Assemblage

Ready, Set, Take Your Travel Journal and Go!

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
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On the Hunt for Found Objects - New Webinar with Jen Cushman

Found objects are everywhere-from flea markets and thrift shops to the beach and the city street. With new technology, you can make molds of your most precious found objects and replicate them for use in your mixed-media assemblage and other found object art.
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Make Feathers for Assemblage and Other 3-D Art

Today, I have a handmade feather tutorial from mixed-media collage and assemblage artist Jenny Cochran Lee. Jenny decorates her 3-D mixed-media collage assemblages with these easy-to-make embellishments.
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Celebrate 'Put a Bird on It' Month in Mixed-Media Art

It's May 1! Where I live, that means birds are singing, nesting, and flying. Where I work, though, birds are everywhere, all year round. That's because birds are a popular theme in art, and a lot of fiber and mixed-media artists seem to like to "put a bird on it."
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Pretty and Practical Art Studio Storage

I recently completed a flurry of art projects. After congratulating myself on my productivity, I turned around to look look at my home studio , and wondered, "Who made this huge mess?
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Scrapbook Paper, Art, and How to Turn One into the Other

Every time I reach for a piece of scrapbook paper to create handmade cards or paper collages , a devil and an angel pop up on my shoulders.
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photo Friday–brick remnants

Today’s photo comes from one of those gift moments in life. This is one of those times where you’re just walking down the street, minding your own business and something special appears. I took this shot in Portland, ME. A town I highly recommend you
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Paper Art: Chart a New Course with a Mixed-Media Map

Several events have happened lately that have made me stop and ask myself where I'm going in my life, among them a birthday and the realization that my children are getting more independent.
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Encaustic Art Can Take Many Forms

One of the aesthetic pleasures of working with encaustic medium is the smooth, rich surface that seems to make the artwork glow. But that doesn't mean encaustic art has to be flat.
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Fabric Art to Feather Your Nest

The vestiges of last week's snowstorm still linger in crusted mounds all over our yard. But I can ignore them because of the unmistakable spring sound of birdsong that has been filling the air the last few mornings.
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Printmaking Inspiration and Tips: Q&A with Dorit Elisha

My only formal training in printmaking came many, many , years ago in a high school art class. We made intaglio prints, silkscreen prints, and woodcuts. I absolutely loved the class and still have some of my prints (they're all of houses, a favorite theme of mine to this day).
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Mixed-Media Art Techniques: The Benefits of Keeping a Sketchbook

To me a sketchbook is where you practice, try out ideas for your next painting or background texture, and make written or drawn notes to yourself. Here are three important reasons why collage and mixed-media artists should keep a sketchbook.
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Tricks for Creating Cohesive Art Journal Pages

If you want your art journal pages to have a cohesive look, I have three tricks to share with you today, courtesy of Kari McKnight Holbrook.
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How to Make a Collage: Getting Started

Collage is probably my favorite artform. I like paper collage, fabric collage, and mixed-media collage . I think it's my favorite because collage art gives me the chance to use pretty much every supply in my studio. Plus, I just love cutting and gluing.
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I {heart} paper, do you?

I hope by now you’ve heard about our new magazine for paper lovers because o ur submission deadline is closing in quickly! Want the inside scoop of the type of projects we’re looking for? Here are some ideas! Silhouettes (people and or pets!) Books from
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Mixed-Media Jewelry: How to Add Color with Alcohol Inks

The other day I was taking in some eye candy on Pinterest and saw some beautiful mixed-media jewelry made from bent silver spoon handles. Some had beads attached and some had words stamped onto them.
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Giving comes back

This month I’m celebrating my #oneword “give”. I’m so glad to have you along for the journey. To read more about my #oneword adventure for 2013 click here . Check out the links at the bottom of this post to read more about other “giving” situations! Sometimes
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Giving you a new publication!

This month I’m celebrating my #oneword “give”. I’m so glad to have you along for the journey. To read more about my #oneword adventure for 2013 click here . Check out the links at the bottom of this post to read more about other “giving” situations! Today
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Conversation Heart Collage Make-Along - Free Webinar

Join Cloth Paper Scissors editor Jenn Mason on Valentine's Day for our very first free Make-Along Webinar, February 14, 2013, at 1 p.m EASTERN TIME.
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Upcycle Wool Felt Scraps into a Jewelry Bag

Today I'm sharing a little project from Kristen Robinson for making sweet bag for your jewelry or to hold a special little gift. Kristen makes these bags out of wool felt or linen; you can use purchased felt or make it even more personal by upcycling a wool sweater into felt or upcycling your fabric
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Three Stress-free Collage Background Techniques

Do you want a quick way to get over blank-canvas-itis and jumpstart your collage art ? Of course you do! But I'm feeling generous, so I'm going to give you three tips for how to make a collage background you don't have to stress over.
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How to Alter Metal for Mixed-Media Jewelry

Did you know you can turn a piece of metal into a component for wearable art ? All it takes to make jewelry from found objects are some common mixed-media art supplies, some metal found objects or pre-made blanks, and a few basic techniques.
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photo friday–fabric flowers

I’m so excited to share this photo from the Clover booth at CHA last week. These beautiful Kanzashi flowers were all made using their cool new templates. I can’t wait to see what mixed-media artists can do with these flowers. Today I’m hoping my
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Thoughts on Thursday: Fabric art with heart

