Winner Announced and other stuff

Prize Drawing Winner

I'll jump right to the winner of the drawing for Kate Crane's Art Journaling DVDs. I numbered the comments in order omitting any double entries of which there were 4 leaving 74 entries. The random number generator picked #23 which belongs to Taluula!


Congratulations Taluula! And many thanks to Kate and the publishing company Traplet for sponsoring the prize. I'll email Taluula with the details!

Other Stuff

This is NOT my work . . . had to share some pieces from my Creative Team today . . .

From Amy Kubisiak Nieman of Paper and Gluestix . . . I love to show how digital image kits can be used in cut and paste work. Though I don't have time to work cut and paste often any more, it is where my roots lie . . . you never forget your first love.


copyright Amy Wallis 2011.

from Mary Bailey of Miles Beyond the Moon


copyright by Mary Bailey 2011.

From Melissa of Honey Girl Studio . . .


copyright by Melissa Ustik 2011.

Here are the new kits . . .
The previews are linked to the shoppe and Etcetera is also available in a printable jpg sheet version (not linked).

Etcetera



And So On . . .



Here's a little piece from me. I'm rusty! It's been almost 3 weeks since I made something.

It's Personal


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen August 2011. All rights reserved.
Everything from my own image kits. Tumble Fish Studio kits used: Etcetera, And So On . . . , Jolie Papiers, and Journal Papers 2.

Would you like to win my NEXT new kit before it's released to the public?
I've got something special planned using images from the public domain - restored, altered, colored, and extracted images. If you'd like to win this kit, just comment this post and sometime in the next few days, you'll get the next new kit before anyone else! Drawing ends at midnight Wednesday, August 24th. Each person will only be entered once and only those with some kind of blog or link to their work will be eligible to win.

Last day to enter!

It's the last day to enter the drawing for Kate Crane's Art Journaling DVDs! Just comment the post HERE (click on "HERE"). Comments will close at midnight tonight. A random winner will be drawn tomorrow and posted here on my blog along with a whole new prize drawing!

Good Stuff!

This is really good, so don't forget!
You have until August 20th to comment the post below this one and enter a drawing for Kate Crane's new Art Journaling DVDs. Truly, one of my new most favorite sources of inspiration! Read below to find out more and sneak a peek at Kate's work using Tumble Fish Studio images.

This is very good!
The talented Nancy Baumiller of Crowabout Studio B and I collaborated on a brand new funky mail art kit, available in both jpg collage sheets and a digital version with png images. AND, we both did coordinating Add On kits as well. It's on sale this week! Pix below are all linked to the shoppe.

You're Invited (funky mail art) Kit



You're Invited (funky mail art) printable jpg kit



TFS Add On for You're Invited



Crowabout Studio B's You're Invited Add On Mini



These are beyond good!
Have to share just a few of the pieces my Creative Team made using the kits above. I wanted to share some that wouldn't fit in the shoppe samples sections.

from Tracey aka glitterbug (linked to her blog)



from Amy aka paperandgluestix (linked to her blog)



from Jayne aka peppapig (linked to her blog)



from Maggiebean (linked to her flickr)



And here's an exclusive secret heads up . . . .
Watch for information coming soon about a funky mail art swap at DeviantScrap.com. It will be in the September issue of The Altered Muse!

And this is good and bad . . .
Good because you still have time, bad because today is the last day to sign up for the August ATC swap at DeviantScrap.com. You can sign up for either a digi swap or snail mail swap. Work is due on the 30th and the theme is "The Inner Me". You can find out more here.



And this is good too!
I am so excited to be a part of Seth Apter's The Pulse on his The Altered Page blog. Here is Seth's description of his ongoing project . . .

"Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday."

Mystery solved . . .

If you visited yesterday, you saw a mysterious number I told you would disappear later today and that you should write the number down somewhere and keep it handy. If you did . . .
you have a coupon code for an additional 25% off any of the items in the Tumble Fish Studio shoppe at Deviant Scrap! That means, for some kits, a savings of 45% including these brand new kits . . . .

