Altered States of Mind

Meeting Notes from 6-14-10

2010-06-15T02:29:00.002-04:00

We met tonight for the first time at the Bellevue Beadery. Only three members were in attendance at the 1st meeting at out new location, Angie, Sandi and Barbara. We discussed the 9th Annual Breast Cancer Brick Auction. Sandi will be getting bricks for all the members of the club. Please remember, you do not have to decorate a brick. Definites for decorating a brick are: Angie, Barbara, Carla, Sandi, and not sure are: Beth, Jean, and Pam. The decorated bricks are to be auctioned off on Sunday October 10 at the Cintas Center @ Xavier University. The proceeds benefit the Ellen B. Ganson Foundation. Click here for additional information. Click Here for another site with more information regarding the Call to Artists. The second site shows the actual flier and shows bricks that have been submitted in the past. Hope this will give you ideas. Sandi will be picking up the bricks and the distribution will be announced soon via an email to everyone in the group. We are striving to be able to get these turned in before the first deadline of August 9. If we make that deadline, then our bricks will be considered for inclusion in the Bricks Along the Journey Calendar. Now wouldn't that be an honor to have a brick in the calendar.

At the next meeting please bring your brick and plan on working on it at the meeting.

After the brick project is finished we are planning on going back to the Altered Surfaces book. However if anyone has a book with a particular technique that you want to learn, please bring the book in, we would love to add that to the techniques we want to work on at future meetings. We even discussed the possibility of working from 2 or 3 books just so we don't wind up bored with one book. We want to try to get into other publications as well.

Since attendance was slim, we adjourned early.

We are looking forward to the next meeting and don't forget to bring your brick.

Our New Home

2010-05-24T00:17:00.000-04:00

Well it looks like we have found a new home for our monthly meetings. We will now be meeting at Bellevue Beadery. They are located at 341 Fairfield Avenue Bellevue, Ky. 41073. Our first meeting at our new home will be Monday June 14. Meeting time will be 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

I am lookiong forward to our new location.

Retreat Projects

2010-04-21T01:28:00.009-04:00

The retreat was so much fun. We all gathered at Jean's house at 9:00 am. We had breakfast, a hot from the oven, Sausage-Cheese Strata. I will include the recipe at the end of this post.

The first project we did was soldering. Sandi walked us thru the whole process and we all did fine with soldering. This is a technique that takes time to perfect. To get really good, we have to keep doing soldering projects. You know the old saying, practice makes perfect.

Angie's front & back.

Jump rings were a challange

Beth looks like she had things under control.

Sandi has this soldering thing perfected.

Angie got adventuresome.

This will look great with a bow attached. Looks like a piece of Jolly Rancher candy doesn't it??.

Next we moved on to the fairy dolls.

These are so cute and everyone had fun with this project.

These dolls speak for themselves.

Each of these dolls have their own personality. Everyone enjoyed this project.

After we finished with these fairies, we broke for lunch. We had barbeque, salads, fruit, desserts. It was a great day. Next we were on to the final project and it was the most time consuming but it gave stunning results. Great things come to those who wait.

Metal etching - the last project.

Combine muratic acid and peroxide then stamp for the resist and then put the metal in the acid bath for 15 minutes or so while the magic happens. This is a process that must be done in a well ventilated area and saturday the weather was perfect for this project. We worked outside and everyone was pleased with the results. Here are a few,

It was so great to see the beautiful results we obtained doing the metal etching project. Especially after the metal sat in an acid bath for 15 or so minutes. We were all wondering what the outcome would be. All the projects were fun and exciting

After the third project, we were done for the day. The time flew and it was over in the blink of an eye. What a great day.

A big thank you to Sandi, Beth, Carla and Angie for all their work and pre-retreat efforts to have everything ready for this fun day.

Next month we will be meeting at the Kenton County Library 6:00p.m. - 8:30p.m. on Monday May 17.

The recipe for the Sausage Cheese Strata:

10 cups french bread cubed 1/2" to 3/4"

1 # breakfast sausage, fully cooked and drained

1 4oz. can of mushrooms drained,(I use stems & pieces)

10-12 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

3 1/2 C milk

7 beaten eggs

1/4 t salt

1/4 t pepper

I make this in a 9X13 sheet cake pan. Grease the pan and cover the bottom of the pan with 1/2 of the cubed bread pieces. Top with the cooked and drained sausage and mushrooms. Sprinkle the cheese next and then add the remaining cubed bread pieced to the top layer.

In a large bowl combine eggs and milk salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture over the layers in the baking pan.

Bake uncovered in 325 degree oven for 50 - 55 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving. Makes 12 servings

TIP: You can make ahead, prepare as above, cover and refrigerate over night. Bake and serve as above.

Hope you enjoy this dish, its easy to make and is always a hit!!

Retreat April 17

2010-03-24T13:08:00.014-04:00

The retreat has been scheduled for April 17, 9:00 - whenever(probably 4:00 p.m.)

It was decided upon that we will be working on 3 great projects.

Soldering - led by Sandi C.
Fairies - led by Beth M.
Etching on Metal - led by Carla D. & Angie B.(Below are 2 pics of their trial run.These pic's are posted on Angie's blog so click here to go to her blog for more info.Scroll down to the March 14 posting.)

Items to bring:

For the soldering project

Soldering Iron *
solder (lead free)*
flux *
sponge try to bring the type that has a green scruffy on one side and the sponge on the other.
soldering tape *
Glass slides 1"X3" and/or 1 1/2" X 1 1/2"
clamps to keep fingers from getting burnt, clamp type clothes pin could work.
flux brush - do not bring sponge brush for this project

* = available at Hobby Lobby

For the fairies project

Scrunchies (from the Dollar Tree store) these have chiffon on them

For the etching on metal project

Heat Tool
Spray Paint - optional - any color, acts as a resist
Eye Protection (very important)
Smock (important to protect your clothes since we will be working with muriatic acid)
Rubber Gloves (kitchen kind will work)
Rags
paper towels
Metal sheets *
Black staz-on
stamps
permanent markers
stencils
acrylic paint
painters tape (masking tape)
plastic containers - about the size of a chinese take out carton
metal cutting scissors- you will need these if your metal is too thick to be cut with regular scissors

*= available at Hobby Lobby (possibly in the model section)
This retreat is going to be another great and fun day of learning new techniques that we will be able to use in our altered art.

We are all looking forward to this retreat. See you there.

Meeting March 8

2010-02-17T20:49:00.003-05:00

The next meeting of the Altered States of Mind group, will be held on Monday March 8 at the Public Library, the Erlanger Branch on Kenton Lands Rd. We have the room reserved 6:00 - 8:30 (Please note, this is a change from our earlier plan for the March meeting)

We will be working out of the book, Altered Surfaces, this is a Design Originals Book.

