tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6686942467502415922024-03-15T18:10:14.041-07:00Altered Arts MagazineClarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-50582010709318361222011-03-18T08:01:00.001-07:002011-03-18T08:07:46.360-07:00Spring is in the air!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSptp346OyzUWAq5fwPjqst6SKM4cpbD8Flp8vgrodbVM1ijWEWeCJwRXlfKqsjbUqjrjTywqPn2G7Ozsa2mleUYdpO2sWwSYEKIGhyI6aJBEk9FDvZ1HkVulWwLcz0GvJ8Tmx9ge-E6ml/s1600/free_spring_flower_screensaver-48578-3.jpeg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585435692812641858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSptp346OyzUWAq5fwPjqst6SKM4cpbD8Flp8vgrodbVM1ijWEWeCJwRXlfKqsjbUqjrjTywqPn2G7Ozsa2mleUYdpO2sWwSYEKIGhyI6aJBEk9FDvZ1HkVulWwLcz0GvJ8Tmx9ge-E6ml/s320/free_spring_flower_screensaver-48578-3.jpeg" /></a><br /><div>The smell of spring is in the air! Yes, I can finally smell it. It seemed like winter in the northeast this year would never end (Yes, I am believing that it is finally over!). With spring approaching my desire to begin a nature journal has blossomed. I love to study nature and journal and I want to bring these two hobbies together.<br /><br />As much as I would love to draw sketches in my journal, I am not very good at drawing. (I have determined that I will be taking a drawing and a watercolor painting class in the near future.) In the meantime, I am considering incorporating altered art into my nature journal. Have any of you done this? If so, I would LOVE to see some examples. </div>Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-52496839585930372562011-03-06T05:43:00.000-08:002011-03-06T06:31:11.416-08:00Beeswax - Oh My!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KLLQwOIN4nRFrZ9Z8Z_i_qWupkEsg1Bp7iMvSQvW2eHmdD5u7TOatXAr0aixeGzsvw9mPMwNdl6ZpGxuohaPUxZNqgN1mhjxNAPYfNZodLZN7VLUHuFtU2zgWrbfzstmrl5qpvSSnZbB/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580973965517375170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KLLQwOIN4nRFrZ9Z8Z_i_qWupkEsg1Bp7iMvSQvW2eHmdD5u7TOatXAr0aixeGzsvw9mPMwNdl6ZpGxuohaPUxZNqgN1mhjxNAPYfNZodLZN7VLUHuFtU2zgWrbfzstmrl5qpvSSnZbB/s320/001.JPG" /></a> Recently, I had the opportunity to work with beeswax. (I attended the second day of Cyndi's Mes Amis d'Art: Wine, Women and Song event in which Cyndi taught us how to use this product.) <div></div><br /><div>I'm always excited by the prospect of working with something new and adding it to my artwork; working with beeswax was invigorating. This is a product that was so simple to use, but one which created an amazing effect. </div><br /><div></div><div>What I found to be the most challenging aspect of this product was being careful not to apply too much of it onto one section. I found that if I did, it created a layer that was too thick, which then made the artwork underneath difficult to see. </div><div></div><br /><div>If you've never played with this product before, I encourage you to do so as soon as you can. I guarantee that you will greatly enjoy it!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-66660187888817606372009-08-06T12:28:00.000-07:002011-03-08T10:42:34.849-08:00CHA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6IlWPCHdRscEcfZSOBa6t50syOmFM4PVdrI-TSuKSYEneCFuPQ5EwLp8GP9wrT3Tu4-ZzEJiKLIi0VjXWcQD7nffXbATTDGyjLhRaY0qHMjyJFwcg0ekZ6gcZEE9l7c6srg-lmrntrbG/s1600-h/Florida+2009+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366938203766584642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6IlWPCHdRscEcfZSOBa6t50syOmFM4PVdrI-TSuKSYEneCFuPQ5EwLp8GP9wrT3Tu4-ZzEJiKLIi0VjXWcQD7nffXbATTDGyjLhRaY0qHMjyJFwcg0ekZ6gcZEE9l7c6srg-lmrntrbG/s320/Florida+2009+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>I think I am finally settling back to my old routine after having come home from Florida's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">CHA</span>. As always, it was a fun event. I ALWAYS enjoy meeting new people, and this year there were a lot of new faces...new to me anyway. </div><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ProvoCraft</span> hosted a wonderful gala to introduce their new product which everyone there was greatly (and I mean GREATLY) excited