Art Quilting Studio: Stampington Does It Again !

I think that Stampington has done it once again. They have managed to publish what I think will be another very successful magazine. Little by little, as my magazine subscriptions come up for renewal I find that I will let one or another 'go' in order to be able to buy another of Stampington's offerings. I never seem to be able to afford their subscriptions, but since I don't plan to throw these beautiful publications in the trash I am not that bothered to have to order issues one at a time online. Their postage is high $4.95 per single magazine - though I think that they do give a break on multiple magazines ordered at the same time. I had pre-prdered Art Quilting Studio some time ago- and have done the same with next, much awaited, issue of Art Journaling that is due out in the Fall. I like being able to know that I will get the magazines I want without waiting to find them in a mainland bookstore.....since I seldom go off island I would most assuredly miss out on most, if not all, of the issues I want!!

Art Quilting Studio is another feast for the eyes. The visual impact of Stampington magazines is what always "wows" me. When I heard that this magazine was in the works last Fall I had wondered what could be new in the art quilting world. I thought I was relatively 'plugged in'. I love 'Art Quilting' magazine as well as Cloth Paper Scissors....and yes, I have every issue of each of those magazines in my stash! What I am thoroughly enchanted about with Art Quilting Studio is that the voices in the pages are from somewhat lesser known artists as well as from some near household names like Sherril Kahn. The articles are interesting & engaging and there are some truly innovative catagories that the magazine plans to have as regular sections so I think that they are really opening this magazine up to many artists who might not have thought about submitting an article to a magazine before.

I loved this article on gel medium transfers -
and the small, meaningful quilts that this artist uses her transfers in are a delight

Quilting Arts magazine has always been a favorite magazine (and will contiue to be I should add) but, at times, I think they run articles - albeit new articles - from many of the same authors. Art Quilting Studio has really opened up the proverbial playing field with this new magazine geared towards art quilting. As I myself have seemingly veered off in the direction of more mixed media lately - and surely a lot more painting - I am finding that all that I am learning is applicable to the work I want to do in some quilts that have been rumbling about and formulating in the back of my mind. This magazine, to me, really speaks to many people who are "cross pollinated" in mixed media, collage, paper arts, as well as piecing and quilting techniques that continue to delight as they push the borders or art quilting.

Well known artist and authoir, Sherrill Kahn,
wrote this really interesting article about using facial wipes as art. Fabulous!

Visually appealing and tremedously informative as well - I found almost all of the articles in this Premier Issue to be valuable to me. Yes, there is space for another magazine about art quilting - and I am so pleased ! Quilts as art are becoming more and more respected and both Art Quilting Studio & Quilting Arts are truly in the forefront of the of our push for r-e-s-p-e-c-t as fiber artists!

Make haste to get your copy of the magaine before it is SOLD OUT !!

Artful Blogging; A New Issue Is Out!

The newest issue of "Artful Blogging" is out and, as always, it's a real treat! Because I live no where near a magazine-full bookstore I always seem to order my Stampington magazines directly from them. Although I really think that their shipping is usurious and I am never able to afford a subscription, I am always so happy to see the envelopes from Stampington in my mail box. I have also pre-ordered the next glorious issue of "Art Journaling" that is due out in the Fall. Yesterday's mail brought me the first issue of Stampington's newest 'tour de force' magazine 'Art Quilt Studio". At first glances I have to say that it looks to be another winner! I'll review it this week.

My New Favorite Magazines

PS: double click on these photos for a much better view of these magazines

I have said before that I am a magazine junkie. In fact I think that my first post ever on this blog was about the lure of glossy magazines. I am still a faithful subscriber to 'Quilting Arts' (have been since their first issue) and to 'Cloth, Paper, Scissors' as well as to a host of strictly quilting magazines, History, Archaeology, and various knitting magazines. The two magazines shown here are my two most favorite new magazines. Both are published by Stampington.

PS: A new Stampington title will premier in June!

'Art Journaling' is one of those mags that you can devour page by page. Interesting, beautifully produced - total eye candy. It is not a regularly published title yet but there will be another issue coming out on September 1. You can even pre-order it prior to July 9th with no shipping fees (if I am reading their blurb correctly that is!). My other new favorite is a regularly published Stampington magazine called 'Artful Blogging'. I have each issue as it has come out - though not by subscription as I can never seem to afford the subscription rate - but have managed to get issue by issue. It's lushly illustrated, has articles that will be of interest to nearly every 'artful' blogger in cyber space and, once again, just plain wonderful eye candy.

