Melange Team Bottle Challenge

The Melange Team is hosting an altered art bottle/jar challenge over at our blog. The challenge is open to anyone and runs through January 22. (There are prizes, too :)

When I first learned of this challenge, I wasn't sure I would participate as I really haven't created much in the way of 3D art. But when cleaning out a cupboard I found an old maple syrup bottle that I had saved for some reason. Right then and there, I knew it was kismet.

I didn't have any trouble coming up with an idea for this challenge, as the very first thing that popped into my head was the Jim Croce song, "Time in a Bottle." And I knew that I would use images of my three boys. As I ready my oldest for college in the fall, it has become startling clear how quickly these years have gone by. If only I could save that time in a bottle.


For the flip side, I knew the text from Rod Stewart's "Forever Young," was the right choice; especially when I heard son #2 singing it as I was working on the bottle in my studio. Kismet again.

The bottle was covered in stamped dressmaker's tissue and given an acrylic wash, followed by printing with bubble wrap and pieces of an onion bag for texture. Images, text and hearts were added, along with fibers to embellish.

I encourage you to join in on this challenge. The Melange Team at Etsy is a wonderful group of artists who always have some fun up their sleeves.

© Nancy Lefko

Somerset Studio

The January/February issue of Somerset Studio is currently in bookstores. I was fortunate to have my mixed media collage entitled, "Quite Beautiful," selected for publication. What makes this joy so much more fun is to share the same page in this issue with my friend and fellow artist, Alisa Nordholt-Dean. Alisa is a talented mixed media/collage artist with whom I have had the pleasure of collaborating. What fun to open the magazine and find our two collages side by side! (Alisa's collage is top right on the page below.)




"She was quite beautiful. Everyone had seen her innumerable pictures."

© Nancy Lefko

Have You Tried ZENTANGLES?

After reading an article in the Nov/Dec Cloth, Paper, Scissors about the art of Zentangles, I was intrigued. I have always loved to doodle, with my journal the perfect place to do so. I gathered my Pitt pens and started off, enjoying the mindless joy of doodling. As I understand it, most Zentangles are created strictly in black and white; but then again, there really are no rules to doodling, so I indulged my need for color with a little punch from Prismacolor pencils.

There is a Zentangle site which explains all one would ever need to know about the art form and even more intriguing is the Zentangle Flickr group with oodles of patterns to satisfy your curiosity. As I compared my first attempt with the fine work at the Flickr group, I see there is a long way to go before I reach that level of intricacy, but I surely did enjoy my first go-round.

© Nancy Lefko

New Melange Team Slideshow

You can also visit Melange teams members via their blogs posted at the Melange Team Blog.

Cloth, Paper, Scissors

January is a wonderful month for me in terms of publications; not one I imagine I'll ever be fortunate enough to duplicate.

The January/February issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors features my painted fabric collages (aka "scrappy valentines") in the Muse Flash section. This type of collaging is taught in my current workshop at Creative Workshops, so if it appeals to you, come on over to Creative Workshops and join the fun.



Images © Interweave Press

It's Play Time!

What does one do for fun while the boys play with their new Christmas loot and the snow piles up outside? Well, journal, of course.


Gathering up my journaling supplies: watercolor pencils, markers, collage elements, glue stick and Moleskine journal, I was ready to settle down by the fire. The falling snow and the sheer beauty of winter (and knowing that I wasn't the one who'd be shoveling) was all the inspiration I needed.


The snow has been falling for days and, with nowhere to go, I have enjoyed a great deal of journaling time. Today the aroma of a roast in the crock-pot and the sight of boys playing in the snow was the calm that my muse needed to create page after page.


In addition to my watercolor pencils, I played around with my Caran d'Ache water soluble crayons and water soluble oil pastels for a bit of bold color.

Gee, winter can be fun after all, even for those who prefer the fireside to Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

© Nancy Lefko

New Article

The Winter 2010 issue of Art Journaling by Somerset Studio has hit the stands. I feel very fortunate to have been asked to write an article for this issue.


The article entitled, "Faux Paintings: A Beginner's Approach to Watercoloring," chronicles my enthusiasm since discovering watercolor pencils and the addition they have made to my art journaling experience.


I also write how the watercolor pencils are the perfect companion when traveling with your art journal. During our long road trip this past summer, it was a wonderful way to pass the time in the passenger seat.


I may be biased, but this issue is CHOCK full of beautiful pages and journals that are exquisite. My dear friend, Pam Carriker, also has an article that is sure to interest the beginner as well as the experienced art journaler. I encourage you to pick up a copy at your local bookstore.

Happy New Year!

© Nancy Lefko

Mixed Media/Collage Workshop IS BACK!

For those of you who missed it the first time, my Mixed Media/Collage Backgrounds Workshop is back at Creative Workshops commencing January 11, 2010.

This workshop is OPEN ENDED. You can join at any time and not miss a thing. Once you register you will have unlimited access to the instructions, video and teacher assistance and can take this course AT YOUR OWN PACE.

Why not while away those long, cold winter days immersed in a creative workshop experience. Hope to see you there.

We Need a Little Christmas

At this busy time of year, both my art studio and my blog suffer from neglect. My attention is focused in readying my home for Christmas.


Tomorrow is the last day of school before vacation and thankfully I am finished with all the shopping and wrapping and decorating. Wednesday will be spent filling my home with the scents of cinnamon and sugar while the Christmas carols play in the background.


My Christmas wish is that all my friends, family and those who read this message are blessed with their heart's desire this Christmas and New Year.

Merry Christmas!

New Publication

The newest edition of Somerset Studio Gallery has hit the shelves and I am pleased to share my artwork that was chosen for publication. "Glamour Girl" (below center) was submitted in response to a call for work created solely in black & white. I had received an email from the editor informing me that this piece would be in the magazine.


What I did not know was that six of my Halloween pieces, submitted for a call for Vintage Halloween art, were also going to be featured in the magazine. What a pleasant surprise!



It is truly a joy to be published in the beautiful magazines from Stampington and I feel very fortunate for the opportunity...an early Christmas present for me.

Images © Stampington, Inc.

Mixed Media Monday ~ JUST HANGING OUT

This week's challenge offered by Mixed Media Monday is JUST HANGING OUT. Topping the list of my favorite things to do, would be hanging out with my best friend over a cup of coffee. We can talk and laugh for hours on end; it's wonderful. That is the gift that I would wish for myself this Christmas season..."just hanging out" with my best friend.

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Mixed Media Monday ~ ON THE WINGS OF LOVE

This week's challenge offered by Mixed Media Monday is ON THE WINGS OF LOVE. I enjoy combining hearts and wings in my artwork, so this was an easy one. The text reads, "My heart sailed with open wings." Isn't that just what love feels like?

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

Illustration Friday ~ CRUNCHY

This week's Illustration Friday prompt is CRUNCHY, and given that we are having our first sizable snowfall, I thought of the CRUNCH that snow makes beneath my boots. I love the very new, pure snow...so clean and fresh that it crunches and squeaks beneath your steps...that is winter magic to me.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

New Melange Team Slideshow

You can also visit Melange teams members via their blogs posted at the Melange Team Blog.

Mixed Media Monday ~ I AM WOMAN

This week's challenge offered by Mixed Media Monday is I AM WOMAN. Running the risk of dating myself, the first thing I thought of was the Helen Reddy song. Although not including "hear me roar," I offer a collage complete with the many attributes of a woman.

I encourage you to visit the Mixed Media Monday blog and view the wonderful creations inspired by this prompt.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko