The purpose of publishing a magazine like Now What? is to encourage readers in their own art and creativity. So, we hope that you will take our projects and see how far you can go with them. When we get email photos showing us your interpretations and embellishment upon what we have offered, it makes us feel that it’s all worthwhile. Our newsletter now gives us a chance to share some of this feedback with you:

Linda Jacobs
Flower Mound, Texas
Remember the article in Volume 7 about making sets of bookmarks from Sheer Heaven? Well, Linda Jacobs went to town with that one.

We had stamped and painted ours, but Linda is a big fan of inkjet printing and so printed images was one of the first ideas that came to her mind.

She used some vintage cowgirl pictures to make this wonderful bookmark set for a friend.
At the time we wrote the article, we threw the idea out there that photographs might make an interesting set of these bookmarks for a grandparent or long distance relative. After seeing how great the cowgirls look, that idea is really starting to sound interesting. How about a larger set for use in a scrapbook? “Scrapbookmarks”? Remember that you heard that here because we’re sure there will be such a product soon - with the scrapbook market as hot as it is. But, meanwhile, you could be thought terribly clever by presenting such an innovative gift to a scrapbooker friend. I’m thinking the Sheer Heaven could be cut into 4 pieces crosswise (each book mark would be 2.75"x8.5"). Maybe 3-4 photos in a strip on each - sort of like those Photo Booth strips? Christmas is coming . . . better get busy, y’all!
Christine Vaznis
Allen, Texas
Our Blanket Animal Coasters first showed up back in Volume 3 but, since all our back issues are kept alive and easy to access, we still get lots of mail about them.

Christine wrote that she was using some tumbled marble tiles for the project (instead of bisque tiles) - and not having much luck with the acrylic staying on the marble.
We responded that it was because the tumbled marble tiles are not porous (even though they look it), and that she might be better off using Stazon inks and Pebeo Ceramic or Vitrea Glass paint - which would adhere well to the marble - and could be cured in a home oven to be safe for heat and the dishwasher as well.

We were pleasantly surprised when Christine wrote back to tell us about her own discovery for the marble - colored Sharpie Markers! They look great on the marble, dry waterproof, and now come in all kinds of colors. She does caution against Sharpie paint markers (new), however, because they liquify the Stazon when applied.
Of course, with these new ideas floating through our heads, we had to go to the studio and play mad scientist . . . we had some tumbled marble tiles around (of course) . . .