Jolie Papier Deux



Jolie Papier



Just look at this amazing piece Trudi of Two Dresses Studio made from these kits . . . .


copyright Trudi Sissons.

How to use the coupon . . .
Just type that mystery number in the space provided for a coupon when you checkout. It's good through this Saturday, August 13 Midnight only. It disappears altogether on the 14th. You can use it on ANY Tumble Fish Studio kits at DeviantScrap.com.

Remember, most of my kits come in either a png digital kit or in a printable jpg kit and almost all work out to less than $1.00 per sheet! (papers only kits do not come in collage sheet form)

But that's not all folks . . . .
Now, if you're not into the discount on images, never fear! I got you back here for yet another reason entirely! Keep reading . . . . You may have just seen her work in the new fall edition of Somerset's Artful Blogging, among many other publications she's been featured in. You may know her from flickr. You may know her from her blog. You may have taken a class from her or participate in her now famous Calendar Challenge. However you're familiar with her, you know she's one of the most talented journal and mixed media collage artists around. I am so very lucky that the hugely talented Kate Crane has taken a liking to my images over the last year and a half or so. What a thrill to see her work her magic with them!

If you haven't been to her blog, you need to make side trip over there . . . but don't forget to come back for the good part at the end of this post! You can get to Kate through the linked picture below . . . but come back . . . don't forget.



And here's some work of Kate's that uses Tumble Fish images . . .




all art work copyright by Kate Crane.

So, now that you've had a taste of Kate's talent I'm sure you'll agree you would probably love to own a set of her new Art Journaling DVD's that feature images from Tumble Fish Studio and another good friend, Nancy Baumiller of Crowabout among other designers. If you click on the pictures just above, you can see a snippet from the DVD's that just happens to use some of my images. Her calm lyrical voice will lure you into a relaxed beautiful approach to journaling, an approach that can be applied to all types of collage and mixed media work that takes you from the very start to a satisfying end. Truly this is THE best "How To" I've ever seen.



Would you like a set of Kate's DVDs? If you comment this post by August 20th, you'll be entered into a random drawing to win this beautiful DVD set. That's it, just post a comment!

A mysterious post . . .

For my blog friends only . . .

Do you trust me? If you do, write this number down and keep it handy. Write it on a post it note and stick to your forehead, write it on your hand but don't wash it off, jot it down on a steamy mirror and keep the hot water runnin', tattoo it on your ankle if you like, but keep it handy. Tomorrow, Wednesday August 10 about 6 pm the number will disappear from my blog but you'll know why you need it and be so glad you kept it. C'mon, trust me!

Hello Peoples!

Life . . .
It's been a whirlwind the last week to get back into work and up and running again after a couple of unplanned weeks mostly away. It's always hard to get back where you were, isn't it?

Life has settled down again . . . there's never a dull moment, and like the rest of you, have countless fires to douse as you try to "get on with it". I often imagine, when I'm feeling stressed or sorry for myslef, that everyone else gets to go through their days care free with not a thing to do but make art, visit friends, eat, nap, and watch movies. But I know that is not the case. I think. By the way, Mom-in-law is doing much better and is recovering well and looking forward to retirement!

Working . . .
On with it . . . been working double time to get new kits made to get caught up on my business plan. Think I'm almost there. A few days ago, I added two new kits: Vive la France and 15 Dresses and have the next several kits done to spread out over the next few weeks. Hoping that means this week I can make some art, correspond, and take it a little easier.

She Had Paris


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen, August 2011. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Digital kits used all from Tumble Fish Studio: 15 Dresses, Vive la France, Divas, Matched Set, and Dance-A-Thon.

(She Had Paris) Parts
I don't usually show my "naked" parts that I use in my image kits and work, but these are the parts and pieces I used to make She Had Paris (above). Everything I sell in my image kits comes from my own collection of antique papers and pictures like these shown below before being restored and altered.



