I don't really make New Year Resolutions but I have resolved to stretch myself this year and do some different things, apart from the normal cards, tags and chunky ATCs. I have also resolved to use up all the products lying in my cupboards, untouched and unloved, or things that I bought on a whim, thinking it would come in useful one day..........
Now, I hope you will forgive me but I have a new computer, brand new yesterday and I have not yet figured out how to edit my photos with it, so my photos may appear quite amateurish - and uncropped - sorry, I will eventually work it all out. However, if you click on the photos you will see them better.
In my stash, lay a Journal, unloved and never used together with some stencils, embossing paste and some Fresco Finish paint together with my newish Wendy Vecchi stamps and some Tim Holtz stamps that I have never opened - shocking I know! So I set off to make some journal pages. It was a lot more fun than I expected it to be, it was very messy and I learned that you need to clean stencils immediately after using them with embossing paste........but that's another story.
I started by coating the pages with Gesso, then Fresco Paint in Mermaid, stuck on some ripped pages from an old dictionary and I then smudged some white acrylic paint all over to add some contrast. I randomly stamped a harlequin design using Peacock Feathers distress ink. I outlined a few of the harlequin shapes with a black pen. I took a Crafter's Workshop stencil and used matte black Dreamweaver embossing paste to create a random design. I really love the contrast of the black against the blue.
I stamped four Wendy Vecchi hearts in Ranger Black Archival ink, cut them out, then triple embossed with clear embossing powder and added these to my pages. I added the Tim Holtz saying - 'Wishes are the magic in our heart that cause beautiful things to happen'.
To finish off I drew a squiggly line around both pages with a black fine-line pen.
I am entering this into Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge where the challenge is to Embrace the Old and which can be something old or can simply be stuff that's been around a long time or has been forgotten about. Check on both those counts! There is a $50 prize draw and the DT will choose their favourite pieces too.
I am also entering this into Pan Pastel UK Challenge 2 which is New Year - New Technique. This suits my effort as I have never done Journal pages properly before, nor have I successfully used embossing paste, or paints to create a background on paper so I think my entry qualifies. The prize is a starter kit of Pan Pastels and the winner will be randomly chosen.
Thank you for looking and double thanks if you leave me a comment! Hugs, Anne x
This is gorgeous Anne, love the aqua colours and the hearts are just fab...great job again from your artistic mind...luv annie
ReplyDeleteWay to go Anne!!! I LOVE these pages! Everyone really seems to be pushing the boundaries and climbing out of their comfort zones this year and you have definitely done this here. Those black embossed patterns bring the whole design together - I can't remember seeing anyone using black in this way (or maybe my memory is going/it didn't have such a fantastic impact)and I love it. Mmmm, embossing powder does dry quickly, as does Ferro and Flitter Glu!! Thanks for sharing this absolute gem. I look forward to seeing more from this journal very soon. Huge hugs and applause, Jenny xxx
ReplyDeleteLike Buttons, I absolutely love these pages! I love the vertical impact of the tall, slender hearts echoed by the long strips of book text; I love the turquoise (well, of course at the moment) with the powerful red and black against it. Glorious, dynamic work - and I can't wait to see where else you travel to with your (excellent) resolutions! Have a lovely Sunday...
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
Fantastic Anne and Imthink you're a natural with all the painty and journaling stuff! Love the colours and how you've laid out your pages. Love your resolve to use up crafty items too, I'm on that same kick to use up patterned papers. Hugs, Chris x
ReplyDeleteI feel exactly the same Anne I need to use some of my crafty items that have been forgotten and purchased on a whim. Love your journal pages, the hearts are gorgeous and I love your painty, inky background too. Fabulous layout. Hope,to,see. Ore of your journaling Anne. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS project
ReplyDeleteKathyk
Anne this is wonderful, really great pages, and I really like the contrast with the blue, red and black. The hearts and the circles really pop. Love it. Good luck with the challenges. Thank you for all my comments this week on the PaperArtsy blog and on my blog too. Michelle xx
ReplyDeleteFabulous pages Anne, The colours are perfect with the deep red hearts Love it all.. Hugs May x x x
ReplyDeletethis is stunning Anne - really fabulous - so much fun to embrace both old and new!!! Love the colours. Have a fab week Anne and hope the snow doesn't cause you any problems xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea Anne to use up stash that has been shut away etc!! This is absolutely fab I love it and I know the feeling about cleaning stencils straight away LOL I am covered in ink at the moment doing DT work its good to start off a new year the way I ended one...messy!! lol huggles hun xxxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteLike yourself Anne I have resolved to use up some of my unloved stash, and I think that you have started brilliantly, with super colouring. I have a lovely journal with only two pages done!i must get going, thank you for the inspiration! X
ReplyDeleteHi,very beautiful this AJ page,the stam is original and nice colours!Greetings!
ReplyDeleteI have found loads of bits re-doing my craft room so I feel very much like you Anne, it's gotta be used lol. I love what you have achieved with your new found things, the colours complement each other wonderfully and what fun to play with paints, inks, parts and stencils and begin a new journal, I hope you will continue to explore in this way. Thanks for linking to the PanPastel challenge this week.
