Thursday, May 5, 2016

Anything but Cute - First Anniversary - Celebrate Your Style - Guest Designer!

I was surprised,  honored and scared thrilled when Pamellia e-mailed me and informed me that I had been voted one of their favourite artists of the year and asked if I would like to be a Guest Designer for the Anything But Cute First Anniversary challenge - Celebrate Your Style.
  I am rather new to Mixed Media and tend to be clean and simple in my designs.  I absolutely LOVE books - reading them, holding them, shopping in book stores for them and making them! So I created a little 4" x 5" x 1 1/2" book for my project today.

 It all started with Eileen Hull's Passport Die from Sizzix.  I cut it out of Little Sizzles Black Matboard.  Then I die cut the same pieces (covers and binding edge) out of Natural Sticky Backed Canvas and adhered the canvas to the front of the black pieces.
 Next I stenciled the covers with two Stencil Girl Stencils using WV Black Embossing paste.  I used Talaya, Goddess of Rain stencil on the front cover.
and Eve, A Modern Woman stencil on the back cover
The next two steps I forgot to take photos of.  After the embossing paste dried, I painted over the covers with Black Acrylic Paint.  
(I learned this black cover technique (without the crackle) in a Wonderlust Class led by Kate Crane - see that book here)  
When that dried I covered both covers with Deco Art One Step Crackle and they ended up like this.
I just LOVE the subtleness and texture of the embossed stenciling when it's all black.
I cleaned the stencils by putting them on a piece of computer paper and wiping off the embossing paste with a baby wipe -  and look what I ended up with!   I've saved this to perhaps use on a journaling project some day!
I wanted the book binding piece to be a different color than the covers so I painted it with Nutmeg Folk Art Antiquing Medium.  When that dried I added a coat of the DecoArt One Step Crackle.
Now onto the pages for my little book.
I die cut the pages out of white cardstock using the same Passport Die and sprayed them with a variety of Ranger Distress Spray Stains - mixing Salty Ocean, Tea Dye, Carved Pumpkin and Wilted Violet.  These 3 pages fold in the middle (see the holes for threading them into the book in the centers?) and create 6 pages or 12 surfaces - as I sprayed them on both sides. You could add at least twice this amount of pages to the book if you wanted.
Then I gathered several stamp sets from a variety of designers and started stamping.  Here's how they looked before I bound them. 
I later added Small Talk stickers to many of them - you'll see them in photos below.
On these two pages I used stamps Rusty Cog, Scale, and Vintage Clock from Finnabair/Prima, Let the adventure Begin and circle stamps from Eclecticia3 Everything Art, She believed she could from Scribbly Women/Dina Wakley, Impression Obsession/Birds on Trees and Handwritten Thoughts -Tim Holtz/SA.
Don't forget to Fly and Flowers Collect Moments mug are Finnabair/Prima, Use Your Wings from Dina Wakely Scribbly Insects,  blocked sentiment from Dyan Reaveley The Right Words,  Stay Kind from Handwritten Quotes by Dina Wakley, lace and bodice stamp from Eclectica3 Everything Art CCA01/Paperartsy
Butterfly and oval shapes from Eclectica3 Everything Art CCA02 from Paperartsy, sentiment "Adopt the pace of nature - her secret is patience." Emerson, from One with Nature/Simon Says Stamp, Industrial Lamps from Indigo Blu, You radiate beauty from Face in the Crowd/Dina Wakley.
Woman and You Are Enough from Face in the Crowd/Dina Wakley,  Stay Strong from Handwritten Quotes/Dina Wakley, lace from Eclectica3 Everything Art CCA01/Paperartsy
I wanted to be able to tie my little book shut - so I added a piece of Idea-ology Trimmimgs Lace. First I glued the edge of a spray-stained piece of cardstock (I used on the inside of the covers)  onto the edge of the binding piece.  Then I glued the lace over the liner and adhered the cover over that (being sure I had the designs right side up as I added each cover!).
A little tricky to explain but hopefully you get the idea from the photos.  Here's one cover together with the lace going over the binding.
And repeated the process with the other cover.
I used clothespins to hold the edges while the glue dried.
Then I tied each signature into the book using Jute String in the colors of the stains I used on my pages. 
 The Passport Die instructions show to adhere the overlapping edge of the binding over the cover - but I didn't want to cover any of my stencil - so I adhered it under my cover pieces.
I tied each piece of Jute String in a double knot and added my initials using Idea-ology Type Charms.
Here are photos of the pages in the book - where you will see  I added some Small Talk Stickers to some of the pages.   
My overall theme in images and sentiments is affirmation and being positive, strong women as we go through life.  The sentiment across the butterfly stamp says "be where you want to be"
Here, you can also see the result of adhering the edge of the binding piece inside the cover - it covered some of my stamping (I should have stamped on it after putting it all together!) - I added a little strip of spray-stained cardstock on top of the edge so it blended in with the inside cover a little better!