about. (Become a fan of Altered Arts' <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> page to learn more about it.) </div><br /><div>Cyndi, as always, was very open and willing to share her knowledge with those around her, specifically about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span>. (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> and Twitter were hot topics this year.) </div><br /><div>We saw some fun, new products. (Again, photos of these can be found on our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Facebook</span> page.) </div><br /><div>I was very happy to have finally been able to meet in person our talented artist Kathleen Green. We had a lot of fun together! I even brought home a new art piece from her. </div><br /><div>I look forward to the next <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">CHA</span> and hope to meet even more of our designers at some of these events in the future. </div><br />Note: Photo - Cyndi Duncan, Clara Stacko and Kathleen Green<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-618575963379329112009-03-06T11:54:00.000-08:002009-03-06T12:03:30.379-08:00Altered Art Has Come a Long WayI still remember the very first time I saw an altered book. It was many years ago at a scrapbook convention. It was love at first sight. Altered art has changed a lot since then. It has expanded from altered books, to designing altered dolls, altered cards, altered boxes, etc. Wait until you see the project appearing in the summer issue of <em>Altered Arts</em> magazine. You won't believe what one artist altered!<br /><br />How have you expanded or changed as far as creating altered art?Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-74621997110034657732009-01-07T10:56:00.000-08:002011-03-08T11:01:21.634-08:00Happy New Year and ConfessionFirst of all, let me wish you all a new year full of good health, love, and happiness.<br /><br />If you read my challenge of September below, I was supposed to have been one of the participants in my challenge. I thought it was one of the best challenges I have ever come up with. I couldn't wait to get started, and started I did.<br /><br />Now for my confession. When I was a young child, my mother bought me some science books that incorporated Disney characters throughout the book. I would open these books, grab my pencil, color pencils and papers, and draw the characters. I would get lost for hours doing this. That was the memory that came to my mind when I came up with this challenge.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Alright</span>, so what happened? Well, I decided that I would do this again. I grabbed my toddler's favorite book and started sketching. I drew the characters but was stumped on what to do about the background; then... I saw our designer, Kathleen's, artwork. (Click on her name to the right to see what she came up with for this challenge.) Oh my goodness! I was awed by her artistic abilities. It was at this point that I froze. I looked at my drawing and just couldn't get past the background. I knew I had to complete it, so I just grabbed a bunch of watercolor pencils and started "coloring." I ended up with a mess. At this point, I was left with no other option but to start over. However, the holidays came, mixed in with some extra work, and the project was forgotten.<br /><br />I have to say that I am disappointed with myself for having compared my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">abilities</span> with someone <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">else's </span>and letting it shake my confidence in my artistic skills. However, I am pretty sure that I am not the only one who has experienced this at one time or another.<br /><br />What am I hoping you'll learn from my confession? Something which I knew all along, but for one instant forgot; we should never compare our artwork to others', but instead see the beauty in all. We all have our own artistic talents and styles and that's what makes altered art such a fun form of art.