ReplyDeleteHugs Brenda xox
Anne thisis wonderful, lve the bright red hearts against that yummy blue...a really wonderful make !! Hugs trace x
ReplyDeleteOooh, This is just fabulous Anne, I love all the layers and your striking colour combination. Must get my hands on those Wendy Vecchi heart stamps.
ReplyDeleteI've had a couple of journals lying in my 'box of many things', untouch and unloved (shame on me!) I had such good intentions when I bought them too. Maybe one day I'll have time to make a start. xx
Your photos are just fine, Annie! I'm happy you are back on your comfortable computer. I'm with you on using or purging the stash. It's embarassing how much stuff and stamps I have that I've never used. The year of "Shopping our Stash." I saw that somewhere and think it might even be a challenge.
ReplyDeleteYour Journal is amazing! I can't believe it's your first "proper" one! You use so many products and techniques I've either never heard of or never used. It's exciting to enter your world and see the magic happen!! xxo Darnell
Hi Anne, there's nothing wrong with your photos! Using up some stash was one on=f my resolutions too, as well as believe it or not, do some journalling. I have used some old bits and pieces, but no journalling as yet! Your journal is fabulous, love the colours and layouts...amazing! Carole Z X
ReplyDeleteHi Anne I like the colours of this journal and the contrast of the red hearts against the blue pop out and really works. I like the words too, bravo.
ReplyDeleteSee you soon hugs Mo x
LOOOOOOOOOOOVE it, and kudos to you for the new technique...I love working with modeling paste, just used up my jar of it too! Good luck on the challenges ♥ waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)
ReplyDeleteWOW!! This is amazing Anne. I love the design with such wonderful colours. A definte success I'd say!!
ReplyDeletehugs Sue
Hi Anne,
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous journal page! How nice to have a new computer! Yikes, I never clean up my photos before I post..... now I feel guilty.
Good luck with the challenges!!!
Hugs,
Kay
What a beautiful set of pages, Anne! I love the pops of black and red - you should join in the Wendy Vecchi yahoo group - it's a fun crowd with challenges usually every 2 weeks. Good luck with that new computer - I feel for you!
ReplyDeleteOoh Anne, this is wonderful!! I think there are many of us determined to do more this year. I too have some paste but have yet to use it. (I will ensure to clean my stencils after using them) I am in the middle of sorting and reorganising my craft stuff in order to make it more accessible in the hopes of nOT forgetting what I have and so I use what I have to its fullest. I bought some plastic drawers yesterday to help me in this, but I under estimated how much 'stuff' I have, haha. Oops. Time for another re-think. Love n Hugs, Mo :0) x
ReplyDeletewhat a great double page, the colours really pop against the blue.I love the way you have used the stencil, it is so effective.
ReplyDeleteReally striking pages and I love the message. I'm hoping I get to do something, anything in fact, crafty today!!
ReplyDeleteJo x
Oh wow Anne - this is stunning! Love how the colours and patterns have such fabulous contrast and all so vibrant. Brilliant! Nicola x
ReplyDeleteWow, such a stunning project! LOVE the colours and the great red hearts. Gorgeous textures. Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!!
ReplyDeleteLovely pages Ann, like you I,m set on using up some stash and I,m going to start an altered dictionary as on The craft barn challenge, I.d also like to do some journaling but right now I have cards to make I need for later at his week. I,m using my new iPad to write this ,just learning my way round on it!
ReplyDeletejoan
absolutely gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteI am super impressed :)
Hi Anne
ReplyDeleteThose pages are so striking in their composition and also use of colour. The red pops out from the page and the use of a slender heart compared to a chubby (!) heart creates a lovely flow.
Wishes
Lynne
thanks for your comment Anne, I have the defuser plate that Jenny used but they are almost to big for ATC's I have no idea if the glue n seal helped keep the hat from being embossed or weather just pushing the hat part flat after did the job, Would not want people risking their work on my say so ;) lol.
ReplyDeleteI will look forward to seeing how you use the defuser plates. x
What great pages Anne. Love the hearts!
ReplyDeletehugs Lynn
Hi Anne, just popped in again to see what else you have made, will come back another day..Thanks for your comments too..luv annie
ReplyDeleteooh fab pages! Love them. I am embarking on my first Journal page tomorrow or Friday. Its for a challenge at the Craft Barn. Its out of my comfort zone so I'm afraid, very afraid!!! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful piece I love the colors!
ReplyDeleteThese pages are so wonderful Anne. I love the black on the blue and then the red brings it all alive. You are so clever doing this. I don't really have a clue about journalling so I take my hat to you. Hope you are well.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Juliaxxx
I think you need to start a new page for your comments oh talented one on high!! Honestly Anne - how in the world do you think up all these things to do!!!!!! I guess the more I do the more I will learn - so glad I found you Sugar - you get my love for all of this really going!!!!! I love your work Anne but you know that!!!!!! Happy New Year and what a great resolution!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSandy
Marvelous Art Journaling! Love the colors and theme! Another pin!
ReplyDelete