"Alphabet Soup for Cross Stitchers" Gallery Complete!

I'm so excited to announce that the entire collection of cross stitch artistry is complete and will soon be available as a coffee table book. Until then, you can see the entire alphabet here!

Story Behind the Picture: V is for Valentine

While the story of the original series can be read here, "Alphabet Soup" is still a work in progress as I search to complete the perfect series for both boys and girls. One such search was for another letter "V."

Danny: "But I love the van."
Me: "I know, sweetie, me too. But a little girl named Vanessa might not. Or her mommy, who is buying the print for her room, might not.
Danny: "Well, that's just silly. Who doesn't love vans?"

I happened to be in the basement later that afternoon, looking for something on an entirely different subject, when I rediscovered my great-grandmother's sewing basket. I lifted the woven lid and saw this pincushion sitting quietly amidst the wooden darning egg (which I still don't understand how to use), a myriad of beautiful buttons, and a jumble of colorful wooden spools. I hadn't remembered this little stuffed heart, but I knew I found my new "V."

I took out all the pins with their colorful glass tops and brought it upstairs to my studio. Danny watched me quietly as I worked.
Danny: "I still like the van."
Me: "I know, sweetie, and that's the one that will stay in the book. But do you like this one as well?"

He walked over and picked it up, examining it in the light. I wondered when my great-grandmother made it, and imagined her smiling as she watched my child holding it in his hands.
"I do like it," he finally decided, a sweet smile spreading across his face as he spoke.

Interview with the Children's Author Show

I was so honored that Don, the host of the Children's Author Show, took the time to speak with me about "Alphabet Soup!" Click above to listen to our chat.

Interview with the Children's Author Show

Don McCauley, host of the Children's Author Show, was so kind to interview me about "Alphabet Soup!"

My segment ran from December 23rd - December 24th. Thanks so much for all who took a moment to tune in!

Story Behind the Picture: B is for Ballet

Each week I share a different "story behind the picture" on my artist blog. To read more about "B is for Ballet," please click here.

Happy holidays!

"Alphabet Soup!" Featured on My Shopping Connection

It's a rainy Thursday morning here in Philly, but I just received an email that brightened the day! The editors of My Shopping Connection have selected "Alphabet Soup!" for their "50 Under 50" holiday gift guide. Click here to see all 50 fantastic finds!

Just a reminder that shipping is free at Blurb through the 24th of November, so order your copy of "Alphabet Soup!" today.

Free shipping for limited time from Blurb.com

Blurb is now offering free shipping for a limited time! For those of you wanting to purchase copies of "Alphabet Soup!" for all the little ones on your holiday lists, click here to get the code. Then, head on over to Blurb and grab your copies today before the holiday rush begins.

How it's done: achieving the look of "Alphabet Soup"

I've had a lot of questions lately about how exactly I created the photographs for the Alphabet Soup series, so I thought I'd share some of the techniques here.

1) I only use natural, diffused light. Incandescent or other artificial light sources throw harsh shadows, so I have to wait for a perfect, sunny day. It's challenging, especially when just one little cloud rolls past and interferes with my sun!

2) I use a vintage lens to capture the images. Combining modern photography with vintage cameras and viewfinders is my favorite way to work. All those bright spots and scratchy bits? Totally intentional! The soft, muted feel of the older lens helps me capture the feeling of the whole series.

3) How do I know which text to use? When I find one that makes me smile :-) I keep playing with the images until I reach a combination that fits perfectly...sometimes it happens quickly, other times it takes nearly a whole episode of "Glee!" to get it right.

Come visit both the original "Alphabet Soup" gallery, and the still-in-progress "Alphabet Soup for Cross Stitchers" gallery to see more!

Signed Copies Now Available

Signed copies of Alphabet Soup! are now available on my website. Both the hard cover and soft cover books are ready to ship, and I'm happy to write a personal message to the little one in your life! Start your holiday shopping early and purchase your copy today.

Welcome to the "Alphabet Soup!" series

Alphabet Soup! is a charming children's book based on a series of fine art prints I created in the summer of 2009. My inspiration? The two little loves of my life, Danny and Lucas. With their help, I gathered a collection of vintage pieces of childhood and photographed them in a still-life series.

Twenty-six of the original photographs comprise the pages of Alphabet Soup! but the series keeps growing - I'm currently working on an exciting project for the Stitch Your Heart Out campaign called Alphabet Soup for Cross Stitchers: you can find a sneak peak at the project here.

About

Welcome to the silly scavenger hunt called "Alphabet Soup!" based on Michelle's fine art series of nursery prints by the same name.

Learning letters has never been this fun! If the weather is stormy and you are stranded inside, never fear - your home is an alphabet safari waiting to happen.

Find a friend and start your search...what things will you discover?

The story and inspiration behind these photographs can be found on Michelle's artist blog, the Story Behind the Picture.

Purchase your copy in the online bookstore today!

~~~

Michelle is an award-winning fine art photographer and digital artist from Philadelphia, and her work has been featured in a number of venues, including the Tiberino Memorial Museum (PA), City Hall (Phila, PA), and the Straube Art Center (NJ). Her photography appears on the cover of the 2009 "Paws for Charity" Art Book, and my whimsical collection of nursery art called "Alphabet Soup!" is now available as children's book by the same name. She photographs everyday things in extraordinary ways: come see the rest of her work at: www.mkcphotography.com

Michelle accepts custom, commissioned assignments from anyone who wants her to create something to fit their exact needs. Please contact her for more information.

Exhibitions and Publications:

The Tiberino Memorial Museum (Philadelphia, PA)
City Hall (Philadelphia, PA)
Milkboy Cafe (Ardmore, PA)
Landfillart Project (http://www.landfillart.org/)
Abington Memorial Hospital (Abington, PA)
Straube Art Center (Pennington, NJ)
Once Upon a Gallery (Philadelphia, PA)
Mew Gallery (Philadelphia, PA)

Artista (Philadelphia, PA)
Steel City Coffee House (Phoenixville, PA)
ArtistRising.com (featured artist, January 2009)

Tattoo Highway Literary Journal

Paws for Charity 2009 Art Book benefitting the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade (cover art)

"Alphabet Soup!" by Michelle Ciarlo-Hayes