Paper Arts Bulletin

New Template Trying out a new template with a watercolor background, which makes more sense than the previous template, given the title and theme of this blog.  I like the colors on the background.  The sidebar, not so much, but I can tweak things.   Hoping to get this blog going again in a slightly different direction to include things I like in addition to paper arts, namely cooking and gardening, but also anything else that strikes my fancy.  This could become more of a lifestyle blog.  Since no one reads this blog, I feel safe about relaunching it without losing or upsetting an audience.   I'd say stay tuned, but since no one is reading this, there's really no need.  :)  

Hello to all! Today's menu focuses on easy ways to explore printmaking.     If, like me, you’ve been itching to try your hand at using a Gelli Arts printing plate, but cannot afford to purchase one, I’ve rounded up some inexpensive alternatives using tools and art supplies you probably already have on hand.    Mixed media superstar Traci Bautista has many ideas on how to create different types of prints, including using puffy paints to make prints.       Alisa Burke shows how to make monotype prints with a plastic bag .    Jenny Doh, formerly of Stampington & Company, now of Crescendoh.com , shows how to make stamps from craft foam marshmallows .  Another method for making stamps from craft foam is here .   My first foray into paper crafts as an adult was making leaf prints on fancy papers and card stock.  Cindy from Skip to My Lou has a great tutorial about leaf prints.     Although leaf printing is...

This year's harsh winter may be keeping you indoors, but here are a few items for your enjoyment, starting first with some upcoming paper arts events: Creating Keepsakes has begun its annual CKC scrapbooking conventions at sites all over the United States.  Registration is open for upcoming events in St. Louis, Portland, Manchester, NH, and Buffalo.  Registration for the Phoenix event will open on February 12, 2014.  Go here  for the list of upcoming cities and registration details.  The CKC events start in April.  Perhaps the weather will have warmed up by then.   Art Journal Every Day is an online group Julie Fei-Fan Balzer started on her blog a few years ago. This is not an e-course so much as a group of papercrafters dedicated to working in their art journals every day.  Balzer has an Art Journal Every Day post on her blog every Friday.  There is no cost to join the group, and you can choose to upload your journal pages to the Art Jo...

Ranger has just introduced a new line of products named for Dina Wakley, a star in the mixed-media art world and a new Signature Designer for the company.  Ms. Wakley's new line includes 12 vibrant colors of heavy-body acrylic tube paints, both white and black gesso, a matte gel medium, brushes, plastic palette knives, stamps, and stencils.  There is no black paint yet, but Wakley says that it will probably come out in the next release.  In the meantime, she suggests using either the black gesso or the Night acrylic tube paint.   Ranger will also carry multi-medium in both the matte and gloss versions under its own brand, rather than under the Claudine Hellmuth Studio line, which the company has discontinued.  You may be able to find some of the Studio products that are still available from various online stores and craft stores that carry them.    Here is a video of Wakley demonstrating her products at the most recent Craft and Hobby Association tr...