Saturday, 5 August 2017

Skype Journal

Welcome to a Skype collaboration post where I have a fabulous (well I think it is) Eileen Hull HeArtfelt journal to share with you made in an hour long Skype session with the lovely Nikki Acton. We were both experiencing mojo issues and thought that sharing a project and ideas together would help us get through it and get us motivated and feeling better about our crafting again - it certainly worked for me, I really do love what I made.


The Ipads were on the tables and connected to Skype. We had already decided to do the journal before the session and had them and the panels cut and ready to go. We weren't sure how we would collaborate and in the end decided we would take turns in suggesting each new layer for the background and could opt out if we wanted to after 6 layers.
So here's how it went -


1. Brenda - choose 2 colours of paint and use a brayer to create the first layer.
I used raw umber and titan buff.


2. Nikki - dip, drip and dry with a third colour.
Mine was burnt sienna.

3. Brenda - use a stamp.
 I pulled out a Tim Holtz ledger script stamp and coffee archival ink.


4. Nikki - stencil with paint.
Titanium white was sitting on the table and a sponge and I used them both with Tando Creative and Tim Holtz harlequin stencils.


5. Brenda - paint a wash or glaze of colour all over
I took soft touch varnish, paynes grey, burnt umber and titanium white with a little water, mixed together and used this to knock back the colours and vintage them up a bit more.


6 - Nikki - more stencilling - anyway you like.
At this point I was really happy with my layers and didn't want to stencil again. I tried the printing method but wiped it all off as it really looked awful and decided to go back to my original stencils and ledger script stamp and I stamped through them creating a little darker stamping but not too much of it - phew it worked and looked ok.


7 - Brenda - edge/frame in any way you want to.
I added this layer just because I like to darken the edges of my work and I sanded them back and blended ground espresso round.


Coffee break


Mine was a coffee caramel popcorn frappuccino (taken from the freezer).


Covers
I painted raw umber, dried it and applied a layer of weathered wood and when that was dry painted over eternal chalky finish paint and somehow got quite a mega crackle. A few layers of stenciling, stamping and colour washes and I had something that fitted with the front and back covers in both colour and design.


Embellishments
We decided we would use die-cuts that we had in boxes or lying around rather than cut anything new with an agreed circle shape and some words incorporated into the design. Here you can see me pulling bits together and I also added some memory box chloe flowers and a paper doll with a 'halo' to bring attention to it.


Five hours later we had finished with elastic in and ties and panels on. Woo hoo what a fantastic and fun collaborative Skype session with two brilliant projects finished. Can you guess we both went through the same processes to get to our finished designs? Amazing isn't it how different they are?






Thanks Nikki for a fabulous five hours, we had a great laugh, swapped ideas and tips, talked to Frankie (her cat) and both ended up with something we were really pleased with. All paints and mediums I used are from DecoArt media line.

We had so much fun we are doing it again at the end of August/beginning of September.

Thanks for stopping by, please pop over to Nikki's blog - Addicted to Art and take a look at her project and photos in more detail. I'm sure you'll love her journal and be amazed at how different it is.

See you soon.

hugs Brenda xxx


31 comments:

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

What a fantastic idea to get the mojo going. I love what you both created. Love all those fantastic layers. Tracy x

Helen said...

that is a great way to get ideas flowing... fantastic results from both of you!

Joanna Wiśniewska said...

You had a great time. Super. Both journals are fabulous.
Joanna

Fliss said...

I just saw Nikki's fabulous journal and couldn't resist a peek at yours! It's a stunner with the most gorgeous vintage finish and love how different it looks to Nikki's. What a great way to craft too.
Fliss xx

Redanne said...

Wow Brenda, I cannot think of a better way to spend five hours of crafty time - and what a fabulous result by both of you! It was wonderful to see how you developed those beautiful layers and the Weathered Wood crackle you achieved is the best I have seen, it looks amazing! I love the way you embellished your journal, those circles were such a great idea and I love those flower heads. Gorgeous!! Hugs, Anne xx

Gina said...

They both look so amazing and different! What a wonderful way to spend time together too :D XXX

Scrapintheattic.com said...

