z" challenge. I knew this was NOT going to be one of the suggestions that I was going to choose. Then I decided that I was taking the wimp's version of inspiration--only choosing the easy solutions. So, I added the "z" challenge to my list and thought about it for a while. Eventually the idea of the alphabet came to me. I like to dabble in calligraphy now and then so that was the next logical step; figuring out how to work calligraphy and the alphabet into my piece. Then that little voice in my head said too easy, try again. And then, the idea of creating a ransom note-like sampler came to mind. The letter z was the first letter I found in an old magazine--red on charcoal--perfect. I had been trying to figure out how to make it prominent amongst 25 other letters. I knew I wanted letters both big and small but the z still had to stand out and using the red helped pull it all together.

Where is my affirmation? Well, you caught me. I don't have one. But, I definitely gave you enough letters to make up your own! If I've used your idea this week, make sure to email me with your address so I can ship the postcard to you!

whenigrowup wrote

on Fri, Feb 19 2010 12:00 PM

The letter "Z". Paint it, stamp it, fold fabric into a "Z", words that begin with "Z" (but the letter "Z" must be prominent), stencil it, zentangle a small "Z" attachment, droopy eyelids communicating "zzz's", an arty stamp from a country (real or imagined) that begins with a "Z", whatever your mind can conjure!

Materials Used: Red Identipen, Magazine letters, Soft Gel gloss, Sakura Plumie gel pen

I cut out all the letters and adhered them to the postcard with soft gel gloss (hence the shine) and I let it dry. I then penned in the alphabets using the black gel pen and the red permanent identipen.

Read more about the initial challenge here.

Weekend inspiration

Weekend inspiration 2

Weekend Inspiration Part 2

Jenn Mason — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:58:00 GMT

My second day of inspiration.

johl wrote

on Fri, Feb 19 2010 7:53 PM

How about "Springtime In Paris" prompt with the colors of baby blue, black and white, or pink, black and white? I'm ready for Spring, aren't you??? A post card from 'Paris" would be almost as good as going...okay that may be a stretch but I'd still love to see what you come up with!

Jodi Ohl

Yes, Jodi, I'm ready for Spring. But there is snow in the forcast!

Materials Used: Vintage sewing pattern tissue, book text, and tape measure. Black and white acrylic paint, magenta fluid acrylic, pearlized glaze, matte soft gel medium, "French label" stamp, Tim Holtz Distress Ink (soot), a black, permanent marker, balsa wood and a craft knife and cutting mat.

After writing the article on using wood in our March/April issue, I felt compelled to work it into a postcard for the "Pass it on: Mail Art Affirmation" postcard challenge. Although the balsa wood isn't the most sturdy material, I felt it would be immediately strengthened by layers of soft gel medium and vintage sewing-pattern tissue. First, I cut a 6" long section from a 4" x 1/8" x 24" piece of balsa wood with my craft knife and cutting mat. I adhered the two layers of the tissue in a quick fashion so that I could slightly manipulate the surface, creating an almost "crepe paper" texture in the normally smooth tissue. The addition of book text and a length of measuring tape helped to support my "Measure Twice, Cut Once" affirmation/words of advice.

I loved the idea of working in the white, pink and black color theme suggested by Jodi and I used the Paris themed stamps in the slightly built up layers of paint and gel. The dress form immediately brings to mind the word couture--and, as a thanks to Jodi's idea, I scratched the word "merci" in the wet acrylic paint. A little edging in black helped finish off this wooden wonder.

What do you think? There are three more inspiring postcards yet to come this week. So check back all week and if I've created something with your idea, make sure you email me your address and I'll ship it out to you!

Have you started your swap entry? Did you have trouble making just one? Are you inspired to send more mail art? Let me know how your search for inspiration is coming.

Cheers,

Weekend Inspiration

Jenn Mason — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:00:00 GMT

I really love my new job here at Cloth Paper Scissor. Last week was filled with exciting meetings, beautiful art, some darn good layouts for the May/June issue coming across my desk, and the arrival of the first copies of the March/April Cloth Paper Scissors--my semi-inaugural issue. While this issue was well on it's way before I had a desk and a pencil cup here at the office, I am still proud of how beautiful it is. I can't claim finding the wonderful artists and articles that grace it's pages (except for one) but I can say that the team worked tirelessly to put together a beautiful issue while helping me to get up to speed.

