The Big 20/20 Event: Day 14: Making An Art Journal Part 1

Welcome back to “The Big 20/20 Event” - I am so glad you’re joining us! We will be sharing 20 fantastic tutorials from a host of awesome contributors, for 20 days.
If you enjoy the tutorials, make sure you sign up for my newsletter, as all my newsletter subscribers will receive a beautiful PDF eBook at the end of the event, showcasing all 20 tutorial projects to keep and peruse at their leisure!
Here we go with our Day 14 tutorial.

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Making An Art Journal, Part 1

 

 

Today's tutorial is brought to you by the lovely Lisa.

 

For my tutorial I would like to show you how to make your own art journal!

 

This is such an awesome thing to do for many reasons.

I myself became interested in it because I was not being able to find a journal to carry around that had the type of paper in it that I wanted. Now I love them because the process is fun, the outcome is rewarding, they make such neat things to carry around AND to give to others as gifts.

 

 

I am going to break this down into 2 parts. The first part will be decorating the covers. Of course you can cover your book any way you choose. And with any materials from cloth to paint. It is your book. I am just going to share how I did it. The cover needs to be done before the book is sewn together. And of course the second part will cover all the details of making the book. Happy Creating!

 

Part 1 - Making the Book Cover

 

Supplies:

- Paper with Patterns and images to cut

- Mod Podge

- Tissue paper....I actually used old paper from a torn up bible (don't hate me, I think using it versus tossing it is awesome!)

- Gesso

- Ink pad (I used Adirondack due to it does not smear)

- White Paint Pen

- Black Permanent Pens of different sizes. (I used Faber Castells)

- Aqua Markers

- Water color crayons (I used Neocolors)

- Embellishments (Mine was a little paper cut that had the words "This is your special Day")

- Texture ... You can use Molding Paste, Gesso, or I used Joint Compound from the hardware store.)

- Acrylic paint (I used Tim Holtz's Distress Paint Dabber)

- Stencil (I used a paper doily for cupcakes)

- Heat Gun (This is optional but helps with things go faster)

- Drawing Pad or Sketch Pad (I used Canson Watercolor Paper 140lb 9X12")

 

Before I start I wanted to let you know all the above supplies are suggestions of what I used and things can be changed to what you have.

 

An example would be to use only acrylic paint instead of any watercolor markers. Just add water on it to dilute it a bit.

Also I have people say to me all the time how they can not match colors up as well when it comes to the papers and such.

You can buy the papers in a pack that all coordinate with each other.

 

And lastly the biggest thing I want to tell you is KEEP GOING!

 

Don't let not having the right supplies or any other negative thought stop you! There are many times when I am doing something and I come to a point that I hate it! Even doing this book cover I hit a part where I thought WHAT???

 

This would be the spot where mine was at a point where I wanted to toss it out....

 

 

I had thought doing a yellow background would be like the sun......It didn't quite turn out. (wink) I then slapped Gesso over it and went in a different direction. (wink) So just KEEP GOING!

 

OK let's get started.

 

The first thing you need to do is take apart the sketch book. Pull all the pages out carefully and remove any glue off the ends. Then carefully separate the front cover from the thick cardboard back.

 

 

Your book cover is going to be made out of the back of the sketch pad. Measure your pad to find the center. For mine that was 6" between both sides. You need to cut down the center to make 2 pieces. The easiest way is to use a paper-cutter as shown below. You can also use a large straight edge such as a ruler and run a utility knife down the side. You can also use scissors.

 

 

Cut up or tear the tissue paper and glue it down using the Mod Podge. Use a paint brush to layer on a thin layer of the Mod Podge then lay a piece of paper on it.

 

Use more Mod Podge on your brush to push it down then layer another piece of paper beside it overlapping each piece. (Note: Tissue paper is crinkly this IS the effect you are going for.

 

You will want to have the paper hang off the edge at least 3/4th an inch. (see picture below)

 

 

Once your Book Cover is covered turn it over. You will be cutting the corners to fold the tissue paper over as shown in the image below. Be sure to not cut all the way to the corner. You want to leave around 2mm at the tip.

 

 

On the back side of the cover glue along the edge and fold the paper over.

 

 

Once glued, set it aside and start cutting petals and 2 circles out of the patterned paper.

 

 

Take the Ink Pad and slide the edge of each petal across it to give each one an outline. Don't worry if it smears a bit here and there and is not perfect. Those little accidents make for a lot of beautiful texture!

 

 

NOW here is what I did and then changed it. (wink)

You can follow me exactly or skip to the Gesso.....ha ha

 

Using my Distress Dabber I covered the whole thing yellow. Added green and blue to the edges with Distressed Ink Pads.

Then I glued down the petals and flower using the Mod Podge.