We will be working thru the Technique on pages 12-13., "Hobby Plastic as a Surface." Items needed are:

Plastic, acrylic or plexiglas

Scoring or cutting tool for plastic(OlfaP-Cutter 800, scoring tool or Inscriblio, etching tool)
Tools and pens to make marks

Alcohol wipes to remove oil and fingerprints

Acrylic paints in various colors

Update on Paste Paper Projects Class

2010-01-30T13:13:00.002-05:00

I spoke with one of the individuals in charge of the class and she said it would be okay to pay for the class when we arrive on Feb.13. I will need a head count of those wishing to take the class by our next group meeting Feb. 8.

Cinti Calligraphers presents paste paper projects

2010-01-29T18:55:00.003-05:00

Please RSVP to Carla (email/phone listed on your email) ASAP (Sunday/Monday) if you are interested in attending this workshop.

*For the Framable Art project ...bring a mat and/or frame of your choice. You will want

the opening to be 8 X10 or larger! (I buy CLEARANCE framed art at HomeGoods, but

make sure you disassemble it & remove the old art so it is ready to go that day!)

*Calligraphers: ...in addition bring your favorite pens, black & white gouache, mixing

brushes, water bottle, pencils, eraser, ruler, paper towels & any other calligraphic tools

that you wish.

*Non-CalligraDhers will be given some instructions/guidance on how to add text to your

project in an easy way. You may want to print out your text ahead of time on nice paper, in

segments which can then be cut apart and added to the page, although not necessary. If

you wish to try some writing of text, please bring pencils & gel pens in white and/or black.

*ALL levels of skill and enthusiasm are welcomed.

*PLEASE be prompt as there is a lot to cover in 6 short hours.

*Bring your own lunch to eat as you wish (there is a small refrigerator but no microwave)

*Parking is FREE at Dunham Recreation Center

For those who would like to take this class, but do not have Paste Paper or some of the

other listed materials, DO NOT let that stop vou! We will have Paste Paper for sale and

sharable supplies aplenty. Arches Text Wove and other decorative papers will also be

available for sale by the sheet.

ASOM January meeting notes and news

2010-01-13T10:30:00.009-05:00

Pictures above are the boxes some of us worked on at the January meeting and Carla's crackle technique sample. The crackle technique is from Claudine Hellmuth's 2nd book: Collage Discovery Workshop--Unexpected Techniques (http://www.amazon.com/Collage-Discovery-Workshop-Unexpected-Techniques/dp/1581806787)

We discussed new meeting places and came up with several suggestions. Jean has offered to let us meet in her heated garage but will be out of town in February. Angie was able to reserve the Erlanger library meeting room:

ERLANGER BRANCH

401 KENTON LANDS RD

ERLANGER, KY 41018

(859) 962-4000

MON-FRI 9:00-9:00

SAT 10:00-6:00

SUN 1:00-5:00

for us for the February meeting. Sandi checked out the Boone county library on 25 in Florence and they do have a meeting room also but it was booked for February. Barb Bruder also checked with Lana at Scraps--Lana has offered to let us meet at her store for a fee of $20 for the group(per meeting). Thanks to all for checking those out!

So for the February meeting we will meet at the Erlanger library (free) and see how that works out. There should be plenty of room there so if Kendall and Jean want to get in touch with their friends (Carol and Pam) and let them know about the changes I think we will have room for additional members now and can open the group to more new members.

We will continue to work on altering boxes at the next 2 meetings. If anyone has a technique related to altering boxes that they would like to teach at the next meeting please email me with details(supply list) and I will post them on the blog. Angie--would you teach the image transfer technique you used on your Christmas ornament block for us at one of the next 2 meetings? I think it could work on a box too! And I really want to try it!

Jean passed out maps to her house at the January meeting and I will email her address for everyone before we meet there. Thanks to Angie for sharing cards from American Greetings!

Also there is a short 2 page layout on crackle paint in the Altered Surfaces book in case you have it and want to check that out(pages 36-37).

For the February meeting please see last months post for a list of supplies you might want to bring to work on your box. Please bring some kind of paper or mat to cover your work surface, a cup or plastic dish for water, and some paper towels since we are working at the library. We must leave the library as clean as we find it before the meeting.

Barb Bruder--thanks so much for hosting our meetings at Creative Stamper for the past several years! We are sorry to see the store close. Best of luck for the future.

Meeting Monday Jan 11th still on!

2010-01-02T18:12:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to assure everyone that we are still meeting Mon. January 11th at Creative Stamper. Sadly, it will be the last meeting there before the store closes. We hope to find a new meeting place soon which we can discuss at the Jan. meeting. Jean has kindly offered her heated garage where we are also planning to meet for the April jewelry retreat. Hope to see everyone at the meeting --I'm looking forward to altering a box! The above pictures are 2 boxes my cousin altered for me. If you want to add rust/patina to your box it would probably be a good idea to do that before the meeting to save time.

The purpose of an Altar

2009-12-26T10:29:00.002-05:00

from Jean:

Intention and Intuition
The Purpose of an Altar

If you didn’t grow up with an altar in your home, having an altar now may seem like an exotic and unattainable idea. Yet having an altar does not have to be complicated or difficult, nor does it need to be based on a religion or a set of ideas that don’t seem to relate to you. An altar can be a simple, personal expression of what you want to focus on right now. You do not have to build anything or take up a lot of space. You do not have to buy anything new or follow a complex set of instructions to create your altar. All you have to do is have a general understanding of what an altar is and the willingness to allow yourself access to this wonderful, ancient tool of transformation.

At its most essential, an altar is simply a raised structure that serves as a resting place for meaningful objects. It focuses the eye and provides a place for contemplation and, if so desired, ritual. All of these elements can be quite simple. One idea for a simple altar is a pot with a bulb planted in it, set on a box. This altar to growth can act as a reminder to you that all living things bloom in their time. A simple ritual might be to write down dreams you would like to see come to fruition on scraps of paper. You might place these scraps of paper in the box, or under the flowerpot, or in an envelope you prop against the pot. As the flower grows, so will your dreams.

