It Must Be Summer!

Ahhh, 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 homeschool 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.

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.

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. :-)

-Clara

Hey 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 Altered Arts magazine's 2009 issues. Yes subscribers, I did say "us" - I am officially inviting you to this meeting.

Take this opportunity to share your ideas. We've heard from our designers, but now it's time to hear from you!

Now you do have a deadline. You need to get back to me with your ideas (either via email at clara@alteredarts.com, or you can post your ideas here) by May 7, 2008.

Can't wait to get your inputs!

A Masterpiece!

I have the March/April 2008 issue of Altered Arts 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.

As the Managing Editor of Altered Arts, 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.

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.

Altered 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.

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?)

Hope to hear from you.

What I Like Most About Altered Art

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!

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.

So remember, it doesn't have to be extravagant to be considered a piece of artwork...just ask my 20 month old.

Happy 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????)

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??????

Shhhh! 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.

Now having said that, I have to let you know that the Jan/Feb 08 issue of Altered Arts 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???