Are you tired of giving the same style valentine every year? Do you need some inspiration? Look at these lovelies, taken from the May/June 2007 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors . In her "Lost and Found" article, Jennifer Valentine (yes, that's
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photo friday–in French

Today’s Photo Friday is really more of an image than a photo. I am always in search of ledgers. What makes someone’s receipt so appealing 100 years after it’s written? I’m sure the customer who made these purchases wasn’t all excited about getting a copy
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Explore Mixed-Media Art Techniques with a New Free eBook

What is mixed media? At its essence, mixed-media art is about using more than one medium in a piece of art. Beyond that requirement, mixed-media art techniques are boundless. To give you an idea of the range, we've assembled five different mixed-media artists with five different approaches in Exploring
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Thoughts on Thursday: Mixed-media stitch

Mixed-media artists are known for their adventureous approach to art making. One look at any Materials list in an issue of Cloth Paper Scissors will immediately show the vast array of items and products that can be found in a mixed-media art space. From
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Mold Making: An Easy Way to Replicate Favorite Found Objects

Buttons are a weakness of mine. I buy vintage buttons by the card and by the jar. I have hordes of them. I like to play with them, sort them, and of course use them in art.
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Mixed-media artists: The inside scoop

We just finished off a great Demonar at CHA and I wanted to say thanks and leave some follow-up information for any of the participants that attended. Thanks to the following contributors who donated product. Grafix - grafixarts.com The Crafter’s Workshop
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Photo Friday–rocky shores

Happy New Year my makers of collage , my writers of art journals , my fans of assemblage ! It’s so great to be back with you in the new year. We have so much exciting new stuff to share with you this year—please pull down on your safety harness and keep
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Resolve to Make More Found Object Art This Year

It's a new year, and perhaps one of your resolutions is to be more earth-friendly or to use what you have rather than acquiring new stuff. Well, I have the perfect role models for you. Susan Andrews and Carolyn Fellman (known collectively as the Oiseaux Sisters), have to be two of the most inventive
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10 Collage Lessons Learned in 2012

Making collage art seems simple. After all, schoolchildren do it all the time. But, making an original, well-designed piece of collage art takes more than a session of cutting and pasting pictures from an old magazine (though that is a lot of fun and very relaxing).
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Collage Art Gifts to Make in An Hour

Honestly, this year I really did start early on my holiday crafting. But here it is Christmas Eve, and I still have a couple of last-minute presents to create. If you're in the same boat, don't despair! I have few collage projects you can use for 11 th hour gift-making.
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A Dozen Collage Tips (and a Once-in-a-Lifetime Sale) to Celebrate 12-12-12

In case you didn't notice, today is December 12, 2012, aka 12.12.12. Therefore, I feel obliged to offer you a dozen of something. How about 12 tips for collage art ?
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Assemblage Art: Tips for Getting it Together

About a year ago I mentioned that my husband, Nick, had become interested in assemblage art . Although Nick is an accomplished draughtsman, he also likes to tinker. He's Mr. Fixit around our house (and other people's), and likes nothing more than to fiddle with things to make them fit together
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How to Make a Book for Keepsakes

Lately I've been going through family photos, making piles of snaps by holiday, season, birthday, and so on. My idea is to put holiday and seasonal groups of photos in a collage frame to rotate throughout the year. For the birthday photos, I want to make handmade books for each of my girls so they
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Thoughts on Thursday: Fun with Resin

I have always found items made with resin intriguing. I love the floating effect that resin creates and the fact that you can "float" just about anything in it. Enter Heidi Boyd. In the January/February 2013 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Heidi
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Make Ethereal Fabric Art from Painted Paper and Silk

Just when I think I'm starting to catch up on all the mixed-media fabric art projects I want to make, I get the new issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, and I discover yet another project I just have to do.
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Upcycled Art Dos and Don'ts

After literally tripping over my stash of fabrics, papers, and found objects recently, I am on a mission to downsize. And so I'm looking for ways to use and re-use items I already have, upcycling them into art or useful objects.
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Gel Medium Transfer with Film: Technique by Jane LaFazio

When you want to apply a drawing or painting to fabric and you don't have the resources to print your own fabric, what do you do? Use an image transfer technique .
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Easy Gifts to Make - 6 Tutorials in a New Free eBook

They say it's better to give than to receive — but I say it's better to give and receive handmade gifts. If you agree, you'll find the inspiration and instructions you need for artful gift-making ideas in our new free eBook from Cloth Paper Scissors Today , 6 Quick and Easy Gifts to
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Make a Folded Travel Journal On-the-Go

What do you do with graphic papers besides recycle them? Turn them into a travel journal ! In fact, you don't even have to wait until you get home. Begin your handmade journal on the road using a map or brochure and fill it with found items from your trip.
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Encaustic Week–my look at assemblage and wax

When the idea to do this Encaustic Week was announced, I immediately knew what I wanted to talk about. Assemblage! As editor of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, I get a really good look at a lot of new techniques that I want to try. I’m always wishing
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Upcycled Art: Free eBook on Creating Beauty from Recycled Materials

In this free eBook, Upcycled Art: 4 Free Tutorials on Upcycling Ideas and Creating Recycled Art , we offer you recycled art projects that help you winnow down your collection of found objects — and make room for new ones!
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Make Mixed-Media Jewelry with Gelatin Monoprinting

