Monday 17 April 2017

Eileen Hull HeARTfelt Vintage Mixed Media Journal

I'm so excited to be sharing this project today. The lovely Eileen Hull asked me if I would like to make a journal using her new die - Me? Journals? - of course I would. In fact I've made two but let me share the first one with you. The inspiration for this came whilst planning a trip to Boston, Massachusetts, this is going to be my travel journal whilst I am over there. I can't wait.

Her Creative Team have been sharing their fantastic designs this month and I'm very happy to be sharing mine alongside them. THIS is a link to one of Eileen's posts where she has gathered some of them together.





Use these steps to create both the front and back covers.

1. Using a palette knife scrape white gesso across both of the covers.


2. Roughly plan where your collages will go, mix ephemera and snippets of left over scrapbook papers to achieve the layered look and then use a stencil to add some texture in the blank spaces.



3. Whilst that is drying mix some fluid acrylics with water to make watery washes - I love using the DecoArt media range as the colour pigment is amazing and goes such a long way, sometimes I only need a pin prick size of paint to create a wash. Try a mixing grid if you want to keep a record of the colours you used. It is impossible to tell you the amounts I added but I will try drop by drop until I get the desired tones and shades.


4. For the next step drip the watery paint, spritz with water and dry each layer until you are happy with the background.



5. Add some texture stamping - use a sponge with the paint to dab onto the stamp for some images and use coffee archival ink for others.


6. Use distress crayons or similar to add more colour and emphasise the stencilled words. Then using the black side of some blending foam gently rub a couple of layers of white gesso over the stencilling to highlight the words again.



7. Use the DecoArt Vintage Decou-page to adhere the chosen patterned papers and ephemera making a collage background as the base for the photo on your front cover and make a smaller one on the back. Seal the papers and the covers by covering the surface with the same antique glue. It dries very quickly.

8. Mix some white gesso with water to make a watery wash and dabble some of it over the collage to unify it and create a lighter background for the image to sit on.


9. Adhere the images and the quote chip. This is going to be a working journal/album so keep the embellishments fairly flat and few of them, you won’t want them getting knocked off as you and other people handle it.



10. Buy Midori inserts or make your own for the inside pages. I used a mix of both and made my own kraft covers for the ones I made. These are 11 cms wide and 21 cms long. Add some pockets, tabs and labels to get you started and ready to take your journal away with you and fill with all your wonderful experiences so that this becomes packed with amazing memories.

Three notebooks, the first is a Midori look alike bought online, the second is handmade for keeping ephemera collected on my trip and the third is also handmade with plain papers given a bit of decoration on which to put photographs.


Here are the first pages before I start the journal.


Section 1 the diary started and ready to be filled in .....



Section 2 clippings/ephemera pages ready to be used.




Section 3 photographs - I found an old till roll and just tore it up and added some tissue tape and paper snippets.


Inside the covers of the journal itself I made pockets to keep bits and pieces in .....


.... I also created a layer that stretches right across the journal to fit over the top of the pockets, keeping to the same style.


Here is that layer with the flaps extended.


Wow well done if you've managed to stay with me for such a long post, but there was so much to document.

If you are as excited as me about the new die coming out it's great to say it is being shipped in America and we are awaiting deliveries here in the UK.  Country View Crafts have it on their website for pre-order and are expecting their delivery later this month and it's such an excellent price too.

I must also give you a heads up that I will be using the die when teaching my next workshop for Country View Crafts.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you have been enjoying a wonderful easter weekend.

hugs Brenda xxx


Thank you Susi for the nudge - I have added this to Art Journal Journey and their Magical Mystery Tour.

42 comments:

maria's knutselplezier said...

What amazing pages you made!! Great structure and details , I love your colours and collage a lot!!
Have fun!!
Maria

Valerija said...

Thi is just wonderful!
Valerija xx

rachel said...

Wow brenda...your journals all look amazing. Really very clever and totally beautiful. Hugs rachel xx

rachel said...

Wow brenda...your journals all look amazing. Really very clever and totally beautiful. Hugs rachel xx

Nikki Acton said...

Fabulous design... Love your painty collaged cover and the inserts and pockets are amazing! Xx

Susanne said...

What a lovely journal you have made Brenda! I love to travel so maybe I will need that die and try this out ;) so inspiring

Jenny Marples said...

This is magnificent Brenda!!! I love how you've used layers of colour and ephemera for that gorgeous cover and then the different styles/types of inserts you've used and altered are fascinating. I bet you are going to really enjoy using this on your upcoming US trip. Thank you so much for sharing xx

Gina said...

The only problem with your journals is that they are so fabulous i would never want to add anything to them lol. Amazing work XXX

Gina said...

The only problem with your journals is that they are so fabulous i would never want to add anything to them lol. Amazing work XXX

Jane said...

Wow Brenda this is just ab fab.I love everything you have done here. All the extras you have added are perfect and the inserts are brilliant. Well done my friend you really have created something that just needs your memories adding to! Enjoy the bank holiday...I'm off to S'ton later..all fingers and toes crossed.Hugs xxx

Redanne said...

Oh Brenda, I have enjoyed every second reading through your wonderful post. The journal is stunning! No-one does watery washes and collage quite like you do - I love your colour choices, the subtle stencilling and the collage pieces are just perfect. And then the inside - wow, wow, wow - a real labour of love, every detail is superb... I just know you will love using this on your trip to Boston. Fantastic work my oh so talented friend!! Hugs, Anne xx

Jools Robertson said...