Then came this past weekend and the exciting chatter, ideas, prompts and inspiration in response to my "Inspire Me" blog post on Friday. Wow. I was impressed by the both the quality and quantity of your responses. I have picked 5 different inspirations from the list and I will post one here everyday this week along with the username of the member responsible for the idea. If you see your username here, email me with your address and I'll mail you the "Pass it on: Mail Art Affirmation" postcard that you inspired.

I tried to pick a mixture of inspirations from the great list you supplied me with. I wanted some that sang to me immediately and some that challenged me implicitly.

Today's Muse is Hope. I am assuming that Hope's first name is Hope and I love that she has a poem like this in her arsenal of creativity and inspiration.

Hope wrote

on Fri, Feb 19 2010 10:19 PM

one of my favorite poems....

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all

--Emily Dickinson

Materials Used: red grid tape, Martha Steward bird punch, Vintage book illustration (photocopy for transfer), Blender Marker (for transferring photocopy), Golden Paint Fluid Acrylics (interference green), Micron Pen (03), vintage text (for the bird), paper towels

I used the tape (which I had forgotten that I purchased) as a basic grid and then used the blender marker to create the transfer over the entire card. I used the blender pen on the tape to pick up the transfer that ended up on the tape.

Update - February Color Challenge

Jenn Mason — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:03:00 GMT

Sorry folks, we had forgotten to change the permissions on the February Color Challenge so you were unable to upload your photos. It's all fixed now. Read all about the challenge here and consider using this challenge as your muse today!

Gelatin printing continued...

Barbara Delaney — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:53:00 GMT

I have enjoyed playing with the papers and fabrics we created last week during out Gelatin Monoprinting time with the Quilting Arts and Cloth Paper Scissors crew. Here are a few of my papers:

I used a roller stamp on the blue page, a toy with a circular imprint on another, and I cut some heart shapes into the gelatin for the third. It was fun experimenting with all of the different tools we had available.

Since we started with papers, that's what I used to create my first postcard. Though it doesn't have an affirmation for our challenge, buttons were what inspired me at that moment, so I went with it.

I backed the paper, sketched some button holes, added a few words and such, and sewed on some buttons. The next one will be made of some of the monoprinted fabrics..

I hope you have been busy making postcards, too. The "Pass It On" Mail Art Affirmations Reader Challenge deadline is drawing near! Please join us in sending good thoughts out into the art community.

Have a good weekend.
Barb

Inspire Me.

Jenn Mason — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:46:00 GMT

I had all sorts of idea titles for today's blog: Trading Places, Turning the Tables, You're the Boss, Edit the Editor. I settled on Inspire Me.

You already inspire me every day with your fabulous art and your creative comments but I'm looking for a little bit more from you today. I'm looking to you, our loyal readers, new members, or both, to send me your challenges.

As we approach the March 1st deadline for our "Pass it on: mail art affirmation" postcard swap, I thought I'd create postcards based on the challenges you send me. I'll be checking in over the weekend to see what ideas you have for me. So, let me have it...

Comment on this blog (by Feb 21) with your most interesting, outrageous, or purely inspiring ideas and I'll try working them into a postcard. Send me a color prompt, an affirmation, medium, texture, you name it! All next week I'll share what I've created and how I was inspired by YOU.

Need a little inspiration of your own? Well, send me your idea and if I use it, I'll send you the postcard I create!

I can't wait to read your ideas!

(This postcard was an earlier cloth challenge I gave myself.)

Cheers!

Christmas in February?

Jenn Mason — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:05:00 GMT

You've all heard the crazy reports of editors working on Halloween photo shoots in May and decorating for Christmas in June because of publishing deadlines. Well, we're talking Christmas in February!

We're working amongst the tinsel and glitter, red and green, and blue and white here in the office getting ready to bring you the first ever Cloth Paper Scissor Gifts Magazine. We're putting together a super big issue packed with everything mixed-media and fabulous. Of course, our art is only as good as our contributors ideas so we're looking to you for your best ideas. We're looking for fantastic ideas for gifts, decor and of course, cards and wrapping. All projects should incorporate mixed-media or collage but after that, the sky's the limit. Send us your submissions to Submissions@clothpaperscissors.com with GIFTS in the subject line. Give us a couple photos of what you'd like to write about and a brief explanation of what you want to write about.

I'll be reminding you about sending in submissions gifts for the next few weeks--so start the wheels a turnin' and start sending us you photos! (Don't forget we're always looking for submissions for our regular issues--share your cool techniques, unique process and fabulous art with us!)

Cheers,

Coming Clean

Cate Prato — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:39:00 GMT

It's time to come clean. My "studio" has been a mess for more than a year. And not just a "middle of a project mess," either, but a "can't walk without tripping, can't find anything, bar the doors and call 'Clean House'" mess.

And, as long as we're in the confessional, I might as well admit that I have two studios: one in the attic that my husband painted and outfitted for me and another in our "tea room," aka the formal dining room turned "parlor," turned "Cate's stuff" room. They're both a mess.

Of course, as someone who is the editor of a magazine that, in part, shows you how to organize and make the most of your creative space, this is embarrassing.

As Exhibit A, I give you this picture of the "tea room."

It used to look like this:

Granted, when it looked neat and tidy, the room was not designated as the "creative" area, but more the "lovely spot in which to keep the antiques and pretend we're English" room.

No doubt, some cleaning, shedding, and organizing needs to be done. Messy and cluttered is one thing; unable to find what you need or get anything done is a different story. So, over the next few weeks, I'm going to be redoing my studio and you can watch the progress in this blog. The final result will be in the Summer issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Studios.

My dilemma is this, and here's where you can help me (I hope): Do I turn my "tea room" which is right off the entrance to the house and, in theory, the formal dining room, into the creativity room? Or, do I revert to my attic space that, while a quarter of the tea room space, already has some storage units in it and a vinyl floor?

Pro and cons of the spaces:

Tea Room
Pros:

On the main living space, close to water, food, people.
Large (about 14' square)
Sunny
Built-in china cabinet could provide storage

Cons:

Hardwood floors not craft-friendly
Right off the main living space
Needs more storage

Attic Room
Pros:

Quiet!
Away from family--I can hide up there
Craft-friendly surfaces
Already outfitted with some storage pieces

Cons:

Too hot in summer, very cold in winter (although I have a space heater)
Small
No easy access to water
Did I say it was small?

What do you think? Please leave a comment with your advice.

In the meantime, I'm going to think about what crafts I really care about and how I like to work. That will help me decide on how to organize. I'll also be perusing the 101 Organizing & Storage Tips in the new Spring issue of Studios. And, check out the online extras from this issue, too.

Now, I'm off to do some more sorting, and I'll show you some of the results of that next week. Who knows? A giveaway might come out of it.

Don't forget to leave your comments!

Cloth Paper Scissors March/April 2010

cps29 — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:01:00 GMT

Cover art by Sue Pelletier

about this issue

Silk screening made easy; Artist Profile: Leo Sewell; Artist to Artist: Erin Zamrzla; Graffiti Paper Quilts; Burned Glue & Paper; Embracing the Blues; “Celebrate Birthdays”; Books with a Repurpose; Mixed Adventures of a Superhero Series; Birdscapes; Add Dimension with Wood; “Mother Earth” Art Doll Challenge results; “Creative Flag” Retreat Artwork Reader Challenge; “A Haunting We Will Go!” Reader Challenge, What one item is missing in your art space that if added, you think would make a huge difference in your art process?

online extras
clothpaperscissors.com

Coming soon: More information about our retreat: CREATE with Cloth Paper Scissors

cloth paper scissors studios spring 2010

studiosSpring2010 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:48:00 GMT

On the Cover: Artist Brenda Brink's studio in Indiana, resurrected from an old theater.

about this issue

This Super Special Issue features - 101 ways to store and organize your studio; Studio spaces for kids; Close-up, vibrant photographs of the best ways for storing and showcasing studio supplies; Studio furniture; A close look at favorite new products, tools, gadgets and storage systems; Craft studio makeovers with before and after photos; World-renowned crafters, and more...

