Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Be Brave with Your Life

Abandoned Coral arrived at my doorstep today.
I was supposed to be working on a different project.
A project with a deadline.
Ah, maybe the word "abandoned" is appropriate since that what I did once I cut the box open and saw what was inside.
Grab the apron, turn up the music and go.  No thinking, just go.
I also wanted to test out Rangers new Mixed Media Cardstock for the project I have in mind.  Thinner than the Ranger Cardstock I usually use for projects, but still sturdy for multiple layers of wet mediums.  Right off the bat, I like that it is a neutral color, rather than the more yellow cardstock.
I cut a piece of Mixed Media cardstock 8 1/2 x 7 1/2".
Then I spread Multi Medium in a thin layer over the cardstock (the best way to get the Multi Medium really thin is to use your hands).
I cut off a piece of Tissue Wrap and covered the cardstock, pressing it into place.  I did not use a brayer or bone folder but your could.
I rolled the excess Tissue Wrap onto the back side.
Then added a few pieces to cover the rest of the paper.  Tissue Wrap is very forgiving and in the end you will never see the seams.
Once my cover was dry, I used three colors of Distress Paint over the surface: Cracked Pistachio, Abandoned Coral and Mustard Seed.  Abandoned Coral is the new Distress color for February and it just can't get any better than this.  Seriously one of my favorite colors of the Distress line.
Once I added water and worked the colors around, it looked like this...see what I mean?  Abandoned Coral is stunning.
Still in testing mode - I cut a couple more pieces of cardstock.  One I left plain, the other I covered in my favorite White Gesso.  I wanted to see how this new surface would hold up to paint and stain, both with and without Gesso.
 
First up, Distress Stain in Mustard Seed and Abandoned Coral.  The stain reacts just the same on the Mixed Media cardstock as it does on the heavier weight. I had no problem with color soaking through and I found it dried quickly with the Heat It tool and with very little warping.
As for the paper I added the coat of Gesso to, the color is just as bright but it takes on a different look and feel.  It almost has a slick feel (because of the gesso) and the colors seem more opaque.  I was surprised with the brush marks, but I think that comes from how I first added the Gesso to the paper under the color.  Either way, I think I will do more experimentation because I love the way the paper with the Gesso feels to the touch.
I gathered the test papers together (and a few extra plain pieces) for assembly.
I layered them over the cover and held them in place for sewing with binder clips.  I also used a ruler and pencil to mark the center fold before going to the machine.
I increased the stitch size so the paper would not be cut in the sewing process.
Gently fold all the layers to the right.
Once the pages were secure, I ripped the edge off each page so they fit inside the cover (don't throw away the extra pieces).
Using Layering Stencils and Distress Ink in Abandoned Coral, Cracked Pistachio and Mustard Seed I added some pattern to the blank pages.

Now the little pieces I ripped off?
Well, I just sewed them back on (in different places of course).  And yes, I did just fold the book pages back while sewing each page.


Next up, rubber stamps.
I went with the set called Life Quotes.  The set has nine quotes in different fonts.  I wanted to show that they can all work together in one book.

So I chose little Instagrams of places I've been (and not even recently) and put them together with the great quotes. 
I also stamped the big butterfly from the Perspective set (stamped on Watercolor paper).
Then colored it with Distress Ink using my Detail Waterbrush.  Once it was dry, I cut it out to go into the book.
Like this.
I needed a good word for the cover.  I thought Journey was appropriate since all the Instagrams are travel pictures (I admit I do have a love/hate relationship with this particular word- WAY overused), but I'm over that now...okay, at least for today I am!  I think it was this Thinlits die that convinced me, lol.  I love it.
Added to the cover along with a Small Talk sticker.  One of my very favorite (and most used) CHA products.
How so I keep it all together?
An Elastic Loop.  Just punch a hole at the back and slip it in.
Boom.
Just like that, your done.
Yes, I could have spent more time adding more embellishments but the light of day is almost gone so I will be satisfied for today.  For the record, I need some numbers on the inside...always need numbers.

Here's a look at the inside...













I left two pages blank for a trip I am taking in April.  I'm calling it, "being prepared".  And I figure once those are in, I can add the numbers.

Can I tell you how much I love Abandoned Coral?  or that new Ranger Mixed Media paper?  I only have one package but I can tell you right now, I'll be ordering more!

now carry on (even if you don't have any Abandoned Coral),
paula
(and if anyone was wondering, the featured nail polish today is Essie - Chinchilly)



36 comments:

  1. So glad mine's on the way! LOVE the addition of Mustard Seed and Cracked Pistachio to the mix, the whole spontaneity of this folder and that tissue tape cover, which is divine. Deadlines can wait... Jenny x

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  2. Oh wow, I'm more eager than ever for my new colours to arrive! What an incredible project Paula! Love the ripped edges and all the wonderful ways you combined the colours! hugs :)

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  3. Thank you for sharing this great project! New colours are really beautiful and inspire several art possibilities!

