Tuesday 8 January 2019

Stamp on it for AVJ

Happy New Year, I hope 2019 will be a happy, healthy and creative year for us all.

Friday saw the start of a new challenge over at A Vintage Journey and I'm mega late in getting my contribution into the line up but here I am better late than never. The lovely Deb is the host this month has outlined the focus for the challenge.

"For this challenge we would like to see some stamps on your creations, a minimum of one stamp but the more the merrier! Stamp your backgrounds, fussy cut or die cut some stamped images, add some stamped sentiments; whatever you'd like as long as it is in one of our preferred vintage, shabby, mixed media, art journaling, industrial or steampunk styles."


I have made a cover for a new journal I am starting focusing on natural elements and inspired by my wonderful team mate and friend Alison Bomber. The amazing winter journal pages she was doing before Christmas were gorgeous to see and you can find a couple of them here and here and more in between.

  
Process steps
1. Scrape a layer of gesso over the surface of your substrate and let it dry.
2. Apply crackle paste through a stencil.
3. Carefully lay (but not glue) collage and ephemera papers in one area which will become your focal point and lower layer. As you stack and overlap your pieces glue them together but leave the edges not glued so you can tuck bits under them later if you want to.
4. Continue to build your layers testing and trying out where pieces would fit best.
5. Stamp and cut some insects and other elements, colour and distress them.


6. Go back to the background when it is dry, take your chosen paint colours and start to add them and spritzes of water to get some of it to move around.

7. I used quinacridone gold and paynes grey plus a black and burnt sienna water soluble wax crayon to add tones around the edges.


8. Check your collage design looks good over the background, alter any pieces that need colour and distressing. I chose this gorgeous dragonfly for my focal image and cut and layered three of them to make it extra sturdy ......


.... and a chipboard frame to stand him on. I layered on some random patches of texture sand paste before daubing on paynes grey, quinacridone gold, raw umber and cobalt turquoise hue.



9. Go back to your lower collage layer of ephemera pieces and give it a coat of mate decoupage sealer. When dry use the quinacridone gold and paynes grey to age and 'rust' the edges.


10.  Adhere this layer to your background and start to add the other pieces.
Because this is the front cover piece I sealed everything with decoupage first to help it last longer.


11.  Finish of with some remnant rubs to add more interest and help balance the overall composition if needed.


I hope you can find a moment to see some fabulous inspiration from the Creative Guides and maybe show us what stamps you are using throughout January.


xxx


Supplies

DecoArt media fluid acrylics - quinacridone gold, paynes grey, raw umber, sap green and cobalt turquoise hue.
DecoArt mediums - media white gesso, media  white crackle paste, decou-page sealer,
Tim Holtz ephemera pieces, Entomology stamp set, Entomology framelits, layered dragonfly die and embossing folder, quote chips and remnant rubs
Journal, flower stencil, various stamped leftovers, water spritzer, black and burnt sienna water soluble wax crayons.

24 comments:

Hazel Agnew said...

This is so inspirational Brenda. Love the background and choice of elements. Totally divine. Xx

A Pink said...

Absolutely Gorgeous, Brenda. Such a great idea and if your cover is a sign of what's to come inside ( sure it is) I look forward to seeing more .
Hugs x

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous Brenda. Beautiful layered background elements and the paint effects are fantastic. Stunning dragonfly ❤️❤️

Patty O'Malley said...

What a lovely cover, Brenda! The techniques you used look amazing!

Words and Pictures said...

What a glorious layered cover for your journal, Brenda. The rich jewel colours are so beautiful, and I love the dragonfly in particular, as well as that aged frame. I've yet to do the cover of mine, and I'm thinking I might allow myself to be reciprocally inspired by this for the outside of my journal! Can't wait to see what you do inside...
Alison x

Lisa said...

Wow, this is absolutely stunning!! The colors and details are gorgeous!! I love the frame and the texture of the background!! The images you used are fabulous!! I love the beautiful dragonfly!! Spectacular, Brenda!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Meggymay said...

A gorgeous project and background Brenda, the layers look great and so textured.
Yvonne xx

Unknown said...

Happy New Year Brenda! I have chosen to show my appreciation to every one I have been following for years and never left a comment. I want you to now how inspiring your work is. I love the look of your art. You are the queen of texture. You have your own board in my Pinterest. I loved when you did Technique Tuesday, I have two pinned then they disappeared. That was disappointing. Being a novice still, they were very helpful. I know you do some extended posts that include instructions and I like those. Thank you again for everything you have taught me.

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow what a great and gorgeous vintage page you have created, I love the structure and the colours a lot, I olso wish you a very happy and healthy newyear,with a lot of creativity so that we can see a lot of your beautiful Art!!

Have fun !!
MAria

hazel said...

This is such a gorgeous journal cover Brenda, I love everything about it. Happy New Year.
xxx Hazel.

Mrs.B said...

This looks absolutely fantastic, love the colours and textures, and you've included so many details.
Loved seeing the process pictures.
Avril xx

Annie said...

What a stunnng collage Brenda xx Love the embossing followed by the stamped layers and ephemera xx TFS Annie xx

Theresa said...

Love how all those soft colors blend together to create such a cohesive background. Love the dragonfly, thanks as always for sharing,

Susanne said...

Happy New Year to You Brenda! What a beautiful cover you have made. Love the texture and all layers!

Kate Yetter said...

There are too many beautiful aspects of this piece from the rusty patina frame to that amazing background. I love it all!
Kate

Gina said...

Utter masterpiece XXX

Tanza Erlambang - Speed Up said...

Love the dragonfly...

have a great day

Redanne said...

Brenda, your cover is so beautiful, I love the grungy frame and the dragonfly is stunning! Hugs, Anne xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

This really is a beautiful layout Brenda I adore that rusted frame. It's so good to start a new journal at the beginning of the year a real breathe of fresh air, looking forward to seeing what goes inside. Thanks so much for sharing it was worth that extra wait.
Hugs for a great weekend Tracey x

Deb said...

Gorgeous textures and colours as always Brenda and love how you have layered all those lovley stamped its and bobs under that amazing frame and topped it with your lovely dragonfly. Thanks so much for sharing it! Deb xo

junemac2 said...

Hi Brenda, I am back to blogging properly this year after losing my mum last year and I am really enjoying it. I can see your art is (although it would seem impossible ) getting even more awesome. You have always been one of my fave artists and I have had an eye feast today. Beautiful my friend, just beautiful and thanks for explaining the process too.

Hugs June x

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what an amazing journal cover! I love your background with the crackle effect stenciling and your layers of cards with the dragonfly look beautiful 😁. Happy weekend! J 😊 x

Nancy Wethington said...

The textures and colors you've worked into this project are gorgeous.

froebelsternchen said...

One word : A M A Z I G !!!! I am in awe of your beautiful cover!