If you look around your home, you may find that you have already created altarlike arrangements without even really thinking about it; this is something we humans do quite naturally. A candle, a decorative box, and a vase of flowers are just a few of the common household objects that lend themselves naturally to the creation of an altar. Simply add intention and intuition, and you have created your first altar. Remember that it isn’t necessarily about the objects you place at your altar—it is the time you spend with it daily, taking the time to be with it for your sacred time.

http://www.dailyom.com/articles/2009/21286.html

Creative Therapy --a shadow box

2009-12-16T13:06:00.003-05:00

Just came across this in my "research and development" (or in other words my blog/twitter reading) and thought that our box project for next month could be a shadow box too! Rebecca Sower is one of my favorite artists---I love her book kits especially but all of her art is inspiring. Read about her latest inspiring project here:

http://creativetherapy.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/catalyst-ninety-two/

Or follow her blog here: http://rebeccasower.typepad.com/

Altered Shrine

2009-12-16T12:15:00.002-05:00

Thought you all would want to see the altered shrine that Jean Webb brought in. She was given the shrine by the artist Pam Thompson who is one of the people interested in joining our group. The shrine has been in the classroom at Creative Stamper for the past couple of months but everyone may not have had a chance to see it. Here's what Pam emailed me about the shrine:

I made a series of Sacred "Alters" over a year ago and had them for sale in a shop in Covington. Although they were well appreciated and received many positive comments they did not sell, so I took them to Jean's yoga class one night and gave them away to good homes. Jean's selection was the largest one I made. All items were found at yard sales, thrift stores, etc. Jean's was made from a hand constructed box from 1939 as I recall. I really don't remember what was in that particular box. If I saw a picture I could comment. I secured items with super glue (E600), but did not secure items that would hold candles or incense, so that they could be moved outside the box and lit if so desired.

The painting on the front was my first and only attempt at painting with a palette knife, but I had watched a friend do it and saw that it was very easy to do a mountain with that technique. It probably took me only about an hour from start to finish. It is the technique that Bob Ross taught.

I have two small Asian "alters" that I kept. One was made from a wooden cigar box painted white and has a stature of Kwan Yin and the other was made from a small drawer painted glossy black and has a statute of Buddha. The front of the Kwan Yin "alter" has a pastel collage of the goddess along with a 3 dimensional butterfly. The interior has her stature and a rose shaped incense holder.
The Buddha "alter" has a black incense holder inside and the decorative top piece is an aquarium ornament of an Asian bridge painted black.

I am about to embark on some new shadow boxes. It takes a while to collect things and I have several possible containers now and some items that could make for fun boxes. Since the "alters" didn't sell I thought I'd try a different direction. These will tell stories in some form. I am thinking about trying some of the old myths told in Women Who Run With the Wolvesas well as some other classic story images.

Christmas Party 2009 part 2

2009-12-16T11:28:00.007-05:00

Here's the pictures of ATC's (metal tape project), final 6x6 art, and Christmas items exchanged!

Christmas party 2009

2009-12-16T10:18:00.006-05:00

What a wonderful Christmas party we had! The food and drinks were great and the Christmas ornaments were fun and festive! Several people brought books to look through and we voted on using Altered Surfaces (a Design Original book) by Chris Cozen for our next few meeting projects. Let me know if anyone has trouble ordering the book and I will try to scan a sample image along with the supply list for the projects. You can order the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Altered-Surfaces-Acrylic-Mediums-Grounds/dp/1574216368

January meeting: Mon Jan 11th at 6:30pm

We also decided to alter a box for our January project. Bring any kind of box (cigar, paper mache, wood, tin, whatever) and try to pick some kind of theme for altering your box so you can bring embellishments and paint colors to decorate/alter the box. You do not have to make a shrine--your box can be whatever you want it to be--maybe you need storage for something in your craft room? We came up with the following supplies you might need: gesso, acrylic paints, glue, decorative paper(for covering box or lining the inside?), fabric, found objects, embellishments, ruler, Xacto knife(for cutting holes), heat tool, modge podge, glue gun. Carla volunteered to teach us a crackle technique using elmer's glue,acrylic paint, and heat tool. Here are some links to altered shrines and boxes that Angie and Jean sent along:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/feelingarty/1259414969/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/radarsmommy/3673523992/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/moonwild/328650965/

www.sacredartimages.com -- From menu on the left you’ll see shrines. Some are more religious, but may be good examples.

www.stampersmall.com/altered_art/ had a list that you could go through and one was specific for cigar boxes at RubberRoadAdventures.com

We talked about limiting the number of members for the group-we'd like to keep it at 12 due to space limitations in the classroom. There are 3 people(that I know of) who are interested in joining the group and we decided to fill the open spot by drawing a name at the next meeting. We will keep a waiting list for any others who are interested. I will be emailing the 3 people to make sure they are still interested and we will draw the name at January's meeting. The 3 people are Margy Vogel-Coomer, Pam Thompson, & Carol King(not the famous singer but a friend of Kendall's).

We also discussed possible field trips briefly and Saturday art retreats twice a year to replace that month's meeting(spring/fall?). Jean has volunteered her garage for an art retreat tentatively set for April 2010 where we will be learning jewelry techniques including copper etching(Carla) and possibly 1 or 2 other techniques that would need to be done in a well ventilated area.

Merry Christmas to everyone! It's been a fun year and next year is shaping up to be even better!

November meeting pictures and notes

2009-11-15T08:39:00.007-05:00

At the November meeting we exchanged fall 6x6 art and worked on metal tape projects from BB book--pictured here!

We discussed the December Christmas meeting (Mon Dec 14th) and decided to exchange some kind of Christmas ornament or art work(Christmas decoration) of your choice.

Bring an ATC using the metal tape project from November to exchange at the Dec meeting--or maybe you want to use your metal tape on your Christmas decoration/ornament!

Carla would love to get more recipes if anyone would like to bring a copy of a favorite recipe in to pass out(bring 11 copies so everyone can have one).

We also decided on finger food to bring and would like everyone to call Barb Bruder at Creative Stamper 344-0700 by Wed Dec 9th and let her know whether you are coming to the meeting and what food item you will bring (to keep from duplicates). Barb will then call everyone with a total head count.

We would like everyone to bring some favorite technique books to share at the December meeting. We can all look through them and decide on what projects we want to do for next year. It was suggested that we only do projects for 3 months at a time instead of the whole year and everyone seemed to like this idea. There was also a suggestion for having at least 2 all day retreats next year instead of our regular meetings--maybe more!

Sandi brought in pictures of Bricks for Breasts from a recent art auction that she attended for the Susan G. Koman foundation and we talked about contributing our own art bricks for next year--we will discuss this again next year when we know more about a date to have them in.

Art Retreat pictures

2009-11-11T08:59:00.004-05:00

Here are some pictures of a few of the projects done at the art retreat in October--art dolls, watercolor monoprint, and wire wrapped/fiber earrings. As always you can click on the images for a larger view.

More info on the November and December meetings coming soon!

Art Retreat and Nov meeting

2009-10-31T09:53:00.004-04:00

I hear that the art retreat was enjoyed by all! Big THANKS to Sandi and Carla for all the work they did to present fun and interesting projects. I hope you all will bring in some of the projects you worked on for show and tell to the Nov meeting.

