Fall Journal with Texture Tutorial

Fall is certainly my most favorite season ever.  For some reason, it just really inspires me.  With this in mind, I set out to create a fun Fall Journal to record my thoughts, memories and maybe even a few poems.

I will be sharing a few techniques along the way today as well.  On the cover you can see some great imagery from Alpha Stamps. For a full list of all the goodies I used from Alpha Stamps you can go right here. Another easy addition to this cover are French Country stickers from Graphic 45.

I love this cute little tiny oak leaf garland.  Also notice the great texture I got by layering stencils.  Here I used matte medium with my honey comb stencil and then aged it once the medium was dry.

Here you can see the detail of leaves I made with glossy card stock, alcohol inks and the tattered leaves stamps from Tim Holtz.

I started by choosing a few warm colors of ink.  I dropped them on the glossy paper and then blotted with a ink dabber doused with blending solution.

This is a few of the papers I made.  I did not mind that I still had some large spots on the paper, it ended up adding great interest to the finished leaves.

Here are the leaves after stamping them with permanent ink and then fussy cutting them out.  I am always happy when I can create my own embellishments from what I have on hand.

This tag below highlights the amazing texture you can get from using the different pastes that are now on the market.  Here I chose to use molding paste along with my stencil.

I started out by layering with my spray inks and stencils.

I then added layers of stain and inks. It helps to water down the stains before swirling the tags in the color.  I don't mind when my inks smear either, it adds interest to the piece.

 Another way to add a layer of color is with an ink pad and an ink applicator. This way it provides a softer and more reliable pattern.

Here are a bunch of my tags after playing with my inks and stencils. Notice I have gone back and added inks or stains to most of the edges of my pockets and tags.  This adds a great frame to any element.

Once there is a base layer of color and pattern, I take it a step further and add more texture with the paste. An inverted spatula works really well for this.

I like to use deli paper when I am doing this type of work.  I can mess up a sheet and easily clean up my spot with a quick toss.  Be sure to clean up your stencils promptly after applying pastes through them!

After the paste is dry I add more ink or gilders paste to provide yet another design element to the tag.

I am looking forward to curling up with a nice warm drink and journaling this past fall season.

I have entries planned for my recent Upper Peninsula vacation...

Perhaps a few fall poems...

And maybe even a doodle or two...

I hope you enjoyed this rather lengthy post of my Fall Journal filled with fun texture.

Cheers,

Rhea

French County Altered Washboard

When I came across a collection of old washboards at an estate sale, I just knew I had to have one to alter.  Ever since I became a part of the Graphic 45 design team, I have been on the hunt for vintage items with flat surfaces to alter with their scrumptious paper.

You will be surprised at what you can find at thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets and estate sales if you pay attention.  Estate sales are my favorite.  

Supplies: 

Old washboard from an estate sale

French Country 12x12

French Country Patterns and Solids

French Country Sticker Sheet

French Country Flowers

Staples Stamped Brads

Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy

Modge Podge, matte finish

May Arts Ribbon (burlap and printed)

Since this was a very well used washboard, the surfaces were quite warped.  This caused me to have to embrace imperfection a little bit and also use a very wet glue application to get the paper to adhere.

 The flowers were placed strategically to also cover imperfections in the piece.

I absolutely loved using the flowers that Graphic 45 now releases with their collections.  They are really easy to make and they add great texture and interest.

I thought that the pins added to the bows were a nice addition.  I tried to make two similar bows, but failed. As I often try to do, I embraced the imperfection and used the two miss matched bows.

With just a little bit of creative thinking you can alter just about anything to create a simple home décor piece.  

Cheers, 

Rhea

French Country Star Garland

As soon as I saw the challenge for the design team to create some Fourth of July decor, I knew I had to make a star garland.  I adore they symbol of the star, as my online alias shows.  

The star shapes were cut out from the French Country Patterns and Solids.  I used a template I made myself when I could not find a steel rule die at my local craft store.  My thriftiness not only saved me some money, but helped to create some interest by having some irregularity in my stars.

Eyelets were added in appropriate corners and I then simply strung my stars on the twine. I have a huge stash of vintage eyelets.  I often find big jars of eyelets at estate sales, and I cannot resist when they are fifty cents.

In order to make the metal embellishments stand out, I added another layer of paper behind them.  Edges were also inked along the way to add a bit of dimension.  The metal stars were found recently at a store closing.  While I hate to see places going out of business, I do love to get good deals.

This is where I hang my different banners.  An easy and super affordable way to seasonally dress a room.

I hope you found at least a little bit of inspiration in this project!

Cheers, 

Rhea