101 tips - page 10

Susan fabian page 112

more online at clothpaperscissors.com

More storage ideas

Views of Holly Berube's in-studio show space

Video Tours

Editor Cate Prato's Studio Makeover of "in the Studio with Cate" at clothpaperscissors.com

contents

special features:
storage and organization

101 Organization and Storage Tips for Your Studio

All Together Now
Corral your supplies with these organization products

Transitions and Transformations
How an extra room became a studio
by Liz Kettle

How I Got Organized
by Wan Marsh

Disorganized Organization
Attack of the bead bookcase
by Robbi Joy Eklow

essay

Room with A View
The ABCs of Kids in the Studio
by Leilani Pierson

featured

Where wishes come true
Serena Barton
Jessica Bocter
Brenda Brink
Violette Clark
Laura Kemshall
Linda Kemshall
Josie Rodriguez
Martina Schrader
Holly A. Stinnett
Kathy York

Xanadu page 148

C
Xanadu page 146
Above: Xanadu, page 146

snippets

Editor' Note

projects
Office Chair Makeover
Fit for a creative Queen
by Liz Kettle

Whimsical Art Caddy
Violette Clark

vignettes

A little bit of creative heaven
Holly Berube
Shona Cole
Samantha Conklin
Alma de la Melena Cox
Cindy DeLuz
Annette Dupree
Elizabeth Elliott
Susan Fabian
Elsie Flannigan
Dina Hajje
Inspired ACTS
Kelly Lish
Liesel Lund
Lou McCulloch
Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson
Leo Sewell
Belinda Spiwak
Mona Stevenson
Chris Zielski

Fun with gelatin monoprinting...

Barbara Delaney — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:01:00 GMT

We work hard at Cloth Paper Scissors, and we play hard, too.

This past Tuesday, here in Stow, we all got together to have some fun with gelatin monoprinting. Our own Jenn Mason set us up with gelatin, paints, brayers, papers, and lots of tools for mark making. We had everything from children's toys and game pieces, to rollerstamps, icecube trays, combs, and more. We got our feet wet printing on paper, and then moved on to fabric. It was so much fun we totally lost track of time! Check out Jenn's Workshop article in the January/February 2008 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors.

I was really pleased with the results.

I was especially pleased with the black fabric.

The colors pop, but you can still see the text in the fabric.

I have lots of plans for these papers and fabrics... Come back and see what I come up with.

Have fun this weekend.

Happy Valentine's Day

Barb

Help an Editor Out - a call to action

Jenn Mason — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:28:00 GMT

If you're located anywhere on the eastern coast of the US, I hope you and your family are safe and sound--and home. We had a false alarm this week and the 12 inches of predicted snow ended up being 1.5 inches. I remember looking forward to snow days as a child but nowadays I'm always anxious to get into the office to work on the latest (and greatest) issue of CPS.

One of my jobs is to go looking for great art and artists out there in the blog-o-sphere. Sometimes I find the perfect project for an "I Made This" article or our Muse Flash, and sometimes I discover an artist that I just have to share with the world.

And then it happens.

No Email. Nowhere. Nada.

So today, my fellow artists, I'm calling on you! Go forth to your Wordpresses, your Blogspots, and your Typepads and please make sure that you have a "contact" button or link on your blog. You never know when I may happen upon your blog and want to contact you.

And speaking of looking for great art, if you have a fabulous new technique or process that you want to share with the world, start by sharing it with me! Send me a submission by emailing submissions@clothpaperscissors.com for more information you can check out our submissions page.

Cheers,

The Studios Giveaway Winner!

Cate Prato — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:23:00 GMT

Wow. When I set this giveaway challenge, I had no idea I would get so many different responses! They ranged from the spiritual to the practical. Frankly, just reading them makes me want to run to my studio and get started.

Of course, everyone who mentioned that flipping through issues of Cloth Paper Scissors, Studios, and Quilting Arts gets them in the creative zone won a special place in my heart. Flattery won't necessarily get you the giveaway prize, but it does make us feel like what we do here is meaningful to you.

Here are some of my favorites:

Deniseb1069: "I make a cup of tea, put on my apron, and turn on some music just loud enough to drown out everything else in the house-(smile)."

