The new issue of the magazine should be on the newsstands now. I think this issue is the best issue they've ever published. And I'm not just saying that because I'm in it!  For me personally, it's a special issue because Lesley Riley's beautiful artwork is on the cover and she has been a good and loyal friend for years.  I can't wait to try these rusting techniques. I am a "patina" junkie and have been known to go for months creating stuff covered in that gorgeous shade of coppery green. 

In addition to Lesley being the cover artist, another online friend, Judy Wise, has an artist profile that showcases her incredibly juicy paintings. I can't get enough of Judy's work and being given the chance to see more of it, as well as read how she developed as an artist, is a bountiful treat. 

At the top of the page and as the opening article in this issue, is another online "friend", Charlotte Lyons. When I was a young mother and falling in love with Mary Engelbreit's books and magazines, I never dreamed I'd get to know Charlotte and I feel I have through her blog.  Her "mosaics" of found objects has me itching to clean out my drawers.  I often say that my art is made from what other's leave in their vanity drawers, so she truly is a kindred soul.

It will take you awhile to get through these fabulous articles, including a great spread on another blogger, Kelly Rae, whose work I admire. When you finally make it to the back of the magazine, be sure to check out "my girls", a series of collages that I fell in love with.

It's a gloomy, cold weekend here. Perfect for a fire and a long afternoon of magazine reading.