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

Kraft Book Tutorial with Graphic 45

I was inspired to make this small handmade book for my dad for Father’s Day.  He is an antique dealer and he always keeps a small notebook to record what he pays for his treasures.  I thought it would be nice to make him a something with a writing utensil attached, along with pockets inside to add price tags or receipts.  

As I completed the base of the project, I was so tempted to embellish it like crazy in my usual style, but since this was for my dad, I held back on the ribbons and charms for once. 

Supplies:

Kraft Reflections 12x12

Chip board

Score Tape

May Arts Black Twine

Metal Staples: Keyhole

Vintage Photo Distress Ink

Cinch Binding Machine and Coil

Tim Holtz Glassine Envelopes, ATC sized

Recycled Paper for inside of book (think:  old notebooks, scrap papers, graph paper, ledger paper)

I started with two pieces of chip board, 4” by 5”.  They were covered with the Kraft Reflections paper and adhered with Scor Tape.

Hint: Trim corners on a diagonal for clean edges when folding your paper over.

Once the front is covered in paper, line the inside with a paper that compliments the book. 

And the covers are complete, simple really!

Ink up the edges, this simple trick adds age and dimension.

Line up your paper for the inside of the book.  Here I chose to use an old notebook from a garage sale, along with one package of Tim Holtz Glassine Envelopes. 

Punch holes for your binding method.  I chose to use my Cinch.  I love this thing.  I do a test run before punching into my covers; this was learned the hard way.

Add your covers, envelopes and paper to the coil. 

Cinch the book to create closure. 

Plan your embellishment.  I like to get out a small array of options and audition each piece.  Often I use gilders paste to add texture and age to metals; it is a stand by in my artsy arsenal.

The pencil was added with a bit of twine.  This relic makes me think of my dad because it is a vintage pencil from my very first auction.  The lead advances when you turn the clear acrylic top and it writes really smooth. 

The binder clips helped the project to be level as the glue dried on the key hole that I added. 

I think this will be handy book for my dad to keep in his van, which is always packed with lovely treasures and ready for a thrifty adventure.  

Cheers, 

Rhea

Springtime Pocket Book

This is a simple accordion fold pocket book I made recently for Alpha Stamps.  Here is a link to lots of good stuff from this project.  We were challenged to make something that would hold Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) and this tiny book ended up fitting the bill quite nicely.

I am not sure where my love affair with pockets came from, but I am certainly obsessed.

I was inspired by this Once Upon a Springtime paper I had on hand.  Coupled with new images and fun floral bits from the May 2013 Language of Flowers Kit, a sweet book was made in no time.  This was may last little whimsy flower, these were super handy to have around.  Amazing that this one was not touched with gilders paste, I almost always add a coat of that stuff somewhere on a project.  

Inside each page I crafted a tiny flap, just thick enough to hold in an ATC.   I made them by simply cutting small strips of paper and  both gluing (along the outside edge) and stapling (under the lace) them in.

A bit of old school distressing with tearing and ink give little bit of age and interest to this super simple book.

The flowers came in the kit and I layered them with a few sequins as well.

I had some scraps of lace that already had adhesive on them.  This was huge bonus as I have adhesive issues.  I used the left over lacy bits to cover up the staples on the front side of the pages.

One of my favorite things about Graphic 45 papers are the postal elements.  They always have a postmark and the one above is just top notch as I love butterflies. 

A trick I used on the lace for the cover was to metier the edges.  They are not perfect, but it is way better than overlap.  Another way I have dealt with bad transitions such as that in the past is to simply cover them up.  

I hope you found a bit of springtime inspiration!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Graphic 45 Audition, Take II: Junque Book

I have already learned so much from the audition experience for Graphic 45's 2013 Design Team and I am so blessed to be able to participate.  For part two we have been asked to make a video. I chose to highlight three different projects that represent me as a designer.  At this point, I think that I have done what I can to put my best efforts out there into the universe and not matter the outcome, I have benefited from this journey so very much. 

In order to show my ability to produce, I decided to make a new piece. I wanted to put my energy into the project that showcased their product, but also captured my intention and hopefulness about taking my art to the next level.   

I chose all kinds of fun bits of junk to the binding.  Each of these has special meaning to me personally.  I talk about their significance in my video audition. 

I forgot to mention in my tour my brilliant use of gilders paste.  I used it to literally gild the edges of my pages and I just love the effect. 

This book turned out way thicker than I imagined!  There are 36 pages of Graphic 45 goodness.



And here is the video tour below.  I talk a lot more about my book and you get to see inside.  Please consider subscribing, who knows, I just may be posting tutorials for one of the very best paper companies soon!

Thank you so much for all the wonderful supportive energy.  It makes my heart swell to know that I have many people rooting for me!

Cheers,

Rhea

A new art journey

Recently I have made a profound connection in my artistic process.  Sometimes I need a prompt.  Whether it is a challenge, a swap, an article or a blog hop, these triggers really do help me when I am creatively stuck.  With that thought in mind, I luckily joined up in a round robin style art swap in my Kindred Souls group at the last minute.  I am so excited to be participating with a group of such talented artists.

 

I am a sucker for the steampunk look and with Valentines day on the way, I decided to combine the two and create a "Time for Love" journal.  My hope is that participants will add their own take on this unique mashing of classic art book themes. 

My focal here was made from 10 Second Studio sheet metal in Rock Star.  It was embossed with the gear pattern, sanded and then I edged it out in black tape.  A light buffing of copper gilder's paste added another dimension to the focal.  I added some metal bits, being sure to layer and follow the rule of odds.  Odd numbers of embellishments are more pleasing to the eye!

The wings are grungeboard and they were colored with both picket fence and the silver metallic distress stain. I finished them out with a bit more gilders paste as well as some stickels for a bit of sparkle among the grunge.  

The inside pages consist of heavy chipboard and the book was bound with a Cinch.  It really is easy to do and you get such a professional look. Each participant will have thier own page to alter in the chosen theme.  

On the back I repeated the same texture as the front.  Here you can see some of my fatal flaws too.  Because I had so much texture the stamping really did not take and I have really "hard lines" that are not very attractive.  Thus they are on the back of the book!

Here is a close up of my letters and a bit of the delightful texture.  On the letters, you guessed it, gilders paste.  In the background: lots of layers: silver distress stain, stamping, more gilders paste, molding paste, modge podge, tissue tape...

Stay tuned to see the work I do in the books of others.  I see several more creative and helpful art prompts in my future!

Cheers, 

Rhea