Owl King


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen August 2011. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Digital kits used all from Tumble Fish Studio: Vive la France, Cartes De Jeu, Male Persuasion, and City Skies.

15 Dresses



Vive la France



Slideshow
The very talented Tracey Parker of Glitterbug Studios, who I am so lucky to have on my Creative Team, made a lovely little slideshow to feature some of the work of my team last week. Thank you Tracey!


ATC Swap
I'm hosting another ATC swap in the forum at DeviantScrap.com. The theme this month is the "Inner Me". Anyone is welcome to join in and you can use images from wherever you like. You can sign up for a digital swap or a hard copy snail mail swap. I'd love to have you join us! You can find it here.

My ATC for August is digital. It's really a new version of an older piece, Small Me. I'm revealing my inner psyche and struggle with feeling adequate (as a human) I guess.

Not Big


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen, July 2011. All rights reserved.
Digital ATC. Digital kits used all from Tumble Fish Studio except the black and white border which was made using pieces from Crowabout Studio B. Tumble Fish Studio kits used: Girl Whimsy, Journal Words, Matched Set, Divas, and Hats Crowns and Wings.

I feel a prize coming on!
Later this week look for a very special prize drawing and feature on one of my favorite artists around!

Sidetracked . . .

Hi y'all! I am here - life has temporarily sidetracked me in some good and some not so good ways. Wedding good, mom in hospital not good.

The last 2 weeks have been a little up and down. My mom-in-law, who we share a house with, was out of town visiting my sister-in-law 2 weeks ago and had a heart attack. It was totally unexpected - she's so active and fit. In fact she had just hiked 3 miles before she experienced the neck and jaw pain that prompted a trip to Urgent Care which resulted in an ambulance to the hospital. Lesson 1 - women don't worry about inconveniencing anyone as we often do! If you suspect a heart attack for any reason, call 911! Remember, women often don't experience chest pain with a heart attack.

She had an angiogram, angioplasty, and a stint put in and allowed to fly home a couple of days later. As my nephew (her grandson) was getting married here last weekend, my sister-in-law came with her and we were later joined by her sons. So things are in full swing for the wedding - shopping for wedding clothes, a slideshow for the reception to make, reunions with family and friends, people to pick up at the airport, kids going to bachelor parties, and all the family wedding stuff when we ended up with mom back in the hospital for 2 days and nights. Lesson 2 - do not continue to walk 3 miles a day within days of having a heart attack and sleeping a little more than usual might be a good idea.

She missed the wedding rehearsal but got out in time to go to the wedding. Sister-in-law and family went home the next day, my husband left for a business trip and we thought we'd get back in the swing of things and caught up on life this week but ended up back in the ER most of yesterday and last night. There's more to the story but those are the crucial parts. It is just never a dull moment around here the last couple of years. Mom is doing better today - we're sure there is more to find out and work on with the doctor next week and look forward to things hopefully settling down soon. I think a little anxiety is setting in with all that has happened recently. On my end of things, between mom and my daughter this year, and my dad the last 2 years before he died, I think I have been in the hospital and doctors' offices enough, I should get to be an honorary doctor of some sort. Dr. Fishy . . . maybe that will be my next piece.

So, needless to say, I am once again way behind on work and blogs and everything art or computer related. And once again I am a little overwhelmed and upside down. But if we can get mom lined out again and feeling good, I have nothing but time to work to look forward to in the near future. I did manage to finish up a kit I had started 3 weeks ago . . .

Cartes De Jeu



Last Chance Sale reminder . . .
Everything in my shoppe at DeviantScrap.com has been on sale for the last 2 months. That sale ends August 1st on most items! Don't miss this chance to stock up on things while they're on sale! New kits are added frequently and always on sale their first week in the shoppe.

Fun news . . .