<br /><br />Will I follow through on my challenge; how could I not? Sometime in the near future, I will complete my artwork and share it with the world. :-)<br /><br />Note: Kathleen, in the end, you helped to inspire me. :-)Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-34130413309421096072008-09-13T10:51:00.000-07:002011-03-08T11:09:48.592-08:00Drawing With Children (and adults too!)When I was a little girl, one of my most favorite pastimes was drawing. I LOVED art! It was one of my most favorite subjects in school. When I had my son and knew I would be homeschooling him, I was very excited about the prospect of instilling a love for art in him. Although my son does enjoy looking at artwork, unfortunately, he does not share my love for creating artwork.<br /><br />In the latest issue of <em>Altered Arts</em>, Jeni Calkins wrote an article entitled, <em>Teaching Mixed Media & Altered Art to Children</em>. This brought back to light my desire to teach my son how fun creating art is and how it's one subject he doesn't have to worry about getting any wrong "answers" (since we all know that there is no "wrong" in art - it's all in the "eyes of the beholder").<br /><br />I found a book entitled, <em>Drawing with Children</em>, by Mona Brookes. I haven't read the whole book yet, but in skimming through the pages it talks about how anyone, children and adults alike, can draw, you just have to know the five basic elements that can create shape. The examples in the book of artwork drawn by children as young as two are amazing!<br /><br />When we create altered art we tend to use the artwork of others, whether it be rubber stamps, paper, etc., but why not do this instead? (Okay, can you tell a challenge is coming up?) Create a piece of artwork that only entails artwork created by your own hands. Let the words be in your writing; let the art be drawn by you; only use embellishments made by your own hands.<br /><br />To help spark your creativity, I'm putting this challenge up to our design team members and asking them to post their artwork on their <em>Altered Arts</em> blogs. Let's see how creative we can all be. Oh, and Cyndi, let's see what you can create too! What about me??? Well, I suppose it would only be fair to have me do the same. <br /><br />Deadline: November 3. (I work better with deadlines.) :-)<br /><br />Let's create!<br /><br />-ClaraClarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-6315048817749549832008-09-09T18:49:00.000-07:002008-09-09T18:57:44.409-07:00The Packages Are In! Design Team SearchIt's that time again - our new Design Team Search. This is always something worth looking forward to - to see the creativity of various artists. Although I have received packages, I have not opened one yet. In order to be surprised, I want to wait until the actual day of judging.Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-69764703526097386892008-06-20T20:22:00.001-07:002008-06-20T20:38:36.987-07:00It Must Be Summer!<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ahhh</span>, the first day of summer has finally arrived. As I read the dates on our blogs I realize that we have been pretty quiet lately. I know for me summers tend to be more busy than any other season. Being a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">homeschool</span> mom you would think that the school "season" or school year would keep me more busy than my summers, but that is not the case.<br /><br />Having a 7-year-old and a 2-year-old means spending a lot of time outdoors taking advantage of all of that Vitamin D that the sun provides. It's funny how before having children I hardly ever spent much time outdoors during the week, but my how that has changed.<br /><br />What season(s) do you tend to find yourself to be most creative? Obviously, summer is not my most creative season, fall and winter are. Spring, all depends on the weather. :-)<br /><br />-ClaraClarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-50422311290937667482008-03-31T04:17:00.000-07:002008-03-31T04:32:07.738-07:00Hey Subscribers - I'm Inviting You To A Meeting!Hi subscribers! Guess what? It's time for us to brainstorm ideas for themes and/or article subjects for <em>Altered Arts</em> magazine's 2009 issues. Yes subscribers, I did say "us" - I am officially inviting you to this meeting. <br /><br />Take this opportunity to share your ideas. We've heard from our designers, but now it's time to hear from you!