Next meeting Mon Nov 9th at Creative Stamper. We are still exchanging Fall 6x6 art and ATC's if you want to bring one to trade. The project for the Nov meeting will be the Metal tape project in BB book pgs 80-83. Bring supplies if you have them: metal repair tape (wide), alcohol inks, blending solution, heat gun, brayer, scissors, rubber stamps, ink pads, stylus(dry emboss?), paint brush, black acrylic paint, paper towels. You might also want to bring chipboard shapes and letters or leaves that you can tape over and emboss around the edges. If you have any metal working tools(such as 10 Second Studio tools--especially the wheels) to share please bring them also!

We will be discussing ideas for the Christmas party and December exchanges and start talking about next year's projects too so bring some ideas with you!

Art Retreat Info.

2009-09-27T20:30:00.005-04:00

The supply list for the Monoprint Watercolor Class:
a) paper towels
b) blow dryer
c) paint brushes (ranging from large -small)
d) large spoon (metal)
e) small spritzing bottle for water
f) Dawn liquid dish soap
g) small containers for water
i) various materials for mark making (foil, plastic wrap, string, stencils, toothbrush, tooth picks,
etc...........) Whatever you can make a mark or design with.
j) inexpensive watercolor paints - (brand) Color & Co. - watercolors/aquarelle from
Michaels Craft Store)

Optional items: bring if you have them but not necessary to purchase:
1)watersoluble crayons (Carandache - Neocolor II Aquarelle)
2) brayer or roller
3) Arches Paper paper - hotpress (90lb) I will provide enough paper for two
small prints, but if you want to experiment, feel free to bring other paper .
Items I will provide: newspaper print sheets, printing plates, paper, some water soluble crayons.

Altere Block Art Dolls
Additional items to bring :
a) cordless drill with small drill bits
b) hammer
c) small pliers
d) If you can't find any doll parts, I will have extras with me to share
e) Heat gun
f) polymer clay
g) any type of found objects you would like to adhere to the doll

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at: www.dollartworkso5@yahoo.com

September 14th-Fused fibers and more!

2009-09-27T01:44:00.008-04:00

Posting pictures from the Sept. meeting: the project for the evening: fused fibers, the final summer 6x6 art exchanged, a few ATC's.

We discussed the October meeting which will be on Sat. Oct 17th from 9am-6pm and NOT on the Monday before as usual. Sandy and Carla are providing several projects and I will be posting additional supplies to bring for those projects when I hear from them. Sandy is bringing everyone a small paperbag book to alter as you like and wood blocks for the block doll that Carla brought for show and tell this month. Carla gave everyone copies of supply lists for 2 of her projects: wired wrapped beads and the wood block doll. More info on the water color monoprint project sometime soon! Special thanks to Carla and Sandi for all the work on the projects for October! We will order out food for lunch unless you want to bring your own.

Congratulations to Sandi for her charm being published in the last Crop Paper Scissors!

We had quite a lot of show and tell at the Sept meeting--Barb and Jean brought art from an Amy Flowers' class they took, Cindy brought her Halloween wood pieces, and Kendall brought some fused glass jewelry she made recently.

We will be doing the metal tape project in Bernie Berlin's book pages 80-83 for the Nov. meeting.

September 14th meeting

2009-09-06T13:09:00.005-04:00

Here's a couple of fusible web projects I found on flickr to get you inspired--the pink inchies by grrl+dog and the ATC's by csgebhart.

First of all I want to say welcome to possible new member Angie! Hope you will join us!

Hope to see everyone at the next meeting Monday Sept. 14th at the new Creative Stamper in Florence at 6:30pm.

Please bring your finished laminate chip from last month's project for show and tell! You can bring an ATC using any technique from the past for trade. And this month will be the final summer 6x6 art to exchange.

We will be doing the Fused Fibers project on pages 68-71 in Bernie Berlin's book. Please bring fusible webbing(roll or sheet form), yarn or decorative fibers, assorted embossing powders, silicone craft sheet, iron, and scissors to the meeting. Did you all watch Susan Pickering Rothamel's demo at Stampaway? She was using dicrofibers from USArtQuest and making some very beautiful art pieces with it. Her website is: http://www.usartquest.com/

Or you can watch her using them on a webisode here:

http://www.artcraftcreate.com/tvweb.html

Please decide if you want to order out food or bring something to share for the October 17th retreat-we will finalize plans for the retreat at the Sept. meeting.

Please send me supply lists for any projects you might be planning to teach for the October retreat so I can get them posted here! Carla will be teaching wrapped wire fiber jewelry and monoprint/watercolor on plexiglass using stencil type stamps. Sandy will bring a small paperbag book for everyone at the retreat, and Beth will bring supplies for boiled babies. Maybe you all could bring some samples to the Sept meeting so we have some idea of what we will be doing at the retreat.

ASOM August meeting

2009-08-12T10:14:00.004-04:00

First meeting in the new store! How many people besides me started to drive to the old place and then remembered that it had moved???

We exchanged summer 6x6 art pages and 2 ATC's using last month's dimensional resin project. We also had show and tell showing off all the classes some of us took at Stampaway this year and a few other recent projects. We discussed the October retreat and decided on a few projects to work on there. Carla will be teaching a monoprint technique and also fiber/wire wrapped beads. Boiled babies were also mentioned! Sandy will bring everyone a tiny paperbag book. The retreat will start at 9am and you can come and go as you please until 9pm. Food will probably be ordered in. We will talk more about that next month.

Sandy brought the project for the night and we all appreciated so much all the hard work she put in to bringing every little thing we needed to work on altering laminate chips. Thanks Sandy!!!

Please bring your finished laminate chips to the next meeting for show and tell since I didn't get around to take pictures of works in progress.

More in a later post about the September meeting.

Stampaway 8/8 and ASOM meeting 8/10

2009-08-06T09:51:00.003-04:00

This is a small denim bag I altered (added fabric flowers with fabric covered buttons and used some strips of Indian sari fabric--silk-- for the stems and leaves). I'll be wearing it at the convention!

Just a reminder for Stampaway convention at the Sharonville convention center this Saturday August 8th--more info here: http://www.stampawayusa.com/

Hope to see everyone Monday at 6:30pm 8/10 for the next ASOM meeting. We'll be doing the laminate chips with Sandy. Details in the last post.

July 13th meeting ASOM

2009-07-21T23:35:00.005-04:00

Dimensional Resin/melt art from the project we worked on--hot pots + UTEE + embellishments + molds = art!

Several summer 6x6 art pieces were exchanged and several ATC's from last month's UTEE/resin fresco technique were also exchanged.

