Friday 21 July 2017

Nature Journal installment 1

Hello friends, today I have a new journal cover to share with you, made with the awesome new Eileen Hull Journal die.
Unfortunately this die is extremely hard to come by. I have had mine on pre-order since February, but have just heard it is now on its way to me. The cover used for this one was donated to me by my wonderful friend Anne Redfern, you can see some amazing examples and tips of how to use the die on her blog. Now that I know my own die is on its way to me, I finally felt ready to use the last one of the ones she sent me....
The covers were coloured with a mix of Doxide Inks in Faded Jeans, Iced Spruce, Cracked Pistachio and Vintage Photo, using both blending tools and dipping. I then toned it all down a bit with a layer of watered down gesso for a more faded look. I did some gold embossing around the edges, some background stamping with various flower stamps (Paper Artsy and Tim Holtz) and finally used some of Tim's wild flower dies as my focal point.
They were coloured with the same inks and then tied together with a seam binding bow, again, died with the same colours.
I added some nature themed charms to the spine and used some text stamping on the back.
The closure is made from one of the dies that comes with the set. It closes at the front with a little magnet.
I added one of Tim's chip board phrases and a pen nib to the front, some tiny flecks of gold foiling to the flowers, to blend in with the gold embossing, and that was pretty much it.
I made a first insert out of Kraft card, I will use it as backgrounds for watercolour nature themed pages I am planning to keep in this jounal, but more of that on another day, stay tuned :o)
Thanks for your visit like always
xxxxx




28 comments:

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful journal Astrid , the colours are gorgeous and I adore the little bunch of wildflowers xxx

chrissie said...

This is a very beautiful project Astrid and the colour choices say nature for sure. The foliage and flowers look wonderful

Love Chrissie xx

Valerie-Jael said...

Fantastic piece, love the neutral colours. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

This journal is absolutely ADORBLE - so special in coloration and masterly arranged delicate details- just wonderful!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow Astrid what an amazing , book cover, I reallyu love all the details and special colour effect !! You really are a talented artist! I'm so glad that I can see and follow your beautifull work!!

Have fun!
Maria

Maryann Laursen said...

Absolut stunning work as always here Astrid. I love the way you´ve decorated tit with the beautiful wildflowers and the colors are also just sooo me. Everything goes sooo perfect together and make a truly amazing journal, that would be such a pride to use for anyone. You just do it again and again and make my blood almost freeze, when I see the beauty in your amazing work.

Diana Taylor said...

It's always such a pleasure visiting and today was no exception - this is such a stunning piece of work - such beautiful shades and textures - I simply fell in love with it. You have the most amazing ability to put everything together to create perfection.

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous Joirnal Astrid, adore the Oxide colours and your wildflowers. The swirls are a lovely addition combined with the flowers. Love the delicate feel to this. Have a lovely weekend. Tracy x

Suzi B said...

This is just gorgeous Astrid, love everything about it, colours, flowers, texture!
Suzi B xx

Let's Art Journal said...

You always create such beautiful detail on your pieces 😀 . The gold embossed swirls and script stamping look beautiful against the amazing background colour you have created with the distress oxides - stunning! Happy Friday and have a lovely weekend! J 😊

Redanne said...

Understated and truly gorgeous Astrid, I love your cover, the flowers look gorgeous against the wonderful Oxide and Gessoed background - so delicate looking. I just had to pin this for future reference!! You are very kind to give me a shout out too, thank you my lovely friend. Hugs, Anne xx

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

You create the most gorgeous albums and this is no expection, stunning love it ! xx

eileen hull said...

So glad you will soon have your very own die Astrid! This Journal is so pretty with its subtle colors and delicate flowers. I like how you attached the charm to the spine and plan to borrow that idea on one I have in the works... just beautiful to look at!

Dorthe said...

So very beautiful Astrid, the amazing background, like the sun shines on the top of it, and the wonderful bouquet with glimpses of gold. Love your spine with the charm, and the bow around the flowers.
Dorthe, xx

Meggymay said...

I have just had a lovely catch up tonight. This journal cover looks gorgeous. as always the details are beautiful and inspirational.
You are lucky to get one of these die cuts, I look forward to seeing more.
Yvonne xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

A truly beautiful journal cover Astrid! I especially love the colours and the lovely posy of wildflowers! Hugs, Chrisx

Karen said...

Spectacular!!!

Annie said...

Love your gorgeous Journal cover and I am delighted to hear your EH die is on its way xx I have received mine so perhaps we can have a play when we have our crafty get together in August xxx
Looking forward to hearing all about your Cornwall holiday as its somewhere I really must visit. I bet your watercolours are spectacular too

Have a lovely weekend
Annie xx

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh how cool! You always do such beautiful work!!

mamablitger said...

Astrid as usual you have impressed not only me but all the sweet people commenting before me.. ......you always share AMAZING art. This journal cover looks like no exception. Love the soft colors. You succeeded to mix kind of romantic and a bit grunge. I do really enjoy to follow your blog and do always find inspiration from your gorgeous art. Thank you for sharing.
Hugs from Monica
Spain

Words and Pictures said...

Oh, how lovely this is... gentle, serene, and so, so pretty. I love the simple bunch of wildflowers - amazing finish on them - and the swirling flourishes are stunning. Can't wait to see the planned watercolour pages inside.
Alison x

Corrie Herriman said...

Fabulous as always Astrid ! I so admire your style !
Corrie x

Mrs.B said...

After seeing your beautiful nature tags, I just had to see your journal Loved the pages and the leaf stamp looks stunning, and this is such a beautiful cover - colour and stamping with the wildflowers embellishing is just beautuiful.
Avril xx

Margaret Mifsud said...

Wow!! This journal cover is amazing Astrid! I loooveee the colour .. simply stunning and so delicate .. and you've enhanced it so beautifully with the background stamping!! The bundled wildflowers are the perfect focal point and the hand dyed bow the perfect finishing touch! hugs xx

sarascloset said...

Astrid, your journal is such a beauty! I love the coloring on the background, and i would have never guessed there is Cracked Pistachio on there! Adding the gesso makes this so YOU! The sweet flower cluster on the front is really my favorite bit tied off with that lovely bow and flecked with gold! GORGEOUS journal! Hugs!

SewPaperPaint said...

Such a magnificent use of the journal die! I really love your book and the amazing blue shad you've chosen. A delightful creation! Hugs, Autumn

A Pink said...

Absolutely fabulous! Astrid . LOVE those gentle colour tones enriched with your gold embossing and your wild flower focal arrangements is beautiful. A really really lovely journal .
x

Anneke said...

A beautiful journal! Love the color!
So delicate! So soft!

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