Monday 30 December 2013

Spellbinders Mixed Media Journal cover

Hello everyone, thank you so much for having a look in here at this very busy time of year! I hope you have survived the first part of the festive season!
Let me start by wishing you all the very best for 2014!!! I hope you will have the most amazing creative year and that you will get closer to realizing your dreams!



I have several aims and dreams for the world in general of course, but also for my creative journey, one of them being to journal more regularly. So what better start than to create a cover for a brand new journal.
One of the things I love about Spellbinder dies is that they can be used in so many different ways, and for this project I chose to use them to add dimension to my Mixed Media cover.

These were the dies and other products I used:
Dies:
Radiant Rectangles
Grateful Lattice
Persian Motifs
Tattered Blossoms (Heartfelt Creations)
Font One Uppercase
Fantastic Flourish 1
Medallion 6
Les Papillions
I realize this is a lot of different dies, but these could be substituted for any other ones you might have in your collection.
Other products:
Paints:
Antique Linen
Iced Spruce
Bundled Sage
Frayed Burlap

Embellishments and other products:
Molding paste, Gesso, Muli Medium (Matte), Crackle Medium, Embossing Powders, Treasure Gold gilding paste, Walnut Stain (Tsukineko), Some background stamps, script stencil, paper flower, selection of cogs, little key charms, some bits of lace,Derwent Pastel Pencil.
First I cut a piece if 7 x 9" mount board to form the actual cover of my journal.
Next I used my Grateful Lattice die and made it into a stencil, by cutting it out of an old cereal packet.

I used it to create some texture onto the largest of the Radiant Rectangle dies which was also cut from some packaging. While the texture paste was still wet, I stamped into it with an old text stamp.
I then cut some of the other dies I wanted to use, all out of the same strong cereal packet card. I love how it shows up all the detail of the dies. Here is a selection of the ones I used:
Next I adhered them to my mount board, adding some further stenciling and a few little cogs and some strips of lace for further interest. When I was happy with the composition I covered it all with a thick coat of Gesso.
Time to add the first layers of colour in my chosen pallet.
So far so good, - time to add some letters. I cut them from the same material, coloured them and added texture with crackle paste, embossing powders and paint to give them a metallic appearance.
Here is a close up, so you can see the textures, this is what I love about mixed media!

Time for some more colour and shading to add depth.
Nearly there, - it just needed a bit more to focus the eye around the page, - a flower, cut from old book paper, came to the rescue.
I cut about 5 flowers of the same size, glued them together and then added another flower from my stash to the centre, adhered it to the page and gave it all a few spritzes with Walnut Stain to blend it into the page.
A butterfly, to balance the composition on the other side was needed now, so I cut two of the dies, layered them together and coloured them the blend with the rest of the page.
And finally to stick with the "rule of three" in composition, a couple of little rusted keys from my stash completed the composition...

Here are some further close up photos still of different parts

I just love all the detail in the dies, it adds another dimension to what ordinary chipboard pieces could achieve using similar techniques.

Well, here is the finished piece and I hope you have enjoyed my little mixed media step by step.
Thank you for visiting today and I hope you will enjoy the rest of the festive season.

I will be busy with family commitments in the next few days, but will try to stay in touch and come and visit all my favourite blogs when I can.

42 comments:

Shirley said...

Loved looking from the very start to the very finish Astrid. Everything looked beautiful even before you added the letters.

Sending cyber happiness and prosperity for you and your family for 2014. I hope you get to see your family and especially your little granddaughter more in the coming year.

Warm and very special hugs from Shirl x x

Maryann Laursen said...

WAUW this is an absolutely stunning cretion again Astrid. I totally love the whole cover and all the fantastic details you made on it. You just keeps finding beautiful details, when ever you move your eyes, and it´s soo gorgeous and pleasing for the eyes to just sit and watch over and over again. I really love this cover.
I hope, you´ll have a very Happy New year too, and that 2014 will be the best year ever for all of us. Enjoy your break hun, you sure desrve it, and have fun with your loely family. Take good care.

Stamps and Paper said...

What a gorgeous cover Astrid great colours and textures

Anne

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cover for your journal Astrid ! I love how you've used the die cuts to creats the dimension. Can't wait to see what happens inside now ! Hope you had a great Christmas. Sue C x

Claire said...

Hi Astrid, this is so beautiful! Gorgeous colour and I adore all the texture. Wishing you all the very best for 2014,
Claire xx

chrissie said...

This is very beautiful and thank you so much for sharing how you made it. You always have such wonderful ideas and give inspiration to so many of us.

Have a wonderful 2014

Chrissie x

Rita said...