We also discussed October retreat projects: Carla--could you teach us how to do the fiber wrapped wire beads? Sandy promised to bring everyone a mini paper bag book to decorate. Any other requests for projects? Let us know by email or the next meeting. Everyone can bring their own projects to work on. The October retreat is set for Saturday October 17th possibly 9am-9pm or later at Creative Stamper.

The new Creative Stamper's address is 225 Main St. in Florence, same phone number (after 7/27).

Sandy will be helping us with the August project: altered laminate chips. Supplies to bring: Stayzon ink, fibers, embellishments(charms, buttons, etc), stamps, paint, ephemera, Crafter's pick glue.

September's project will be the fused fibers technique in Bernie Berlin's book page 68.

Don't forget Stampaway on Sat. August 8th at the Sharonville convention center. See you there or be square!

new twist to paste paper

2009-07-12T10:46:00.003-04:00

Just saw these on Art Kerfluffle's blog and thought they looked like something fun to try! Paste paper with stencils used underneath! Here's the link: http://artkerfuffle.blogspot.com/

See you all Monday eve!

July 13th meeting

2009-07-05T19:53:00.004-04:00

Hope to see everyone at the next meeting Monday July 13th 6:30pm at Creative Stamper(old location). The store is moving July 21st or so.

We will be exchanging summer 6x6 art pieces and ATC's using last months resin fresco technique. We will be doing the dimensional resin technique on page 60-63 in Bernie Berlin's book. Bring hot pots, silicone molds, mica, metal repair tape, embossing ink, heat tool, assorted embellishments, rubber stamps, & baby wipes (if you have them). We should have enough to share.

Please bring cards for Ramona's future SIL who is in the service.

At the last meeting we discussed having an art retreat at the store Sat. October 17th. Please think about something you would like to teach or learn for the retreat.

Sandy will teach the project for the August meeting--altered laminate chips.

June 8th meeting pictures

2009-06-09T17:14:00.010-04:00

Here are the pictures from Monday's meeting. Sandy's show and tell bottle dolls, the last spring 6x6 art pieces exchanged, 4 ATC's exchanged (using last month's faux tintype project), and playing with UTEE and paint and stamps for the Resin fresco and glasslike resin techniques. You can check out Carla's Barbie turns fifty entrees on her blog--link on the right side of the blog.

Also here's a link for the tempting template at Stampington that was in the latest Stamper's Sampler--it's a corset! Anyone want to play? http://www.stampington.com/html/tempting_template_jj09.html

Creative weekend and June meeting

2009-05-24T09:40:00.003-04:00

Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend and finding some way to be creative. I had some fun dying tags and ribbon yesterday! There was an article in the Spring 2009 Somerset Life showing how to do this with Easter egg dyes and I decided to try using distress ink instead(re-inkers). Loved the way they turned out! I want to do more!

The next ASOM meeting will be Monday June 8th at 6:30pm. We will be exchanging ATC's using last month's faux tin type technique and the last Spring 6x6 art pieces. The project is Resin Fresco in Bernie Berlin's book pg 54-55. Bring embossing ink pad, ultra-thick embossing powder(UTEE), heat tool, gesso, acrylic paint, and brushes.

Check out Creative Stamper's blog to see Barb's canvas book--we both enjoyed 2 classes with Amy Flowers in Columbus recently! (see links on the right side of the blog)

May meeting photos

2009-05-14T00:12:00.003-04:00

Pictures are of the 2nd spring 6x6 art for exchange, the 4 ATC's traded using last's month's technique(emboss scraps) and the faux tin type project sample we used for tonight's meeting. Thanks Barb Br for the fun project! We had lots of show and tell--I'll try to put a few pictures up of some of my recent class projects. See you all June 8th at 6:30pm for the next meeting.

May 11th meeting

2009-04-23T00:46:00.003-04:00

Barb Bruder will be leading a new project she is calling Faux Tin Types. All you need to bring is a Xyron 250 if you have one. Bring a Spring 6x6 art piece and an ATC from April's project (embossing powder/paper scraps) for exchange. As always we welcome any of your art you would like to bring for show and tell!

We will be doing the Resin Fresco project in Bernie Berlin's book (pgs 54-57) for the June project, Dimensional Resin (pg 60) for July. In August Sandy will teach us some of her ideas on altering laminate chips(she brought samples to the April meeting).

April Meeting

2009-04-23T00:36:00.006-04:00

Here are the first 6x6" exchanges for Spring! Followed by ATCs from last month's project using embossed resist technique and finally April's project: Embossing powder and scraps of paper.

Welcome Spring! and April meeting

2009-03-29T13:17:00.003-04:00

So happy to finally see some signs of Spring outside and in! I've been working on these spring tags lately! Got my sewing machine set up and I'm stitchin away!

Our next ASOM meeting is Monday April 13th at 6:30pm. Note the new starting time. I may be late. Please bring a 6x6 Spring tip in for exchange and an ATC using last month's embossing powder resist background. We will be working on Embossing scraps Pages 52-53 in Bernie Berlin's book. You will need the following supplies: paper scraps, glue stick, brayer, embossing powder, heat tool. It would be helpful to have ATC card size paper cut ahead of time.

Bring your latest endeavers for show and tell!

Embossing powder resist, fun foam ATC's, and winter 6x6 art

2009-03-11T09:33:00.009-04:00

Here's the artwork from Monday's meeting: the embossing powder resist projects--in progress, fun foam ATC's, and the final winter 6x6 art exchanges!

March 9th meeting of ASOM

2009-02-19T12:28:00.003-05:00

Watch out for the first crocus -- it signals the end of winter!

Hope to see everyone at the next meeting Monday March 9th! Bring an ATC using last month's fun foam technique to exchange and a 6x6" Winter art piece to exchange. Anything you've been working on for show and tell! We will be doing the Emboss Resist technique on pages50-51 of Bernie Berlin's book. Supplies to bring: brush, acrylic paint, stamps, clear embossing ink pad, clear embossing powder, heat tool, scrap paper or cardstock, craft iron if you have one!

We had some great show and tells at the February meeting: Sandy's paper doll using the Stampington template, Cindy's altered bird book, Carla's birthday metal dolls, Kendall's scenic art work and dominos, Beth's clothespin dolls and Barb Br and Carla's wire wrapped jewelry(bracelets). Thanks to Cindy for the Valentine tags for everyone and also to those who brought chocolate treats!

Please think about putting some of your art work in the Duveneck Art show which will be held on Mother's Day weekend. Let Carla know at the March meeting if you would be interested in sharing the cost of a table at the show.

Fun Foam ATC's

2009-02-10T23:38:00.003-05:00

Works in progress at the February meeting!

February/Winter 6x6 exchanges

2009-02-10T23:14:00.003-05:00

Here's everyone's 6x6 February/winter art exchanges! They certainly reflect the cold icy weather we've had this month!

