Though deceptively simple, one of the most dramatic results you can achieve with paper is to simply cut it to achieve different effects. Add dimension and meaning to the pages of art journals, altered books, and other art surfaces by cutting the pages in interesting shapes. Try the following ideas: Cut "window" shapes in a page that allow you to glimpse at what’s on the pages underneath Cut interesting edges and borders to frame your pages Create a layered effect with cut pages by cutting each page in different ways so they "stack up" in a distinctive style View the above image in full size, and see more examples!

Just like you can cut up paper to make it interesting, you can "cut" your writing, too! Try these out these "cutting" exercises: Take a paragraph that you’ve already written. Rewrite it by cutting out as much as you can, saying the same thing with as few words as possible. Sometimes, using fewer words can actually add greater meaning. Take a finished story or poem and "cut and paste" pieces of it by liberally moving sections around. Give yourself the freedom to put the exposition at the end, or put the last scene first. Try completely cutting out one key character, location, scene, object, or image from your written piece at a time. Take note of how the piece changes. Do new layers reveal themselves when certain elements are taken away?

Now it's easier than ever to get Artella news at least once a week, sometimes more, in the Artella News Blog. And what's more...with almost every post, there's a BlogJog "sneaky" Special hidden in the post, which is a sale or freebie that's listed exclusively in the blog, and only for a few days. Look what special deal is there, right now!. Art Supply General Store Expansion and Explosion! With the arrival of May, we are delighted to announce LOTS of new products, and a spectacular new sale: Our fabulous "Muse, MAY I?" sale celebrates our famous Catalyst Collection™ collage kits! From now until the end of the month, you save $10 off ANY single kit. Buy any TWO kits, save $20 and ALSO receive a free 1/4 lb. bag of world coins for you to use in your art! Buy any THREE kits, save $30, get the bag of coins, get your choice of $30 worth of free Artella eProducts! What more could your Muse ask for this May? Good all month long the The Art Supply General Store! But hurry – our stock is limited, and the last time we ran a special promotion on our Catalyst Collections™, many of our kits sold out well before the deadline. So, ask your Muse, and jump in on the "Muse, MAY I?" sale quickly before your favorites sell out! NEW products! We proudly introduce... A brand new line of "Art Food" Clearance Art Supply Lunchboxes - clearance shopping was never THIS much fun! Brand new items on the Discount Art Supply Shelf, now featuring Making Memories™ products at more than 40% off! Brand new bags of mixed world coins for you to use in your art - beautiful coins, sold at great lot prices! AND we've got THREE brand new Catalyst Collection™ collage kits: "Wedding Whimsicalia", "DaVinci DiVine", and "The World of the Masters". That gives you THIRTEEN kits to choose from in the "Muse, MAY I?" Sale! Want to play ARTELLA-OPOLY? Artella Members are in for the time of their lives with the 5th game of ARTELLA-OPOLY, taking place THIS Monday, May 8, at 8:00pm EDT. This is a real-time game that takes place in the Artella Chat Room, and it's crazy fun. See comments of past participants, here! If you are currently a Member, all you have to do is log in to the Members' Magic Mansion, and sign up in the Party Room. If you are not a Member, it's just a $3.00/month to become one, with no long-term commitment at all. And this game is just one of literally hundreds of benefits for your $3.00 – go to www.artellawordsandart.com/members.html for a full list and to sign up! New teleclass from Marney and Jill Badonsky! The next teleclass in the series presented by me and amazing author and creativity coach Jill Badonsky is called The World of Pretend: Using the Power of Imagination to Live Your Dream. Once again, we've got all kinds of wonderful things cooked up for you, and THIS time it's all about helping you REACH YOUR DREAMS by unleashing the unlimited powers of your imagination. This one is NOT to be missed! Sign up here! Calling all Sprites of Spring! If you’re one of the many generous souls participating in the Sprites of Spring gift exchanges, this is just a reminder that April has passed, so you should have already sent your first gift to your Sprite-ee, with one more gift to send during the month of May. Don't forget to come read and/or post comments and messages to your Sprite and Sprite-ee on the SpriteWrites page! Come see what others have posted about this special project! Need last-minute gifts for Mother’s Day or Spring Friendship gifts? Don't forget to look at our Mother's Day and Spring Shoppe in The Shoppes of Artella! It's filled with ideas! And no matter WHAT kinds of gifts you're shopping for, you can ALWAYS use our Interactive SmartShopper to help you shop for ANYTHING, for ANYONE (just answer a few questions, and it does the work!) Also, keep watching the Shoppes village for our new specialty Wedding Shoppe, which will open soon! 9 More Days for the Artella TWIST! There are 9 more days until the deadline for the "Magical Mini Quilts" for the current Artella TWIST Challenge! So there's still time to make your itty bitty quilt! We've received quilts out of fabric and paper – so anything is fair game, as long as the quilt is no bigger than 6" x 6". Give yourself this artsy challenge – GO FOR IT! And if you love small art, be sure to look at the latest ATCs from the most recent Artella ATC swaps on the Artella ATC Swap Land Blog. Welcome to our new team members! I'm delighted to announce new changes in our staff! Nici Derosier, who has been working with us for a while now, is now our new Administrative Assistant. We also welcome Beth Curran, who is joining us in the role of Community Support Specialist (she will be handling the large amount of email that comes into ArtellaLand each day!) Additionally, Beth Bardino, Kim Hopkins, and Linda Lamore will be lending a hand with various projects as well. Welcome everyone to the team, and thanks to all for keeping the wheels of Artella turning!