This year, the only place I plan to go for Halloween is to the door to hand out candy. But if I had a party to attend, I'd make myself a piece of mixed-media jewelry like this Gypsy Gelatin Necklace created by Jenn Mason to complement my shawl and hoop earrings. This fun piece of wearable art combines
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Photo Friday–the color pumpkin

I am in a pumpkin funk. Don’t worry, I’m not sure it’s contagious, but I think it is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. Oh, did I forget to mention that I like being in a pumpkin daze? Yes, I’m totally blissfully happy. It all started with
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Collage Art Lesson: How to Make a Pleasing Face

Babies. Puppies. Disney princesses. What do they have in common? Big eyes, a large forehead, and features scrunched up cutely in the middle of the face. It's what's called a pleasing face, according to artist Julie Fei-Fan Balzer. One that makes you want to look at it. One that makes you smile
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What Defines Mixed-Media Art? You do

Often, when I try to explain what I do, some people question me as to what constitutes " mixed-media art ." When I tell them it means a work of art that uses more than one visual medium, I either get a blank stare or a look that implies I think they are dense. As if to say, "Of course
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Digital Art - Ways to Repurpose Your Images

I was thrilled to get a sneak peek of the November/December 2012 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors where Nikki Smith writes about how to print your own custom tissue papers using the computer and digital art .
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Find Mark Making Ideas Everywhere

We have a running joke around here. Assistant Editor Barbara Delaney, a former early education teacher, often looks at a process used by a contributing artist (like marble painting with shaving cream or weaving with torn papers) and says, "We did that in pre-school!"
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Put it On Paper: Arts and Letters

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my husband's birthday with a party. I asked the guests — his siblings and closest friends — to bring photos and ephemera from days gone by that we could all enjoy.
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Collage and the Color Wheel - How to Harmonize

My house is a collage of bold colors. Also, I like complements, and I'm not afraid to use them. Why, just this past weekend I painted my back door eggplant, accented with sunflower yellow. It pops against the blue-gray shingles and makes me happy just to look at it.
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Never Too Hot for Encaustic Inspiration

I really thought this was going to the summer of encaustic art. I imagined myself out on the porch with my electric fry pan, wood boards, encaustic medium, papers, and fabric, whiling away the day creating encaustic collage.
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When Mixed Media Meets Serendipity

People often ask me, "How do you get in the magazine?" Although I'm no longer in a position to make give input on submissions, I can talk generally about the process. The answer is that you need talent, but you also need to present something fresh. And a lot depends on timing.
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Why You Need an Artist Statement Before You Have an Art Business

A lot of artists don't think they need an artist statement unless they have an art business or plan to show their art. But an artist statement can help you focus on the art you truly want to make and what you want to get out of making it. Once you know that, you can turn to the question of whether
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photo friday–“tines” to Create

What exactly is the difference between the disgust I get when I pull a fork out of the dishwasher that still has food on it, and the enjoyable “dirty” patina on these forks? I love these tined beauties set against the pink background. They are all engraved
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Our Five Most Popular Collage Art Posts - What Can You Learn?

To me, collage is the most accessible means of exploring mixed-media art. Start with ephemera and glue for paper collage and add paint; choose fabric and add stitch for fabric collage; "glue" with wax for encaustic collage; or play on the computer or tablet to create digital collage.
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Learn to Emboss Metal and More with Free Embossing eBook

In our new free eBook Embossing for Mixed Media: How to Emboss Using Fiber, Paper, and Embossing Powders, Plus Techniques for Metal Embossing , you'll learn all the embossing basics, from embossing tools to how to use a heat gun.
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Vote for the Best Mixed-Media Artist Lightbulb Joke

At the end of Monday's blog post , and on our Cloth Paper Scissors Facebook page , I asked, "How many artistsdoes it take to change a lightbulb?" Your answers gave me a lot of laughs, so now I'm going to give something back.
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Assemblage Art Project: Now Here's a Bright Idea

When it comes to found objects, aka 'junque,' my husband no longer even pauses when I tell him to save something he is about to cast out. He knows if I say "Save that!" I have assemblage art on my mind. (He's even started to make his own assemblages.)
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Mixed-Media Art Techniques for Creating People

What's the first recognizable thing we draw as children? Often it's a stick figure. As grown-up artists, too, we like to include people in our mixed-media art : loved ones, interesting strangers, imaginary characters — even ourselves.
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How to Make a Collage - Learning from Each Other

How do you make a collage ? What materials do you use? I'm often asked that question, usually right after I tell people what I do. People who don't do art or who aren't familiar with the kinds of art we create here are genuinely curious. So I feel kind of bad when I answer them. Because the
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Five Favorite Fabric Art Posts with Projects

Recently I did a little research and discovered that of all the blog posts we've written here at Cloth Paper Scissors Today , many of the most popular ones focus on fabric art .
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Free mixed-media art projects? Tell us what you think!

What types of projects have you come across in your journey online that you just love? For me, the best kinds of free projects are the ones that pop-up at the same time a big task is winding down. I love it when they come into my life as time becomes
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Collage Prompts Your Muse Can Use

A lot of people find summer to be a relaxing and carefree time. Not me. I find the lack of structure — with no school and people around me going on vacation — disrupts my creative flow. Sometimes it's just too hot to think of an idea for a collage — let alone a sewing or screen
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Collage Projects in Relief - An Artist's Guidelines

Being able to see the negative space in a drawing or around an object can be very useful in all aspects of art. This skill helps you give flat art such as paper collage art more dimension.
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Photo friday having a ball with nature

Sometimes you just gotta love Mother Nature. These purple globes of happiness called to me on a walk through the Boston Public Gardens with my family last weekend—my lucky birthday outing. Actually they called to the entire family. My tween girls said
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Making Art Dolls and Softies: New Free eBook

Whether you call them softies, stuffies, art dolls, or craft dolls, doll making is something that many fabric and mixed-media artists enjoy. In this free downloadable eBook, Making Art Dolls: 4 Free Tutorials for Softies, Stuffies, and Art Doll Making , you’ll find a range of art doll patterns
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photo friday–having a (bumpy) ball!

