My initial reaction to blogs has always been that nobody cares what I think. Publishing a blog would be comparable to offering advice to my grown children... reactions would vary from polite indifference to outright hostility. However, blogs have become a commonplace way to share ideas and projects in the world of art and craft. I guess one more won't hurt.
My maiden foray into blogging will be to share the hand made art journal that I created for a swap posted on another ubiquitous product of the internet, the special Facebook group. This group is a mixed media group hosted by a Canadian art journaler and scrapbooker and includes participating members from all over the world. My hand made journal was destined for a member in the UK. The criteria for the swap was to decorate the cover of a purchased or handmade journal and to complete at least one spread within the journal before mailing it off to your partner. Adding other goodies was optional. Here is a summary of my process and materials used.
Front and back covers |
The Journal Cover
Machine stitched patchwork of Asian papers fused and stitched to a canvas base. Embellishments done with stamps, rub-ons, Mehndi stencil sheets and Liquitex modeling paste tinted with Perfect Pearls, glass beads, handmade (not by me!) ceramic button and ribbon wrap closure. The dangle is a glass bead shaped as a hand
Signatures contain 98 lb Canson XL Mixed Media paper (canabalized from a ready made journal); pamphlet stitched using waxed linen cord. The grommets were too small for the job, so I glued them on more for a decorative than functional purpose.
The Journal Page
I threw a great quantity of my media inventory (and I have a far greater supply then I have experience using them... I find shopping process takes less time than the creative process) on to this spread,
Materials used included but not limited to:
Gesso
Derwent Inktense Blocks (the best in the world!)
dress pattern tissue
Perfect Paper Adhesive Matte
Golden fluid Acrylics paints
Copic Markers
PITT pens
StayzOn ink pads
Faber-Castell Gel Sticks
Dr. Martin's Bombay inks (While working late at night on this, I spilled over half a bottle of blue. O the waste of ink AND paper towels!)
Inkadinkado spray ink
Various stencils & sequin waste
Stampendous "Ranunculus Field" stamp (my current favorite)
Bic White-Out pen (sadly, I overdid it...don’t like the circles)
Text from Sticker Nation 2: The Big Book of Subversive Stickers, by Srini Kumar (I’m not sentimental, so I love this book!)
Final buff and polish with Judikins Micro Glaze
Back cover pocket contains blank tags and a few vintage door prize tickets from the Steep Falls Library bean suppers. I also threw in two Maine maps & magnet and a fresh mehndi stencil. Lots of collage potential with these materials.