Monday 25 July 2011

Carving a Niche for Myself (posted by Judith)

Hi folks, it's my turn to post my project on our joint Blog. I chose the option this month, and it was slightly different to our previous challenges. I told the girls that they should follow Rachel Jackson's colour challenge on page 78 of the May Craft Stamper magazine, but they could combine this with any other project from the March, April or May magazines. This gave us enormous scope for variety, but also made us quite nervous, wondering if we would pick the same project as one of the others. So far, Jo, Lesley and myself have all been different, but we have yet to see Elaine's project.

I knew as soon as I saw my project, that I would like to make this one, even before I had the chance to choose the CSQ project.  I have chosen, funnily enough, another Rachel Jackson project; it is on page 8 of the April Craft Stamper magazine 'Carve a Niche'. I love old books, I regularly go to charity shops and buy them to alter, or use the pages in mixed media projects. I look for lovely covers, and have some really textured ones waiting to be made into something new. For this project, I found a great burgundy book, which was a good size, big enough for my main stamp, with plenty of space around the edges, as I had plans to add embellishments.

I used a lovely stamp by Stampington and Company as my main image, colouring it with my Polychromos pencils in the chosen colour palette. I decoupaged it onto a piece of card that I had coloured with chalk inks.

I followed Rachel's instructions to cut the front of my book out, and tear through my book pages, as you can see, it took ages! I decided not to paint my pages though, as I wanted a creamy feel to my pages.

I then took some tissue paper, and stained it with tea, and left it to dry. I stamped this with a script stamp from IndigoBlu, and a phrase from The Artistic Stamper, in Timber Brown Stazon. I added this to my book cover with matte medium, as I wanted the burgundy colour to show through, in keeping with the colour palette. I added pieces of book page randomly, painted with a very diluted wash of Cranberry paint dabber.

I then stamped lots of butterflies, some onto card, some onto shrink plastic, and some onto Clearly for Art. I coloured them in, either using my Polychromos, or alcohol inks, shrinking, or heating them where necessary.I then stuck them to my book.









I then added a ribbon inside the book covers so that I could tie the book closed, as per Rachel's instructions.






I had an onlooker when I was taking my photos, the eagle eyed amongst you will spot her paw in this photo, she wouldn't budge as she likes to be involved. Finally, here is the finished article:


I thoroughly enjoyed making this project, and would certainly make another one. I have Rachel to thank both for her colour inspiration, and the tips and hints on the book project.
Thanks for stopping by today, Judith xx

8 comments:

Aquarius said...

Thanks for showing so many views of your stunning project - fabulous!!

craftimamma said...

Hi Buddy, I didn't have chance to check through the mags to see if I could pick out your project choice but I suspected it might be this one. I had tabbed this as a possible when making my choice but didn't have a suitable book and I'm glad now as I wouldn't like to have competed with this beauty, lol!

Your project is stunning Judith, and the colours work beautifully. I am another butterfly/dragonfly fan as you know so this definitely pushes the right buttons for me. I love the Stampington image and think it has to go to the top of my wish list again. It goes perfectly with the butterfies and you know I also love script stamps.

I think I'll choose a thinner book when I get round to making one of these though, Ha! Ha!

Well done on a fabulous piece of art.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Elaine said...

Judith

This is gorgeous. I love book based projects, but I haven't chosen one this time!

I can see why tearing the niche was so time consuming, but you have made a beautiful neat job of it.

I love those Stampington dress form stamps, they are gorgeous aren't they and I am another big butterfly fan, so the variety you have chosen is lovely.

Another lovely project from you Judith, just me to go now this month!

Elaine xxx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

WOW!!! What an amazing work of art Judith. I love the butterflies, I love the colour, I love the torn look to the pages, well I just love everything about it. And so many pics, so we can get a really close up view.

Sue xx

Marita Soutar said...

This si absolutley amazing! I love it to bits! It's so beautiful!

Astrid Maclean said...

So cool, absolutely love it! That stampington stamp is just so beautiful and you have used it to great effect!

Jo said...

What a great job you've made of your book,Judith. It's a real feast for the eyes. I love anything with script on and this stamp is just delightful. All your winged creatures look quite at home on there. The butterflies and moths are really interesting and your colouring is exquisite as ever. I've always been frustrated trying to find books to alter so I'll have to come shopping with you!

Margaret T said...

This is very crafty! Fun for upcycling! Thanks for the many ideas!