It’s almost a shame that I can only share this photo with you for inspiration. Personally, I can imagine rolling these balls in paint and then over some fabric, or even rolling them over a gelatin printing plate to “pull off” some texture. But alas, I
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Easy Sewing Project for Mixed-Media Artists

Over the long Memorial Day weekend I spent a lot of time on my porch. I drank peach iced tea while dyeing fabric, screen printing fabric, and sorting through a bag of fancy fibers I might use to embroider the fabric later. My fabric art activities, combined with the number of flags flapping in the warm
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Advice from Collage Artist and Creative Guru Tim Holtz

Most artists I've met, well-known or obscure, are pretty nice folks. But when you deal with someone whose name is pretty much recognized by everyone who works in collage , mixed-media, paper art, and stamping, you might expect him or her to be distant or hard to access. You know, "Have your
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Ideas for Recycled Art: Time to Clean Out the Closet

My husband and I have been going through our closets and basement boxes to determine what is useful, what is trash, and what is "junque." The useful stuff we'll keep, give, or sell; the trash we'll toss (or recycle) and the junque we want to upcycle into recycled art projects .
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Tea for Tuesday - Mixed-Media Collage

If it's Tuesday it must be tea time, and this week I'm showing a mixed-media collage of teacups. My tea room. I inherited (my cousins might say "commandeered") a set of mis-matched teacups from my maternal grandmother. Apparently in
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Photo Friday - Seeing Circles

Repetition in mixed-media or collage can be a strong design element. Perhaps that’s why I’m drawn to repetition in real life. While walking the Brimfield Antique Show this week, I took a number of photos that focused on repetition. You’ll be seeing more
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Altered Books Make Great Handmade Book Covers

When creating your own handmade books , there are many options for covers. One of my favorites is to recycle the covers from an old book. I know many people — even artists — balk at cutting up a book. To them, books are sacred. But as a person who haunts yard sales, flea markets, old book
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Mixed-Media Designs for Wearable Art and Steampunk Jewelry - free eBook

When you're an artist you want to announce it to the world. So why not make art to wear? In this free eBook Making Art to Wear: 5 Free Mixed-Media Designs for Wearable Art and Steampunk Jewelry , we'll show you how to make mixed-media jewelry and art to wear on your head, wrist, neck, and ears
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Map Out Your Travel Journal Backgrounds

My husband and I only argue in two places; one of them is the car. (The other is the kitchen, if you must know.) In the car, we used to argue over map reading. I could keep an entire travel journal just on the bickering and muttering and wrong turns that have occurred over the years. Nick loves maps
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Cloth Paper Scissors: May/June 2012

Check out our Mixed-media Wearables issue! Read all about our CPS Shoe Party. Make a whimsical pendant or a painted and stitched cuff. Carve stamps from your photos. Meet artist Linda Scharf. Get technical and create a personal banner. Check out our new reader challenge: Felted Wonders.
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Collage Composition in Three Easy Steps

I've written before about the benefits of working among artsy people who can give you feedback and advice on your art. I especially rely on Jenn Mason for critiques on my collage projects .
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Photo Friday–Sushi-go-round!

Today’s picture is all about obscuring what you see to see something else. This photo was taken from the second floor of my local mall. I loved the sight of these sushi plates crawling around the restaurant on conveyor belts while the diners sat wagon
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Photo Friday–Okey doke artichokey!

Hi friends, it’s Friday and it’s GORGEOUS here in Massachusetts. We’re a little afraid that we might get snow in August with the weather being so unseasonably warm right now, but you know what? I’ll take it. I’m feeling so moved by the weather that I
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Unique Textural Foundations for Your Collage Art

You can collage on pretty much anything that's stabile; paper, stretched canvas, canvas boards, and wood are just the beginning. Here are five substrates on which you can make a collage that will give your collage art depth and texture.
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The Best Encaustic Art Technique Book for Mixed-Media Artists Yet

I don't usually do this, but I am about to gush over a new technique book. The Encaustic Studio: A Wax Workshop in Mixed-Media Art by Daniella Woolf is simply the best, most comprehensive, and most inspiring book on encaustic art techniques I have ever seen-and a video comes with it, too boot.
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TV Dreaming!