Stepped back and realized I did NOT like the color at all, so I covered all the background and was careful to get between all the petals with Gesso.

 

To do it over I would have taken the cover and covered it with just Gesso then glued down the flowers and just went from there. The blues and Greens don't even show up in the end so all is not needed.

 

 

Once you have the flowers in place put a thin layer of Mod Podge over them and let them dry. (This is when a heat gun can come in handy.)

Once dry use different color Aqua Markers to place highlights on one side of each petal. While the marker's ink is still wet use your finger to smear it around. You can use a brush if you want. I just like to finger paint! (wink)

 

 

I did not get the next step on film BUT it is not hard. I took the Aqua Marker and went around the edge of each flower and smeared the color just as I had done with the petals. Then I decided I wanted more of a defined outline so I took a marker and outlined the flowers and the leaf.

 

Now for some fun! (wink) I took a doily and placed it at the top left corner where the sun goes.

 

 

Then you can use Molding paste OR what I like to use is Joint Compound from the hardware store. It is sooo thick!!

I have some left over that has a bit of blue acrylic paint mixed in it. The color doesn't matter because I am going to paint it, but it does come white.

 

Now an easy way to do this is to apply some on the edge of a credit card and then apply it to the back side of the doily. Then lift the doily straight up and VIOLA!

 

 

Let this completely dry....again....this would be an awesome time for a heat gun! (wink) I am so impatient I love mine! ha ha Next I pulled my lovely Distress Dabber again. I love this thing! NO MESS! I brushed on my sun then added a bit of water to mute it down a bit.

 

 

Now comes the finishing touches that just bring your personality in. You can with the pens write words, add XXXXs down the side of a stem, doodle in odd spots, outline everything again, and glue on embellishments.

 

And then take the ink pad and go all around the edge of the edges to frame it all in. When you are finished doodling and adding stuff go back over it with Mod Podge to seal it all on.

 

Here is mine finished before I added it to the book.

 

 

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If you want to share yours please feel free to email me your pictures. I would LOOOOVE to see them! floppinflower(at)gmail.com

 

Have an awesome day! (wink)

 

Lisa's Bio:

Hello! I am so excited to be apart of the BIG 20/20 Event! Let me introduce myself. My name is Lisa Scott aka Floppin Flower. I have been blogging since 2011. I started out basically just doing it for fun to see what it was about. And through the years it has changed right along with me. About a year ago I decided to take some art classes. Painting was one thing I was never able to understand or do. Now it is my love! Especially once I found the world of Mixed Media where there are no rules, you can mix things up the way you want to create a wonderful outcome of colors and textures!! (wink) You can visit me over on my blog www.floppinflower.com

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The Big 20/20 Event: Day 13: Making Your Own Custom Stamp

Welcome back to “The Big 20/20 Event” - I am so glad you’re joining us again! We will be sharing 20 fantastic tutorials from a host of awesome contributors, for 20 days.

If you enjoy the tutorials, make sure you sign up for my newsletter, as all my newsletter subscribers will receive a beautiful PDF eBook at the end of the event, showcasing all 20 tutorial projects to keep and peruse at their leisure!

Here we go with our Day 13 tutorial.

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Making Your Own Custom Stamp

 

 

Welcome to today’s tutorial, brought to you by the lovely Candice.

I’ve spent many years enjoying the quick and easy method of using rubber and polymer stamps for creating cards, scrapbook layouts and mixed media layers. Sometimes I’ll see a button, charm, flocked wallpaper, cut glass and other textured items and admire their qualities as potential stamps. You could certainly create a mold of many of these items or parts of them, and make them into a permanent stamp using resources such as clay. I wanted a fast and easy method so this is what I do.

I don’t always want to make or purchase a stamp that will take up permanent residence in my studio, so craft foam becomes a wonderful source for preserving an old button or charm, that you don’t want to ruin by using it as a stamp. The foam can be stored once the impression is made, or you can make the impression magically disappear. Follow along and be sure to leave a comment or send an email to me if you have any questions.

Most of all…….have FUN!

 

Products used in this tutorial:

 

Stencils (StencilGirlProducts.com)

Buttons from my mother’s collection

Embossing Folders Sizzix (www.sizzix.com), Cuttlebug (www.cricut.com/Cuttlebug)

Texture Plates – Fiskars (www.fiskars.com)

WaterfordCrystal Dye Ink - Close to My Heart (www.closetomyheart.com)

Project for stamping – card, scrapbook layout, mixed media background

Heat gun

Craft Foam

MyBlendAll™ (MyBlendAll.com) – comes with craft foam and felt (for alcohol inks)

Alternative – use craft foam and cut into whatever shape you desire before making impressions into it.

 

In this demo I attached the craft foam discs to each end of MyBlendAll™. The craft foam and MyBlendAll™ have a hook/loop system for attaching. Choose a button, charm, embossing folder, large stamp – anything that you like that is large enough to use part of it to make an impression into the foam.

