Saturday 10 January 2015

The Brighter Side of Journalling

Hello all, Alison (butterfly) here with you again... and with some more art journalling.  But rather than the wintry pages over at Words and Pictures, this is an altogether lighter and brighter bit of journalling!


It does make me smile though to see how similar elements seem to have bobbed up on this very different page.


I'm definitely having a thing with circles at the moment - and here there are two layers of them.  First, some Distress Spray spritzed large circles using the Large Sequin Waste mask, and over that I spread a very thin layer of the Viva Decor Croco Crackling Colour through the Large Dot mask and left it to get on with cracking while I went off to do something else.


When the large dots were dry, I did some stamping with Distress Inks in my Jan/Feb colours of vivid blues and greens.  There's the Sequin Waste background stamp in Mowed Lawn and the Mini Polka Dots in Broken China and Peacock Feathers.


Once stamped, I gave them a spritz of water to let the Distress Ink do its magic wicking thing, softening the look.


And I used Distress Stains to add some colour to the large dots, wiping away the excess so that the crackle is highlighted.


So, like the winter pages, there's lots of crackle too.


For my focal point, I chose the word from Journaling Words #5 (oh, for the missing L!  Ah well, the Americans will like it).  I stamped it in the matching Distress Ink colours and clear embossed it on a whitewashed book page.


It's layered up over some wire mesh, tea-dyed tissue paper (transparent - so you can see the stamping and the text through it - love it!) and another book page.


I had great fun with my metal pieces.  The Idea-ology flower is altered with Distress Paint, while the skeleton leaves have had a dose of my Ten Seconds Verday Paint (weathered patinas, until now only really used on dollshouse work).


I used a combination of the Verday Copper finish as well as some Distress Paint in Mowed Lawn and Salty Ocean to get the finished effect, and I love it.


And I edged the page with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain to pick up the rusty colours of the central layers, so we also have - at heart - the blues and browns of my winter pages, but transformed to a brighter version.


So having set out to do something completely different from the recent art journalling shared over at Words and Pictures, I have got something different, but somehow very closely related!

Thanks so much for stopping by today - it's always lovely to hear what you think.  And do come and play along in our New Beginnings challenge for a chance to win a gift voucher here at The Artistic Stamper - hope to see you there!

Ingredients used:
Artistic Stamper stamps: Journaling Words #5, Mini Polka Dots, Sequin Waste Open
Artistic Stamper masks: Large Sequin Waste, Large Dot
Distress Spray Stains: Broken China, Peacock Feathers
Distress Inks: Mowed Lawn, Broken China, Peacock Feathers, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain
Distress Paints: Salty Ocean, Mowed Lawn
Distress Stains: Mowed Lawn, Broken China, Peacock Feathers
Clear Embossing Powder
Viva Croco Crackling Colour - White
From my stash - gesso, wire mesh, tissue paper, book pages, metal flower and skeleton leaves, tea(!)

33 comments:

Ruth said...

How lovely, especially the crackle circles and the tinted leaves. Ruth x

Rupa Swaminathan said...

Beauty, Alison! The colors have already done their magic and then the circles add to it, and then the focal point...yes, love those tea stained paper(am currently addicted to them too) and the flower...all just balancing the whole thing thru. A visual treat to the morning eyes today! Hugs.

Astrid Maclean said...

Another great page Alison, love the cracked circles! Lovely depth to the background too!

Notations of a Crafter said...

Gorgeous Alison, really like the circle theme and the colour scheme is fab x

Helen said...

Fabulous page - love the circles, those crackles are great... I want to put another L in it too!

sally said...

I love the brightness of this one, just what's needed this morning with the rain battering at the windows :-) with 3 journal challenges to do I am now feeling inspired with colours....

Sally

Marci said...

A lovely page!

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful xxx

Jennie Atkinson said...

Fabulous page Alison - I love the colour combination (I have made a note of that one!) and the crackled circles are stunning. But I LOVE the journalling layer - just fabulous! Jennie x

Redanne said...

It is a truly beautiful page Alison, the colours and the crackle are divine! Anne x

Pamellia said...

Spectacular! Wow, those colours and that amazing texture! I could stare at this one for hours!! Love it!!

sarascloset said...

This is a beautiful journal page, and am finding myself drawn to the brighter colors now, too! Great crackled circles, and love that tea stained tissue (I've saved a few coffee filters--Ha, Ha! for a similar look, but like this tea-dyed tissue much better). Also interested in the Verday paints--haven't heard of these yet. What awesome inspiration here!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous page Alison, love the crackled circles and the rusty, patina effect you've created on the leaves. Sue C x

Kim said...

Alison, your journal page is lovely. I love the colors and use of crackle. My favorite is how you used the paints to age the metal embellishments...love the aged copper effect.

SD pooja said...

WOnderful ! Those large crackled circle are awesome !

Kay Wallace said...

Another piece of amazing work, Alison. I know that a group of artists all given the same materials come up with randomly different projects. But you, alone, can do the same. Just amazing! Love the brown/blue color palette here. It draws me in every time. Well choreographed, my friend!

craftytrog said...

Love all the texture on this beautiful dotty page Alison xxx

Corrie Herriman said...

Love the crackled circles ! Colours are fabulous too !
Corrie x

Julie Lee said...

This page makes me want to re-write Rodgers and Hammerstein's, 'My Favourite Things'. It doesn't quite scan but how about 'Crackle and circles and turquoise and book text...'? This fabulous project includes my favourite things anyway! I love it! That crackle is just fantastic - I want to reach out and touch it! xxx

Deb said...

Wonderful colours and textures, the crackle is fabulous and love the use of the wire mesh and tea dyed tissue. Fabulous patina on your skeleton leaves too, it is spot on perfect!

Dorthe said...

Your skeleton leaves are totally wonderful, and that Viva Decor Croco Crackling looks amazing Alison, I have never tried that one, -it is magical,all, from your flower to the gorgeous background !!!
Dorthe, xoxo

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A fabulous page with great texture. Love the color scheme.

cathylynn said...

Amazing as always. Fabulous colors and textures. Got to love those leaves too. Great job Alison!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

pearshapedcrafting said...

I am really enjoying seeing your journal pages! The colours here are splendid-along with the gorgeous crackled glaze! Love it! Chrisx

Sid said...

Fantastic journal page ! Love your crackly finish on the circles and your colour choices !

www.deeadamsart.blogspot.co.uk said...

Wow love the crackle in the circles they really work. Dee x

Sandy said...

Wonderful Alison! Such yummy colors! The crackle looks great.
Sandy xx

Terry said...

Love those crackled circles! Beautiful journal page, Alison and with such gorgeous colors! Love it!

barbarayaya62 said...

Wonderful piece of art!BArbarayaya

Cocofolies said...

I love this page, wonderful crackled circles and the leaves and layered text are simply fabulous!! Coco xx

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

Wonderful page with fantastic color combination.
Hugs Anja

Unknown said...

Gorgeous, Alison!! Love everything about it :) XOXO-Shari

Julia Aston said...

A beautiful background with the colors and crackle Alison!