I'm so excited about this!
Last year I was asked to do the cover for the art and Justice issue of Trespass magazine, a British arts and literary publication. Just after completing the work, the magazine went from being published in paper to a new digital format and is now available at ExactEditions. It was such a thrill to scroll down and see my cover amidst all the other magazines on the site! Many thanks to Sara-Mae Tuson, Managing Editor for New Trespass, for approaching me and giving me this incredible opportunity. It is such an honor to be part of such a provocative publication.


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen June, 2010. All rights reserved.
Hand cut, hand colored collage. Image credits: dress altered from Crowabout Studio B's Funky People Parts kit; paintbrush from Holliewood Studio's The Thing Finder kit; ground from Clemetine Design's Tommy Town kit; everything else from my own image stash and digital kits at DeviantScrap.com. All images were used with permission.

Brand new kits in the shoppe today!
Finally, I've got most of my "old stock" in the shoppe and had a chance to get some brand new kits made and listed at DeviantScrap. This is a big turning point as after a crazy family week ahead, I will finally have time to breathe and get some of my own art made, visit blogs, and visit other people's work. I am really thirsty for that. Well, anyway, the kits below are on sale along with every other TFS kit in the shoppe until August 1st!

Ooo La La



Fight for the Limelight (sample piece)


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen July 2011. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Image credits: Everything from Tumble Fish Studio kits at DeviantScrap.com including Ooo La La, Odd Magic, and Divas.

Perfumed



Don't forget!
~ You can still sign up for the ATC swap at DeviantScrap.com. I'm hosting it and it's free and you can use images from anywhere. The sign up deadline is tomorrow, the 15th. You can do cut and paste OR digi or any other medium. Sign up here!
~ I'm also hosting a "get to know you" game at DeviantScrap.com in the forum section. It's called the Queen of Everything and all you have to do is answer some silly questions to be entered into a drawing for one of 2 $10 gift certificates for Tumble Fish Studio products at DeviantScrap. Anyone is welcome to play! You can play the game here!

Inclinations . . .

Clever connection to post title #1 . . .
I got a new piece done this week that used a small image from a kit I'm re-releasing today. The image said "You may be inclined to use fish in your art more". I'm inclined to use fish more often than I can reasonably work them in.


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen June 2011. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Image credits: everything from my own images at DeviantScrap.com. Kits used include: Divas, Hats Crowns and Wings, Get Freaky, and Random Favorites.

The piece above uses some images from my Random Favorites kit and the one below uses images from Frames & Words. The are both a part of several kits I've released today and recently . . . Random Favorites, Inkoporated, That's the Ticket, and Frames & Words. Bad news . . . These are some of the last value priced bundles I have to re-release so don't miss a great opportunity to build up your stash. Good news . . . There are some brand new kits on their way to the shoppe very very soon!


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen July 2011. All rights reserved.
Digital collage. Image credits: everything from my own images at DeviantScrap.com. Kits used include Frames & Words, Winged Splendor, Hats Crowns and Wings, and Couture Glamour.

New kits in the shoppe . . . Tumble Fish Studio at DeviantScrap.com



Clever connection to the the post title #2 . . .
At DeviantScrap.com, it's not all just about selling images but also building a community that wants to work outside the box, color outside the lines, and use images in a variety of ways. Part of building that community is just plain having fun and getting to know one another. So, I hope you might find your self with the inclination to go play a game I'm hosting there.

All you have to do is answer some "get to know you questions" and you could win one of two $10 gift certificates to my shoppe at DeviantScrap. The worst case scenario here is that you don't win but get to know some new artists and deviant creative types out there. Everyone is welcome to play! When you get to DeviantScrap.com, go to the forum, and then go to Fun and Games and then to Queen of Everything. The picture below shows the start of the game, but you can join in anytime between now and August 1st.




