Lauren Ferguson | There are no mistakes in art, just opportunites to embellish. (tm)

You've Got Mail

I have to say that it is hard designing for publications.

You can't blog about it until it has gone to print.

Finally, in my mailbox today was Altered Arts Magazine.

A friend had just found out that she was having a baby girl. I wanted to be at the baby shower but money, time and distance did not let that happen.

I had always wanted to do a dress form and I finally had the inspiration. I just loved how it came together.

The center piece was a pin that my maternal Grandmother wore on her coat during the winter.

What a way to give an old piece some new life!

until we meet again,

I'm In Print!!

I have a regular relationship with the UPS man. I was not expecting anything when he showed up at the back door yesterday.

I was quite surprised to find that in the envelope was the book, Green Guide for Artists.

And there I was on pages 114 and 115!

I love how they took the photo.

They made it all nice and shinny with the extra fine steel wool.

Oh they did such a great job.

I can barely contain myself.

I have been published before in magazines.

This is the first time that I have ever been in a gallery of a book.

I just love it. I can't even stand myself.

Kristen Hampshire wrote my profile and she did such a great job.

And can you believe that I am sandwiched in between two of the most amazing artists, LK Ludwig, one of my book idols, and Nina Bagley.

So go out and buy the book it is great. Karen Michel did a fabulous job and the information is beyond the bomb.

If you are even contemplating greening up your crafting, you must get this book.

I had originally made this piece for CHA Winter, 2008. I turned some dies from Sizzix into stamps and then etched the copper.

It is stunning and even looks better in person.

until we meet again,

Have you ever had just one...

Nope, not me.  I generally like to indulge in everything that I do.

But I have been blessed to have one project every year that is just the best of the things that I have done. You know that one project that makes you sit back and say Oh if they only knew the real story behind this thing, they would not believe me.

Well, I have had one and I love it.

I just got my copy of Altered Arts Magazine.  Let me just say that I have spent way too much money on FedEx overnight to get my projects there. For no other reason than the fact that the MOJO Fairy does not show up until 24 to 48 hours before something is due.

Did you see how I blame shifted to an imaginary being. It worked for me so lets just run with that for a minute...  Oh, but I digress...

So I did a checker board when I was on the Ranger Design Team and it was my best piece that year. I loved it and it worked for the product.

Now, this year I did a chess board.  I think I have a game theme going on.  Could it be that inner child in me that likes playing with the MOJO Fairy?

Notice, how I am keeping the imaginary friend thing going and now giving her credit for the creative process, just keep running with me for a bit longer....

Well, I was at CHA-W and saw these crazy paper dolls from Create and Treasure. I committed to working with them in the prototype.

I had to cut each one of these pieces out by hand. Did I tell you that I hated cutting anything with scissors!

Trust me I did the whole wishblade thing and it was not worth the scanning and all that crazy when it was said and done.

Well, once again, my late behind got the back of the magazine. Let's put it this way it was so late, I did nto even have time to take pictures of it for my own gallery. Really Really late.

But can I say that as far as I am concerned that was the best piece of hanging with the MOJO Fairy that I have ever done. She took over. She got rid of the rules and BAM! Out comes this board.

When I get out of the way and jet let it happen, she shows up on time and with reinforcements to get the job done. Oh how she is faithful!!

until we meet again,

Today is September 1st?? Right??

So here I am the featured artist for Mary Engelbriet's the Home Companion Oct/Nov 2008.

I can finally shout it from the roof tops. I can finally just jump up and down like a 5 year old.

This is the same funny giddy feeling when I found out I was on the Ranger Design Team. 

You know that little kids smile from just pure stupid all mine joy joy joy!

Ok, so I have been chomping at the bit to see the article in print. I just received the books back about 2 or 3 weeks ago.

And would you believe it someone had the nerve to put a holiday in the middle of my parade.

Everyone apparently uses a third party distributor to fill up the newsstand periodicals.  Well apparently today is a holiday and they will not be back until tomorrow. 

At first I was really upset and kinda whinny then it hit me like a ton of bricks...

Who cares, I get to do this all over again tomorrow. I am so fired up, that I excited about waiting for tomorrow now.

so off to spend the holiday with my family after the kids wake up from their nap.

until we meet again,

Lauren Ferguson is a Featured Artist in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Magazine

Here is the press release that went out today.

Joann's and Barnes & Noble carries Mary Englebreit's the Home Companion Magazine. Go get your copy on Monday and jump up and down and let everyone know.

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Three unique bookmaking projects featured in the paper arts column Paper, Scissors, Crop!

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) August 31, 2008 -- Nationally recognized mixed-media artist and instructor Lauren Ferguson is the featured artist for the October/November 2008 issue Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine's signature paper arts column called Paper, Scissors, Crop. The issue hits newsstands Sept. 1, 2008. Lauren's projects can also be seen on the magazine's website at http://homecompanionmag.com.

