Sunday 12 May 2013

Inspired by Nature and a bonus give away!!

Hello everyone, lovely to see you here and this is Astrid sharing my first little project for the lovely month of May.
Have I told you before that I love little books? Well I do and this time I decided to make an accordion book, inspired by nature as the title of this post would suggest, but also inspired by some of the wonderful nature themed stamps the Artistic Stamper stocks.
I used some sturdy Kraft card from my stash for the base of the book. Each of the panels is 9 cm wide and 13 cm high, this was dictated by the size of the stamps I wanted to use. To make 6 panels like this you will need two sheets of strong A 4 card and cut it along the long side to 13 cm (9") height and then score accordion style every 9 cm (3.5").
The little end bit you will have left after scoring the first bit of card is used to attach the second bit of card as you can see in the photo above.

Now for the fun of creating the panels: Cut 6 bits of Manila paper to 8 cm (3.25") by 12 cm (5"). Each of my panels was more or less done in the same way, and these are the products I used:
Ranger Distress Paints, in a variety of colours including the new Metalics.
Ranger Dylusion Sprays, I love how the colours seem to blend so well with the paints.
Ranger Distress Inks and two colours of Archival Ink, Jet Black and Library Green.
For this panel I blended purple and pink tones of paints, sprays and inks. The stamps I used were from the new Katie Fox Encyclopaedia Botanica collection. For the background, stamped in Picket Fence Distress Paint I also used the Tim Holtz Papillon set. I stamped the flowers and butterflies twice in Jet Black archival, once straight onto the background and once onto smooth stamping card. I then fussy cut the flowers only, and layered them on top of the first impression and the same with the butterflies. They were all coloured with Distress Inks.
Like I said,  all panels were done in similar ways. Here blues, greens and yellows were used, the background was stamped in Library Green Archival (I don't have any dark green Distress Paint yet) and the butterflies from the Papillon set were layered.
To be honest, this one is my least favourite. As you can see, I die cut an arch. The little girl is from the Garden plate 1, I also used a little stamp from the  Botanical 3 for the background and the Calligraphic Mat 12 to add some highlight to the arch. It was decorated with some punched flowers and die cuts from my stash.
The Hydrangea is from the Botanical 3 Plate, I also added some Tissue Tape from my stash. As you may have noticed, on several of these I added some shading around the stamped image with a charcoal pencil and a blending stump. I love doing this, as I think it makes the stamped images almost look three dimensional and adds depth.
Here I used the Dragon Fly from the Tim Holtz Classics No 1 and more tissue tape 
And here finally another flower from the Encyclopaedia Brittanica set by Katie Fox.

Now if you have ever made an accordion book, you will know there is a front and a back side. I decorated the back of my book simply with left over papers I had from the wonderful Graphics 45 French Country 8 x 8 collection.
The front and back panels were layered with bits and pieces from the collection and I used some ribbons and a little Tim Holtz clasp and some other bits and pieces to decorate and tie it shut.


Well, are you still with me??? 

Now to the give away: 

If like me you are slowly collecting  various colours of Distress Paints, here is a chance to add some more to your collection: I have three to give away, Weathered Wood, Salty Ocean and Wild Honey. They were sent to me in error and Jennie the Artistic Stamper very kindly said I could offer them as a give away!! All you need to do is leave a comment here and on my personal blog, and on Sunday the 19th I will pick a winner and announce it here on the blog.

Well, hope you like my project and thank you so much for visiting. Have a creative week!!

70 comments:

Deborah said...

Love both these books. The stamped one has a wonderful glow to the backgrounds. And you can't go wrong with Graphic 45.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Gorgeous Artwork Astrid..lovely stamping and colouring!

kind regards, Alie :-)

Dee in N.H. said...

Sigh...just beautiful...

Unknown said...

Will start following this blog too. Great instructions.

GillOsmond said...

Oh Astrid! This is a fantastic project, thank you for sharing I am inspired!

Nikki said...

This is so lovely I love all the DP you've used in it and close up show just how pretty it is hugs Nikki

Unknown said...

Wow these are just awesome. Thank you for giving all the details on how you made them.

liberal sprinkles said...

wow Astrid, your book is just gorgeous. I love the vibrant colors and the coloring of the stamped images really make them stand out.

grace

Glennis F said...

