I've had some pretty nice things said about my various projects lately!

About Hodgepodge #1, Theresa wrote:

Samantha refers to this as a "gentle hug"...I call it a great, big, comforting mama bear hug! This is a must-have for all new, aspiring art journalists. I have not been able to put it down! I have been so inspired and for this Samantha consider yourself hugged! I can't wait for #2!

And Beth did an entire blog post about the first issue, saying many nice things, including:

I loved the personal side of this zine. All to often we admire other artists work, but never really get much of a glimpse into THEM aside from what they post on their blog or websites. Samantha’s zine is honest, raw and unashamed. It shows us that even those whose work we admire are real people too, with the same hopes, fears and dreams.

The first issue is still available for order as an e-book here. Pre-orders for #2 open on August 26th!

Nolwenn did a great post about the Small Art Mail Swap, saying:

I really miss receiving snail mails. I remember how excited I was to go to my mailbox everyday and check if someone sent me a letter (and I still am, but except bills… we don’t receive lots of personal letters).

It’s free (you just have to pay the shipping), and it’s simple: you create something (6×6 maximum) and you write an handwritten encouraging letter to someone that also signed up. And this person will do the same for you. You’ll make someone’s really happy.

Just a little note about the swap: we're up to 83 participants. It's going to be EPIC. :D

Also, it was brought to my attention that many of the hard links aren't working on the blog. I changed a setting to hopefully make links shorter, and it's only made things more complicated! I'll be fixing these right away, but if you can't wait, simply replace the httpwwwjournalgirlcom with blog in order to get where you're going.

I'd better get set up for tonight's live vlog! Check back here when it's over for the link to the recording.

ETA: I still haven't finished this journal page -- I had no idea what I was making! I'll have to take a pic when it's done for you. Hope you learned something nonetheless!

[studio vlog tuesday, 8/24/10: a journal page of layers....that keeps going!]

I think a lot of this was me playing around with new colors, ideas, and materials. Sometimes, that's how it happens...you have an idea and go to your journal to see how/if it works. I've been into experimenting lately, in such a major way that my studio's more a lab than anything else. I've come out of that cocoon, seen the beauty in my wings, and now have to learn how to fly by, well, throwing myself at the ground and missing.

Who doesn’t like getting mail? The Small Art Pen-Pal Swap aims to give you a little more when trading lovely artwork — an introduction to a new friend.

By pairing small works of art with letters from the heart, this swap gives you that giddy feeling we remember from summers past, of those letters arriving without announcement from someplace far away. In this internet age, it’s so thrilling to get something written on paper, the essence of the person in each stroke of the pen. Forget the instant ping of an incoming email — letters written by hand have more to offer!

This swap has two parts:

Create a piece of art.

It can be any of the following:

ATC
Tag
Journal Page

Pretty much anything 6”x6” and under and flat.

(No canvases or boxes, unless you’re okay with paying extra postage.)

Write a letter.

Be encouraging. Write about life lessons you’ve learned, tips and tricks dealing with art and life, send a favorite recipe. Your letter doesn’t have to be about art, but it should be uplifting and loving.

As part of the sign-up process, you’ll give in your blog/Flickr address, as well as the answers to some questions designed to help you figure out what type of art they’d like, as well as guide you in writing your letter. I will try my best to pair people up with those they don’t know, either at all or very well so that you’re making a new friend.

How it works:

Fill out the following form. All the information comes to me directly and will be shared only with your new pal. I won’t use the info for anything other than this swap, and will delete it when we’ve concluded things.

Sign-ups close August 30th!

After sign-ups are closed, you will receive an email with the name and information of your partner. Don’t contact them or let them know you are their special Mail Faerie! This is more fun if the letter & art come as a complete surprise!

You will have until September 20th to complete and mail off your letter. Please contact me when your package has gone out so I can keep track of things.

PLEASE only sign up if you can finish this project by the deadline. We don’t want anyone to go without a mail present! If you need an extension for an unforeseen reason, please email ME so I can communicate with your partner without giving away the surprise.

Take photos of you with your beautiful letter! On September 27th, I’ll post all the wonderful images for all to see!

Questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask!

Sign Ups are now closed!

Once you're signed up, why not grab a badge for your blog?