Here are my samples

I made a passport journal using Eileen Hull Sizzix die. I used TH grungeboard for the covers, painted with DecoArt fluid acrylics. The MDF boat was painted then stamped. The title MDF shape was painted then the title stamped over. The charms are from Daisy’s, I stamped on paper then punched a circle to fit. I used the stamps from the range to decorate the pages.

The second passport journal was made from greyboard. The MDF lighthouse, seahorse and circle were painted gold. The cover was painted and embossed with beads, mica flakes and pearls. It was sprayed and dry brushed.

The pages were made from a variety of different papers and again stamped with the Beside the Sea collection.

The seahorse was entangled in the strings from the signatures.

I made a photo frame using 3 MDF frames and inserted sea creatures coloured with Colourburst powders. The title Travel is MDF, painted and dry brushed. The frames were painted, crackled and Antique Creamed using DecoArt products.

The coasters were made from the inserts from the frames above! They were painted, crackled and then stamped with Archival Inks. The shapes were painted with metallic paint, I varnished them with Softtouch. The backs were covered with black felt.

The Sea Box was fun to make! The frame was painted, crackled and Antique Creamed. The MDF title was painted and drybrushed, the handle was added and rusted. The Sea creatures were all painted with acrylics and the eyes Glossy Accented. The inner scene had tissue glued on in seaweed shapes and then painted with Iridescent Paints. The cogs were rusted using Prima products to resemble a shipwreck. The box was painted and the inner covered is scrapbook under the sea papers. The box was tied on using rough string.

I hope you see my samples on Hochanda!

Hugs

Jan x

I have a jar of quotes handy and randomly chose a couple. The one that appealed to me was:
“You are the only one who can make your dreams come true.”

I had a small journal I wanted to cover and use for jotting ideas and sketching out ideas, the quote was just right!y

I started with a sheet of mixed media paper long enough to wrap around the journal and have pockets on the inside to hold photos and bits.

I was stuck for colours until I saw this spring blossom, the colours seemed perfect for a dreamy theme. I printed the photo and matched Decoart acrylic colours. This was useful to create a palette of colour.

I used Decoart paints to create the shades I needed.

The stencil was a Mandela, the pattern reminded me of endless dreams. I used TH Distress Texture paste, it is light and takes colour well. The paint was dripped and spritzed along with some Distress Crayons.

I stamped the Dreamer ( my lucky stamp), some script and texture.

Sewing has always been my love to create interest and texture so out came the machine and I went around the mandala stencil and the edge of the journal with straight and zig zag stitch. I stitched a length of sari silk to wrap the journal and added fabric beads from my stash.

I added layers of paper, lace and fabric for the title. I cut out the words and numeral, you, 1 and True, on Watercolour paper, ( I kept the ripped off section) using TH Thinlets, I die cut dreams, painted gold, to layer on top. I printed the other words using Paperartsy stamps with archival ink and felt tipped stitches round the words. I painted gold under the cut outs and used some paper made from Elephant Poo, my friend Ruth Winters brought me as a present from South Africa!

I finished it off with machine stitching, Treasure Gold for highlights.

I am pleased with the effect I achieved, hope you all like it too!

There is time to enter this challenge over at AVJ, some great inspiration from the DT, getting creating.

Hugs

Jan x

I spent a lovely time up in the attic today playing in my journal. I created a page using blended Distress Ink,( Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Vintage Photo)spritzed water. I stamped with the same inks using Tim’s anonymous set .
Layering stencil added another interesting element using Ground Expresso, with remnant rubs continuing the travel theme.
The gentleman I like to think was a self made man who dreams of travelling,he is waiting for his luggage to arrive. I created some layers with Tims pocket pages, stickers, die cut rusted cogs. I die cut the frame from Tim’s metallic paper, used a travel texture fade and gave it the industrial treatment. A few Chit chat stickers made the title.

I decided to enter the fun challenge at A Vintage Journey, check out their DT work, its amazing!

Hugs

Jan x

I was soooo excited to be offered the opportunity to be a Guest Designer at A Vintage Journey blog, Tim Holtz inspired???? Perfect for my aspirations …..
Then I found out it was a TH inspired Art Journal page….. HELP!
Way out of my comfort zone!

but Art Journalling is all about experimenting and trying out new stuff?

Then after the initial panic I got out my Tim stamps, die cuts etc and the ideas started to flow, hope you like where it took me.

I wanted to explore a new Framelets/Stamp set and Thinlet Words I bought and haven’t really used. I have seen some sculptures using books and found the theme of layering interesting. However, using this theme rather than building up cut through and reveal, delving down into layers.

This is what happened, I had to do more planning than I usually do to construct the cut outs:

Once I got out my Tim stamps, DI and die cuts I really enjoyed the challenge, this is what I created:

I used watercolour paper to build up 4 layers on the right hand page. I wanted to experiment with the Framelet/stamp and Thinlet sets.

Layer 1  The butterfly and Creativity (600189) were stamped and die cut to reveal the Journal Page. An area top left was DI* ready for layer 2. Hickory Smoke was inked around the edges.

