Tuesday 13 May 2014

Small Practice Journal Cover

Having started my new practice journal – which really is just for playing in and having fun on a small scale – I decided it needed a decent cover on it.
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So there are no mistakes in my journal – as I said 'just for fun'.
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I began by covering a piece of card with printed tissue paper and blending some clear gel through a mask.
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When dry I added some distress stains and wiped it over gently with a baby wipe to remove any stains from the structure gel.
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Next I blended DI through the mask to begin to get the layered look.
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And I stamped over that with picket fence distress paint which added even more interest.
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I wanted to add some dimension and as the tissue paper had lovely roses on it I thought I would stick to the flower theme. The leaves were daubed with peeled paint distress paint and then several different coloured distress stains
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I edged the leaves with walnut stain DI.
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I had these hand made flowers in my drawer so I coloured them up a bit and added a small bought flower to make it an odd number…..
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…. and found some odd letters to make my quote – the original said ‘There are no mistakes only lessons’, but I didn't want to add the last bit.
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So there it is finished. I rather like the brighter colours and the depth created by the layers of inking etc..
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I found this little quote about keeping notes and it fits me exactly only I don’t think my brain can even retain information for three minutes lol.

  Now to get down to some more little playtimes for the inside pages.

Hope things are all well with you.

hugs Brenda xx

30 comments:

Nikki Acton said...

Yummy! There were no mistakes on this one! Nikki xx

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful piece, you have made your journal cover a treasure. Have fun working in it. Valerie

Jane said...

What a great cover Brenda, so much gorgeous texture and a brilliant quote..it is so true about our memory. I keep a book by my bedside as I often have "light bulb" ideas in bed and it means I can remember them. Looking forward to seeing you soon x

sally said...

Love your notebook/ ideas keeper! They ARE essential :-)

Sally

massofhair said...

Beautiful journal cover, gorgeous colours and love the positive affirmation'There are no mistakes'.

Fantastic use of layering and inking as always a stunning result:-) xxx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Wonderful colours and what a great idea....hope we will see the inside of it at some point?

Donna.x

Redanne said...

The cover is fabulous Brenda, I love how much texture you have created and that text is a wonderful addition. I love the quote too, how true is that! Hugs, Anne xx

Rossella said...

Looking good and I love those flowers
Rosie x

Gram's Treasures said...

Very nice! Love the colour combo. I still need to start one of these...
Joyce xx

jasann said...

Love you practice journal, the cover is beautiful, I bought one last week, but it is still in my stash drawer, will have to get it out and work on it! The idea is to use it, not keep it in a drawer!!

Meggymay said...

A beautiful textured journal cover, have fun using it.
Yvonne

Meggymay said...

A beautiful textured journal cover, have fun using it.
Yvonne

Jenny Marples said...

Loving the masking effect with the clear gel and those splashes of white against the ink. Great quote too. Jenny x

Astrid Maclean said...

Great mixed media style cover Brenda, love the depth of those paint layers and the colours you used look fab! Isn't it great to sometimes just play? Can't wait to see what you will do inside! The quote is brilliant too!!

Margreet said...

As it says: there are no mistakes on this page...wonderful!
xxx Margreet

Anonymous said...

The cover is stunning but what is equally sensational is having a place to create where you can purely have fun although Brenda, I doubt if you ever make mistakes in any of your art.
Wishes
Lynne

Sandy said...

What a great idea Brenda and fantastic cover.I have never tried all these techniques that you used to create layers so it is hard for me to imagine. But will follow your instructions and give it a go and see what happens. A journal full of fun and just for different techniques like the ones you used here! Thanks Brenda.
Sandy xx

Terry said...

I really like this idea!! Maybe that could be the start of me making a journal!!! A journal of techniques and ideas, forgetting about all the other elements! Love your cover and the layers are gorgeous! I know you are having a blast and we are now less than one week away! Hugs!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Lovely cover Brenda, I love the crumpled text paper in the background and the flowers are so pretty. Tracy x

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Brenda,
It's no fun without mistakes!
You have made one perfect Background, it has all the necessary elements, texture, depth and interest and what we see is just fabulous.
Smiles:)
Sue

Unknown said...

Wow, stunning! If this is the cover and just the beginning I can't wait to see what goes on inside! Beautiful! Chris xxx

Unknown said...

Love this cover, the colours, well just everything about it. Can't wait to have a go at making one. Your inspiration is getting my mojo back! xxx

catherine said...

This looks fabulous Brenda and so textural. A fabulous cover for your journal and love the note- so true
x catherine

nefertiti said...

This cover is just gorgeous!!! bizz

http://cheryl-cherylscreativeatcscards.blogspot.co.uk/ said...

Oh loving this hun all the inking, and use of paints is a real treat just love the colours hugs cheryl x

Crafty Lark said...

Fab fun Brenda, love this. Flora xx

froebelsternchen said...

fabulous and your handwriting is fantastic ...

xoxoxo
Susi

maybe you can join in from time to time the
Art Journal Journey
when you work in your positivty journal.. the next months -would be fabulous!

Words and Pictures said...

Fantastic... it's beautiful, and it encapsulates such an important thought - no mistakes... yes!! Love the ivy, and the Will Self quote is great too.
Alison xx

Jools Robertson said...

Just so pretty, definitely no mistakes just perfect
Such a beautiful journal, decorated with fabulous colours and floral embellishments

Jools x

Marjie Kemper said...

Beautiful! Love the sentiment and also the idea to pretty up the cover. I need to do that!