“I started out as a quiltmaker but now I’ve discovered mixed media,” so many quilters tell me.  This has become a trend with so many quilters as they’ve begun to explore the world beyond fabric.
Mixed media consists of adding other materials, such as fiber, wood, metal, mica, beads, buttons and paper to fabric.  These items are wall hangings, art objects, postcards, clothing, sculpture and books rather than bed quilts.
My daughter, Beth, discovered the world of mixed media and began introducing it to me.  We’ve had fun exploring this realm and stretching our creativity.  We still can make bed quilts if we need.  But …read more

The January theme for our Arts and Crafts Channel’s Theme Day is “All Things New.”  This could mean new projects, new directions, turning your hobby into a business, taking new classes…essentially venturing out of your comfort zone.
I’ve found quiltmaking has changed so much over the years, from the “traditional” patterns and styles I made with my grandmother in the 1940s and then during our country’s Bicentennial Years of 1975-76.  Quiltmakering has grown from a utilitarian craft into an art form.  Quilts have become wall hangings of various sizes, even postcards and calling cards. 
Then quilters began experimenting with many types of fabric and fibers …read more

Cyndi Lavin collects old fabrics, something I discussed in a previous post.  So I asked Cyndi what she did with these old fabrics and found she has some interesting ways to utilize them, whether in quilts or mixed media art work. 
Cyndi also writes a b5media blog about multi media art, Layers Upon Layers (www.layersuponlayers.com)  She says she’s not a traditional quilter, although she’s done traditional quilting. 
MEA:  Cyndi, would you tell us something about you, your art, and your blog?
CYNDI:  I’m a mixed media artist who mostly makes jewelry, but I also play around with all different forms of collage, from purely …read more