Monday 24 November 2014

I am... journalling again

Hello all, Alison (butterfly) here with a journal page for you today.


This one started a while back, and got as far as having all the texture in place and a sharp monochromatic look.  But then it got a bit stuck, wondering where to go next.


Then the new Distress Stain Sprays appeared, and suddenly the game was on!  Faded Jeans and Vintage Photo and we're away.  I'll show you some close-ups of my favourite bits as I let you in on the steps I took to get here.


I started with strips of tissue tape across the page and added crackle paste in various areas.


I spread it quite thinly so that the crackle would be very fine.


The large heart was created with a hand-torn stencil shape, through which I first spread texture paste and then added a coat of crackle once that was dry.  I wanted a really thick, dimensional look, and that's what I got.


I embedded the pen nibs before the crackle heart had set, so no need for glue.


This was the point at which things ground to a halt.  However, once I knew there was spraying in the offing I gave the whole thing a wash of Fresco paint in Chalk.  It's part of one of the JOFY Limited Edition sets.  As well as muting the tape, it gives a lovely warm base colour.


In order to really add depth to the crackles of the heart, I splodged Black Soot Distress Stain over it, then wiped it back, leaving it just in the cracks.  Then I let loose with the two chosen Distress Stain Sprays.  It's such a delight finally to have sprays in the Distress colours without having to tip my Distress Stains into spritzers.  Perfectly possible, yes, but fiddly and always with the risk I'd knock the lidless stain over and lose it all!!


I added some of the fabulous Katy Leitch splodges and blots from the Messy Art plate, stamped in Coffee Archival.


And I used the I am... stamp from the Journalling Words #5 set on a Chalk-washed tag also stamped in Coffee Archival.


It wasn't quite popping enough, so I drew around the edges with a PITT pen and used an embossing ink pen to fill in the letters, followed by clear embossing powder to give it a hint of shine.


As you can see, I also used Treasure Gold to add a touch of warmth and glamour.  It also helps to highlight all that texture.


So there you have it.  I am... rather happy with this one.  It pleases me, and I'm looking forward to lots more Distress spritzing!


Thanks so much for stopping by today.  It's always lovely to hear what you think.

You've still got a week or so to come and play in our Christmas is Coming challenge.  You don't have to use Artistic Stamper stamps, but if you do you get two entries in the prize draw.  Hope to see you there.

Ingredients used:
Artistic Stamper stamps: Journalling Words #5Katy Leitch Messy Art
Distress Stain Sprays - Faded Jeans, Vintage Photo
Fresco Paints - Chalk (JOFY Limited Edition Autumn 2014)
Coffee Archival Ink
Croco Crackling Colour - White
DecoArt Crackle Paint
Idea-ology Tissue Tape
PITT pen
Inkssentials Embossing Pen
Clear Embossing Powder
Treasure Gold - Florentine

30 comments:

Chrissy said...

Stunning Alison...now back to your blog..

luv CHRISSYxx

Helen said...

I love it!! the heart is gorgeous, and the amount of texture you've got on this journal page is wonderful! Good to see you back!

Notations of a Crafter said...

Gorgeous, thanks for reminding me about my crackle glaze and also giving me a new way to use it. Love it, love it love it!

massofhair said...

BEAUTIFUL page Alison, wonderful colours and so much yummy crackle! :-) xxx

pearshapedcrafting said...

You are indeed!! Inspiring that is! This is a brilliant page and those distress stains certainly did their job! Love the splat stamp too! Chrisx

craftytrog said...

Absolutely gorgeous Alison, very inspiring! xxx

Astrid Maclean said...

Brilliant page Alison, specially love all the crackle (of course :o)).

sally said...

Lots of lively texture going on here :-)

Sally

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Again gorgeous details Alison!!!
greetings, Alie :-)

Jackie PN said...

OMGorgeous Alison!! I love the weathered look to the page and the crackled heart? ohhhh heart be still! I love crackle!! xo

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

Love this page befor you added colour and after , the crackle is amazing.. Dee x

Candy C said...

Really a beauty, Alison! Your texture on this page is awesome...very effective. Thanks for sharing all of the glorious details. <3 Candy

Nan G said...

Love the cracked heart! Oh my I need some of those new spray distress stains! Great page, Alison!

Cocofolies said...

A pure delight to read your tutorial Alison and a feast for the eyes!!! Wonderful combination of textures, stamps and distress stains! Coco xx

Sandy said...

When she comes back to town, she comes back to town! Hey Sugar, I know I am very behind for multiple reasons. I really enjoyed your pictures of NYC. What a thrilling adventure and you had to work hard to.
Your journal page is delightful - so pretty to look at and admire. Wow! That crackle paste really works!!
Andy Skinner is one of my favorites.
Bye for now Alison,
Sandy xx

Marci said...

Lovely page!

Dorthe said...

WOW, it is stunning-
LOVE that crackle Alison, both heart and background, looks fantastic, and tresure gold makes a wonderful interest to the areas ,used !
Hugs,Dorthe

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Wonderful wonderful page... Alison. Beautiful crackle texture and lovely background!!

Redanne said...

Totally gorgeous! I love the crackle and you have used the stains beautifully... Anne xx

Unknown said...

Totally Awesome, Alison!! XOXO-Shari

Ana K. said...

This piece was truly beautiful even before you added colours…crackles in the heart are amazing! Superb, dear Alison!

Julia Aston said...

what a lovely design on this page Alison! It looks great in white - and marvelous with the stains and touches of gold! Beautiful!

May said...

O my word...I adore the colours & texture ...Alison this is fabulous...Hugs May x x

Julie Lee said...

This is wonderful, Alison! I love the idea of embedding the nibs in the crackle and - wow - what fabulous crackle it is! The Distress sprays look amazing! Oh dear, I'm going to have to put those on the Christmas list! Beautiful and inspiring journal page. Picasso's quote is good too! xx

Terry said...

Oh I love your journal page, Alison! The richness and depth and all that textual gorgeous is so wonderful on the eyes! Love this! Hugs!

Julia S-W said...

Fab crackle and gorgeous colours Alison. Love the hint of Treasure Gold too.
Juliax

Marjie Kemper said...

Positively scrumptious! I love everything about this.

Etsuko said...

What a beautiful page Alison!! Great heart's big crackle and small one's too. The Distress sprays colours variations was more beautiful that you've used JOFY's Fresco base coat. This tutorial is awesome. I read back many times, very inspired xxx

Kezzy said...

Wow stunning journalling, love all the texture. Kezzy :-) xxx

Ellie Knol said...

LOVE it, and SO inspiring!