Do you ever dream of being able to turn on the TV and have a show that’s just for you? A mixed-media and collage based how-to show with new techniques that you want to run into your studio space and try right away? I do. I love watching HGTV and the Food
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How to Attach Metal in Assemblage Art

When my husband returned from a trip to Hawaii last month, he brought home coconuts for our daughters, a pair of earrings for me, some Kona coffee, and three odd looking, rusty pieces of metal he found on the ground.
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Tips on Tuesday: Found papers for mixed-media art

Whether you're working in your journal, creating a large collage, or creating a unique piece of assemblage art, found "papers" are a mainstay for adding texture and color. Looking through Cloth Paper Scissors , I came across a variety of
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Collaborate on Your Next Mixed-Media Art Project

Ever since learning about round-robin and similar kinds of collaborative mixed-media art projects, I've wanted to be part of one. But I haven't made the effort to join or organize a round-robin for a couple of reasons.
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Cloth Paper Scissors March/April 2012

Get technical with our "Wee Planet" tutorial. Discover how to Let Go & Be Bold! Assemble "Dream Boxes." Learn about the Prayer Flag Project. Meet Alice Harrison. Make durable layers with delicate papers. Upcycle lightbulbs to create colorful birds. See the results of our Carve
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A Paper Surprise Leads to Art Studio Storage Plans

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how I had decided I had enough paper and other ephemera and I was going to weed out my stash . . . until I discoveredRebekah Meier's fusible paper method.
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How to Make Collage Art the Fast & Easy Way

Recently I was making several small collaged artist trading cards (ATCs) to give as gifts. As usual, I was under a time crunch. So I said to myself, what is the most efficient way to make a collage in multiples?
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What to Do About Mixed-Media Art Stash Build-up

Here is why I have such a hard time getting rid of anything in my stash. It seems as though the very minute I decide I don't really need something because I rarely use it, a mixed-media art technique comes along to prove me wrong. Cases in point: fusible web and ephemera.
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Birdhouse Art to Wear: An Easy Mixed-Media Jewelry Project

When I spied these adorable Chirpy Birdhouse Pendants on the cover of Handcrafted Jewelry magazine (a special issue from the editors of Beadwork), I immediately sidled up to him, directions in hand.
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Adventures in Book Making, Travel Version

Traveling in the winter is risky business, as I can attest by my experience last week with a non-stop, three-hour flight to Chicago that entailed landings in Nashville and St. Louis before reaching my intended destination in Springfield, Illinois — where I wasn't supposed to be until the next
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On my way to cha

I am packing my bags, loading an extra copy of my Powerpoint presentation, and looking for my sunglasses, all in preparation for my trip to Anaheim to attend CHA (the Craft and Hobby Association Show). This Saturday I will be helping to judge the
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All About Image Transfers: Free eBook Just Published

Image transfer techniques can be used in just about any form of fabric and mixed-media art to create artistic visual imagery. All you need are the right tools and the know-how.
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Build a Better Collage

Last week I talked about ways to improve your art composition. Today I thought I'd build on one of the tips, layering, by talking about ways to literally build up the layers on your collage for a dimensional design.
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5 Ways to Strengthen Your Mixed-media Art Compositions

When I look at a mixed-media composition that's well put together, I think, "Of course. Of course you would put the focal point there and the bit of contrast there and the handwritten text there . That only makes sense."
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Make Fabric Collage Nests to Hurry Spring

When Vivika Hansen DeNegre joined the Quilting Arts Magazine staff as editor earlier this month, I was thrilled. I admire a lot of fabric and mixed-media artists, but Vivika makes the kind of art that I aspire to create myself.
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Start the Year with a Self-Portrait Assemblage or Collage

I'm not much for New Year's resolutions, but I do like to take stock this time of year. Who am I? Where am I going? Am I on the right path? What do I want to do more of in the coming months, and what should I let go of to make room for that?
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Ten Tips for Making Color Work in Collage

Until a couple of years ago I had almost no yellow fabric in my stash. What I did have had either been given to me or was leftover from one of my kids' projects.
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Tips on Tuesday: Create a visual travelogue

With Christmas days away, meaning school vacations and lots of activities, what a great time to do some traveling . . . and some journaling. Plan ahead so you allow time for journaling . . . and have a strategy for saving and storing momentos and bits
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Make a Collage with Holiday Leftovers

I love Thanksgiving, and not just because there is pumpkin pie. There is the meal itself, which I enjoy whether I am preparing it or bringing a dish (usually pumpkin pie) to someone else's house
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The Life Cycle of An Art Journal

When I was learning the life cycle of a butterfly at a tender age, I found it fascinating to watch phase one, as the fuzzy (and rather creepy) caterpillar munching away on leaves.
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The Mixed-Media Assemblage that Snowballed

I'm probably in the minority here, but I generally find snowmen more scary than endearing. Maybe it's their exaggerated features (soulless coal eyes, crooked grin). Or maybe it's the way they inevitably slump into a sad puddle.
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Acquaint Yourself with Mixed-Media 'Quaintings'

Mix paint with fabric, thread, and ephemera and what do you get? Mixed-media quilted paintings, or "quaintings" as artist Cynthia Frenette likes to call them.
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New: Your Guide to Found Object Art Assemblages

We all collect stuff, don't we? Little pieces of this and that found through junking, scavenging, or just keeping our eyes open to the possibility of the rare texture and unusual shape of the found object.
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Tips on Tuesday: Try different surfaces to showcase your art

I have a very old chair that I have been thinking about painting. Structurally, it's in good condition, but it needs a little sprucing up. I decided to look at magazines to get some ideas . . . and got totally side tracked. I did see some great ideas
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Announcing the 2012 Artisans!

