Friday 25 August 2017

Eileen Hull Travel Journal

Eileen's HeArtfelt Journal die has been shipping around the world and I thought it was time to make another, this time to take to America with me when we tour around California starting in Garden Grove just outside LA, Arizona - Sedona, New Mexico - Albuquerque. Colorado - Mancos, Utah - Monument Valley (Goulding) and Kanab - Bryce Canyon, back into California and Mammoth Lakes, Sacramento and San Francisco before driving back to the LA area. It's gonna be a 'mammoth' drive and we have allowed ourselves just over two weeks to do it in.



First die-cut two journal covers and take some tissue wrap and cover them both. I used decoupage glue and when dry I sanded the edges of the covers to get a good clean cut and smooth finish.


Adhere the spines of the journal together - I used red line tape ....


.... and use modeling paste and stencils to add texture - I chose some stars and stripes stencils from DecoArt.


So I chose my paints, mixed the blends of colours one at a time and then spritzed, dripped and dribbled them through the texture drying before adding the next colour. Knowing we will be visiting canyons and seeing some amazing scenery I chose to use neutrals with browns and greens, It looked horrible!!!! So I made a vintage orangey red and brayered all over it and then brayered and sponged white gesso to bring it back to a surface I could work with. I liked the orange so I brayered that over the stars and mixed a vintage blue and brayered over the stripes - now to think what next?
I sealed it all with matte medium


Next layer some washes of similar blues and brown/orange colours and stamp words/text and when dry I again sealed the layer in and this time used decoupage and when dry applied a coat of clear crackle glaze not too thickly.


Start to gather some embellishments together. The two images are free downloads from the Graphics Fairy and printed on an ordinary inkjet printer. I used one of Andy's techniques of applying a coat of matte medium and when it's dry apply a coat of transparent crackle glaze. I think I probably kept it too thin as there wasn't much crackle but just enough to help age the two pieces.


Here are some other bits.


Having left the cover to dry and the crackles appear apply a layer of white and raw umber antiquing cream, leave for a while to dry ......


..... and then wiped it back with a wet wipe and paper towel and sealed with ultra matte varnish to remove the sheen and make the antiquing cream permanent.


Add the embellishments ......


..... use layers of paint dabbled and dripped. a brayered layer of white titanium and some stamping to start the inside covers.


Then brayer a deep vintage blue and add some white to lighten it for another layer ....


... then make watery washes of the blue dip and dry and repeat with titanium white before stamping with a crackle stamp to echo the front cover crackle glaze.


Lastly I made some signatures, added the elastics and a closure. I love to tie tactile, torn fabrics to mine.


I think I may change the tie I don't think it is in keeping with the design and probably seam binding ribbon would look better, but there's still time.


Thanks for stopping by today and for all the lovely comments that you leave.

Take care.

hugs Brenda xxx

21 comments:

Jackie PN said...

Wow Brenda! This is super! I can't believe you documented all of the steps! Love how you add layer after layer- I really think that makes a piece!
BTW, I live on the east coast should you want to travel this way- we'd be happy to have your company, and we have plenty of room! lol
Thanks for the steps and welcome to the US!
hugs,Jackie xx

Susanne said...

Wow Brenda, this journal is awesome! I love the layers, colours and all the texture! I still waiting for my journal die to arrive.... Hope you will have a nice trip to USA.

Scrapintheattic.com said...

Wow Brenda, love the journal, perfect for your exciting adventure! So pleased you are going to Bryce Canyon, we loved it. Take a horse back ride if you can. Hope your ankle is fully recovered x

Jenny Marples said...

Definitely the right decision to go with the orange and blue on this! Love the way those layers have built to a crescendo of beauty. The perfect way to store memories of your impressive trip! Enjoy your travels xx

toni said...

I absolutely love everything about this Brenda!!!!!! Stunning !!!! What a joy it will be to use when you travel to the States! Best wishes to you Toni xx

Jane said...

What a gorgeous journal this will be dear Brenda. Such awesome texture and perfect colours. I hope you are feeling a bit better today? Hugs xxx

Patty O'Malley said...

Fantastic work, Brenda! Enjoy each moment of your trip.

SewPaperPaint said...

Superb Brenda! What amazing texture you've developed here and gorgeous yet subtle use of red and blue. Love the focal image for your cover and gorgeous book insides. Hugs, Autumn

Lisa H said...

what a beautiful journal! You will have a wonderful trip - it sounds like quite an adventure. =) You'll cover a lot of ground in two weeks!

froebelsternchen said...

This is AMAZING - what a fantastic journal ! I wish you a nice trip! Enjoy!

Meggymay said...

Its a fabulous journal to take one your trip. The covers and the inside pages looked wonderful.
Have a super holiday.

Lisa said...

Wow!! This is spectacular, Brenda!! I absolutely love everything about it!! The crackle is fabulous!! The stars and stripes are perfect!! Such beautiful texture!! This is amazing!! I love, love it!! I hope you have the most wonderful trip!! I live on the other side of the country, but I've been to all those places the last few years and you will love it!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Loving your journal Brenda and I'm happy to report I FINALLY have the die too!! Have a fantastic journey too....of course I'm not in the least bit jealous ;)
Hugs
Donna xx

Barbara Rankin said...

This looks fabulous, Brenda. Love how you textured the cover pages. And the inside pages are fabulous, too!

sarascloset said...

Fabulous journal, Brenda, so fitting for your US excursions! I love reading about the steps you took to develop your gorgeous background. wishing you the best in your travels--lucky you to see all those places! Enjoy! Hugs!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Wow! This is just what you need to inspire you to fill those pages! Have a wonderful time! Chrisx

Lucy said...

This is incredible. Your journal will be filled with wonderful memories.

You will have a great time on your trip. It is still pretty warm in the US. I hope you can see the Sierra Nevadas at some point. Most stunningly beautiful area I have ever seen.

Lucy
P.S. I just got my die today - very excited about it.

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a beautiful tag and what an amazing background, I really love the cracle on it!!

Have fun!!
Maria

Mrs.B said...

Love this, it's an amazing background, so many layers and textures and a fabulous image for your USA Journal. Sounds like a fantastic trip.
Avril xx

Words and Pictures said...

Oh, fantastic - the perfect journal to record your huge USA adventure... it will be sensational, I'm sure - and so is this!
Alison x

A Pink said...

Absolutely ADORE this! Brenda. Having spent time living in the states I always feel I left part of me over there so your USA journal really does touch my heart . So wonderfully created and what fun you are going to have capturing the memories to fill it.Sounds like an adventure of a lifetime . Be sure to enjoy every single minute.
hugs x