<br /><br />Now you do have a deadline. You need to get back to me with your ideas (either via email at <a href="mailto:clara@alteredarts.com">clara@alteredarts.com</a>, or you can post your ideas here) by May 7, 2008.<br /><br />Can't wait to get your inputs!Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-69232445017022866332008-02-20T10:54:00.000-08:002008-02-20T12:15:30.901-08:00A Masterpiece!I have the March/April 2008 issue of <em>Altered Arts </em>in my hand, and I have to say that the cover artwork, as far as I'm concerned, is a rare masterpiece. Rare in the sense that I have never seen anything like it before.<br /><br />As the Managing Editor of <em>Altered Arts,</em> I view artwork for each individual issue many times over; I see it in its scanned or photographed version; I see it in person; and I see it in its printed form. This is the case with the March/April cover artwork as well; so you would think that by now it would not have the same effect on me as it did when I first saw it. This is not the case. I am still "Wowed!" by it.<br /><br />And guess what?! I have a surprise - one day this masterpiece could be yours... You'll have to keep coming back to my blog for more details at a later date.Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-33081740659193278672008-01-28T14:03:00.000-08:002008-01-28T14:19:34.379-08:00Altered Arts E-Magazine - It's Finally Available - FREE!Well, by now those of you on our email list should have received an email stating how you can download our new Altered Arts E-magazine. If you have had a chance to download and view it, share your thoughts about the e-magazine with me. Either email me directly at clara@alteredarts.com or post your comments here. <br /><br />Folks, this e-magazine is FREE. If you haven't downloaded it yet visit www.mailboxmuse.com to do so. You will be given a coupon code which you must input in order for it to show up as free. If by chance the coupon code does not work, put "pay by check" and then DON'T send in a check - - the e-magazine is FREE! (Did I say that already?) <br /><br />Hope to hear from you.Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-41859845845277032752008-01-18T11:18:00.000-08:002008-01-18T11:45:37.860-08:00What I Like Most About Altered Art<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EAuxfEGpoj56QBKUV1MIMVWQsL_iH881oGWUFgS7sN2BtoX40LNDPezb731uVmtbHNxa801PaN3BgliIou4lGb-ZCTFBVx3Ezy_q_VAZdXpnoKrMl_AGNC7jj2LcQLKBLLlZBzQWGYk5/s1600-h/Train+and+Caboose+Canvas_Clara+Stacko+001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EAuxfEGpoj56QBKUV1MIMVWQsL_iH881oGWUFgS7sN2BtoX40LNDPezb731uVmtbHNxa801PaN3BgliIou4lGb-ZCTFBVx3Ezy_q_VAZdXpnoKrMl_AGNC7jj2LcQLKBLLlZBzQWGYk5/s320/Train+and+Caboose+Canvas_Clara+Stacko+001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156903420135138802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWCCGgS3H0mVzsTJPLT9DKL-TVM4Opjg_cbwnVvBtC-j4ZDmBhlqw2hkSmBdyPnRDr47iGBHXuKBrs96mJSWrRozc0uaLTJHOA4mbZ8dUmvdMWPUkRpvZrtgAa_MafRYFMPiveb_B_pgK/s1600-h/Train+and+Caboose+Canvas_Clara+Stacko+005.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWCCGgS3H0mVzsTJPLT9DKL-TVM4Opjg_cbwnVvBtC-j4ZDmBhlqw2hkSmBdyPnRDr47iGBHXuKBrs96mJSWrRozc0uaLTJHOA4mbZ8dUmvdMWPUkRpvZrtgAa_MafRYFMPiveb_B_pgK/s320/Train+and+Caboose+Canvas_Clara+Stacko+005.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156903424430106114" /></a><br /><div>You have probably heard people sharing the various reasons why they enjoy altered art, including the "no rules" part of it. Besides that, one of the things I enjoy about altered art is the fact that it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be...you're in control. And the nice thing is that either way is OKAY!<br /><br />My boys are really into trains so I decided I would create a couple of train themed canvases for their bathroom. These were two very simple pieces but hey, the boys love them! It fills me with joy whenever my 20 month old son points at them with pure pleasure.<br /><br />So remember, it doesn't have to be extravagant to be considered a piece of artwork...just ask my 20 month old.