The butterfly and creativity were stamped ( through layer 1) with black Archival, clear heat embossed then inked with DI blend* ( Abandoned Coral, Picked Raspberry, Mustard Seed, Fossilised Amber) on the Journal Page.

Photo showing layers 1 and 2 in progress.

Layer 2  Creativity and Beautiful (Adventure Thinlet set) were die cut.  Ground Expresso was inked around the edges. An area was inked * for Life in the next layer.

Layer 3   Aperture windows were painted with a waterbrush then gently ripped out (love the textured edge) for the butterfly, creativity and beautiful then Life die cut. Hickory Smoke inked round the edges.

Photo shows layer 3 and masterboard in progress.

Layer 4  I created a masterboard using DI, (Peacock Feathers, Cracked Pistachio, Fossilized Amber, Mustard Seed and Mermaid Lagoon ) then used Papillon, Perspective and 660189 Framelets with Stamps, inked with Ground Expresso. More apertures were ripped out and the edge ripped and inked with Vintage Photo.

Left Page I used the masterboard then built some layers as contrast. Creativity and beautiful cut outs were inked * and used. I dry embossed ( French Script Texture Fade) on watercolour paper to create 2 pockets. I dry brushed on Vintage Photo to enhance the lettering. The tags, kraft paper and masterboard were stamped with Papillon small butterflies then heat embossed but too pretty to be hidden! I dyed silk ribbon using Distress Markers to match the tags.

I finished by sewing the pockets on the left page and the pages together on the

Phew, complicated but fun to create, hope you enjoy looking at my journal which now has covers and 4 pages!

I hope it inspires you to have a go with your journal, Tim style.

Hugs

Jan x

I was inspired by the eclipse of the sun on March 20th! I had no idea what was going to happen on this journal page when the sun ray stencil just seemed to be the right thing. I had watched a programme on TV about the ancient legends surrounding the eclipse, the Vikings, Hindus and Pagans believed that the sun was eaten by their Gods or creatures sent to eat it by Gods. When I remembered a stamp set by Lyn Perella in my stash I imagined the lady with the secret smile was a sun eater! The two other ladies are watching the eclipse from their homes.
Soooo….

I began by inking the suns rays from a TH stencil on to my art journal page. ( Now on page 2 so I am getting adventurous!) I clear embossed over the yellow to create a resist for the next layers in the design.

I love over the inking part, blending the colours together to create the sky. I used Tim’s spritz and flick water technique to add depth.

I stamped one of my favourite background text stamps for more interest.

Then came the ladies, The Sun Eater and the two Observers. They were stamped and coloured. I cut the niche size from stamping card and filled the space. I coloured them with Distress Markers.

The Tryptich was from a Tando set. I embossed with a mixture of UTEE colours from Frantage. I used Tarnished Silver, black and smudges of gold. I wanted a distressed, tarnished look, rather than smooth on the frame. I stamped a series of pen nibs because the Observers will write their thoughts in their journals. The Sun Eater plays a key role in the eclipse so I added a key to her niche. I finally added some small talk words from Tim Holtz to finish the page.

I hope you enjoyed my take on the event! We hope our fabulous Design Team can inspire you. Please pop by their blogs and show them your appreciation. Please check out all the DT work at The Mirror Crack’d, I hope you will be inspired to enter the challenge.

Please leave me a comment, I do appreciate it,

Hugs

Jan x

Shari is the host for this months challenge at Our Creative Corner. This is her fun theme……

April Showers bring May Flowers

I decided to “Have a go” at my Art Journal! It has been gathering dust on the shelf, so I bit the bullet and started to first page. I enjoyed myself with Dylusions sprays, stamps and inks, a very messy affair indeed. I used Tim’s spritz and flick technique to get the raindrops and blue shades for the May skies.

I rescued an old book and tore up some pages to stick on before spraying and inking the page. I wanted a spring like feel rather than a grey rainy day.

I stamped generic flowers shapes on top, a JOFY set and some unbranded from my stash. I stamped the JOFY flowers on a piece of watercolour paper then coloured them with Distress Markers. I fussy cut the flower heads and stuck them over the stamped images. I added a few silver skeleton leaves for texture.

I love the JOFY stamp, “Don’t eat the daisies” because last Spring my baby Granddaughter always ate the daisies in the lawn. I stamped the sentiment as a border and heat embossed with white opaque powder. I like the contrast with the blue background.

Now for the zany Dylusions character! I stamped and coloured her, plus her umbrella with Distress Markers. I am not a fan of colouring in but it was quite therapeutic.

I added Ryn’s water drips at the top, they are just so detailed and as she is our sponsor this month it seemed fitting. The title was hand written on shiny paper and then positioned onto the sky. Phew! Finished!

My first step into Art Journalling was not as scary as I had thought! I hope it inspires you to have a go. There are some great prizes on offer from Ryn too!

Designs by Ryn

I hope you have fun with the challenge and enjoy yourself! Please leave me a comment, I like to know what you think about my creations.

Hugs Jan x