Small Talk sticker - today is full of possibilities.  
I drew around each sticker with a black Stabilo pencil and then rubbed over it with a wet finger to smudge.
Small Talk sticker - everything has beauty
Small Talk stickers - we are fearless, independent and original.
Small Talk Stickers - leave a little sparkle wherever you go.
Small Talk Stickers - be your beautiful selffall in love with as many things as possible.  I added the sentiment "Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air."- Emerson from One with Nature/Simon Says Stamp on the last page.
 So I hope you have enjoyed seeing my little Mixed Media Book.  
Please join us in the Anything But Cute special First Anniversary challenge and Celebrate YOUR style!  You'll find the challenge, all the details and some very inspiring projects from the Design team here.

And I wish to express again - my appreciation and thanks for being invited to be one of the Guest DT's for this auspicious occasion!!  Thank you Pamellia and the rest of the team!!


I'm also linking my project to the following challenges:
STAMPlorations - Stencil Sunday

Country View Challenges - Use a Stencil

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stencils

 
Stamps:  Handwritten Thoughts - Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous, Industrial Lamps - Indigo Blu, One with Nature - Simon Says Stamp, The Right Words - Dyan Reaveley/Dylusions, Birds on Trees - Impression Obsession, Don't Forget to Fly, Collect Moments mug, clock face, Rusty Cog, scale face - Finnabair/Prima,  Handwritten Quotes, Scribbly Women, Face in the Crowd, Scribbly Insects - Dina Wakley, Eclectica3 Everything Art EEA01 and EEAO2 - PaperArtsy.
Paper:  white - PTI, Little Sizzles Black Matboard - Sizzix, Sticky Back Canvas - Ranger.
Ink:  Ranger Distress Ground Espresso (sponged over covers and pages)  and Black Soot (sponged over binding)
Accessories:  Passport Die - Eileen  Hull/Sizzix, Wendy Vecchi Black Embossing Paste, palette knife, One Step Crackle - DecoArt, Nutmeg Folk Art Antiquing Medium, Large eye embossing needle, Idea-ology Trimmings Lace, Jute String, Type Charms, Small Talk Stickers, Ranger Distress Spray Stains Salty Ocean, Tea Dye, Carved Pumpkin, Wilted Violet, Zutter corner rounder, Talaya and Eve Stencils - Stencil Girl,

27 comments:

Pamellia said...

Wow Julia, I am just blown away with this amazing book!! Your cover is incredible, it looks so authentic, like it should be in a museum display box! I love that you kept the design simple but included so many wonderful techniques, that truly is your style and the essence of our challenge theme! The inside is just as breathtaking with so many fabulous stamped designs, what a treat to watch your process today!

Thank you so much for all of your support over the last year, it is always so amazing to see your mixed media pieces in our challenges, I can't wait to see what you create in the coming year. Thanks also for helping us celebrate our first blogiversary at Anything But Cute! hugs :)

Samra said...

Amazing project Julia! Love the step by step :) I need to get that passport die!
Hugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra

IrinaR (Irina Rakovets) said...

It's cool, amazing and beautiful! I really liked it)))

A Pink said...

Congratulations! Julia on your Guest Designer spot to celebrate the 1st anniversary of ABC.
Your book is utterly fabulous and you really have done a sterling job! Totally love it ! Thank you for sharing your terrific step by step with all the wonderful techniques you have used .
Very inspiring
hugs xx

Redanne said...

You have truly brought Eileen's Passport die to life with this fantastic little journal Julia! I love the Kate Crane technique on the covers and I really enjoyed seeing your step by steps as you brought this fabulous journal to life! This is such a wonderful celebration of your style (and your amazing talent) and a brilliant project to help us celebrate our First Anniversary too. Big hugs, Anne xxx

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely delighted to see you spotlit over at ABC to celebrate their anniversary, Julia. This journal is absolutely gorgeous... the covers are amazing with that glossy texture, but it's the glowing rainbow pages inside with the beautiful subtle stamping and uplifting words which have really captured my heart. Altogether it's just lovely.
Alison x

pearshapedcrafting said...