"I was thrilled when the magazine's editor of the Paper, Scissors, Crop contacted me to participate in the column. I knew immediately it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase my unique copper etching technique. When combined with my bookmaking techniques, my copper etched images create visually stunning blank journals. My hope is that my beautiful blank books will inspire others to create their own beautiful art within the pages of my journals."

Lauren is a self-taught Mixed Media Artist who lives outside of Atlanta, Georgia. She entered the craft industry after the birth of her first child. Memory Art, in particular scrapbooking, is where she developed her love for paper. She quickly became enthralled with Altered Art and Collage Art and, as a former librarian, was drawn to the art of bookmaking. As an imaginative craft designer, she works with a wide variety of craft company and paper arts manufacturers. Her art also appears in national magazines.

Lauren is available to teach classes, develop mixed media projects, and is always looking for special requests and new crafting challenges. More of her work can be seen on her website at http://www.everythingaltered.com. She can be reached at lauren@everythingaltered.com or by phone at 678.889.8735.

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mixed media altered art book ats bookmaking handmade books paper arts copper etching metal etching lauren ferguson everything altered

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until we meet again,

I am on the CraftGossip Blog Network!!!

OMG!!!  

Sarah Hodsdon asked me to do an interview for the blog a few days ago.

I completely forgot that it went up yesterday!!! 

Oh, it is so funny.  I just love it.  Got take a look.

CraftGossip Blog Network

until we meet again,

What a Surprise!!

I go to the mail box today and my Altered Arts Magazine is there.

I am just flipping thru the pages and I get to the back cover.  BLAMMMMMM!!

I was just so excited.  I must admit it made me proud. 

Well, I am off to crop with the girls this weekend.  I have not done the laundry, packed my scrap crap or even figured out what I am going to work on.

I am just so overwhelmed with all that I have and I have no idea what to pack.

Well off I go into the never ending abyss of paper, glue and embellishments.

Have a great weekend and chat with y'all on Monday.

until we meet again,

Yoda is definately my new MUSE!!!

OK, so I got a bunch of emails from folks asking me not to kick the MOJO FAIRY to the curb.

I have to be honest, I think it was the best decision that I have made all week.  Also considering some of my other antics this week have all but got me arrested.

I did a call for texture for Altered Arts Magazine. 

I originally wanted to do an altered light bulb.  But my execution was truly lacking.  I tried and I tried and finally, after the 12th light bulb, I realized that my greatest gift is knowing when to give up and move on.

So I went for what I know.  I made 2 really super sharp books out of canvases.  I used all kinds of things. 

My most exciting thing was my Glimmer Mist. 

Y'all I love this stuff.  I just love it!!  I just love everything about it.  I love the colors, I love the way that the colors can layer on top of one another.  I love the fact that I always get what I want.  And of course, you know that I have every single color that they have made.

I know, I know.  Why not use Perfect Pearls.  Well, before I even purchased Glimmer Mist, I did try it.  But this is what happens.  There is a binding agent in it and when the Perfect Pearls is mixed with a liquid, it clogs up the sprayer valve and does not come out.

Glimmer mist also comes in the most amazing colors!!!

On the first book cover, I used Moonlight which gives it a green shimmer and then I used Graphite which give is a darker tone.

On the second book cover, I used just Copper.

And to think that these were just some old canvases that I was going to throw out because I had tried to do something, that just like my light bulb, was a complete and utter disaster.

Boy oh Boy would this have been a missed opportunity to embellish.

until we meet again,

Can anyone tell me ...

Where is my Bed?  Have you seen it?  Has my husband been in it?  I surely have not seen it in the past few nights. 

He has actually been sleeping in the basement with me while the Mojo fairy and I hang out. 

Gotta love that man.

OK, so here are the things that I was working on for Altered Arts Magazine.

I was going to post them last night, but by the time I got everything ready for FedEx, I was beat.

 

Plus, the kids are coming down with a cold and I had to pick up one of them from school.  Gotta love Ziggy.  He looked at me and said "Mama, can I go to bed?"  Now you know that he is sick.  Just love that little man.

I have a few other things to get done tonight and it looks like it will be another late one.

So I am off to do what it is that I do. 

until we meet again,

I made it!!!

They love me they really do love me!!

I was selected to be on the Altered Arts Magazine Design Team!!!  Yep me little ole' me.

And would you believe that one of the women that I met in Ann Arbor was chosen also. 

I just love it!!!

So here is what they said:

Hi Lauren,

Congratulations!  You have been chosen as a new designer for Altered Arts
magazine/The Altered Book Club.  We were very impressed with your artwork.

After you have confirmed receipt of this email I will be sending you more
information pertaining to your role as our designer.

And I would have never looked if Rebecca Peck did not call me out of my death bed with a cold to come downstairs and read my email.

I know it has been a while since I blogged, I will get to it ASAP.  I am just deathly ill.

I will get to it tomorrow.

until we meet again,