Your little book is just beautiful - I love every page. Your tip with the charcoal is a good one, I will have to try it out. Thanks for the chance to win

Rita said...

Thank you so much for giving such a detailed tutorial Astrid. The artwork on each panel is stunning and I could not possibly pick a favourite. I will certainly make one of those. A brilliant Giveaway too. Hugs Rita xxxxx

Pavana said...

Beautiful projects... Thanks for a chance to win.. Thanks.. Pavana

marda said...

I love these little books you create. Now that I can see all the pages enlarged.. how utterly beautiful they all are. I'm going to have to get out some of my "nature" stamps now.

Margaret Mifsud said...

Gorgeous little book Astrid. Great inspiration for another project and thank you for the chance to win these fabulous paints. ox Marg

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my this is a wonderful book full of beautiful images and fabulous colours. Love it.
hugs {Brenda} x0x

Unknown said...

I love the dragonfly, that is my favorite.

I would love to add to my very small stash of distress inks.
Thank you for such a great opportunity!

Happy Crafting
Tracie
http:homeofthepurskey.blogspot.com

Disco Queen said...

Hi Astrid, Fabulous mini book. I love how you always manage to blend your different medias together flawlessly.

Maryann Laursen said...

WAUW these are soo gorgeous, really stunning work Astrid. I love them both very much.
And thanks soo much for the chance to win these great paints to both you AND to Jennie as well for the genrousity.

Patricia said...

Oh! Wow! this is stunning, never tried anything like this before BUT! I might just have to have a go.
Thank you for the inspiration.

Patricia x

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...awesome work Astrid, this little book is a dream to look at, an amazing collection of skills and colour, love it...Melxx :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful project; gorgeous colours & lots of dimension.

Wendy L said...

So beautiful, well worth the work. xxxx

Anonymous said...

Absolutely beautiful Astrid ! I love the colours and the stamps you've used and the papers are gorgeous too ! Sue C x

Helen said...

What a beautiful mini book. I must have a go one day!! I don't have any distress paints at all...

Jacqueline said...

WOW ! What stunning work. These are just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing.

Jackie x

Marianne said...

Wat a gorgeous mini booklet. Love these colours and stamps.
xxx Marianne MW

Unknown said...

Absoloutely stunning,I love this ,what wonderful pages,stunning.Jacqueline.S

Eemeli said...

Fabulous creation! Love the soft muted colors.

Hugs,
Eemeli

Redanne said...

Thank you for taking us step by step as to how you made this stunning booklet Astrid. Hugs, Anne x

Jenny Marples said...

Your book is superb Astrid. Love how you've themed it and I'm taking inspiration with the use of tape as washi tape is on it's way to me and I'm a 'virgin' with the use of tape. Hugs, Jenny x

Ann said...

Gorgeous project Astrid, so pretty, and I like the page you don't!!! I think it all flows beautifully :)
Ann xx

Kimbo said...

Wow, this is gorgeous. I love the little girl but my favourite page is the three butterflies. Thanks for the chance to win some paints - I've not tried them yet x

Vada said...

OMGoodness Astrid!! What a Totaly Beautifl Little Book!
Your coloring is outstanding!
Hugs Vada

Crafting Newbie said...

Oh Astrid, your mini accordion is inspirational & your giveaway is super generous. Hugs, Barbara

Zuzu's Blog said...

your little book is fab astrid and i do like the papers too. lots of details. I dont have ANY distress paints. maybe once i am settled in to my new place I can think about trying them... you can let me know what you think of them next time we meet up. x

Catharina Maria said...

Beautiful art work , love it !!
♥RINI♥

Kimbo said...

Such gorgeous colours and a fantastic little book x

Paper Profusion said...

Both wonderful books Astrid. Thank-you for fabulous art and for chance to win. Nicola x

Caroline D. said...

This is a fantastic mini book!! It looks like it was a lot of fun to make!! Thanks for the super nice giveaway and thanks also to Jennie also.

Алла АА said...

ОЧЕНЬ КРАСИВЫЕ РАБОТЫ! МНЕ ОЧЕНЬ НРАВЯТСЯ! ЗАПИШИТЕ МЕНЯ!

froebelsternchen said...

just Gorgeous!

Carol Q said...

absolutely gorgeous Astrid.