Interesting altered blog

2009-02-08T11:55:00.000-05:00

Check it out:
http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/

Want to print a fake airline ticket?

2009-02-02T22:40:00.001-05:00

Barb Br. mentioned this at the last meeting--here's the link:
http://omatic.musicairport.com/

Have fun--I think I'll head for Bahama!

See you February 9th!

2009-02-01T14:38:00.001-05:00

(Hearts by Mary Stanley--Artfiberfest: http://www.teeshaslandofodd.com/fiberfest2008/workshops.html)

Hope to see everyone at the Feb 9th meeting! Bring a 6x6 Winter art piece for exchange, your finished postcard book from last month for show and tell, and the supplies for the fun foam project in Bernie Berlin's book pages 48-49: fun foam, scissors, gel medium, brush, gesso, acrylic paints, quick-drying pigment ink, rubber stamps.

Also check out the Stampington website for tempting templates:
http://www.stampington.com/html/tempting_template_index.html

Cindy passed out a copy of the winged doll template at the January meeting for
those interested in taking the challenge.  We also liked the dream house
template from Jun/Jul '08.  Cindy used it for her January 6x6 winter art piece!
Bring your dolls, houses or any other artwork for show and tell!

January meeting artwork

2009-01-13T23:20:00.000-05:00

Just posting pictures of the 6x6 Winter themed art pieces we exchanged and also the Postcards from the edge booklets we worked on this month.

Next meeting Monday January 12th

2009-01-06T00:09:00.000-05:00

Cindy Mauer will be teaching us Postcards from the Edge. We will be putting together a small book of altered postcards!

Supplies to bring: sandpaper, 3-4 postcards of your choice, various color ink pads--distress inks work well, black permanent ink pad, lumiere paints, polished pigments or pearl ex powders/paints, binder for pearl ex(gel medium/glaze medium), paint brushes, gel medium for adhesive for tissue paper, artsy stamps with good graphics or any theme you may want for your cards, word stamps (quotes, short phrases) for your theme, sponges or finger daubers if you don't want to get your fingers inky! Cindy will cut the covers for the books and bring eyelets to hold the pages together.

The idea is to sand away print, color image, etc. from the postcard and then adding back onto it the colors of your choice and figures, wording, etc., therefore, it becomes an altered postcard.

Please bring your 6x6" altered page for exchange--this month's theme is winter.

Christmas party art!

2008-12-16T23:52:00.000-05:00

I thought I would post the pictures of the ornaments and ATC's we exchanged at the Christmas party. Also included is a picture of the altered (blue) metal pieces Carla brought for show and tell. Merry Christmas! See you all in January!

December 8--Christmas party!!!

2008-11-23T15:25:00.000-05:00

(image from http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/)

Jean--we hope you are feeling better! We have missed you at the past few meetings.

Hope to see everyone at the December 8th Christmas meeting. Please bring a food dish to share and your own drink, an ATC using last month's transfer technique to trade and a handmade Christmas ornament to trade. I will provide paper plates, napkins and plastic silverware.

Starting in January we have decided to start a new exchange working in a 6x6" format. Some members will be working on 8x8" accordian books ordered through CS and Oriental Trading, others will put their own books together. We decided on a Seasons theme --as I understand it we will do winter pages for Jan-Mar, spring pages Apr-Jun, summer pages Jul-Sep, and fall pages Oct-Dec. This may be adjusted.

Cindy will be the new leader of the group for 2009. We will continue to work on techniques in the Bernie Berlin book but anyone who wants to teach a different project along the way will be added in whenever we like.

We would all love to see any projects you have been working on--bring them for show and tell! Did you make some special Christmas gifts, cards, or other projects? I would also be happy to add any pictures of your projects to the blog here if you want to send them to me at any time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November meeting-ATC's and transfer project

2008-11-11T10:20:00.000-05:00

Here's a few pictures from the November meeting--ATC's traded from last month's tissue paper backgrounds project and works in progress with the inkjet image transfer project. Next month--Christmas party!

Fat or chunky books

2008-11-01T15:57:00.000-04:00

Here's my idea for something fun to exchange for Christmas or next year: pages for a fat/chunky book--the pages are usually 4x4"! (As always you can click on the picture for a larger image--these are Halloween books.)

Please send me your ideas/pictures to post--I'd be happy to!

Here are some links to some examples:

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/rock.html

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/skinnybk.html

http://b-muse.com/FLB-Collage-gallery.HTM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrysti/collections/72157600412358601/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/chunky_book_arts/pool/

November meeting 11-10-08

2008-11-01T14:12:00.000-04:00

Hope to see everyone Monday Nov. 10th for the next meeting of ASOM. Last month we had a long discussion about exchanges for next year and I think we narrowed it down to a tag shaped accordian book (if we can find it to order for the group--not available at Oriental Trading). Everyone please bring some ideas for the exchanges for themes --color, subject, whatever.
We still need to figure out how this exchange would work--anyone have an idea?

Big thanks to Ramona for sharing her "Tim Holtz" makeNtake necklaces with the group (pictured above)! And Carla--thanks for sharing the slide mounts.

We will be making plans for the December meeting/Christmas party this month so bring your ideas for a fun project we could do.

As usual bring an ATC using last month's tissue paper technique to exchange if you like.

The November project is Transfers on page 44-45 of Bernie Berlin's book.
Bring watercolor paper (140lb if possible), color inkjet images on lightweight photo paper, brush, brayer, gel medium, and muslin if you have it.

October meeting ATC's and tissue paper backgrounds

2008-10-15T13:03:00.000-04:00

Just posting some pictures of ATC's using the NevrDull backgrounds which we exchanged this past Monday night and all of the tissue paper backgrounds in progress! I'll post about next month's meeting later this month.

Jean's art-NevrDull and Tissue paper backgrounds

2008-10-08T11:08:00.000-04:00

Jean will be out of town for the meeting Monday and was kind enough to send scans of the art she's been working on. She's been following along with the book and the first set of ATC's and 2 cards are what she did with the NevrDull backgrounds. The last set of ATC's are her tissue paper backgrounds. Great job Jean! Thanks for sharing!

Next meeting October 13th

2008-09-24T10:42:00.000-04:00

Hope to see everyone at the next meeting Monday October 13th, 7pm. We will be exchanging ATC's made using September's technique/project with never dull.

October's project is the tissue paper technique on pages 42-43 of Bernie Berlin's book. If anyone wants to also work on the phone book paper technique on pages 34-35 please do--it's not that different from the tissue paper! Supplies to bring: white tissue paper, gel medium, small brush, acrylic paints. We will be adding at least 2 layers of tissue paper to your base cardstock with the gel medium and then painting over them. For the phone book technique: bring phone book pages, gel medium, glazing medium, acrylic paint, brayer, brushes, white opaque pen(opt). See the book for samples.

