Documented Life Planner - Week 22

May Theme - Touchy Feely (Texture)

Week 22

Art Challenge: Textured Paper

Journal Prompt: I'm So Not Feeling It

This week's journal prompt was exactly how I was feeling while working on this page - "just not feeling it!" My muse just couldn't decide on how to proceed with all the old textured papers I found in my stash. I finally discovered a page on the FB group on which the artist split a heart and used the "holey" packing material (right side). Since I also had that same paper, I went from there.

She had layered different papers behind the heart but I couldn't get that to look right with the papers I had. I found the square doily and the white doily-type wings which I'd been saving for years so thought I should just start using some of my treasures instead of squirreling them away forever!

The textured papers here are the doily, the handmade paper (left side of heart, which I painted), the packing material which I painted white, the small white heart--shaped doily, the red heart which is textured wallpaper cut into a heart shape, and the wings. In the lower right corner of the spread, there are also two strips of embossed paper (which I inked with pink) and a lacy tissue-type paper.

I used black-and-white-patterned washi tapes for under the die cut days of the week. For the background I first stenciled gel medium which resisted the pink paint when I painted over it. I then stenciled some numbers with red paint and small white dots. I also randomly smudged orange gelato.

Once again, I finished before the end of the week! I'm relieved this page is done!

Tomorrow we leave on a 6:30 am flight for Albuquerque. We'll be babysitting Drew and 4-month old Grant (or rather helping their Dad while Mom is out of town on a business trip). Looking forward to seeing my little guys again!

Art Journal Page - Texture

I spent a few days working (playing) in my art journal.  I wanted to play with the new "irRESISTible" sprays from Imagine Crafts. These come in many luscious colors, but I only have the metallics - gold, silver and copper.

I first sprayed gold through a honeycomb pattern stencil on the right page and then flipped the stencil over to the left page to transfer any excess spray from the stencil. I sprayed copper through a butterfly stencil on the right and silver through another stencil on the left.  I also sprayed randomly on the background with all the sprays.  

When dry, these sprays are permanent so you can layer them and retain the colors of each. They also resist any media that is applied over them.  I used Golden Fluid Acrylic paints over both pages and then dabbed off some of the paint with a baby wipe. The areas that are darker (around the edges and in some splotches on the pages) are where the base coat of gesso did not completely cover the pages so the paint absorbed more in those places.

I added some drywall tape which I'd also sprayed with the gold irRESISTible, some corrugate cardboard strips and some Washi tape. The honeycomb on the lower left is a card stock die cut which I painted with Art Anthology Velvet Paint. Since this paint is very thick, I pounced it on for even more texture.

I still wasn't happy with the right butterfly. To bring out more detail, I outlined it with a permanent pen, then painted inside with a turquoise "Silks" acrylic glaze.

These closeups show the incredible texture and shine of these sprays.

Retreat projects

Different members presented make and takes during the weekend. This first project was a 4 x 4 "danglie". A collage sheet image was adhered to two pieces of cardstock with a beaded trim sandwiched between on the bottom edge. A wire hanger, German scrap scalloped border and decorative fibers were added. A fast and fun project.

We also made a "triptych" folder with library pockets and cards for keeping track of books and supplies we loan out. This is made with 4" x 8" pieces of cardboard covered with patterned cardstock. A ribbon closure was added before adhering the end papers. We stamped images and added them to circles of gold candy wrappers (and, yes, we were able to eat the candy!).

We also played with Heidi Swapp masks, cutting them into smaller pieces and laying them on card fronts. We then wiped chalk ink across the card and removed the mask to reveal the resist. This is a simple card but an easy technique. It would make awesome backgrounds to stamp over.