Oak Leaf in Aquarelle

Tissue Paper and Distress Stains : Another New Altered Journal : Journal Number 139

As I said yesterday, a few people at the craft show ask for lined journals.  Up until now, I haven't had any to offer.  So this year, I'm exploring a few techniques to ALTER (aka : make my own) the covers of a few purchased "stock" journals with lined paper.

This is another torn tissue paper technique from Laura at Artfully Musing.   The difference with this one is that instead of paint, I used distressed stain to give it color and an aged look.  I laso used a few more additional layers of tissue paper on this one.

Here's it is layer-by-layer :
Layer 1 : Torn and crumpled tissue paper, Modge-Podged onto a stock hard-cover journal cover. Let it dry.
Layer 2 : Go over it with another layer of Modge-Podge. Let dry.
Layer 3 : Acrylic White Paint. Let it dry.
Layer 4 : Seal the apint with another layer of Modge-Podge (otherwise the stain just soaks in and looks blah)
Layer 5 : Distress Stain - Vintage Photo  Let it pool in the valleys.  Add additional stain (more or less) to vary the coverage and add interest.
Layer 6) Rub Inca Gold and Patina Gilder's Paste Wax over the high spots for additional highlights.

Here are some additional pics of the very interesting textures this technique produces.
Enjoy, Texture Lovers!

This journal will be for sale in the December Craft Show. 

torn tissue paper technique by Laura at Artfully Musing - See more at: http://sweetleafnotes.blogspot.com/#sthash.mTjmksCT.dpufv

Blood and Gold : New Sweet Leaf Journal

Journal #139

I've been exploring some new surface design techniques for journal covers.  Occasionally at the craft sale, people ask for a journal with lined pages.  So far, my hand-made journals come with blank (unlined) pages--that's the linen stationary I use for signatures.  So in the interest of giving people what they want, I thought it was time to offer lined pages ...  I purchased 3 ready-made journals (with lined pages) and altered the covers to make them my own.  This is one of them.

This one uses a torn tissue paper technique by Laura at Artfully Musing.   The tissue paper is torn and glued on in layers with Modge Podge, then painted, and the high spots rubbed with Inca Gold paste wax.  I am quite pleased with the results.  :-)

And just because I like the texture so much, here are some detail shots of the cover :

 

More journals to come ...