Please think about what you might like to do for exchanges for next year! We will be discussing some ideas at the next meeting. I would like to do some kind of altered book with a color theme --anyone else have some ideas? Also, Kendall would like someone else to take charge of the group next year so please think about volunteering!

Next meeting Monday September 8th

2008-08-31T17:23:00.000-04:00

Hope to see everyone at the next meeting Monday Sept 8th at Creative Stamper. Bring an ATC to exchange using the magazine paper technique from August's project. The Sept meeting project is Never Dull on pages 32-33. Please try to adhere some magazine images to paper with gel medium or modge podge and dry them at home. This will give us more time to play on the project at the meeting. Bring gel medium, scissors, Elmer's Glue, Never Dull (if you all ready have some), water-soluble Oil Pastels and a blending stick (Q-tip, paper towel or your fingers!). I think at least 2 members have some Never Dull to share with everyone. Bring a plastic baggie to save it and take it home.

Interesting altered book link

2008-08-24T11:54:00.000-04:00

I ran across this website today and thought you would enjoy seeing some of the altered book pages here!
http://www.ingriddijkers.com/galleryaltbookspage12.html

ATC swaps on art-e-zine

2008-08-20T22:57:00.000-04:00

Here's an interesting website with quite a few ATC swaps--some of the backgrounds look similar to ones we have been doing from the BB book!

http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/atc.html

August 11th meeting

2008-08-17T12:49:00.000-04:00

Here's a picture of the ATC's exchanged (sorry they are blurry--I guess I need to use the auto focus!). And pictures of the magazine paper projects we worked on at the meeting. See you all at the Crone gallery or the next meeting!

Next meeting Monday August 11th!

2008-08-05T13:57:00.000-04:00

Hope to see you all at the next meeting August 11th. We will exchange ATC's using last month's stencil background technique.

The project for this month will be Magazine Paper & Gesso and Magazine Images pages 24-29. Please read all of the pages before the meeting and consider doing step one at home. Keep in mind that limiting paper size allows for more play time.
Supplies: magazine/catalog images-PRECUT, scissors, adhesive(gel medium, modge podge, glue, gluestick--short drying time is desirable), wet coloring mediums (inkpads, reinkers, paint), brushes, sponges, opaque pens, black markers, fine point perm markers, gesso, acrylic paint.

Hope everyone has a great time at the Stampaway convention(Sat Aug 9 at Sharonville Convention Ctr) and will bring your favorites from classes or shopping for show and tell!

July 14th Meeting--Stencils!

2008-07-27T21:58:00.001-04:00

Here's the last of the number tags we traded(bottom images), ATC's we traded using the Inky Layers technique from last month, and everyone's works in progress for this month's project using stencils(starting at the top). Beth really gets into her art(those are her colorful pinkies)!
See you all at Stampaway August 9th or the next meeting August 11th!

How to Be an Explorer of the World

2008-07-25T00:14:00.001-04:00

http://www.kerismith.com/explorer/title.html

Check this link out --the book won't be released until October but it sounds really cool! Especially for scrapbookers/artists!

Next meeting Monday July 14th

2008-07-07T18:48:00.000-04:00

It looks to me like we will be playing with stencils (pg 22-23) for the next project in Bernie Berlin's book! You should bring heavy-bodied acrylic paint(there is such a thing as heavy-bodied medium to add to your paints), 2 sizes of stencils, and cosmetic sponges/wedges. ** If you want to color the cards ahead of time with a background color that will save some time!**

We will also be doing the final number tag exchange in July--bring 6-7-8-9 numbered tags for exchange. As always if you want to exchange an ATC using last month's Inky Layers technique bring that also.

Ramona was gathering addresses and birthdays for everyone at the last meeting and will email me the list to bring or bring the list with her to the next meeting.

See you all soon!

Big Lots, July 14th and more

2008-06-30T00:38:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July! The above image is from Jenni Bowlin's website: http://www.jennibowlin.com/ (under the create section). I'm thinking of making a few of these stars. I even bought some old milk bottle lids at the antique mall not too long ago!

Big Lots (on Turfway) had Basic Grey Holiday chipboard (74 pieces) for $2 today! I couldn't resist!

I will post again soon with the meeting notes for our next meeting July 14th! Hope to see everyone at the meeting.

Tom Phillips-father of modern altered art

2008-06-18T09:04:00.000-04:00

I bought a book Tuesday for 1/2 price called Altered Art for the First Time and in the introduction the author mentions Tom Phillips as the father of modern altered art and altered-art books. I had to look him up! Check this out: http://humument.com/gallery/index.html

Recycling papers into an altered book

2008-06-17T21:40:00.000-04:00

Thought these made cute little books for whatever--the instructions to make them are given in the blog listed below--or she has an etsy shop where you can buy hers!

http://erinzam.com/blog/2008/06/11/mini-recycle-bin-books

Inky Layers project June 9th

2008-06-11T00:36:00.000-04:00

Pictures from our June 9th meeting: the project Inky Layers that we played with; tag exchange numbers 3-4-5; and ATC exchange using last months project for backgrounds(leafing pen resist). It's too bad the iridescent inks don't show up well in the pictures of the Inky Layers projects.

Also check out this artist Ramona mentioned at the meeting: Michelle Zindorf and her gallery on splitcoast: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/06/10/natures-silhouettes-tutorial/

Next meeting Monday June 9th

2008-06-01T22:58:00.000-04:00

Hope to see everyone at the next meeting Monday June 9th. Welcome to new member Jean!
We will be trading an ATC card using last month's technique (leafing pen resist). Bring tag numbers 3-4-5 for trading.

The project we will be working on is Inky Layers pages 20-21 in the Bernie Berlin Artist Trading Card Workshop book. Bring supplies if you have them:
dye ink pad
colored glazing medium (mix acrylic paint with glaze medium)
pigment ink pad
iridescent ink
glue
papers: old, text, patterned scrapbook paper--a variety of textures and absorbency
heavy weight card stock for the base.

Please read the technique and think about what mediums you'd like to experiment with.

Kendall let us know at the last meeting that her nephew Dwayne is home safe and sound from service in Iraq. Also Ramona's British friend's daughter had her heart surgery which seemed to go well. She had received a few of the cards we sent.

Please check out new blogs:
Barb Bruder/Creative Stamper: http://creativestamper.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Ramona: http://ramonabonita.blogspot.com/

May project-Leafing Pen Resist

2008-05-14T01:02:00.000-04:00

Here's a sampling of everyone's leafing pen resist experiments from the meeting May 12th. We are working our way through Bernie Berlin's book Artist Trading Card Workshop for our monthly projects. Click on each picture to enlarge it.