Below: magazine at the top of the photo if from 'Art Journaling'; on the bottom is a page from 'Artful Blogging'. Pick up your issues of these great finds and I know that you will enjoy them - and that they are magazines that you will want to hold on to!

Stylus Magazine: All The Beauty Of Pens Between The Pages

I know that many of you will not understand my obvious obsession with fountain pens. I began using fountain pens when I was 14 and pens have always (even when it meant using ball points or roller balls) fascinated me. I really love objects that are both functional as well as beautiful. Some of my favorite Japanese pens ,which, unless I win a lottery, I am unlikely to be able to own, are made so that the upper most lacquer finish actually becomes lighter with age, allowing the underlying painting to become more visible. Recently, the very generous publisher of Stylus pens sent me not one but two issues to sample before I subscribed (thank you Mary Anne!). Oh! what a magazine. It's the art of the pen that makes me swoon - the successful blending of form and function. Stylus is a magazine about the art of pens. Fabulous! Remember - all of the photos can be clicked on to see some of the amazing detail in the following photos!

This article was written just for me I'm sure -
especially since I am , perforce, be on a budget!

This article was also written with me in mind -
since I am a new convert to the amazing qualities of vintage pens !

This is one of my favorite types of Japanese pens - maki-e .
Look at how the hummingbird just hovers on the pens surface!

More one of kind art pens -
Can you see the details in those fish on the pen and the blooms in the second?

This is the sort of pen I lust for - very simple design and with no pocket clip.
I know that I will win a lottery someday right?!

These pens are all made from "famous wood" .
The shows one made from the Grant-Lincoln tree & the one below it is made from the U.S.S. Constitution

There are wonderful articles about some well know nib-meisters - masters at making a pen write just the way you want it to. You can tell them that you would like an xtra xtra fine, moderately wet writing, left oblique nib - and they will fashion it perfectly - just for you. Amazing, and generally under- appreciated talents! What a very fine magazine ! Yes ! I AM going to subscribe - as soon as pay day rolls around this month!

Magazine Addication; It's a Glossy Thing

My name is Marie and I am addicted to Magazines. This photo shows a small grouping of the most recent additions to my collection of glossy paged beauties. I subscribe to many - probably too many, although I have actually let a few slide this year. The ones I let go were replaced with other subscriptions . They must have called to me more urgently I guess. Generally, my selections follow my interests. I pass along several titles to my hairdresser - she likes my magazines because they add variety to what she already gets - things like Woman’s Wear Daily, Vogue , Harper’s Bazaar & People. My friend Maria, who is also a magazine hound, gives me gift subscriptions to magazines that I would never know existed if she didn’t! Domino and Cottage Style are about home design and decoration. I LOVE looking at them and imagining possibilities. I might get inspired to actually do something! These treasures get passed along to other equally decoratively challenged friends.

I have quilting magazines that go back to the 80’s (well - maybe even late 70’s). I am slowly whittling the piles down - removing articles that were dog- eared for interest. I have even managed to compile some of those whittled stacks into binders - labeled by interest topic. The recycle bins groan under the weight of the discarded portions of these treasured magazines. I feel the weight lifted from my ever encroaching clutter - almost a giddy release of the obligations of “projects never started”.

I promise myself that I will do better. Whittle more, sell off what I don’t care to go through. These treasures are, after all, quilt history right ?! I am trying. I hate clutter and yet my life is filled with it. So I am going to start where I can to reclaim some space. I’ll try to resist the urge to replace one patch of cleared shelf space with another title. No, I won’t relinquish my complete set of Quilting Arts Magazine or Cloth, Paper, Scissors. That would be painful - and besides - i might actually use those techniques !

I am glad that we have so many choices in our magazines. They all hold promise, adventure and possibilities - if only we could magically take the exemplars out of the pages & and make them manifest before our eyes ! Until that kind of mind control can happen however - I will probably continue to buy magazines . There are far worse addictions to have !
If anyone is longing for old issue of a quilting magazine - be sure to let me know !