Beautiful, love the Die and how you have used it
Lovely colours and fabulous details
Such a lovely item to take on your travels x

froebelsternchen said...

This is AMAZING and magical! What a fantastic Journal ! GORGEOUS!
Hope you had a joyous Easter Brenda!
You would make me really happy if you link this fantastic piece to
Magical Mystery Tour over at ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY-CHALLENGE

oxo Susi

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Wonderful step by step and beautiful end result! Loved your journal Brenda. Looks like i need to buy that die now!

Jennie Atkinson said...

An absolutely stunning travel journal Brenda and such a fabulous post showing all the steps. I've been back and read it twice! I adore the stunning background and the lovely bright colours you have used and these work so well with the vintage travel ephemera. I can't wait for my die to arrive! in fact I am already thinking about working on some inside pages so I'm ready to go when it arrives! Hope you are having a lovely Easter weekend. Jennie x

toni said...

Fabulous Brenda! Thanks for the great tutorial! Can't wait to get this fab die and your post is full of the inspiration I will need ! Toni xx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous travel journal Brenda. Adore the pockets and sleeves and ephemera you used. Stunning colours and I love the imagery. Tracy x

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I so love hand made journals and this die makes the job so much easier. So many gorgeous ideas. Happy crafty week, Angela xXx

Theresa said...

Your work is so detailed and full of wonder. I didn't think I would get enough use out of a book die but I think you have just proved that wrong. Just how you structured your journal is fun. thanks as always for sharing and safe travels.

Meggymay said...

A wonderful explanation of your process in making this fabulous project.
It is a fantastic journal for your travel memories.
Yvonne xx

Patty O'Malley said...

Fantastic project, Brenda! You can see a lot of work went into this journal--amazing details.

Sue said...

These journals are stunning Brenda, I wish I was a journaller, I'm still tempted even though I'm not! I wish I was closer, I would definitely by taking your class xx

eileen hull said...

What a great way to start the week Brenda- your journal is a masterpiece! The colors, the layers, the dimension- all of these things are amazing. PLUS the awesome tutorial so we could see your process. I love this and so appreciate you using my die to create such a piece of art!

Lisa H said...

this is wonderful Brenda!!! Have fun on your trip. =)

Monika Gulyas said...

Fabulous journals, Brenda!!! Beautiful inside and outside, a great book to gather your memories!!! Big hugs

Corrie Herriman said...

Gorgeous journals ! Love them all...
Corrie x

Lisa said...

Oh my gosh, this is amazing, Brenda!! Wow!! The details are spectacular!! My writing is too sloppy to journal in something this gorgeous!! I loved seeing how you put it together, too!! The colors, the texture, every single thing is stunning!! I love, love it!! You've showcased the journal die to perfection...so much so that I must have it now!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Annie said...

Wow!!! Your journal cover is fabulous and what fantastic details. Love the inside with all those amazing pages and pockets perfect for journalling your Boston Holiday. Having been I know you will have the most amazing time xx
Eileen made a great decision when she asked you to showcase her die

Sending hugs

Annie x

Jackie PN said...

WOW Brenda!!
This is soooo cool and Amazing!! I am so happy you shared all of your steps, I love to see your processes!
Great details in the extra pages and the palette you chose is beautiful!
hugs,Jackie

Unknown said...

First - CONGRATS for being asked to do this with Eileen's new designs!!! Second - YOU did her a SUPER GREAT, AMAZINGLY INCREDIBLE, SPLENDIDLY UNIQUE project. Once again - I'm just awed. Every page is just FABULOUS and the cover - so so so so SPECIAL. Anyone that sees this WONDROUS CREATIVITY will be just as AWED as I am Brenda. Xj.

froebelsternchen said...

Thank you dear Brenda! You made me happy with linking it to AJJ!♥♥♥
oxo Susi

Gio said...

Wow, it made my jaw dropped! SO beautiful and rich inside, a world to discover, your own very world! Thanks for sharing also the process, super talented lady!:-)

My Creative Me said...

Love love love love love!!! Did I say love!! From cover to cover, just beautiful!

Nicole Wright Designs said...

Gorgeous journal Brenda! You created such an awesome journal and the cover is excellent! Off to pin! Congrats to being apart of the journal team ;)

crafty creations said...

Wow Brenda what amazing journals all ready for your trip they are stunning and I'm sure you'll have a great time filling them xx Hilda

Words and Pictures said...

A real beauty, Brenda, inside and out! Beautiful collaging and storytelling, and a wonderful showcase for Eileen's fabulous die.
Alison x

My name is Erika. said...

Awesome journal. Love how you used all the layering. It gives so much depth. Hugs-Erika

SewPaperPaint said...

I love the fact that you can use purchased inserts, I hadn't realized that before. I telly ou everyone in this blogosphere has been working wonders with this journal cover die and I want one so much, in fact I made my tiny journal to see if I would like the style or enjoy making the pages and I did. Your gorgeous paint layers really make for an artsy and beautiful result. Hugs, Autumn

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

LOVE the cover, and all the inners! So much fun!

hazel said...

As always Brenda your work is wonderful, I love everything about your journal.
xxx Hazel.

2amscrapper said...

beyond amazing!

A Pink said...

WOW! What a masterpiece . LOVE LOVE LOVE ! Thank you so much for sharing. Terrific post - hope your holiday is just the same .
hugs x