navylane :: musings

Did you ever think you would see the day when a magazine would be solely dedicated to blogging? Well, check this out: the premiere issue of Artful Blogging, a new quarterly publication by Stampington that focuses on creative bloggers and their visually inspiring online journals. Isn’t that a great concept for a magazine? Definitely a sign of the times.

I am delighted to have both this blog featured in this issue, as well as my Inspire Me Thursday site. A true honor to be in such good company; I’ve enjoyed reading about the other creative blogs and community sites, some well known to me, others a delightful new find. Lots of wonderful talent and inspiration in this issue, be sure to check it out!

To celebrate, cute and clever ArtsyMama is hosting an Artful Blogger party, complete with cake and punch and lots of fun party-goers :)

I’m bringing the mango lassis and sharing a few ideas for making your own creative stamps using random everyday objects that will add lots of texture to your artwork. I am still on the lookout for someone to bring an appetizer of extra time! Party on, creative bloggers!

· click each page for a better view ·

A gorgeous altered cabinet card that I recently received from my dear friend Maija, who I met at Artfest a few months ago. Her cabinet cards were just featured in an article she had published in the Summer 2006 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors, and deservingly so, they are beautiful!! Thanks again, sweet Maija!

A few months ago I was the lucky recipient of an autographed copy of Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos and Altered Books. The book’s core philosophy is that art journaling is all about ‘getting to know yourself better, savoring the wonderful ebb and flow of your everydays, and celebrating it all in visual momentos of your life journey.’ The authors have a fun, relaxed and witty style and offer a wealth of projects, techniques and journal prompts, as well as a glimpse at some of their own journal pages. If you’re interested in journaling but are intimidated by the blank page, or you need a reminder of how fun and easy art journaling can be, this book is definitely for you!

A couple of months ago I was at the bookstore perusing various art books when I came across Claudine Hellmuth’s Collage Discovery Workshop. The book intrigued me yet I put it back on the shelf thinking its content wasn’t in line with where I was at in my art at the moment. I just didn’t think I had the time to learn what seemed to be such advanced techniques nor did I have the money for a slew of new materials.Someday, I thought to myself.

Then I listened to Claudine’s segment in the archives of the HeartsART site. Wow. She is so vibrant and fun and interesting. I just knew I had to have her book!

So as an early Christmas present to myself, I picked up a copy this week and I am so glad I did. It really does have some great techniques and her style of writing makes you feel like she’s a friend sitting right next to you in the studio. Plus, most of the materials are things I already had (or could borrow from my husband). I can’t wait to get started trying some of the techniques!

Since I subscribe to all of my favorite magazines, I rarely bother to look at the magazine racks while shopping. So it was nothing less than pure serendipity that led me to come across the premiere issue of Cloth Paper Scissors this past week. I am amazed I hadn’t heard the buzz about this magazine already; it is so fabulous! I love the talented artists, the interesting and inspiring articles and all the gorgeous artwork. I keep flipping through it again and again, finding something new and wonderful to gush over each time.