Hi Everyone, this is the first bit of chatter from my new spot on www.scrapbookjunction.com.au. Cass have been generous and game enough to let me have this space to have a general chatter, and art related sharing with everyone.
A few weeks ago, it occurred to me that every time I sat down to scrap or play with my art, I was turning out something girly and bright. So I thought I would set myself a bit of a challenge to do something more masculine and maybe something a little bit rustic. The results of my challenge to myself is the Altered Journal made for my some times DS which is pictured below. 
The journal is just a cheapie, but it greatly enhanced by the addition of this beautiful double side paper from the Tim Holtz vintage range. http://www.scrapbookjunction.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=87&products_id=2063. The paper is a fantastic quality, almost cardstock thickness and tears really well. I painted the number 3 in DM mixed with a little yellow ink and it makes you just want to reach out and feel it. The stitches are from a pack by Basic Grey and just really links the two pieces of paper together. The back of the journal (not shown) has some Basic Grey paper combined with another piece of Tim Holtz paper but torn vertically and once again I use the rub on stitches to link them together. Inside both covers are lined with BG paper. http://www.scrapbookjunction.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=93&products_id=1967
To emphasise the masculinity of this journal I have attached to the spirals wire some chipboard tags and Zipper pulls from the Collections Range. http://www.scrapbookjunction.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113&products_id=2073. I think these are great to enhance any piece of art as an alternative to tying on ribbons or charms which you might do on a more girly journal or artwork… I have tried to achieve the look of leather on the oblong tag and the zipper pull by using muted paper and by leaving the sides uncovered. I then roughed up the sides by sanding vigorously and using several shades of brown ink to daub the sides and the top and bottom of tag and zipper pull. The circle tag I painted using a metallic ink pen. It gives the appearance of metal in real life. The little oval quote also comes from the Collections Range. http://www.scrapbookjunction.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113&products_id=2208. 
The File Index on the front cover, is cut from Bazzill cardstock and coated with a mixture of ink, chalk and metallic pen to give it the appearance of a vintage metal fitting. What appears to be brads holding this fitting on, is in fact circles punched out from chipboard and painted, chalked etc and stuck on thick double sided tape.
I completed the book by using a Ella Design coloured band as a method of securing anything that might be placed loosely in the journal. These are great for lots of things and come in packs of 4 different ones in the same colour range and only cost $4, so are a great bargain. http://www.scrapbookjunction.com.au/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=26&sort=20a&page=4
I think I have successfully completed this challenge to myself, and look forward to sharing some more chatter with you soon. Regards Joan |