This really is the most wonderful journal! The cover looks fabulous with that brilliant spine, but I must say the beautiful pages had me pausing at every page! Hugs, Chrisx

Vicki Dutcher said...

CONGRATS on being voted a Favorite for the Year! That is awesome, but not surprising to me -- this book just shows off your talent even more! Those girl stencils are very cool!

Jane said...

What a gorgeous book Julia..wonderful details from the cover to the pages...so much inspiration and positive thoughts too xx

sarascloset said...

Julia, what a wonderful book you have created, and to think it is so small! What a huge amount of fine details in such a tiny creation! The cover looks like a real fine leather tome, but when you open it up! BAM! Look at those amazing and inspiring pages! Love your colors and all those amazing designs! And thank you for your hard work on this tutorial! It's so inspiring!

I'm so pleased that your could join us as one of our FAVORITE ARTISTS at Anything But Cute's birthday celebration! You knocked this theme out of the park! Big hugs!

Pawsitively Creative said...

Wowzers! I have just recently seen this die in action and have iron my wish list. This gorgeous design makes me want it more! What fantabulous details and the black stenciling with the crackle gives this little book a time worn feel that is amazing! You shared your style and talent brilliantly!

So happy to have you as one of our Favorite Artists at Anything But Cute! Thanks for joining in the celebration! Hugz. ~Niki

Lisa said...

Oh wow, this is absolutely stunning!! The book looks so amazing, Julia!! I love the details and the pages!! The colors and design are so fabulous!! Wow!! What a gorgeous project this is!! I love, love it!! I'm so glad you joined in with our Anything But Cute celebration!! You did such an amazing job!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Paper Profusion said...

I wouldnt know where to start to make a book Julia, this is simply BRILLIANT! The binding part looks very tricky but youve done it very deftly indeed. Those covers are very striking, the raised stencilled areas look fabulous, especially in all black, seems to give even further strenght to the 2 ladies. (Hope the Goddess of Rain tho stays away on hols!). Then all those inner pages are truly beautiful and wonderfully inspirational. Love the hues. A fabulous project Julia! Lovely to share a feature with you. Nicola x

Darnell said...

Congratulations, Julia! I saw this when I went over to see my friend Anne's creation. I think you did a magnificent job on your beautiful book filled with amazing details!! Hugs, Darnell

eileen hull said...

Wow Julia- this is a work of art! Amazing how it looks so old and cool- great tutorial :-)

Unknown said...

Julia, this is fabulous! I'm a sucker for all things that are books and I'm in love with this die. I LOVE how you dressed the covers.

Lisa H said...

this is so super cool Julia!! Congrats on being a guest designer. =)

Deb said...

What a fabulous book Julia, those covers are amazing! Wonderful colours, images and messages on the inner pages, a real treat to see this. Congratulations on being one of Anything But Cute's favourite artists of the year! Deb xo

Brenda Brown said...

Congratulations Julia such a well deserved accolade and you have created an incredibly creative project and fabulous project to celebrate, well done xxx

Loll said...

Congrats on your honour Julia. And well deserved I must say! You have created another masterpiece with this book. xx

Sue said...

Wow Julia this is fabulous, I love your little book, and there are so many wonderful techniques to see here. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Country View Crafts, and enjoy the rest of the weekend. Sue xx

Caryn said...

Amazing book - what a creative way to showcase your talent. Great take on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday STENCIL IT Challenge.
Hugs,
Caryn xxx

Evelyn Walter said...

congrats on your honour to be chosen as a favourite of the year!
Your book is incredibly gorgous! Very creative use of stencils!
Thank you for joining us at Country View Challenges!
xx Evelyn

SewPaperPaint said...

This is such a fabulous project, Julia! I love how you open the book and the color comes out. Brilliant! Hugs, Autumn

Electra said...

Wow, remarkable detailed work!

Unknown said...

What a fantastic creation! I love every detail.

Susanne Rose said...

Beautiful Creation! Thanks for entering the STAMPlorations Mixed Media Challenge. xx Susanne.