Come See the Stars at ZNE Convenzione

The first-ever ZNE Convenzione http://www.znecon.com/ promises to be out of this world, and how can it not be, in a town with the sweet name of Pleasanton? After meeting ZNE founder Chelise Stroud-Hery http://www.chelise.typepad.com/ at the ZNE Castle in the Meadow event last month, I am more excited than ever to see her suceed at putting this together. And succeed she will, because again, how can she not, with an unbelievable lineup, including Michele Beschen http://blog.couragetocreate.com/ of HGTV/DIY Channel's 'B Original,' the artist SARK, musician Jon Troast, and unbelievable teachers like Lisa Kaus http://lisakaus.blogspot.com/, Kari Ramstrom http://artsymama.blogspot.com/, Chrysti Hydeck http://www.artbychrysti.wordpress.com/and more, all descending on Plesanton Aug. 22-24, 2008.
Some of you know I will be taking a class there from Bernie Berlin, she of the no-kill animal rescue and shelter, A Place to Bark http://aplacetobark.blogspot.com/. I'll be showing her the auction copy of the fund raiser/book my Yahoo! group Arte du Blythe http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/Arte_du_Blythe made to sell for her and asking her to autograph the winner's copy. Bernie's also the same "she" of the book, Artist Trading Card Workshop, an eye candy volume and the 'bible' on ATCs.
I am also terribly excited because not only do I get to meet the inimitable Miss Vicky http://www.cut-it-up.com/ of Cut-it-Up store/book/web fame but I get to hang out with her at her home. I'll also be meeting fellow Hoosier artist Kris Hubick http://www.retrocafeart.com/, but we had to travel cross-c0untry to get that accomplished!
There's so much more going on than what I've said here. In fact, and you can be assured I'll be mentioning it again and again and again, but there is also a gallery showing of ZNE member works and I'm in! Yippee. "Let them Eat Crow" is off being framed so that it can be shipped to sunny CA posthaste. There's also a documentary screening of the 1000 Journals project and a private showing of never-before-seen works from Claudine Hellmuth http://www.claudinehellmuth.com/. And the best news? Well, two great things: it is not too late to register and registration is already open for 2009 http://www.znecon.com/. Go. Now!

Here's The Skinny on My Fat Skinny Book in The Altered Abbey's Skinny Book Swap

I have been waiting somewhat patiently for the return of my first-ever book swap, having joined back in about September The Altered Abbey's Skinny Book Swap. I first read about fellow ZNE member Chrysti Hydeck's background techniques in Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine and noted she was hosting a swap. Although her three all originals books were already full, I signed up for the fourth book, copies or originals, in 4 x 8 inch format.

With the deadline of Oct. 31 looming right after vacation, I finished up my mostly all original pages in early Oct., and shipped them off to North Carolina. I didn't dream, and neither did Chrysti, that I wouldn't see my finished book until Jan. 30. It was well worth the wait! Not one page was disappointing in the least.

However, I cannot imagine Chrysti's frustration at coordinating over 100 incoming pages from all over the world, as well as a hoped-for 50 extra pages for charity auction books. Many of the original participants did not come through, and so many substitutions were needed at the last minute. On top of this, Chrysti created original covers and bound all the books. I wonder if she bound her own set into one big book of 100 pages?

This book is something I will always treasure and for now cannot stop looking at it! It has also inspired me to take on the Art & Soul "By the Sea" all originals chubby book (4 x 4) swap as well as the ARTchix By The Sea chubby book (up to 100 color copies), both due right around April 1, along with my 25 charms for the Art & Soul charm swap. Looks like my March is planned for me!

Yay! Skinny Book Pages Done!! 100th Post- Leave a Comment for a Chance for Altered Art Goodies and Ephemera; Surprises Too!

What better way to celebrate a 100th post than to be all done with a major project. After more than two weeks and at least 48 hours of work, I just finished 54 4 x 8 pages (27 when assembled) for ZNE sponsor The Altered Abbey's Skinny Book Swap by owner and fellow ZNE member Chrysti Hydeck here: http://www.alteredabbey.com/shop/ and here http://chysti.wordpress.com/ and here http://www.alteredabbey.com/_vti_bin/shtml.exe/skinnybook.htm. She's a busy thing, that Chrysti.

I was first inspired by her work in issue No. 13 of Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine. I barely made the cut-off to sign up for the books. She was hosting four books of 25 pp. each and I was No. 23 of the last book. Yikes! The book I will be in does not have to be all originals, but I did 18 originals and 9 highly-embellished high-quality photo copies. I can't even tell which is which, so I hope all recipients will be pleased.

Crazy Chrysti then decided to host two more books, this time for charity auctions, hence the 27 total pages I am sending (and one for her). Imagine, she will have her own book of more than 100 different pages! How beautiful that will be! It will be hard to wait for the finished project. I will get one of my own pages back. I did not photograph all 27, so some I will never see again.

I started with heavy weight paper for acrylic paint, cut it to size and then painted every page with a variety of solid, gel and fluid acrylics. I tried some of Chrysti's techniques from the CPS article, such as brayering pages together, painting over lace, etc. I then attached pages in sets of fronts and backs and began to embellish with paper ephemera. I did gel medium transfers, collage, added transparencies, rubber stamping, metal charms, eyelets, fibers, beads, word pebbles, gold leaf and silver leaf and then I sealed each page.

Speaking of 100th Post, I can't believe it has only been two and a half months since I started my blog. It is one of the best things I have ever done. It has forced me to learn my equipment: computer, scanner, camera, printer. It has forced me to learn web-based technology, and it has given me a chance, albeit brief, to get back to my writing. Plus it lets me share my art with the masses (even if the masses are few).

So, in honor of my 100th post, I have 3 or more large batches of goodies like those pictured from my recent haul: old bottles, old jewelry, old Bingo parts, collage papers, scrap papers, vintage cards, stickers, and I will be drawing names Monday night from among those who leave me a comment here in my 100th post. So say hello, and watch for an annoucement in two days. That should give people time to visit. I will get the goodies/freebies right out next week.