Thursday 19 January 2012

New journal

Good morning peeps
It'd dull and wet outside so I'm kinda putting off going out to my studio....... though I do need to go really, or perhaps I'll read a book........
Anyway, I thought I'd share my new journal with you.  I like the size of the Bluebell book I got from The Craft Barn a while ago so last time I was there I picked up another and decided to cover it before I started inside.

So here is the front

And the back

I started by gluing some pieces of hand painted papers to the covers and stamping the images onto that using archival ink. The Stamps are from the Lynne Perrella collection by Paperartsy. I then covered the rest  with some random peeloff alphabet stickers to give a bit of dimension. (I have loads of peeloffs and never use them so I find this is a good way of getting rid of them! I used the letters to spell out TRY on the front of the journal. To prep the surface I covered everything except the stamped paper with gesso and then hauled out a ton of acrylic paints and started to add colour until I was happy! The last thing I added to the cover was some Inka gold to highlight the letters more.
I covered the book with a gloss glaze and sprinkled some glitter into it and left to dry.
When it was dry I punched some holes with the Crop-o-dile and secured the key using some parcel twine (the one that Mario used to tie my gift/prize from Tim Holtz - well I wasn't going to just bin it, was I?) and I added the fragment of jewellery to the stamped lady.
I'm really pleased with the end result and the glaze keeps everything nicely protected too.
Since Simon Says Stamp and show anything but a card this week I thought I'd enter it for that too.
Right, I'd better get myself off to work now so have a lovely day everyone and I'll catch up later.

13 comments:

Tuire Flemming said...

Hi from snowy Finland!
Your journal book is really gorgeous! I love how you have put all those layers on it.
Have a nice and creative day!
Tuire

Hanneke said...

Love your journal! Great colors and that key attached looks great, such a nice detail. Hanneke

Rainbow Lady said...

Wow I adore this - love the colours and stamps and what a good idea to use peeloffs... may have to steal that idea Neil. Super can't wait to see what you do with the inside Love Cynthia x

Candy C said...

Neil...your journal cover is beautiful! I really love the gesso base and then all of the acrylic paints on top of it. You said you kept going with them until you were happy. You did a fantastic job! Love the color and then the Inka Gold. I just got some of that and can't wait to mess with it. I also love your peel off letters underneath the paint. Great idea!!! I've got tons of those, too. Thanks for sharing your wonderful piece of art with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

Crafty Loops said...

What an amazing result. I love the different textures. Im actually self taught at bookbinding and love making books and journals. Its the one thing that we never seem to throw away, even when we have either read or filled them up. This is an awesome journal. Lee x

Paula Whittaker said...

fab journal covers

Unknown said...

I have to do the same to my new journal, the cover is hideous. I think the key detail is interesting, it reflects that diary feeling.

505whimsygirl said...

Thanks for the little tutorial. I'm just getting started -- using gel medium, etc. I wondered if I could sprinkle some glitter in it and you answered that question for me.

Your journal looks great, by the way.

Kay

An Occasional Genius said...

Wonderful inspiration for using up those peel off we all seem to have lurking! Love the covers x

Debbie Rock said...

REALLY love this ... and such a brilliant way of using up peel-offs which I have in abundance and never use any more. Was about to give them all away but am inspired to use them your way now! Your work is just FAB and truly inspiring. D x

Paul B said...

Such a gorgeous decoration of your journal. Bold & confident colours. The fiery warmth will be just the motivation you need to work in it when the days are grey and feel drab. The textures too must make this a wonderfully tactile book to hold. Have a great weekend. Pxx

Sarah said...

Fabulous colours and textures on your page - and loving those male images big time! Thanks so much for joining in with the challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Sarah.

PaperArtsy said...

Looks awesome Neil. Loving the paint colours on the cover with the images peeking thru. Reckon you get the prize for peel off re-cycling skills. That is pure genius!
Leandra