Entries arrived from all over the globe, as far away as Australia, and as close as Massachusetts. One of the side benefits of holding the Artisan Search is that while choosing the top 5 Artisans, we also discover great new talent! We will be bringing
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Cloth Paper Scissors STUDIOS Fall 2011

This 148-page issue marks the debut of a dazzling new department, “Studio Styles.” Our mission is to celebrate good design in any price range, offer suggestions on how to personalize your studio, and encourage you to live creatively with what you love. In search of design advice we went straight
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cloth paper scissors september/october 2011

Meet Ivan Lovatt. Make your own Steampunk dolls. Carve a reduction print. Make your own custom paper. Print a cyanotype journal from an vintage photo. Build a deconstructed assemblage. Enjoy the results of our "Wild Wire" Reader Challenge. Take a Look At: Water-soluble Art Supplies. Get ready
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A Mixed-Media Anniversary Gift List

A few weeks ago my husband and I paused in the middle of knocking out a wall in our kitchen to discuss our wedding anniversary (which is today). As we pondered how to celebrate, Nick asked, "Is there a 'traditional gift' for 22 years?"
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Learn Encaustic Techniques with Our New Free eBook

In the past year, I have become enthralled with encaustic collage-and I'm not the only one. More and more mixed-media artists are exploring this technique, traced back to the ancient Greeks, that allows you to enrobe papers, fabric, and found objects in beeswax and paint. The warm, rich, glossy result
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Mixed-Media Supplies: Substitutions That Work

Often when I'm knee deep in an artistic process and I realize I'm out of (or can't find) a tool or supply I need right now-black paint, gel medium, my Cropadile — I stop a moment and think: What would Debbi and Cheryl do?
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Announcing the 2012 Artisan Finalists!

Drumroll please! I am happy to announce the following 25 finalists for our Artisan Search 2012! The judging was difficult, but we’re excited to see the the art in person. Below is a list of the finalist names and their username so that you can see their
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10 Creative Tips for Tough Times

Times are tough for a lot of people right now, and lately, the world seems more unpredictable than ever. But rather than abandon artistic pursuits, it seems to me that creative people are more passionate than ever about their art. Even if it's not a livelihood, it's a lifeline; the thing that
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4 Free Mixed-Media Stitch Projects for You

I love to use fabric and stitch in my mixed-media art, but I don't have the time (or desire) to create big quilts or complicated clothing. Easy sewing projects that include elements like raw-edge appliqué, painted surface design, heat transfer images, some hand stitchery, found objects-and
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Dress Your Collage in Layers

One of the great advantages of working with a bunch of artsy people is that every day is a chance to do a little show and tell — and get feedback. Thus, when I was having trouble getting a collage just right, I headed straight for Cloth Paper Scissors Editor Jenn Mason's desk one Monday morning
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I'm Just a Big Softie for These Little Wishing Art Dolls

I contend that anyone who has even a passing interest in fabric has a little softie deep inside them, waiting for the right opportunity to come out. For me, it came in the form of the Fancy Scrap Crows Kelli Nina Perkins made for Cloth Paper Scissors back in 2007. I had never had the slightest interest
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So Easy: House Collage Assemblage Project

I couldn't possibly tell you which Cloth Paper Scissors issue is my second favorite of all time. I find something creative, meaningful, and enlightening in each and every one. But my favorite ? That's easy: Issue 18, May/June 2008. Aka the one with the tea party cover. Why? A combination of things
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Learn How to Make a Collage with 4 Free Techniques

What's involved in making collage art? Paper, paint, fabric, stitch, found objects, ephemera — just about anything you can think of.
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She Wrote the Book on Surface Design Techniques

I h ave several books on surface design techniques using dyes. But the most comprehensive one on my shelf is the aptly named Surface Designer's Handbook: Dyeing, Printing, Painting, and Creative Resists on Fabric by Holly Brackmann.
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Tips on Tuesday: Be prepared for art making

What perfect weather for sitting outside and sketching...doodling...journaling. This doesn't mean you'll want to create every time you're able to just sit, but I am here to encourage you to be prepared for the moment(s) when your Muse encourages
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On-the-go Art Journaling Advice

Summer is approaching, and you know what that means: Road trip! We are planning an 800-mile trek to Michigan, and I plan to pass the time by keeping a traveling art journal (when I'm not driving, of course). Even though we are taking the car (and by "car" I mean "minivan") I don't
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Metal Art: 5 Ways to Work It

I had just dropped my daughter off at her riding lesson Saturday when I saw a sign that said "Barn Sale." Somehow, my car spontaneously turned in the direction the sign was pointing, down the lane to the rustic red barn and the treasures within.
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Survey Says: You Missed It!

A while back we asked readers some questions about Studios magazine to get an idea of where we were on the right track and where we might make adjustments. One of the questions we asked was whose studios you most wanted to see. Many of the answers weren't that surprising: the names of some of the
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Cloth Paper Scissors STUDIOS Winter 2010

Winter Studios will show you real-life art and craft studios that function beautifully in tight spaces and give you tips on how to maximize your available space as well. Enjoy the beautifully photographed and inspiring studios of 28 quilt and mixed-media artists including: Catherine Thursby, Janice Avellana
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cloth paper scissors may/june 2011

Meet Lisa Klakulak. Make colorful magic with your markers. Journal in 3-D. Create your own letters. Paint portraits inspired by the masters. Make a mixed-media found object assemblage. Enjoy the results of our "Stenciled Garden" Reader Challenge.Take a Look At: cutting tools. Get ready for
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Choosing the Workshops that are right for you

You’ve saved your money, made your plane reservations, found a roommate to share hotel expenses with (if you save on your room, you can afford more workshops!—right?) and the time has finally come to attend your first (or second, or third, or…) art retreat
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Encaustic Week Wrap Up