Fiona Mendel: "I find if I leave my piece set out in my room, when I open the door [next time] and see it I am inspired with what needs doing next! Often I see it in a whole different light."

Shishie: "The smell of fabric motivates me as soon as I sit down. I have swatches by the machine. I feel them, smell them and I am ready and know what I want to do."

Here, in no particular, are the Top 10 things that help you get into your creative zone:

1. Color
2. Music
3. Getting organized
4. Flipping through magazines
5. Nature (trees, landscape, looking out the window)
6. Relaxation or exercise (taking a walk, meditating in some form, being still)
7. Playing with fibers, papers, found objects
8. A routine: like making a cup of tea, closing the door, arranging supplies
9. Leaving out a work-in-progress or array of supplies to prime the pump
10. Having time and space to call your own

The biggest theme of all was how much you all enjoy going to your studio (whether it's the dining room table or a secluded room) to create and be who you are.

And now, for our winner:

FranYo, who said: "I make every effort to be a keen observer of the smallest details of my world each and every day. To get into 'the zone' in my studio workshop, I take the first few minutes before every session to sit in my favorite chair, relax consciously from my scalp to my toes, and allow images from my observations to enter my mind and creative senses-sometimes I visualize colors and textures which were beforehand not noted, sometimes it's patterns and far-off vistas. Other times it's sounds and memories juxtaposed upon the sensation of wind in my face or the fragility of a flower struggling to meet the sun. Whatever it is that comes to mind, it's mine uniquely and this inspires me for yet another day of creating in my studio!"

FranYo, please send me an email at cprato@interweave.com with your address, and the portable art kit and Spring Studios magazine will be on its way to you. Note: If I don't hear from you by Friday, Feb. 12, I'll pick a new winner.

New Online Challenge is Colorful

Jenn Mason — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:07:00 GMT

Happy Monday folks. Hope you enjoyed doing whatever it is you like to do while the Superbowl is on. I spent the evening trying to explain The Who to my 8 and 10 year old girls. "Yes, Mom, we want to know who they are?" and "Why do they look older than Papa?" and "Who's Tommy and how come they're playing all the songs from your television shows?" Ah, youth.

But I woke up feeling frisky after watching the Saints upset the Colts. (Note to readers: I'm in Pats territory but really I only follow University of Michigan football and both Superbowl teams had Wolverines representing--so I was a winner either way.) I started thinking about all that celebrating taking place in NOLA and the upcoming Mardi Gras celebration--which officially falls on the 16th but I'm going to guess it really started last night. Even if you've never been to NOLA, I bet you've been some how exposed to the Royal Purple, Golden Yellow and Money Green that has come to represent this indefatigable city.

This led me to today's color challenge.

These colors here are pulled right from the cover of our January/February 2010 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors. For two months this is how you'll remember us (thanks to the beautiful artwork by Diana Trout.) Come March, we'll have a brand new cover (and let me tell you, it's a good one), and possibly a new color challenge.

So, what do these colors say to you? Feel like jumping in with both feet? Then create a piece of art using two, three or all four of these colors and upload a low res picture in this gallery. Remember that you can add additional detail pictures in your description and that you can leave comments on others artwork as well.

And after you upload your entry to the challenge, when I say, "Who Dat?" you can say, "Dats Me!"

Cheers,

Did Someone Say 'Giveaway'?

Cate Prato — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:54:00 GMT

It's about time we gave something away, isn't it?

I'm very excited, because the in-house copies of the new, supersized issue of Spring 2010 Studios just arrived in our offices. Not only does Brenda Brink's sunny studio on the cover make me happy, happy, happy, but at 148 pages, this issue made a satisfying "thunk" when it was dropped on my desk. That "thunk" is made by the 48 more pages of artist studios, organization and storage tips, and extra features we've packed inside.

It was a lot of work by the Studios staff and the 30-plus artists who contributed, but it was well worth it. The issue goes on sale on newsstands February 23, and it's available by pre-order from the Interweave Store now.

So, let's celebrate by giving something away, shall we? I've taken a compartmentalized tote from Creative Options and filled it with a copy of the new issue of Studios, plus some goodies from the Studios swag closet.

