Blisstree » collage

Remnant Journals & Art by Roben-Marie Smith

Mary Emma Allen — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:00:09 +0000

What do we do with the remnants, those leftover odds and ends of fabric, paper and embellishments? Why we create art with them!

Image: sxc.hu

There are so many ways you can go with this…create something childlike, make a collage using a number of techniques, or simply arrange the items hit-and-miss on paper or fabric.

That’s just what Roben-Marie Smith has been doing and making Remnant Journals, along with her other lovely art pieces she displays and sells on her web site. I saw my daughter looking at them this morning, after discovering Roben-Marie in an Artful Blogging magazine (Spring 2008 issue). Roben-Marie even has a video explaining what they are and how she makes them.

(The above picture isn’t Roben-Marie’s art, but an example to give you inspiration to create something of your own out of remnants.)

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Remnant Journals & Art by Roben-Marie Smith

Peeled paper technique

Cyndi Lavin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:00:56 +0000

The peeled paper technique can be used to create a textured area on any collage. You’ve got to select very heavy paper for this technique: extra-heavy watercolor paper or hand made papers are generally best. If the paper is heavy enough, you can create multiple peeled layers in each spot. With the 300 lb watercolor paper I chose, only one peeled layer was possible without risking breaking through the backing.

Psalm 63: 6-8
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

Step by step instructions

Materials and Tools
Heavy watercolor paper
Silicone-based spray wax
Acrylic paints
Mulberry paper
Verse or poem
Polymer medium or white glue
Plastic straws
Assorted yarns
Heavy card stock, black

X-acto knife
Paint brushes or sponges
Scissors
Tapestry needle

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Peeled paper technique

Cling

Cyndi Lavin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:53 +0000

I have a couple of young friends whose mother passed away from brain cancer a few years ago. I didn’t know her as well as I know her sons, because I’ve traveled and worked with them on youth group trips for years. Knowing what fine young men she raised, I feel that she was an exceptional woman, one of the many whose legacy will live on through her children.

Her youngest son, Nick, founded a non-profit organization in his mother’s memory, the mission of which is to help fund the basic needs of children in developing countries. He calls it Cling.

That story reminded me of one of my favorite psalms, which has a line about clinging to God. I’ve used that verse in this mixed media piece, and tomorrow I’ll share the peeled paper technique with you that I used to make this.

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Cling

Inspirational CD Collages

Mary Emma Allen — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:53:27 +0000

As I wrote about my reader Anitra’s unique CD Photo Coasters, I wondered, “Why not use inspirational pictures and quotes or sayings on CD collages, coasters, hangings?”

This idea of recycling (or upcycling, as some call it when you use a discarded material for art) CDs can go in many directions. CD collages might consist of:

Family photos, as Anitra described
Inspirational sayings
Scenic and still life photos
Reproductions of one’s paintings
Found objects and memorabilia
Flower petals and leaves
Fabric to give a quilted effect
CDs attached to form a multi collage
Any combination of these

Have you recycled CDs for art? For coasters, wall hangings, photo frames, and more?

(Image: sxc.hu)

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Inspirational CD Collages

Get ready for autumn projects!

Cyndi Lavin — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:00:34 +0000

Yeah, I know! Summer is a silly time to be thinking about the fall, but sometimes we just can’t help it. As soon as the leaves start to turn, which can be as early as mid-August here in New England, I’ve got to go outside and gather them up.

I’ve done a lot of projects in the past that used the colored autumn leaves, so just in case any of you are as nuts about them as I am, I thought I’d gather up some of the tutorial links for you so that you can make your autumn plans now and avoid the rush!

Transparent digital backgrounds
How to scan and use leaves in your digital work.

A photographic collage
Like the one shown above

Flowers from colored leaves

Leaf silhouette paper, part 1

Leaf silhouette paper, part 2

Twig lettering
Ok, not leaves, but twigs are pretty cool too!

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Get ready for autumn projects!

Found poem page for anniversary book

Cyndi Lavin — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:00:10 +0000

Technique Tuesday!

For my page in the Altered Book group anniversary book, I decided to do a found poem. I’ve got an old novel called My Lady of the Fog (Ralph H Barbour, 1908) and another Russian text called Selected Stories (Daniil Kharms, 1919). Very different from each other in feel, I decided to use one of the illustrations from Kharms’s book and do a found poem using a page from Barbour’s.