0-1-2 tags traded

2008-05-13T02:33:00.000-04:00

Here are the first set of number tags we traded Mon night. Try clicking on the image to enlarge it! More pictures to be posted soon from Monday's meeting.

May 12 meeting

2008-04-28T16:13:00.000-04:00

For the May meeting on the 12th please bring number tags (0-1-2) for exchange plus an ATC using the April technique--watercolor baby wipes.

We will be doing the leafing pen resist project on pages 18-19 in the ATC workshop book. Bring watercolor paper, metallic leafing pens (Krylon), brush, watercolors, black acrylis paint, bold image rubber stamps.

I hope everyone will be able to make it to the Duveneck art show on Mother's Day to check out the art work for show and sale. We may try to get a table for next year's show if enough members have art to sell.

Ramona has requested help sending cards to her friend in Germany whose daughter is having heart surgery soon. Email Ramona or Barb Beeghly if you need the address again (I forwarded an email a few weeks ago).

Stampaway tickets and class registration for the August 9th convention are available now. See previous blog post with a link.

ABC altered journal

2008-04-27T10:58:00.000-04:00

Thought you all might like to check out this blog:
http://ullam.typepad.com/ullabenulla/class_samples/index.html

I ran across it today after someone asked for some samples of an ABC altered journal on the Gingerwood BB.

I'll post some info for the next meeting May 12th soon.
Barb

Spritz and Flick --a fun technique to try

2008-04-09T00:48:00.000-04:00

Thought you all might like to try out a new technique from my internet friend Wendy Vecchi. She went to Ranger U last fall and learned this one from Tim Holtz.

http://studio490art.blogspot.com/2008/04/ask-you-shall-receivespritz-flick.html

Stampaway rubber stamp convention

2008-04-02T20:31:00.000-04:00

FYI--Stampaway convention information is available at the store Stamp Your Art Out in Cincinnati, OH. It should be posted on their website within the next week and I've been told that pictures of the class samples will be posted soon also. This convention is in August but some of the classes fill up quickly so be sure to get your registration in soon if you are really interested in a particular class!
www.stampawayusa.com

Next meeting April 14th

2008-03-30T12:29:00.000-04:00

Happy Spring--it's finally here!

Please bring X,Y & Z tags for exchange and an ATC using the watercolor background from last month's project.

We will be doing the Watercolor on Baby wipes project pg 14-15 Artist Trading Card Workshop.

PLEASE SEND SOME PICTURES OR SCANS OF YOUR ARTWORK FOR SHOW AND TELL.

Starting in May we will be exchanging 0-9 number tags.

At the last meeting we talked about some upcoming local art shows Mother's Day weekend:

Duveneck Memorial Art Show
http://www.nkhl.org/events.html

Intuitive Watercolor ATC's

2008-03-17T20:44:00.000-04:00

March 2008

2008-03-02T10:24:00.000-05:00

The March meeting will be held Monday March 10th at 7pm.

Please bring V and W tags for exchange. If you want to exchange an ATC please use the technique from our previous meeting's project (January--rust or verdigris). The March meeting project will be the one originally scheduled for February's meeting--Intuitive watercolor in the Bernie Berlin book: Artist Trading Card Workshop-pages12-13.

At the February meeting we discussed renting a table at the Duveneck Memorial Art show in May. For any members interested in selling/showing their art work the $25 table rental will be shared--please let Carla know if you are interested. The February meeting broke up early due to impending bad weather.

Please send me some pictures(digital camera or scan) of your art work to post on the blog. Consider this our show and tell! Otherwise it will not be very interesting! The picture above is of some artwork by Carla--you can see more of her art on her blog and website:

http://indiandollartworks.blogspot.com/

http://indiandollartworks.com/

ASOM February meeting 2-11-08

2008-01-31T20:31:00.000-05:00

Are you all ready for Valentine's Day? These pretty heart pins were posted by pavoreal on flickr.

The next meeting of ASOM will be held at 7pm on Monday February 11th.

Bring T & U tags for exchange to the February meeting!

Project for Feb 11th meeting: Intuitive Watercolor--Bernie Berlin book pages
12-13.
Supplies listed in the book:
Palette paper ( you may use E-Z release foil, craft sheet, baking parchment, freezer paper whatever you have at home!)
Watercolor brush
water soluble oil pastels--optional--don't go out and buy them--but if you have
them they would work for this technique
watercolor paper--140 lb cold press works best but 90 lb could be used also.
liquid watercolor --tube or pan watercolor (or watercolor crayons)
heat gun
fine point black pen/very fine marker

At the January meeting:
We talked about a new exchange after the alphabet tags are finished. It was suggested that we do numbers 0-9 or ATC's using the technique from the previous meeting. We'll discuss and decide sometime over the next few meetings.

Kendall's nephew Duane is thought to be in Kuwait and headed for the states for 3 months after that to re-acclimate before leaving the service. He was very
grateful for all the cards, packages, thoughts and prayers. Kendall has asked if
anyone knows of another soldier that would like mail and/or packages-- she would like to continue helping them out. --Angel stampers for soldiers???

We discussed an art doll project for sometime this year and will work it in to
the schedule some month when we don't want to do the technique in the book. Barb Bruder said she is able to get cloth bendy dolls for $2-3 or we might want to do paper dolls or $1 store dolls???

We talked about how we will work through the Bernie Berlin book by starting in the beginning and working on a new technique each month. Kendall passed out 2 worksheets if you would like to work with that kind of format. Several members will use spiral bound books to put their technique samples in. Kendall suggested trying to use a small 1/4 (of 8 1/2x11")piece of paper for trying the techniques to save time. Of course bring several pieces this size to work with! We also talked about trying to use supplies that we all ready have for the techniques as much as possible.

I think everyone enjoyed playing with the rust, green patina, &/or pewter
metallic solutions--with varying degrees of success--most pieces were not dry or
completed by the end of the meeting so we will hope to see some show up on next month's tags or for show and tell!!!

We discussed having one or 2 people in charge of the blog that know how to get
images posted and possibly having the newsletter on the blog. We would all like to be able to post comments but not everyone wants to have to learn to post
pictures/images, etc. Barb Bruder and I volunteered to help Carla with the blog. I'm hoping that any of you wanting an image posted on the blog could send it to one of us and we would be able to do that. Carla has set up our blog and I am learning to post text and images to it. If more people want to post images themselves to the blog please let me know and we'll figure it out! A blog
doesn't seem as user friendly for a group of people like the old yahoo groups
message board formats so I'm not sure how this is going to work! Carla-- how
does the blog work for the groups you are in? Let us know!

Here's the blog address:
http://alteredstateofmind07.blogspot.com/