Friday 7 April 2017

Magic of Three - Journal page

It's the beginning of the April challenge at A Vintage Journey; Annie is our lovely host this month and wants us to focus on using three of something on our projects. It is said that three is a magic number and adds more interest and power when using it and everything comes in threes right?

It seems ages since I created a journal page so I decided to get my large A4 black journal out and use some of the inspiration learnt from Seth Apter and added a collage (I seem to be so into these again at the moment). I also decided my collage would not contain lots of ephemera but use some of the diecuts I seem to be hoarding that didn't get used on past projects. But as always things change lol.


I began by brayering layers of chalky finish paints in lace, primitive and eternal.


Then black gesso, yes black to get the darker page back again and hoping there would be some lovely peeled paint like textures showing through. But it didn't quite work like I imagined, so I stamped over the page with the eternal and primitive chalky finish.


So now it was time to build the layers. Taking a piece of card and the chalky finish paints with burnt umber and raw umber media fluid acrylics I monoprinted some random mixes of colours over the surface. Then stamped with black archival ink. 


I repeated these two layers again only this time stamping with everlasting -


To start the collage I cut Seth Apter's pocket watch from a piece of card I had already created a rust and patina effect on .....


.... and then  using the same die I cut a vintage photo so that it fitted perfectly inside. Don't you love this old photo of the family of three?



Next to collect together the elements to for my collage. I tend to build a composition like a 'jigsaw' 
so I rifle through boxes and tubs and choose pieces to fit together that look right to me. Here's where I play at putting pieces together before I make my final decisions. (sorry about the photo but it was taken at night with an overhead light on).


As I refine and start building the layers some pieces get discarded and others are added in to create balance or dimension etc. Here's the top layers beginning to take shape ....


..... and the base layer.


I love how the photo fits exactly in the watch frame ........


.. and the stamping on the little tags adds interest to the composition.


This even smaller tag is hidden away in the pocket.


It seems to have taken me ages to get the photos and post done this time but I'm really happy with the page.


 And here are my  'threes' -


and


 I hope you'll pop over to AVJ to see all the amazing inspiration we have for you and I hope you have a fabulous weekend whatever you have planned.

hugs Brenda xxx

Update
The lovely Susi from Froebelsternchen has suggested I link this to Art Journal Journey for their Magical Mystery Tour theme - the magic is there and I'm always wandering into the mystery of heritage photos and people so I'm off to link up. Thanks for the suggestion Susi xxx

36 comments:

Julia Aston said...

What a great journal page Brenda! Wonderful layering of your background and a great collage of bits and bobs you had in a bin! A very well placed design! Julia xx

Jenny Marples said...

Loving the Seth influence here and that gorgeous collage bundle Brenda! A beautiful journal page xx

sarascloset said...

Oh, I love everything about this journal page, from the rich background to your wonderful composition. Your vintage photo is gorgeous, and I think the girl on the right is my niece (it is a spitting image of her, in any case). Love all the details! Hugs!

Monika Gulyas said...

Fabulous collage on your journal! It was great to see how you built up your background layer by layer! xx

Valerija said...

Another amazing journal page. Great job!
Valerija xx

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a gorgious page, great background and I love the collage that you made, super!!

Have fun!!
Maria

Juls said...

Gorgeousness xx

froebelsternchen said...

This is such a wonderful page Brenda - so much detail and all put together to a perfect balanced layout - AMAZING!
You would made me more than happy by linking it to ART-JOURNAL-JOURNEY-CHALLENGE since this page perfectly fits our Magical Mystery Tour theme.
I wish you a happy weekend!
oxo Susi

Gina said...

*bangs head on desk* been waiting to buy black gesso to do dark background paintings...never thought to use black paper to start on. Your page is just delicious XXX

Sophie said...

Einfach toll! Brenda
Ich bin immer wieder überrascht über deine fantastischen Ideen und Werke.
Du bist eine großartige Künstlerin mit viel Gespür für Details.