</div><br /><div></div>Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-41627706404078348152008-01-09T18:21:00.000-08:002008-01-09T18:30:29.319-08:00Happy New Year!Altered Arts subscribers should have received the Jan/Feb '08 issue of Altered Arts by now. I hope you all enjoyed the new look. How many of you are now anxiously awaiting to see the new Altered Arts e-magazine? Guess what? I haven't seen the full copy yet either.... can you believe that? I get to be surprised! (Remember from my last post how I love surprises????)<br /><br />I'm very excited about the e-magazine! I do know this, there is going to be some pretty cool stuff in it from what I've heard. If you're not an Altered Arts magazine subscriber yet, what are you waiting for??????Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-63369911498840853472007-12-06T20:47:00.000-08:002011-03-08T11:21:05.823-08:00Shhhh! Don't Tell!Are you good at keeping secrets? Or more so, are you good at keeping surprises? Every Christmas my aunt sends my mother's Christmas gift to my house because she knows that my mother CANNOT wait until Christmas to open up her gift. I, on the other hand, am pretty good about surprises. I LOVE surprises! So much so that I also enjoy being part of someone else's surprise.<br /><br />Now having said that, I have to let you know that the Jan/Feb 08 issue of <em>Altered Arts </em>went to press and... well, let's just say I am once again in on a surprise. Sorry, I can't give you any hints; you'll just have to wait and see. Do YOU love surprises???Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-42656498525992539912007-11-19T08:58:00.000-08:002007-11-17T09:37:21.403-08:00A Day in the Life of a Managing Editor - Part 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgSYg1gP7ujpotaq1HtBpTRA6pN0bd4edFv-cYCqkPEgebUWAJ_z0SCOfbrQpfM1Qs4bXLcwTcLIOG_pWKA7YM8f0soe_dGx_ZIrUkBwkZB_-Ff98Y8HDyVzflMlnjGD8gKdACudYiitu/s1600-h/Kits+001a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133855055206310850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgSYg1gP7ujpotaq1HtBpTRA6pN0bd4edFv-cYCqkPEgebUWAJ_z0SCOfbrQpfM1Qs4bXLcwTcLIOG_pWKA7YM8f0soe_dGx_ZIrUkBwkZB_-Ff98Y8HDyVzflMlnjGD8gKdACudYiitu/s320/Kits+001a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Another one of my responsibilities as Managing Editor is to put together our designers' kits. This is very time consuming as we have 10 designers, however, I love filling their boxes with goodies from companies who are generous enough to supply our design team with their products. </div><br /><div></div><div>I'm especially excited about the kits I'm working on now because we received some really fun products from We R Memory Keepers, Art Declassified, Andrea's Scraps, AMACO and others. (I won't say too much more right now because that would spoil the surprise for my designers.) </div><br /><div></div><div>Our designers use these products when designing their artwork. It's always fun to see what they come up with. </div>Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-50380239421662358652007-11-12T18:44:00.000-08:002007-11-12T19:18:40.654-08:00A Day in the Life of a Managing Editor - Part Two<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEutpLNhbPoaaAUlduVQvQxr8_o03lcsiE26Is-EcINBAeWd9WuwmYZFZSHa9eEix8bSCegga4r8_UOh81M_b_h3vYk_BvJO1x976rCY0s_WZTU9sPVguny08SiVfQCxYPlg5vHFZe76ZQ/s1600-h/Altered+Arts+Meeting+2007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132150713110923298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEutpLNhbPoaaAUlduVQvQxr8_o03lcsiE26Is-EcINBAeWd9WuwmYZFZSHa9eEix8bSCegga4r8_UOh81M_b_h3vYk_BvJO1x976rCY0s_WZTU9sPVguny08SiVfQCxYPlg5vHFZe76ZQ/s320/Altered+Arts+Meeting+2007.jpg" border="0" /></a> Today we had our monthly meeting. This is a time where we come together to discuss all of the exciting things that are happening with <em>Altered Arts</em> magazine and The Altered Book Club.<br /><br />One of the topics of discussion at today's meeting was our interest in learning what new things our readers would like to see in <em>Altered Arts</em>. So readers - here is your opportunity to bring your great ideas to the table. Email me at <a href="mailto:clara@alteredarts.com">clara@alteredarts.com</a> letting me know what topics, artwork, etc. you'd like us to include in the magazine. I look forward to reading your ideas.