The word pixelated derives from pixel (picture elements) and the dictionary says the two are unrelated, but I’m not so sure.

As artists, we face a challenge these days because, as right brained folks for the most part, it is hard for us to embrace the left-brained world of digital art tools and techniques. But at the same time, we know in our heart of hearts that therein lies at least a part of our future as artists, and the whole situation leaves us pixilated!

Coming out of the graphic design field as I did, I knew about that paintbrush, so when I went into the gallery business, I still used my computer for everything: printing art, editing photographs, making gallery signage, cards, brochures, tags, etc.

So, in my new online publishing role, I made it my mission to share the treasure of that knowledge - which I have been doing for the past five years - in bits and pieces in magazine articles, and then in clumps when I published my PhotoShop CDs. And the audience grew - slowly (very slowly) but surely.

So imagine my shock a couple weeks ago, when I accidently encountered a Digital Scrapbooking magazine (there are no accidents, btw), and found that the scrapbookers had gone digital in a big way. Had I missed something? Was there a digital stamping world out there too? So, I Googled “Digital Stamping” and found . . . myself. . . and one big stamp company who bought the domain name last year and has parked it somewhere - waiting for the revolution, no doubt.

The Virtual Stamping CDs have helped many of you to understand PhotoShop and Elements for the first time, and this magazine will broaden your digital horizons with a variety of techniques, tips, solutions, and projects large and small. We will concentrate on the “hybrid art” idea - which means that you create real world, touchy-feely art, and use your computer to do parts of the job.

The first issue of the six month, six issue subscription for 2006 is on the website here:

http://www.dotcalmvillage.net/digitalstampinghome.html

And there is even a “Look Inside” page to show you a little of the content.

The response to this magazine so far has been very gratifying - many folks signed up sight unseen, in fact. So, we know there is a rumbling out there - a growing desire to unleash the magic you know is in your computer, and take your creativity to new levels. But, there is trepidation too, and this new magazine is devoted to calming the digi-phobia and helping you get “pixelated” - in a good way.

Here’s what we have been able to find out so far:

Mead has actually discontinued this product, and we suggest you call them and ask them to bring it back (800.936.9811). The product number is 33546, and the product name is “Wirebound Notebook Folio”.

Meanwhile, Staples Office Supply stores still have the product (but not on their website). Our stores in Albuquerque each had about 10 left and they were on the Spiral Notebook aisle.

Good luck in finding one - it’s worth the hunt. The more we use this, the more we love it. And we have gotten friends started too and they love it - think it’s the best journaling kit ever! (Turn back one page in this blog to see the components if you missed our last entry).

I love their Large Sketchbook more every day. I try any new medium in it and it hasn’t warped yet. It also turns out that it is the perfect size for this journal kit as you will see below.

We also share each time - showing and telling about new pages -and any new ideas that make our kit even better.

My friend, Sue Kloess, came up with this one. It seems the large Moleskine Sketchbook leaves just enough room at the top of the folio for Pitt Pens - three of them clipped to the leftover pocket space at the top.

If you clip them to the pocket this way instead of sticking the pens inside, the caps stay in place while you pull each pen out of the cap to use it. Sue gets a star on her genius chart for this one. I can now carry a Pitt Fine, Medium, and Brush point along instead of choosing just one.

I found these sponge cloths in my stash of stuff “I don’t know where I got, or what I was going to do with”. Sometimes, you find this kind of thing as packing material or in dollar stores - if you have ideas where there might be some, let me know, because I now know what we can do with them!

Cut to the width of the pencil pocket, this thin sponge sheet tucks behind the pencils to keep them snug, and folds over the pencils before you close the folio - to keep them from flying out the top - no matter how quickly you grab your journal and run.

And if that weren’t enough, it serves as a great brush cleaner for the waterbrush, and keeps the folio clean behind the pencils when you use the leads as a palette. When it gets dirty, you can wash it and wring it out and start fresh.

We would love to hear about your clever ideas too. It seems like this journaling kit can’t get any better, but you never know . . .

Til next time . . .