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  4. Love, love, love how you randomly put this journal together! I am very excited about Abandoned Coral and I think it's the perfect addition to the Distress color palette!

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  5. Wow Paula, you took the "abandoned" quite literally. I love your travel book and all the different techniques and gorgeous little details. Your handwriting is BEAUTIFUL. Please please please design some handwritten stamps. :)

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    1. You are too funny - my writing is never consistent unless I take a lot of time (that is scarce commodity) so no stamps for me. But thank you, that was a nice thought!

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  6. This is so incredibly cool Paula! Love your handwriting! Now I HAVE to have the Life quotes set : )!

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  7. Paula you did it again and I have to ask....what black pen do you use to hand write your entries?

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    1. robin, I use a Staedtler permanent marker. I get them at Dick Blick when ever I go to Vegas since there is not a Dick Blick around here (super cheap but its my very favorite.

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  8. What a cool little project! And yes, Abandoned Coral is a must have along with mixed media paper. Thanks for the inspiration Paula.

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  9. Stunning little mixed medium album! Thanks for "abandoning" your deadline and creating something fun for us to drool over!!! Okay - and I had to laugh at the nail polish ending!!!

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  10. Just another wonderful example of your creativity. I got myself a package of the Mixed Media Cardstock to play with too, can't wait. TFS Paula! Love the nail polish!

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  11. So funny! I was thinking I really like that nail polish.

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  12. I'm snickering b/c I was wondering what color your nail polish is. Very pretty. And that butterfly and the coral color and the feather--so gorgeous!!

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  13. Paula, this journey journal is fabulous! Love the cheery colors (gotta get me some cracked pistachio and abandoned coral) and especially love the way you sewed the strips of paper back onto each other.

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  14. Gorgeous, the colours you combined work so well together, sometimes it's fun to just create for fun. Love your layered design and added stamping . Tracy x

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  15. What a brilliant step by step. I really must be more courageous with bright colour. Fantastic memory book and such elegant handwriting.
    Perhaps Tim should bring out a matching line of Distress nail polishes for you, how fab that would be !
    Julie x

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  16. We are going to Vegas for the first time in April for our belated 25th anniversary. Gonna go find Dick Blick while we are there! I may need another suitcase!!
    Your little journal is so adorable! I cannot wait for the Doodle to get their supply. I KNEWthe PPistachio and Coral would go together! Thanks for proving me right!!

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    1. Sue, Dick Blick is way off the strip so you would need a car and a map. Let me know if I can help you with any information - been there many times. As the for colors - they do go together but they need a cousin to help them out - that Mustard Seed is perfect.

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    2. We will have a car and i've already Google mapped it, Paula!! You can come help me shop!

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  17. These colors are amazing! Looks like you have been to some fabulous places. I love this so much I almost want to learn to sew :)

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  18. I was unsure about the new colors, you have used them beautifully! Also, I wondered about that new paper, so thanks. You are too funny, about the nail polish.

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  19. Always breathtaking! your use of colour is totally Amazing! Thank you for sharing your project and inspire me every day! BArbarayaya

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  20. Wonderful Paula, love that colour combination (the abandoned coral with the mustard seed is gorgeous) and your travel book is great, love the torn edges and varying layers on your pages! Will have to try some of the mixed media paper, your results are stunning!

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  21. Paula, I really love this project! The covers, the bright mix of colors, and the more free-form pages. I've always liked the look of torn pages, but often forget to use them. Can't wait to order some of Tim's new goodies, I somehow missed seeing the new set of quotes (love these), and I'm so looking forward to the new feather bigz die and the mixed media paper . Thanks for being so generous and sharing your creativity with us. Denise

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  22. Gosh! Your colour explosion looks awesome, Paula!
    A real treat to look at! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!

    Claudia x

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  23. Wow, Paula you just amaze me every time I see one of your projects!!! Gorgeous, I love all the colors, different size pages, the torn edges...I could go on and on! :)

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  24. LOVE it - always fun to see what you come up with - see you in May!

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  25. Gorgeous project Paula! Love all the vibrant colors and stenciled detail! So much wonderful eye candy to admire!

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  26. Awesome post and project, Paula! I see you made changes to your URL (I was visiting via the gypsy girl address previously) but everything's good. I updated my feedly and now I won't miss out on one single post. Lovin' those minky pinkies ☺

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