All you have to do is leave a comment between now and Monday, February 8 and midnight, EST, and tell me: What helps get you in the zone when you are in your studio? (You don't have to have a dedicated studio space to answer; just tell me what gets you going when you sit down to create.) Is it music? A color? The weather? A favorite movie or TV show? A person or pet? Your supplies? A ritual, like sharpening your colored pencils or putting on an apron)?

I will draw the winning name and post the winner here on Tuesday, February 9. Don't forget to check back to see if you won!

The Cloth

Jenn Mason — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:26:00 GMT

You did know that the first name in our title is CLOTH, right? Oh, I'm so bad and working cloth into my work. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against cloth, I just tend not to "go there" when I'm creating.

I can tell things are going to change. I've seen so many incredible art quilts come through the office thanks my proximity to the Quilting Arts team.

I'm not afraid of cloth. I swear! I even sewed my very own wedding dress all by myself. (More on that story in another post on another day.) Did I mention I have a degree in weaving and textiles (and graphic design)? So, what is it that keeps me from using it in my work.

I believe the answer is either 'lack-o-stash' or the more serious affliction of 'sew machine envy'. I am still using my 15 year old Brother sewing machine with less than a dozen stitches to choose from and no free motion stitching option. It was a big improvement to my earlier sewing machine, a 400lb New Home that belonged to an elderly family friend that might have predated my birth.

But, duty calls! How can I expect you to challenge yourself at your work table if I'm not doing it myself. (It's like having your hair cut by a stylist with bad hair.)

So, today's studio challenge is making a cloth postcard!

In my first photo you will see the supplies that went into making this including a piece of cardboard (3" x 5"), green-heather wool felt, printed muslin and canvas, and raw peach silk.

First, I sewed the front and the back pieces together and then I made a sandwich: raw silk back side placed face down, cardboard insert, wool felt and then front piece placed face up. I sewed around the edges a few times and I kept the stitching fairly raw.

Once I had the piece all sewn together, I used fabric pinking shears to cut around the postcard, cutting it down to the final 4" x 6" size.

I used fabric pens and markers to decorate and add my affirmation: Remember to Follow Your Art.

And I even added the STAMP HERE on the back side!

Not bad! Now that wasn't so painful. I still have a serious case of sewing machine envy but my little Brother did a good job and the bobbin only ran out at the last minute.

So give it a try, find a few scraps and a piece of cardboard and make your own CLOTH postcard. Let me know how it goes and if you discover any new techniques or processes. I'd love to hear about it.

Cheers,

A Look at Zentangles

Jenn Mason — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:54:00 GMT

It seems fitting to once again welcome people to the new community. You guys have really hit the ground running. It was fun to see things slowly ramp up yesterday and now, it's like you've all grown up over night. You're starting your own forum threads, encouraging others along their art paths, (and helping with their artistic dilemmas,) uploading photos, finding your art from the New Year's Challenge, (and posting the link to the art in your personal blogs,) and having a wonderful time.

So please, keep spreading the word! As our

community grows, so to will your resources and opportunities to meet other like-minded people.

Today I also wanted to continue with my work ongoing studio discoveries for our "pass it on: mail art affirmations" reader swap. (More info can be found here.)

In a nut shell, we're inviting readers to swap a favorite art-related affirmation, quote, or positive message with other readers through mail art. Once you receive your swapped mail art message, we encourage you to keep spreading the positive vibes by passing it on via mail to another artist--or make another one to send along.

Last night I decided to sit on the couch and relax after the long and happy day of responding and chatting with all the new community members. This meant, in order to sit on the couch and work on a postcard, I was going to have to go to my old standby, pen and ink. I curled up with my Nov/Dec 2009 issue of CPS and took a good close look at the Zentangle article and decided to give it a go. I used a Microperm pen and some watercolor paper postcards and started doodling.

My affirmation (or quote)? Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Don't you agree?

So today's studio challenge is Pen and Ink Doodling (or Zentangles), give it a try!

Have you started on your entry for our postcard swap? I sure hope so. Some of the mail art has already started flooding in. I'll be back tomorrow with another postcard and another studio challenge.

Don't hesitate to leave me a comment here, I'd love to know what you're working on for the swap.

Cheers,