Several years ago I came upon a few sections of bedsprings at a yard sale. I've disassembled some of the sections and used the parts in various ways. But I've always wanted to use the springs as nests.

There have been a lot of comings and goings in my family lately. I was out in Colorado, my husband traveled to Arizona, and most exciting of all, our daughter returned from a semester abroad in Costa Rica. We all brought back gifts and mementos from our journeys, but I am most anxious to see Olivia's travel journals.

Every time I walk into a store that sells paper goods like handmade cards and art papers, I long to own a paper store. The idea of being surrounded by the colors, patterns, and textures of printed and handmade paper all day simply moves me.

When it comes to Mother's Day gifts, I have always most enjoyed the handmade, heartfelt ones: poems, drawings, pinch pots, and the like. Even as my girls have grown into adulthood, I've made it clear I prefer something from the heart over something from the mall. (My birthday is a different story).

In Mixed Media + Painting Techniques: 4 Free Paper and Fabric Painting Ideas, we bring you mixed media painting techniques you can use in a wide variety of art projects.

Now, this is not a space for news or politics, but it is a space to talk about art. Art heals and soothes. Art is therapeutic. Art is meditative. So that is why I'm in my studio making collage art.

When you're faced with a blank canvas and want to create a background or you have a collage or painting that needs a focal point, reach for a stencil.

Earlier this week, I wrote about how to turn your doodles into personal imagery you can use again and again in your art. That got me thinking about another way you can reuse a drawing, doodle, or an entire collage or painting: image transfers.