<br /><br />Also, take some time to get to know some of our designers by visiting their blogs. Just click on the links on the right side of this page.Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-70766854807076573612007-11-03T12:06:00.000-07:002007-11-03T12:28:47.094-07:00Creative Spirit and Imagination<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j7dQMP7CQs5fYgEEpNpqWdXZ3xtuT7h-qUV79n8CnzrJim371pmT6076-RMjwnReHv3pDV9pvZNWEoOLmQcTBu4bcGvCgfJP-Tel6xZaRjNbOe2H7iYRcIeAEjAopV2FlrX_biZJpTlK/s1600-h/Tenth+Wedding+Anniversary+Yoly2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128697668349324498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j7dQMP7CQs5fYgEEpNpqWdXZ3xtuT7h-qUV79n8CnzrJim371pmT6076-RMjwnReHv3pDV9pvZNWEoOLmQcTBu4bcGvCgfJP-Tel6xZaRjNbOe2H7iYRcIeAEjAopV2FlrX_biZJpTlK/s320/Tenth+Wedding+Anniversary+Yoly2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>My husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago. We spent a couple of days away at a cabin in an Amish town. The view was spectacular!<br /><div><div></div><br /><div>I absolutely love the fall season -- the colors greatly inspire my creative spirit. It leads me to admire an artist such as Monet who loved painting the outdoors. If I could paint using watercolors, I'd be outside painting as often as I could. I would then use those paintings as backgrounds for my altered books and canvases. I would add embellishments that would emphasize various areas of the painting and stamp words of inspiration. I can close my eyes and visualize this piece of artwork and a sense of peace surrounds me. Even if I don't have a hard copy of this artwork, sometimes just my imagination is all I need.</div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-86669092176467347492007-10-26T09:56:00.001-07:002007-10-26T10:36:37.113-07:00One of Those Days........ However.....Okay, have you ever had ONE OF THOSE DAYS????? Well today was my "One of those days". I started off my morning by preparing my slow cooker for this evening's meal. (Slow cookers are awesome!) Once my boys and I ate breakfast we headed out to the grocery store. I put my jacket on as it was a bit nippy outside.<br /><br />When we arrived at the store I turned off the van, put the keys in my jacket and stepped outside. I decided that maybe it wasn't so cold after all and took my jacket off and laid it on the passenger seat. I then picked up my 18-month-old, had my older son step out, and I locked the van and closed the doors.<br /><br />After I finished paying for my groceries I began digging in my purse for my keys. "Hmmn, where could they be?" It was then that I realized, "Oh no!" that the keys were in the pocket of my jacket sitting inside my car.<br /><br />The boys and I walked outside while I prayed that I didn't lock the van - but of course I did. "Now what????" All these options ran through my head and then I remembered that there was a spare house key hidden somewhere at my house. All we had to do was walk home. Now thank God that we live within walking distance from the store. So here I was pushing a cart full of groceries with my 18-month-old in the seat and my 6-year-old pushing another cart full of groceries behind me. I'm sure people driving by were wondering what the heck I was doing.<br /><br />We finally made it home, unloaded the carts, grabbed my husband's keys, and trekked back to the store. Once there we parked the cart, got inside my van and drove home.<br /><br />While putting the groceries away I accidentally hit my slow cooker and noticed that it was not hot. I looked at the knob and saw that it was turned off.<br /><br />"Umm Adam?"<br /><br />"Yes, mom?"<br /><br />"Did you turn off my slow cooker?"<br /><br />"Yes."<br /><br />"When did you turn it off?"<br /><br />"Before we left to the grocery store." (That was 3 hours ago!")<br /><br />"Ooookaaay, why did you turn it off?"<br /><br />"Because I didn't want us wasting electricity."