Jenn Mason Cloth Paper Scissors Editor Well, that was fun! A whole week of encaustic art , encaustic painting, and encaustic medium! I think we could really cover encaustics for an entire month because there is so much to learn. Speaking of things to
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3 Ways to Get Better Known as an Artist

You don't have to be a star, baby, to be in our show. In other words, you don't have to be a household name to submit an article idea for publication or a concept for one of our video productions. We're looking for fresh, current ideas and new twists on old ones, whether you're an established
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A New Trick for Needlework Geeks

My friends, I must reveal something to you. When I was 16 I used to sit home on Saturday afternoons waiting for my favorite show to begin: "Erica" on PBS. This show featured Britain's queen of needlework, Erica Wilson, demonstrating crewel and needlepoint stitches.
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Mixed-Media Meet Up! scheduled for CHA

Join the Mixed-Media Meet Up! with Cloth Paper Scissors Editor Jenn Mason. Who: Mixed-media Junkies (and enthusiasts) What: Cloth Paper Scissors Mixed-Media Meet Up! When: Saturday, January 29th, 2:30pm Where: On the floor of the CHA Winter Show Booth
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Creative Character Tutorial for Art Journaling

After getting my first look at the new book Art at the Speed of Life , I knew I needed to get in touch with author Pam Carriker to ask her to share a little project with you. Pam graciously accepted and put together this Character Construction tutorial
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Dare to Dazzle this Year!

Marci Rae McDade is the editor of Fiberarts. Welcome to the new Fiberarts Focus blog! In print for over thirty-five years, Fiberarts is the world's leading textile arts publication, covering the best and most interesting work in basketry, knitting
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Special fibers for new and exciting art

It's a new year and it's time to spread your creative wings and try some new materials, products, and techniques. Have you used any spunbonded textiles in your artwork lately? What are they, you ask... We recently got a sneak peek at Wendy Cotterill’s
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Studio Time: New Uses in the New Year

Forget about spring cleaning. One of the best times to get organized is when you’re setting your goals, and there’s no better time to do that then the beginning of the new year. New use for an old trunk by Victoria Grobels. While flipping
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Easy Image Transfer Tutorial to Start the New Year!

Happy New Year! Are you ready for a fantastic New Year filled with art making? I sure am. We’ve got great art coming your way in every issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine , from January all the way through December. This year will bring art journaling
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Follow Along Friday - Boulder Studio Tour

When you combine business with pleasure, sometimes it's hard to tell which is which. That was the case a couple of weeks ago when I flew out to Colorado a few days before a business conference at our Loveland offices, in order to visit with family
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Found Object Thursday: Drawer

Do you have friends and family members who bring you found objects to use in your art? I have an army of friends who are always bringing me cool things or even leaving them on my doorstep. I love receiving these little gifts, especially when I know I
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Mixed-Media Mosaic: Reader Gallery Art for Charity

Wreath by Mary Jane 10 Have you ever created art for a charity? Why? What charity? I saw this beautiful piece by community member Mary Jane 10 . She created it for the upcoming ALS Wreath Fundraiser/Auction. Which got me wondering
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10 ideas to help you answer the call for art

The best think about having your art published in an art calendar is that everyone gets to appreciate your work for an entire month (or longer if you’re like me and forget to flip it over!) While you’re busy appreciating all the wonderful art in the Cloth
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Celebrating the Artisans!

I've been adjusting to my new Boston/Boulder shuffle as I adjust to a two-home, 1/2 time living situation, and was very eager to see my Stow peeps this past week. Imagine my glee when I entered the office and I wasn't only greeted by smiling colleagues
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Announcing the 2011 Cloth Paper Scissors Artisans

More than 500 fabulous entries were receive and winnowed down to 25 finalists in 5 different categories. Then, thanks to our special guest judges, Sue Pelletier, Robert Maloney, and Merrill Comeau, who had the unenviable task of choosing one winner in
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Artisan Search 2011 Finalists Are Announced!

We put the call out and you answered! Every issue of Cloth Paper Scissors ® has amazing art submitted by our talented readers. This year we spread our net wider in search of the best mixed-media artists around. One winner will be chosen for each of
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Cloth Paper Scissors September/October 2010

Meet Ann Wood and her whimiscal creatures. Learn easy faux silkscreaning and try our paper and plaster pumpkins. Experiment with Steampunk style earrings and play with texture and layers. Create a painted fedora with the Crafty Chica and celebrate the Day of the Dead with Michael deMeng. Take a look
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Cloth Paper Scissors STUDIOS Fall 2010

Enjoy the beautifully photographed and inspiring studios of 30 quilt and mixed-media artists including: Deidre Adams, Pamela Allen, Seth Apter, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, Gene Black, Tristan Blakeman, Annie Cesarz, Dayna J. Collins, Judith Content, Nancy Eha, Kaffe Fassett, Mary Hettmansperger, Teresa Kogut
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Check out our new artisan art!