Really, I couldn’t do it the other way around: I can’t read Russian!

Here’s the instructions that I wrote two years ago for using tissue paper as a guide when creating found poems. The step by step instructions for this new project are also available.

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Found poem page for anniversary book

Can You Quilt or Collage Your Life?

Mary Emma Allen — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:00:37 +0000

As my husband and I celebrated our anniversary yesterday, I looked back on years of adventure and learning, of the various phases of life, of a daughter and grandchildren, careers and businesses, travels and ups and downs.

Image: sxc.hu

Should I plan something representing our life, either a quilt or mixed media collage? The more I think of it, the more it seems a possibility.

What should I include? Where will I research?

Photos from engagement and wedding
Reminiscenses of Jim’s years as an Air Force pilot and me a military wife.
Owning airplanes and Jim’s cross-country trip in a bi-plane
The arrival of our daughter and her growing up years
Pack trips to the Gros Ventre Mountains of Wyoming with her
Beth’s marriage
The arrival of our grandchildren
My mother’s Alzheimer’s years and our family involvement with her journey
My recovery from a broken back after an accident
Bits from my writing and quilting careers
Our years now and what we’re looking forward to

What would you quilt or sketch for your life? You don’t have to be our age. You can use your growing up years, school years, marriage, children’s youth, travels, careers. Take singular events or compile them into a collage of many adventures.

Have you done this already?

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Can You Quilt or Collage Your Life?

Artsy blogging round-up!

Cyndi Lavin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:17:28 +0000

Stefanie Girard’s Sweater Surgery:
See how to make a card and card album themed for a rock and roll mom to be that uses cute die cuts in a cool way.

The Artful Crafter
“Panadieres for Zambia” is a neat story and one small example of crafters helping crafters – all around the world. As Eileen likes to say, “Crafters are just the nicest people.”

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a technique in this post about embossing on slick surfaces!

About Family Crafts
What are your cleaning tips for crafting with kids? Please take a moment to share your tips and then browse through tips shared by others.

Aileen’s Musings
Hard as it was, Aileen has narrowed down the playing field and needs your help again to choose from her favorite sayings that have been posted for her blog giveway! Stop by and pick your favorite.

Cathie Filian
If you are wondering what to eat, craft and play on the 4th of July then head over to Cathie’s blog for ideas.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside you can watch the latest Look, Learn & Create video that includes tips on drawing, two techniques and projects for cutting photos up, a bit of fabric eye candy, and a free paper stencil and project from the new book The Art of Decorative Paper Stencils 2 and if you leave answers to the day’s questions you are entered to win free books!

Crafty Princess Diaries
Tammy uses her jewelry making skills to create some beautiful and functional stitch markers.

CraftyPod
Sister Diane reviews an intriguing new book: Micro Macrame, by Annika DeGroot

Cross Stitch at About.com
Work at Your Own Pace – An encounter with a critter in the yard has Connie thinking about Cross Stitch (imagine that!) and speed.

Naughty Secretary Club
Arty Masterpieces are overrated, it’s all about the Glittery Crafterpieces! Take a peek at the handmade art around my house and try your hand at making a fun glittery deer picture!

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Artsy blogging round-up!

Brandi Strickland’s Collages

Cyndi Lavin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:44 +0000

I love Brandi Strickland’s work, especially the provocative combination of photography and collage that she comes up with! Brandi only graduated from art school a few years ago, but she has managed to catch the eye of many reviewers. Brandi says that she enjoys exploring the connection between nature and technology, and I must say I enjoy her explorations too!

Besides her etsy shop (linked above), you can also find her work on her own website, Brandi Strickland.

Images: Brandi Strickland

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Brandi Strickland’s Collages

Collage artist Karen Stiehl Osborn

Cyndi Lavin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:00:36 +0000

I’m not usually drawn to urban scenes. I live so far out in the ‘burbs that it’s really sort of sub-suburban. But Karen Stiehl Osborn’s Urban Landscape series just takes my breath away.

There’s a lot more to like on Karen’s site too. I love here fabric “fragments”, her Autumn Traces series, and the series called Conversations with Myself. Karen is one of the partners involved with the wonderful Collage Mania auctions.

Images: Karen Steihl Osborn

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Collage artist Karen Stiehl Osborn