Clever connection to the post title #3 . . .
I have an inkling (kind of related to the word inclination in an artistic license kind of way) that you will not want to miss all the great art that Seth Apter has been sharing in recent posts of his new The Pulse project. Trust me, you won't want to miss any of it. Make sure to scroll down the page and see all the recent "Style Files" where you get a taste of an artist's work and some introductions written by the artists themselves. I love reading what artists have to say about their own work . . . the insight can be so inspiring and affirming for me.



Okay, so maybe I'm not so clever in my connections but . . . I tried. Hope you have a happy July week ahead of you! And, please know, I always love to read and appreciate your comments.

No boom boom

This isn't a very patriotic post, unfortunately. I love the 4th of July but it is different for me these days. It was a holiday I celebrated with my parents, always my vacation every summer for the last 20 some years or so. Last year was my first 4th without them and still this year I have a hard time getting in the mood to do much. So, while I consider myself very patriotic, not so much on the obvious day I guess. No big boom boom here. (Though there is enough going on around us that my dog Scout is hiding under the bed for the third day in a row.) Anyway, how wonderful to live in a country where you are free to do as you wish . . . so I am exercising my freedom and right to work and be artsy today and a little untraditional. I do wish you a very Happy 4th of July, if you are here in the United States and a very happy summer day for everyone else!

You are a Goddess and Beautiful Sideshow


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen, July 2011. All rights reserved.
Digital Collages. Image credits: all from my own Tumble Fish Studio kits including Divas, Journal Words, Journal Scraps, Journal papers, Hats Crowns & Wings, and Paper Things.

New Stuff . . .
I've been working hard to catch up on work work and house work this week and have a lot of irons in the fire to finish up this week. I do have a couple of new little pieces done and some new kits in the shoppe at DeviantScrap.com. I'm nearing the end of listing all of my "old stock" with the last few re-releases in the next 10 days or so before starting on all new kits. Most everything in my shoppe is on sale now through the end of July (with just a couple of exceptions) so don't miss out on stocking up on a lot of great deals for your image stash!

Journal Words



Journal Papers



Journal Scraps



Beloved and Life Shrines


copyright by Marsha Jorgensen, June 2011. All rights reserved.
Digital ATC's. Image credits: from Tumble Fish Studio - Happy Place, Vibrations, Borders Bunch, Jiant Journaling, Miscellany, Divas, City Skies, Remembrances, East is West; arrow and crown in Beloved ATC are from Sherrie JD's SteamPunk kit; paper clip in Life ATC is from Christina Renee Designs.

Altars & Shrines . . .
There's a lot going on at DeviantScrap.com this month including a very fun ATC swap to compliment our theme of Altars & Shrines. The picture ad below is from DeviantScrap.com's The Deviant Muse . . . you can get the July issue FOR FREE from here! And we'd love to have any one of you join in on the swap! Anyone is welcome, any medium, any images . . . it's just a friendly swap! You can join in and get more information here.


Image credits: cards contributed by Balinda, Anubis 1, Glitterbug, and me. Full credits can be found on the last page of July's The Deviant Muse or in the swap gallery here.

Inspiration . . .
While perusing one of my favorite sites to peruse, Creative Souls, I found the gorgeous work of Mary Jane Chadbourne. Mary Jane lives and works in the Las Vegas area and her work can be found in numerous galleries in the Southwest. It was a stroke of luck that I discovered her work just as we were preparing July's theme of Altars & Shrines at DeviantScrap. Not only did I fall in love with Mary Jane's work but found endless inspiration for possible themes I look forward to exploring myself. One thing I find very exciting is her ability to use images in her dimensional pieces that many of us might limit to flattened cut and paste or digi work. She thinks "outside the box", literally, in her work and I get lost in the details of her dimensional compositions. The photo's of Mary Janes work below were used with permission and are linked to Mary Jane's Facebook Fan Page, Desert Dreams Studio.

The Beauty Within


Journey This Day



Frida & Diego - Unsettled Showers



Find Your Way