With the heat gun, heat the craft foam carefully so that you do not burn your fingers or the foam….if the edges curl up, it’s too hot. After a few seconds – approximately 5, press the foam on the object you want to use and hold it until you feel the foam has cooled.

 

IMPRESSION FROM BOTTOM OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL

 

 

 

I press fairly hard. If the impression is clear, then you can go ahead and stamp with it. If it’s not to your liking, reheat so that whatever image is on the foam disappears and try pressing it again. (It’s so easy to erase a mistake and start again!)

 

IMPRESSION STAMPED ONTO CARDSTOCK WITH DYE INK

 

 

I’ve reused my one foam disc a quite a few times. You can keep the foam piece as a permanent stamp, or reheat it and impress another image. I did leave one image overnight and it took a bit longer for the image to disappear.

 

IMPRESSION MADE WITH A PORTION OF AN EMBOSSING FOLDER

 

 

IMPRESSION MADE WITH SPELLBINDERS IMPRESSABILITIES

 

 

IMPRESSION STAMPED ONTO CARDSTOCK WITH DYE INK

 

 

IMPRESSIONS MADE INTO STAMPS FROM VARIOUS RESOURCES – WOODEN EMBELLISHMENT, METAL CHARM, VINTAGE BUTTONS

 

 

To clean the foam, I run it across a damp paper towel until the ink is gone, then dry it on a dry paper towel. If there is some residue, it won’t hurt the next image. The foam will deteriorate after awhile if you keep reheating it, but I have done it at least 10 times to one piece of foam, and it’s been fine. The edges may start to curl after awhile and then you’ll have an edge of ink around your image, so just replace it.

 

Have fun – there are soooo many textures you can use to impress into the foam…experiment and PLAY!

 

 

My name should probably be Curious Candice - curiosity keeps me thinking that I don't have enough hours in the day, or years left in my life, to see and do everything I'd like . Of course, as I've gotten older, I realize that sleeping is a must, so my late hours aren't as late as they used to be. I miss those quiet hours.

 

My latest new product - a tool for artists and crafters: MyBlendAll™ has been in the works for more than a year. I was delighted to finally make it available this past January. It seems to be evolving with new uses!

My biggest dream is to be around to see what future my very young granddaughter will have. In my art life, I want to become more focused to one or two specialized area. Curious Candice always has a difficult time narrowing the focus…….there is SO much to explore!

 

My brothers georgiaed the musical ability in the family and although I used to do some singing, I realized about 35 years ago that some form of art relating to paper, inks, paints, and pens are NEEDED in my life. So I let my curiosity take me wherever it wants to go so that I can learn as much as I am able as a student. That curiosity also helps me teach, something I truly enjoy.

 

My faith, family, friends, birds, butterflies, letterforms and music inspire me - hmmmm…I guess that translates as "life is an inspiration." Working on projects often becomes a springboard to a new idea but other teachers and my students inspire me as well.

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Project Life Share - January 2013

I just realized that I shared February with you before I shared January!

So, without further ado, here is some of our January!

 

 

I chose to stay pretty neutral for the cover page this year, just depicting a few things about our family.

 

 

 

As you can see, this month I have a lot of journaling going on and I chose many different forms of it. Predominantly, for the more wordy posts, I tend to use the computer however and print either directly on the journaling cards themselves, or on a separate sheet of paper, which I then trim to size and adhere on the journaling card.

 

 

 

 

I used Cathy Zielske’s templates for the “conversation with” pages. It’s such a fun way to make a snapshot of where the kiddos are at that point in time!

 

 

 

Excuse the blur please, my DSLR seems to be on it’s last leg and it goes through fits where it just won’t do any photos quite right. Hopefully you get the idea though!

 

 

The blank spot is where the invitation to a party is kept. Rather than blurring it all out, I just took it out before photographing this page!

 

 

More weird blur - sorry!

 

 

And that was January! Now I just need to catch up and fill in the gaps on March and April and then I can share that with you too!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

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Saturday Blog Hop

Happy Saturday everyone!

I just wanted to pop in and mention that I have been featured on Michelle's Saturday Blog Hop.

If you are here on my blog for the first time, Welcome! I appreciate you coming and for any and all comments left. I love to read them all.  If you are specifically looking for Project Life posts only, just click the link on top of the side bar.

I was very excited to be asked. I invite you all to go check out her site and all of the other very talented ladies featured today.

Here is the link :

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE BLOG HOP

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2013 Album Title Page

This is the title page for my 2013 Project Life album.

 

I wanted to stay very neutral on this title page. The browns look a little off in this photo, but they are all of the same family and look quite cohesive in the original.