Wow, how great to Skype craft! Incredible how different your journals are, love them both! Hope your ankle is healing x

Mrs.B said...

A great idea, it must have been so much fun and getting the crafting mojo back is a bonus.
Love the journals and each so different.
I love your choice of embellishments and colours and the crackle looks fabulous.
Avril xx

Seth said...

Really gorgeous surface and such a wonderful way to create together.

Patty O'Malley said...

What a great idea to craft together via Skype, especially if there are no crafty friends nearby to meet with as in my case! Love your journal--turned our beautifully!

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Just popped on over after seeing Nikki's fab make and now I can see how wonderful your one is too Brenda! Such a great idea and wow what a difference between the 2 creations :)
Hugs
Donna xx

Annie said...

What a fabulous way to have a crafting get-together when getting together might not work any other way! It was a great plan and the journals look amazing!

Astrid Maclean said...

This is just the coolest and most brilliant idea Brenda, I so enjoyed reading through your post and being there just a litte bit in the side lines. The finished projects are totally amazing!! Love, love, love both the in and the outside of your journal, just my kind of shabby colours and wonderful techniques!! Success all round it seems!

Meggymay said...

Fabulous projects and so different when you see what you both created Its a great idea to craft together like that and it does sound like you had a lot of fun.
Yvonne xx

Nikki Acton said...

What a great success! Great fun, great company and wonderful projects. Love your wonderful vintage paint effects and gorgeous embellishing. Until the next time.... :) xxx

Lisa said...

What a wonderful idea and how fun to share crafty ideas with a friend!! I am blown away by your journal, Brenda!! The design is amazing!! I love everything, especially the crackle!! It's so wonderful that you both created something so different and totally amazing!! What fun!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Jane said...

What a fun idea Brenda and such a fab project. The layers are brilliant..how amazing technology is. Nicky's is great too. Hope you are having fun and enjoying being boot free! xxx

Lisa H said...

what a fun idea to craft together! I love how your journal turned out. It's fabulous. =)

Monika Gulyas said...

It was a fantastic collaboration with Nikki!!! I love how you worked and how you built up your journals together!!! And of course, I love your beautiful journal too!!! Now I really feel that this die is a must for me!!! Big hugs

Kaz said...

You girls are the best!love what you both created xxx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

That is one brilliant idea Brenda and love the results too. Happy crafting, Angela xXx

Lys said...

What a great experience! Even the idea of a skype sharing is creative, so no doubt you ended with such fabulous journals!

sarascloset said...

Brenda, I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed reading this post! I felt like I was right there with you! What a fabulous way to use technology! And what amazing results you achieved--love this shabby journal! I'm so happy this crafty session resulted in both of you facing and conquering your mojo issue! Sending hugs across the way!

Dorthe said...

Brenda,
It is so very beautiful, just love all about it , and such fun you both had, what a great idea.
Hugs, Dorthe

Sue said...

What a gorgeous piece Brenda, and a great collaboration, definitely a lot of fun to be had! Have a great week, Sue xx

Julia Aston said...

What a fun idea for a way to get over a creative slump - and it IS amazing how the same 'techniques and products' create such different designs! I love both of your journals - thanks for sharing each step! Julia xx

Hazel Agnew said...

Haha, fantastic! Xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

What a wonderful idea! Both of you made fabulous journals! Hugs, Chrisx

Jackie PN said...

What a fabulously cool idea and how much fun is that!! Had you two ever met in person before skyping? And Brenda, really? I think your mojo has been spot on girlfriend! Your works are amazing!!!
Yes, two totally different journals,with the same process- very cool to see them both- have to tell you, I just love the journal and the way you did it!! Fab Brenda! xx

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely scrumptious - what a wonderful way for you both to banish the mojo-demons - and what a joy to see the two different journals (and I mean completely different!) emerging. Love your weathered neutrals, of course, and all that amazing crackle. Fabulous! Can I play next time too, please?!
Alison x

A Pink said...

Terrific idea to skype craft and such fun I bet. Your journal is absolutely gorgeous. Love everything about it and so great to see it come together . Thanks for sharing not only the process but your skype time too .
hugs x