Baroque duJour said...

this book is absolutely gorgeous, the colours and beautiful images and a restrained almost peaceful feel off your design, really lovely. and oooh chance to win am hoping to start collecting these paints. fingers crossed.

ionabunny said...

This is just lovely. All the details and then those gorgeous G45 papers. I think the dragonfly was my favourite. I don't have any distress paints yet so here's hoping I'm lucky......

Margie said...

I really enjoyed reading how you created your lovely book Astrid - some great tips there. Thanks so much for the chance to win your great giveaway too. Margie x

Jennifer Scull said...

all of these projects are absolutely lovely! thank you for the chance to win some of the distressed paints. I haven't tried them yet, and you have shown so many fabulous things with them on your blog. :)

Sarah said...

I have a weakness for little books and this is a fabulous project...both front and back.

May said...

Gorgeous project Astrid,The colours & stamping is Beautiful.. Wonderful background..Love the use of the Graphic 45 papers on the back...Thank you for the tutorial... Hugs May x x x

Dawn Louise said...

Totally brilliant, I love all the details and how you've successfully continued the theme throughout whilst offering lots of different interest and styles x would jump at the chance to start collecting the paints, x thank you both

Dorthe said...

Getting even more inspired ,seing every page here! You are so clever in mixing colours, and the added stamps are making each page unique and so beautiful, dear Astrid!
Thankyou for the oppertunity to win one of the great Distress Paints,- it would be just great !!
Hugs,Dorthe

Cathy A said...

Wow Astrid the colours and depth in each page make this project stand out and shout incredible! I have yet to try these paints and sprays but they will be going on my wish list for sure!

Janny Jager said...

This is FABULOUS Astrid.
So many beautiful details.
Love it .
Greetings Janny

Words and Pictures said...

Like you, I love little books - and this one is enchanting! I love the butterfly and dragonfly pages (partly because I seem to be on a major blue/green kick at the moment)... and the golden (buttercup/kingcup?) flower at the end is lovely with the script and tape. The papers look brilliant on the reverse.
Gorgeous, gorgeous make.
Alison xx

Rita said...

Beautiful! I especially love the dragonfly, hydrangea, and butterfly pages. :)

Kate Yetter said...

All these projects are lovely! So full of inspiration!

Lori Aragon said...

Oh my goodness Astrid...these are incredibly beautiful!!! I love the way you create :)

I do not have any distress paint yet. I'd love to give them a good home :)

kiwimeskreations said...

Astrid this wee book is beautiful - love the images you used - and the tip about using and blending the charcoal pencil to add depth to the image with shading.
Blessings
Maxine

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous little book!! I LOVE the cover with all the beautiful little bits and snips! The colors are so amazing and thank you for the tip about using a charcoal pencil - my coloring will definitely benefit! Thanks again for the terrific inspiration Astrid!! And the chance to win!

The Sparkly Fairy said...

Such fantastic work Astrid!

Rossella said...

Absolutely beautiful, Astrid
Rosie x

Ellie Knol said...

Astrid, when I saw this post in my reader this morning, I saved it for later, as I didn't have the time to look at it properly at that time. Tonight I decided I was going to have a good look at it - you have me blown away, this is ART, as far as I am concerned.

Michelle said...

Absolutely stunning Astrid. The colours are amazing.x

Dame Jeanne Marie said...

Beautiful work Astrid! I think you must have found our mojo!!!

Artyjen said...

Ooh Super...love it ;)
xoxo Sioux

Titbelsoeur, mixed-media addict said...

Love your book ! I wanted to make one as well, it inspires me !
thank you !

Brandina said...

Such a wonderfully beautiful little book! I adore the idea of showing spring time images to celebrate the season!

sharon said...

Wow, now that I get a very close up look I am drooling!! This in incredible! Thanks for the chance Astrid, and for sharing your talents again!

Terry said...

Oh goodness, you really do have me dropping my mouth! Love these all so much and you are such an inspiration! Thank you for a chance to win and if my name is chosen, go ahead and select someone closer in shipping distance! Have fun!

Paula Whittaker said...

WOW loving this Astrid - such a lot of beautiful images and techniques to take in.

Unknown said...

I love almost everything you do. And, you are so kind to offer the Freebies!

Pat C. said...

How inspiring it was, Astrid, to see the evolution of your gorgeous nature booklet in this post--and, especially, to see the lovely backs of the pages!

Thank you again for the chance to win your giveaway! xoxo