I gave the Silhouette and some Wood veneers a good workout on this one! I designed the “Kerr” and the state shape with the “az” inside it in Silhouette studio, and then cut it. The design striped flourish cut-out is by Loni Stevens.

Most of ther products used on this page (papers, borders, embellishments) are by Studio Calico. The  “2013” and the heart are from a grab bag of die cut letters and numbers I got on ebay!

The photos were, as always, processed with Paint the Moon actions.

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My favorite Project Life ingredients

In yesterday’s post I covered the tools that I love first and foremost because they ensure a smooth work flow  for Project Life.

Today I want to continue that theme with some of my other favorite Project Life “ingredients” that I love, but that don’t necessarily stand out because of their practicality!

 

1. 6x6 Paper Pads.

I almost exclusively use these smaller paper pads for my Project Life.

 

 

Not only is the pattern smaller, which works much better for the smaller “layouts” and cards, but cutting those papers is quick and easy. I tend to go about it in much the same way every time.

Line up my 6x6 paper at the 4 inch mark of my Fiskars paper cutter to cut a 6x4. Then I have a 2” strip of that paper left to make a border on another card. If I need 3x4 cards, I cut the 6x4 in half.

 

 

If I look through my stash of papers, I find that I mostly have My Mind’s eye papers, closely followed by Studio Calico and some Teresa Collins pads. I find that most of the My Mind’s eye papers coordinate throughout collections and it helps with the cohesiveness throughout the album! AND I love their colors and patterns!

 

2. Mini Alpha Stickers.

I love to use a variety of chipboard stickers and alphas on my Project Life inserts, but my current favorites are the Basic Grey Micro Mono Alpha Stickers. I only just found them recently and I have since gotten them in every color I can find available. They are the perfect size for the smaller size cards!

 

3. Wood Veneer Embellishments.

Uhm, yes, well I have confessed to an ever so slight (ha!) obsession with Wood Veneer Embellishments before. I just love, love, love them! I could put one or more of those on pretty much every photo or card I put in my album (I do restrain myself from doing that though!) But yes,  I have a LOT of those and I love them. Have I mentioned that I love them?!

 

 

4. Office products.

Yes, I like to use office products too. They are easily accessible, usually inexpensive and they are a great thing to use in Project Life.

For example, Return Address Labels.

Love them for adding one sentence journaling to photos! Sometimes I use them plain, in the typewriter, or I first run them through my printer and print a faint grid pattern on them and then type or write on them! It’s also fairly easy to print other thing on the labels, like borders, icons etc. by using the corresponding template (I use Avery) that is available on the web. Easy customization, for not a lot of money considering that those labels go a LONG way!

 

Large Shipping Labels work really well too for the strip journaling that I love to do! I bought a pack of these many years ago for shipping purposes for my business and I’m still using them now!

 

 

Parcel tags.

Love using parcel tags, as you can see! They are quick and easy and add little (or larger depending on what size you use) areas for photos, journaling, stamping or embellishments. I tend to use the this size and this size the most.

 

Index cards.

Another quick and easy card for journaling can be made out of index cards, be they gridded or lined. They are inexpensive, easily available and also tend to go a long way! The only draw back that I have found for index cards is that the line or grid pattern is usually a lot stronger than I would like, which works for some things, but not as well for others. But I do have both on hand and use them regularly!

 

5. A few assorted punches.

As many of you are well aware, I have a Silhouette Craft Cutter, so why would I need punches?

Well, as awesome as the Craft Cutter is, sometimes I’m left with a little square of something and it’s just a LOT easier to punch a quick circle out of it, rather than design it in the software, align everything just right (which can be tricky) and then have the machine cut it. So, I have an assortment of circle, label and corner punches to make things easier!

 

5. Silhouette Craft Cutter.

Ah yes, I love that little machine . It’s great to be able to cut just about anything I might want or need for my project Life! What can I say - it’s an awesome machine and not just for project life, for all sorts of arts and crafts projects!

 

 

6. Sewing Machine.

 

 

A lot of my journaling cards have machine sewing on them. It is usually very simple, just a straight line here and there. That’s how I like it best. Sometimes I like to branch out a little with some more involved decorative stitching, but I like simple the best. Not only does it finish off the cards in my opinion, it also helps with adhering things, so it’s a dual benefit!

 

 

7. Various Shapes and Sizes of Photo Pocket Pages.

Last, but by no means least, I LOVE to mix up different shapes and sizes of Photo Pocket Pages in my album. It makes the whole thing a little bit more interactive and fun, AND it gives you more possibilities of fitting your cards and photos in just the right size and orientation slots that you need!

 

I also love the big envelope pages in the back of my album to collect special kid’s drawings, report cards, assorted school stuff, rewards and all the other things that I want to keep in the original and that are too large or too many to fit into the album itself!

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