Nutting - Collage couture: techniques for creating fashionable art

These are the people who have made that part of the journey a bit easier for me: My mother, who always made sure I had art supplies growing up, even when I knew the money was low. My sister, who takes such good care of my mom in her later years. My aunt Virginia, who, from very early on, knew I was an artist and has always encouraged me to believe that is exactly what I am supposed to be. My absolutely wonderful friend Denice, who showed me there was something bigger than myself and set me on the right path to find it. My good friend Tricia, who has the most impeccable taste and insisted that I was talented when I did not think so. Michele, who actually purchased my art and was one of my first fans.

Shes a lawyer and drives a Porsche, which really has nothing to do with anything except that it seems to validate the fact that perhaps I am gifted a little. Rachel, my editor, who made this process so easy. Much to my relief, she was not the snooty editor that so many movies portray! Christine, who, as a photographer, really knows how to put a person at ease. She is kind, nurturing and completely selfless when it comes to her work. Kelly, my designer, who took this book and made it into a visual masterpiece. Tonia, who took my proposal and helped me turn it into something better.

My husband, John, who has never really understood my creativity, but pretends to. My son Sean and daughter Lorrena, who thought the best thing that ever happened to me was losing my job in the middle of this miserable economy because it forced me to follow my dream of being an artist. Losing a job in the only field Ive ever known has been a difficult challenge. It made me question everything Ive done. After many, many prayers, He answered them in the form of many new opportunities, one being this book. For that, I am forever grateful.

Life is too short to waste your God-given gifts, and I thank Him every day for mine.

It is so important to reconnect with that little girl we left behind. When I make art, I can reenter that wonderful world of make-believe, dress-up and paper dolls that I found so enchanting as a child. I fondly remember rainy days filled with hours of playing paper dolls and creating my own fashions for them. Yes, I loved the clothes that I carefully cut from the box, but I also loved to draw my own styles and color them with vibrant patterns. I remember feeling satisfaction in having created something to play with that did not come from a box. This book will teach you how to create fabulous fashions and how to find your inner girly-girl.