The Artisan Search 2011 continues… Looking to find new and exciting art and artists, Cloth Paper Scissors has challenged artists to send us their best art in one of five categories: Mixed-media Stitch , Art Journal and Book Making , Printmaking
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Inspiring ways to use new products

This Just In Whether it’s a product, a tool, or a storage item, we have all used our things in imaginative ways to help make our art spaces or our art our own. A child’s lunchbox repurposed to corral ribbons, a vintage hutch storing paints
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We Want You! Show Us Your Art Mojo

You may have been reading Cloth Paper Scissors for four months or four years. You know your way around rusted metal, ledger sheets, and image transfers with your eyes closed. You drink encaustic wax and eat peanut butter and gel medium sandwiches for
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Make It University!™ Preview

The summer calendar is filling up fast! And one not-to-be-missed event is the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach, California, July 23-25 (Preview Night July 22). Yes, it is a quilt show, but mixed-media artists would be totally remiss to overlook
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You’re Invited to Enter our Challenges!

I just found out today that you can preorder the 2011 Cloth Paper Scissors Calendar that was created by 13 fabulous mixed-media artists who entered our Calendar Call for art last fall, which got me thinking about our Challenges. I wish I could send each
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Cloth Paper Scissors July/August 2010

Learn how to make mixed-media pendants with musling. Read about Susan Lenart Kazmer's love of found objects and jewlery. Discover new ideas for Guerrilla Art. Travel to Paris with the Oiseaux sisters. Get the basics on metal embossing. See the results of our "Pendant Swap" Reader Challenge
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Be a Technology Savvy Mixed Media Artist

Over and over again we hear from our loyal readers how they don’t want us to ever stop printing a paper version of our magazine. Well, we don’t want to stop that either. We hear you—we know you like to take your magazine to the doctor’s office, soccer
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5 Smart Ways to Add Metal to Your Art

Mixing Metal Into Your Art Every time I sit down in my studio to create art, I stop and think. What do I want to make today? What ideas have been floating around my head and want to be explored today? Sometimes I know exactly where I’m going, even
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Studio Goodies from Brimfield Flea Market

Just got back from a day trip to the gigundo flea market that is Brimfield (Massachusetts) and I have goodies to share. Well, OK, pictures of goodies. I was on a mission to find quirky storage and organization containers and furniture as well as displays
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Personal Shopper—Brimfield is Here!

If you’ve never experienced the thrill of an antique show like the one held three times a year in Brimfield, Massachusetts, you have live. As I work diligently on the July/August issue of Cloth Paper Scissors , I know that the show has started
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You Could be Our Next 2011 Artisan

Announcing the 2011 Artisan Search Every issue of Cloth Paper Scissors ® has amazing art submitted by our talented readers. This year we're spreading our net wider in search of the best mixed-media artists around and one of them might just be
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Hurrah, the Time to CREATE is here!

I'm so excited to finally announce that registration is open ! I know you've all been waiting patiently to see what we had in store for our first-ever CREATE with Cloth Paper Scissors art retreat. The website has all the information you need to
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Taking Time for Texture

Textural Inspiration At this time of year, Nature puts on a glorious, colorful, textural display to help push us out of our winter doldrums and I am constantly drawn to it: the buds of various sizes, shapes, and colors on the trees; the plants bursting
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Cloth Paper Scissors May/June 2010

Learn to layer texture with Katy Monnot in the Workshop. Read about Robert Maloney's love of texture in the Artist Profile. Discover a beginner's guide to assemblage and try 3-D printmaking. Spend some time exploring text as a collage element with Lisa Occhipinti, and experiment with a Adrienne
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How to Make a Good Impression

Sometimes you have to get a little extreme to really make an impression. Sometimes it takes a hammer. After getting some new tools and supplies into the office, I couldn't wait to try them out. We have brass blanks (pre-cut brass shapes) from Vintaj and Letter Punches, in our store, that play so
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Ephemera Dilemma Solved

Hi everyone, In this episode of In the Studio with Cate, we address an email from Betty Anderson, who writes: I have tons of clippings/old mags/postcards/etc/etc/etc I'd love to see an article on organizing the small pieces of paper that are to integral to our art but a pain in the BUTT to store
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Cloth Paper Scissors January/February 2010

Designing Fabric; Sketches on fabric; Mixed-Media approach to quilting; dyeing technique; Sub Urban Art - selective Rusting; Edges; Monoprinting with texture plates; Journal quilts; Spontaneous explorations in color; Re-create your sketchbook images on cloth; Edges; Goddess at the last minute with Robbi
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Cloth Paper Scissors July/August 2009

Art-on-the-go; mixed-media painted and collaged squares; whimsical images: combine a photo, fabric, paint, stitch, and more; metal collage; watercolor travel journal; artful journaling with found papers; garage-turned-studio space; Life's a Beach challenge results; new columns Muse Flash and Homework;
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Cloth Paper Scissors November/December 2008

Combining copper with collage and painterly elements; Cheap & Chic; A rippin' approach to collage; mixed-media collage; whimsical sculptures; tell a story with fabric and ephemera; rusticating relics; Studios Sneak Peak; first ever cloth paper scissors calendar contest; opportunity quiltlets;
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Cloth Paper Scissors September/October 2008

Mixed-media collages; A mini quilt collage; The importance of clouds; Combining paper & quilted surfaces; Easy, colorful fabric books; Creating with digital prints on Lutradur and lace paper; Delicious cupcake assemblages; Recycled fabric treasures; A creative exercise in machine needle felting;
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Cloth Paper Scissors May/June 2008

Mixed-media fabric collage; Use photographs to create original fabric paintings; Vintage Spoon Books; create colorful keepsakes; fiberart for a cause; collage & paint some comfy chairs; The anti-boredom solution for kids; constructing your dream house; Mixed-media "Tea Party" Challenge;
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