<br /><br />Can you imagine my look at this point???? Well, I explained to him how a slow cooker works and how he was not to turn something off without first asking me. In the meantime, I lost 3 hours worth of slow cooking so I had to crank it up to "high".<br /><br />So that was my morning.....<br /><br />HOWEVER........<br /><br />To offset my morning's adventure there is one thing that is exciting for me. Guess what I get to see before anyone else does????? -- the NEW ISSUE of Altered Arts! I am holding (actually it's sitting beside me on the table) the Nov/Dec issue. Being the Managing Editor does have its perks!Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-70580529012989832512007-10-17T19:10:00.000-07:002011-03-08T11:34:46.518-08:00A Day in the Life of a Managing Editor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSirDE0B5PuL7gXmNCXvil0qC75X-AUIYB6yJO7ZPkUi0WWRkwUoyJjeoeSgb8FX7WM3Jh7aZ2zUYZjYrai8ye0au2DBRLfZ4s_W_9f1BtxQLTcMIfT9TYA7WGdLPDne6dm8KhcOLgF0nH/s1600-h/Photo+Shoot+002.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122495433980715714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSirDE0B5PuL7gXmNCXvil0qC75X-AUIYB6yJO7ZPkUi0WWRkwUoyJjeoeSgb8FX7WM3Jh7aZ2zUYZjYrai8ye0au2DBRLfZ4s_W_9f1BtxQLTcMIfT9TYA7WGdLPDne6dm8KhcOLgF0nH/s320/Photo+Shoot+002.jpg" /></a>When I tell people what I do for a living I always get similar responses, "Wow! That sounds like an interesting job. Tell me more about it." It is my hope that through some of these blogs I can bring you into my life as a managing editor of an awesome magazine.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>First, I'll start with one of the most fun things about my job -- the photo shoots. I love going to a photo shoot! Here's some background on how we chose our photographer, the great Mr. Andy Fiala! (Actually, we never call him Mister.)</div><br />When Cyndi came up with her plan to start <em>Altered Arts,</em> she asked me to call various photographers in the area to find one that would fit well with our needs. I have to admit that it was funny to hear each of the photographers' responses when I tried to explain the types of items they would be photographing.<br /><br />Andy was one of the photographers I contacted and during our conversation, I took an instant liking to him. I asked him for some samples of his work, showed them to Cyndi, met him, and hired him. (Heck, we may even have hired him before meeting him since Cyndi liked his samples and trusted my judgment.)<br /><br />Well, I have to tell you that he was an excellent choice. Not only is he an awesome photographer, (You should see some of the wedding photos he has taken.) but he is also a lot of fun. This is why I enjoy the photo shoots so much.<br /><br />Mind you "it's not all fun and games" as the saying goes. There is a lot of work that goes into preparing for a photo shoot. For example, prior to the photo shoot I have to put together a list of all of the artwork (including images) that is scheduled for the shoot. Using that list as a guide, I read through all of the artwork instructions emailed to me and do a first edit. All of these files then have to be put on a CD and given to my boss, Cyndi, on the day of the photo shoot.<br /><br />Also, before heading off to the photo shoot, I have to make sure that I have all of the artwork scheduled for that shoot in my van. (Yes, all artwork comes directly to me - my house - my storage.)<br /><br />One of the nice things to look forward to after finishing up a photo shoot is having lunch with Cyndi. It gives us a chance to chat about everything that is going on in our lives and I consider it all a wonderful way to spend a day.Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-12629635408424065752007-10-10T18:31:00.000-07:002011-03-08T11:51:52.539-08:00Once Upon a Time....