Sophie

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

This sounds like a fun challenge and I love your journal page and the clever use of three. Happy crafting, Angela xxx

Words and Pictures said...

Threes in threes in threes - this is a delightful make that keeps taking you deeper into its layers. Your family trio look right at home in their fabulous rusted pocket watch, and I love the layered ephemera framing around it too. Brilliant!
Alison x

Meggymay said...

Its a fabulous background for your journal page. The family of three look settled into the wonderful detailed layers.
Yvonne xx

froebelsternchen said...

You made me happy to link this beautiful page to Art Journal Journey dear Brenda and thank you very much for the lovely special mention as well!
oxo Susi

Astrid Maclean said...

Another stunning collage piece Brenda and yes what a wonderful photo!! Love the touches of black, they really seem to fit the wholle mood of this page, - stunning work like allways my friend!

Patty O'Malley said...

Wow! A lot of interesting techniques went into creating this awesome journal page! Fantastic!

S@ndy Diller said...

The perfect image for the challenge. Love your page and especially the way the watch is so shabby. Hugs, Sandy

beth b said...

How gorgeous this is! Thanks so much for sharing all the details, step by step! Absolutely inspiring!

Redanne said...

Wow Brenda, that background is just fabulous, I really love the dark and light shades! The family trio was such a great choice, it would be great to know the story behind that one.. A beautiful collaged piece, you really are the Queen of collage! Hugs, Anne xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Wow just wow Brenda!! The level of details you always achieve takes my breath away
hugs
Donna xx

Craftyfield said...

This would make a great layout for a Vintage scrapbook page (I have one going at the moment). I love the way you built up the photo cluster.

hazel said...

A wonderful and inspirational page Brenda, I love the background and how you've put all the elements together.
xxx Hazel.

A Pink said...

A fabulous journo page ! Brenda . LOVE the background - so much depth of detail and a great selection of elements perfectly collaged as always. The rusty pocket watch makes for the ideal frame for your family of three vintage photo.
A fantastic interpretation of the theme.
hugs x

Let's Art Journal said...

Such a wonderful page and I loved reading how you created it too! The background is amazing and the way you have layered the tags and other elements together looks lovely :-) . Visiting for AJJ and wishing you a Happy Weekend! J :-)

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous journal page Brenda, loved seeing how you created this, so many details the collaged pieces.
Avril xx

Rosie said...

Wow, a wonderful page.

Jackie PN said...

Fabulous page Brenda! Love that you added that wire to the timepiece- it added to the vintage feel! xo
ps Love my package and sent kudos to you on my blog post xoxo thank you!

Nikki Acton said...

Wonderful page Brenda - that background is STUNNING - you could have stopped there! As usual amazing collage arrangement xxx

Karen said...

Wow great page- love how you made the layer background!!

Deb said...

What a fabulous journal page, love the texture and depth built up in your background and your collage elements are perfectly chosen and composed as always. Thanks so much for sharing it Brenda, Deb xo

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh Brenda, this is amazing! I love your three little friends image and the use of the pocketwatch die to frame them. Amazing rusty detail! That background is another stunner! Great inspiration and such a creative take on this theme. Hugs, Autumn

Jennie Atkinson said...

A gorgeous journal page Brenda - such an amazing background and I really love how it all came together. Your collage arrangements are also stunning (as always!). Jennie x

Annie said...

Such a fabulous composition Brenda x love your stunning background and all those magical layers, especially the little pocket with the three on x
Apologies for being so late in visiting but just got back last night

Sending my best wishes
Annie xxx

Scrapintheattic.com said...

I love the layers and that cute tag in the pocket adds so much interest. The photo of three is perfect in the watch die x

crafty creations said...

Wow Brenda another amazing journal page - all that gorgeous texture and so much ephemera for us to take a look at brilliant xx Hilda

Barbara said...

Amazing page! Love all the layers you've created, thanks for sharing the details with your wonderful pictures! BArbara