Altered By Me

It took some will and determination but I finally managed to create some art this weekend. I started on Friday and with all the stops and starts I had to do what with taking care of the family and doing chores I managed to pull together this 5 X 7 mini art quilt. The challenge on the Paper Imagery Designs yahoo group last week was Wear Me. The theme was to creat a piece of art that could be worn or was of something worn. I have been admiring the vintage shoe sheet since it made it's way to my house almost a month ago.  I knew I had to use it in a piece of fabric art. At first I thought I would make an atc, then after I made the transfer I decided a 4 x 6 would be better. Then the more I thought about it I though you know what? I am going to do a 5 x 7. And the 5 x 7 size worked out perfect for what I had brewing around in my mind. When I first started pulling out my stash of fabric and trims I was thinking Marie Antoinette. Pink and  frilly but as I started putting it to...

So I missed wordless Wednesday yesterday. I have been having some computer issues this week. I am not sure if I have the problem fixed or the computer gods are playing a cruel trick on me. After many hours of trying to figure the problem out I started uninstalling some new programs. I'm not sure if that fixed the problem or not but my computer is running at the moment and since I don't want to jinx myself I will move on to another subject. The picture above is what the corner of my kitchen table looks like at the moment. I am working with fabric as you can see. Many moons before I started playing with paper and mixed media I did fabric crafts. I've made quilts and cute little sachets and cute little fabric ornaments. I made whatever I felt like in other words. I have always collected fabric and sewing things.  I have boxes and boxes of lace trims, seam bindings, thread, and sewing notions. Most of the time I can't find half of it because it is put away. So I am wo...

Yesterday I shared my first published piece of art in Somerset Studios with you. It makes me giddy just thinking about it. LOL But I also need to share some other news. I will also have a piece of my fabric art in the new Exploring the Latest Trends in Mixed Media Vol II book published by Sherre Hulber t & Cynthia Powell . The book will be available very soon and when it is I will post a link for you. You can also check out the great tutorials and information about the first volume and other books that Sherre & Cynthia have published on the Latest Trends In Mixed Media Art website. Even tho the book hasn't come out this was the first piece of my art that had been selected for publication. The day I got that email I was doing the happy dance. Thanks for stopping by! Arlene

I love fabric don't you? I love going through my stash and just looking and rubbing pieces of fabric that I really love. A couple of weeks ago I decided to make a baby quilt for my newest granddaughter. I love the Chinese coin pattern and after looking at a bunch of blogs I decided to do that pattern. I actually have a queen size quilt that I made a long time ago with the pattern that I started hand quilting, got about 1/3 of the way finished. Every year I think about it and think I will drag it out and finish the quilting but I don't. So after dragging my sewing machine out for the quilt I decided to try my hand at art quilting. I tell you "labels" can throw a girl off, read on for an explanation. I've been reading books, reading blogs, reading magazine articles thinking there is just no way I can do this. Why? I don't know intimidation? Self doubt? Insecurities? I kind of felt the same way I did when I first started in mixed media. I didn't want to post...

This past week one of the ladies in the Paper Imagery Designs group posted some of the artwork she has been making based on the KC Willis Collage Camp Workshop she has been taking. Betty made a beautiful piece and you can see it on her Altered Expressions blog. If your interested in learning how to make beautiful fabric collage pieces check out KC Willis's Collage Camp site. There you can see some of KC's exquisite pieces and find out all the information about her workshop. And when your done signing up for her workshop hop on over to her Lip Stick Ranch blog and find out how you can enter for a chance to win a $300 shopping spree of her art work.

There have been a few things that I have been working on the past few months that were for publication and I haven't been able to share them. Here is a sneak peak at a couple of pieces of art that I've done for the Daily Window website. If your not familiar with Daily Windows bags click on one of the icons at the top of this post or the link and you can see some of the great handbags they sell. These bags are a great way to showcase your artwork or to even show off pictures of the grand kids.     This second piece is a little different from what you are use to seeing from me. I have worked with fabric on and off for years. I even did the quilt thing for a while. I recently scored a bunch of vintage lace and trims at an estate sale and couldn't wait to do something with it. Another fabric piece I made has been accepted for publication but you will have to wait to see that. I'm so excited I can't wait for the book to come out.   Both images used a...