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruMHhx7Q2R0LA1qHLBvG_g06Tdc2SY-yhYfqTo56pxr30eFNfGyLwA0ML1Ulato1KF2KLKLhxjCv3qq_MdgUescUguPFwmumqCw-pdX_CGgI4jyRLAs7lHBzTnnbveIx3dBS2w4fCPxbQ/s1600-h/Clara_Cyndi2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119900046133777090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruMHhx7Q2R0LA1qHLBvG_g06Tdc2SY-yhYfqTo56pxr30eFNfGyLwA0ML1Ulato1KF2KLKLhxjCv3qq_MdgUescUguPFwmumqCw-pdX_CGgI4jyRLAs7lHBzTnnbveIx3dBS2w4fCPxbQ/s320/Clara_Cyndi2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Once upon a time there was a young 16 year old girl named Clara, who isn't afraid to admit now was pretty boy crazy. One day, before taking the daily bus home from school, she had an encounter with one of these boys which completely frustrated her. </div><div><br />While departing from the bus, she saw a 15 year old girl named Cyndi, who happened to go to the same school. Clara turned to Cyndi and said something like, "I hate men!" Mind you, Clara did not even know Cyndi at this time. Cyndi looked at Clara and la<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT4I-Zl9W7NFOdOvMBaWaqR1DZ81kL2mINqRcFmzgVcThNvE1fvsijWct6JcQ3h5qi_8NBsdVPInx4hyaeKuePRwU5L19Q4jGA-TIXZUzUD-CVlSYXsVunBaCiBeDQIbKXh7WcvUiHQcg/s1600-h/Las+Vegas+001a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; FLOAT: right; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119900376846258898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT4I-Zl9W7NFOdOvMBaWaqR1DZ81kL2mINqRcFmzgVcThNvE1fvsijWct6JcQ3h5qi_8NBsdVPInx4hyaeKuePRwU5L19Q4jGA-TIXZUzUD-CVlSYXsVunBaCiBeDQIbKXh7WcvUiHQcg/s320/Las+Vegas+001a.jpg" /></a>ughed. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>That single event was the beginning of what would turn out to be a 24-year friendship between two women.<br /></div></div>Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-70777239936333248962007-08-18T09:27:00.000-07:002011-03-08T11:54:54.247-08:00Bringing Another Artist into the Fold<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYpxrzgYtc47V7JTagKM7PgwqwpYS2X8GxV2YE9UfSpLpHZvesxfssQa6AOmgghzz_TdmjWULGb0ZM18_gN64KC7aCXE5kagEz2kS8OAB2527Zhd5TseBqjxS-ZYKXuiamwvFFN6wignk/s1600-h/Butterflies.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; FLOAT: left; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100781104052515842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYpxrzgYtc47V7JTagKM7PgwqwpYS2X8GxV2YE9UfSpLpHZvesxfssQa6AOmgghzz_TdmjWULGb0ZM18_gN64KC7aCXE5kagEz2kS8OAB2527Zhd5TseBqjxS-ZYKXuiamwvFFN6wignk/s320/Butterflies.jpg" /></a>First, I have to start by saying this; I believe that every person in this world is an artist of some kind. We are born with the ability to be creative -- sometimes we just need the opportunity to let it out!<br /><br />On Tuesday, I had the chance to meet a new acquaintance. She's a woman who has four grown children and who works as a Sunday school teacher. I was working on my blog while her grandchildren and my son were playing together. She came over and asked me if I was working which opened up the subject about <em>Altered Arts</em>. Of course, the question that came next was, "What is altered art?"<br /><br />After explaining what it is and what I do for a living, she asked me if I had an example of an altered book. "Do I have an example??? But of course I do." So, I went into my house and came back out with three (beginner) books. (Do you have any idea how difficult it was just to bring out three?)<br /><br />She looked through them and asked if I would be interested in teaching a class in her home for her and some friends. She was really excited about the art form. Of course, I had to give her a couple of issues of <em>Altered Arts</em> magazine so she could see some really AMAZING artwork.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>She couldn't wait to go home and give it a try. In fact, she even gave me an idea for an article, so you may someday read one written by her. I can't tell you how much joy it brings me when I can bring another artist into the fold. </div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-668694246750241592.post-3838451053626321062007-08-16T07:40:00.000-07:002007-08-16T07:41:13.228-07:00WelcomeAaaah, I finally have a blog. Yippee! Well, let me introduce myself. My name is Clara and I am the Managing Editor for Altered Arts magazine. I am kept pretty busy as my day consists of work, taking care of two boys, and soon will include homeschooling my first grader. I am a woman who loves challenges, art, and being with others.Clarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04944968662516060292noreply@blogger.com1