Friday 5 April 2019

In the Neutral Zone for A Vintage Journey

It's Nikki's turn to host the challenge at A Vintage Journey and she want us to be in the neutral zone. 
Time to banish colour and use blacks, whites, greys, beiges, creams and browns, just what I love for some shabby projects.


I love sewing and haberdashery themed projects but rarely make them so I thought what better way than give me an excuse to get the sewing machine out, a little fabric and dress form and sewing associated stamps than to create a journal. Now I have somewhere to stay fairly neutral and to use collage papers, old patterns and vintage images to fill it.


Having cut one of Eileen Hull's wrapped journals I set about getting the covers sorted first.  I used DecoArt gesso and premium acrylic paints to create some texture and mottled colouring, adding layer upon layer until I was happy with it.


I sealed the whole surface with varnish so it will take more wear and tear.
The products are listed at the end of the post.


I used Stamperia papers to line the inside and yes ok I have included a little colour here but I know I will also use pastel tones on some of the pages I create over time.


Next came the collage front cover. The stamped dress form from Tim Holtz took centre stage and I collected together some ephemera, fabric oddments and used the sewing machine to leave some hanging threads.
I really like the way the dress form stands out prominently having been stamped with white acrylic paint on some dark brown card, it's a fabulous contrast.


The collage layers came together with me sitting and playing with small pieces of papers, ephemera and fabric until it looked balanced. I always know when it looks 'right' and I just have to spend time arranging and rearranging until it fits like a jigsaw puzzle for me.



 I decided to do something very similar for the back cover as I had this dress form left over.


Some more words to inspire me when I look to add some pages.


I added two small but very strong magnets to hold the journal together and covered them with a strip of tissue tape so that you don't see them when you open it.


I'll add my signatures soon, but this is what it looks like standing up.
There's a little button sewed onto the dress form as an embellishment and some words that open up the world for my imagination to run wild.



If you'd like to see more inspiring projects pop over to A Vintage Journey to see what some of the rest of the team has been making and please join in if you choose to use a neutral palette in one of your projects this month.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by - and ....


Supplies
DecoArt Premium Acrylics - raw umber, burnt umber, burnt sienna, dark grey value 3, titanium white, titan buff.
DecoArt Premium white gesso
DecoArt Media ultra matt varnish, matte medium

20 comments:

Astrid Maclean said...

Absolutely stunning Brenda, I love everything about this!! The wrapped journal is one of my favourite Eileen dies, and you have made this one into a real treasure, stunning work all round my friend, - love it!!

Words and Pictures said...

This is absolutely delightful, Brenda - from the mottled background (yum!) to the perfect layered collaging, and those stitches add just the right touch of finishing texture. Completely lovely!
Alison x

sarascloset said...

Beautiful use of neutral tones here on your wrapped journal cover, Brenda! Your textured, subtly colored background makes for a wonderful base to layer all those ephemera and textile elements. Your collages always catch my attention; you have a great eye for layering bits and pieces! I love how you've stamped the dress forms in white paint; a very dramatic finish to this journal along with the stitching! Wonderful project! Hugs!

Helen said...

Gorgeous mini!! LOVE the neutral tones and the wrapped journal!!!

froebelsternchen said...

A*M*A*Z*I*N*G !!! Gorgeous with the neutrals and layering! Pure delight dear Brenda!
Happy weekend!
Hugs, Susi

S@ndy Diller said...

Such a lovely way to use the neutrals Brenda, love your cover with all the sewing details. Hugs, S@ndy

Meggymay said...

Fabulous covers for your new journal, its going to be an awesome project as you add more pages.
Yvonne xx

Lisa said...

This is so absolutely stunning, Brenda!! I love the textures and the sewing details you added!! What a gorgeous wrapped journal this is!! I love, love it!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Jennie Atkinson said...

Perfection ! Those wonderful textures,neutral tones suberb collaging ...... just pefect. I absolutely love it! x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Brenda i'm so glad you took time out for yourself to create a piece including everything you love, it speaks out in design and those chosen words. I too love everything haberdashery so this really does sing to me. Love how you used the varnish to protect the first layers it makes those neutral washes sit exactly where you want them too. Perfect choice of embellishment all wrapped kindly together. A lovely piece to keep and cherish. Thank you for sharing this beauty with us.
Hugs Tracey xx

Nikki Acton said...

Wonderful design Brenda! The white paint stamping on black is stunning and the overall composition your usual very high standard! LOL xxx

Gina said...

Now if I can just get my sewing corner to look that classy....(don't hold your breath lol) XXX

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Such a gorgeous and original make. . Love the theme too.

A Pink said...

What an absolutely fabulous jounral Brenda, So Striking with the darker tones against the lighter tones . Love the marbling affect covering the exterior and your well chosen and considered elements are collaged superbly- as is always the case.
I hope you enjoy filling it with your beautiful pieces of creativity.

Hugs x

Redanne said...

With apologies for my lateness! At first glance I did not realise it was a journal, and what a fabulous journal it is too! The sewing theme is wonderful, I love the painty stamping and your collage, as always is beautiful. Such a great idea to seal the cover first too. I love the lining too! A gorgeous journal my friend! Hugs, Anne xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

This is a brilliant idea for a journal cover. Your choice of ephemera and the way you've layered it is perfect. Have a great week. Hugs, angela xXx

Mrs.B said...

Beautiful journal covers Brenda, like you I love anything sewing themed, but rarely make them myself. Love the layered ephemera in those neutral tones making the darker dress form stand out. Hope you share some the inside pages later.
Avril xx

Julia Aston said...

What a wonderful journal you created in the neutrals Brenda! Wonderful textures added with the cloth and threads! xx

Hazel Agnew said...

Love the mottled colouring Brenda and the textures are exquisite. another stunning project and a brilliant quote. xx

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what a stunning journal cover! The layers and design is beautiful and I love used the button and fabrics - perfect 😁. Happy and creative wishes! J 😊 x