Well Astrid, what can I say. My wish for 2014 is to use my paints and stains and try some more multi media creations. Your cover is one of the most interesting pieces I've seen. You are a true inspiration to me Astrid and you know how much I adore your work. Thank you too for such a marvellous tutorial. Wishing you and the family a Healthy and Happy New Year. Hugs Rita xxx

Redanne said...

So pleased that you showed the 'how to' on this Astrid and how a few die cuts can be turned into a wonderful piece of art - your cover is stunning. I just love the gorgeous colours and the dimension you created.

Thank you so much for a year of amazing inspiration and I look forward to seeing how you fill this beautiful journal. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year! Big hugs, Anne x

Heather Jacob said...

texture heaven ... always so much beauty here Astrid... loved the little video you put on FB of your grandie walking ... soooooooooooooo cute xoxoox

Jennie Atkinson said...

Oh my! What fabulous textures and colours Astrid. I just love the way you have used the dies to create templates and stencils. I am just about to open my Distress Paints so thank you the wonderful inspiration!

Wishing you a healthy, happy, peaceful and creative 2014 (when it comes!) x

massofhair said...

Stunning Journal cover Astrid, love your creations they are always so beautiful, full of texture & interest.

Happy 2014, may your year be full of happiness, good health & wonderful memories:-)

Claire said...

Hi Astrid, a stunning journal cover - all that beautiful texture looks amazing! Thanks for the step by step, I found it really useful as mixed media is something I really want to try. Best wishes for 2014! Claire x

Aquarius said...

What a wonderful start for another year of beautiful works of art. Thanks so much for the detailed photos and for your inspiration throughout the past year. All the very best for 2014.

rachel said...

a truelu stunning piece Astrid - really beautiful - I do love the steps you added to - for somebody like me who's only really dipping my toes into mixed media - its a great help!!! Thankyou! And thanks for all the inspiration! Happy 2014 to you and yours xx

Viv said...

A breathtakingly beautiful piece of art Astrid. It is such a long time since I have done any Mixed Media but maybe now after seeing this I will try picking it up again in the New Year.
May you have a wonderful 2014. x

Evelyn Walter said...

Wonderful Journal cover, Astrid! The texture looks so great - love it!
I wish you a happy New Year and have a good time!

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful journal cover, so much inspiration there! Have a happy, healthy and creative 2014! Valerie

Mrs.B said...

You've created so much texture by adding the die cuts - a stunning cover. Loved the step by step pics.
Have a great New Year.
Avril xx

Maryanne said...

What a fabulous journal cover, Astrid! And, thank you for the step by step. I love, love, love all the textures you created with the dies and the different pastes. This is really gorgeous! Have a wonderful remainder of the holiday season!

Margaret Mifsud said...

Another fantastic piece Astrid!!! You just amaze me how you so easily blend the colours to get that gorgeous finish, and I love the use of those dies, would never have dreamed of using them that way. Thank you so much for the step by step, am pinning this so I can easily come back for reference. I am actually creating my positivity journal at the moment and I think I need to change the cover now. You've given me some new ideas. Thank you so much. I also want to thank you Astrid for the encouragement and support you've given me this past year. You have no idea how much this has meant to me and I really have appreciated it immensely. Wishing you and your family all the very best for the new year. oxox

Words and Pictures said...

Amazing work, as ever, Astrid! Wonderful textures underlying the whole piece, and the colours are gorgeous. Can't wait to see what goes inside... I'm on a journalling kick for this year too - determined to explore!
Alison xx

Marisa Job said...

Another stunning project! Love the texture you accomplished with die templates!!

Dorthe said...

This is totally gorgeous dear Astrid,--what a wonderful idea to use your dies as stencils, after cutting them in box "paper".
It gives a wonderful dimentional background, and your colours are great together.
I love your butterfly, and the flowers aswell. This front will alwayes make you wish to open up the journal, and ...journal!!
Thank you for knowing you here in 2013, and wishes for a happy and healthy new year to you, from Dorthe,-xoxo

Sandy said...

I love every jot and tittle you make Astrid. Perhaps if I practiced more and looked less I would improve. But my gracious - I do love looking and looking at your beautiful work always brings me pleasure - especially your art journal pages.
Happy New Year Pretty Lady!!
Sandy

Jenny Marples said...

Love seeing how you've created this page Astrid. The layered die cuts have been transformed in your hands and I love the little paper flower. Have a wonderful 2014. Jenny x

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Astrid
Happy New Year to you too.
Yes, well I am all for texture, and you have it oozing from the page here, great palette choice also.
It looks fabulous,
Smiles:)
Sue

Jools Robertson said...

Astrid, this is as always so very beautiful
Your talent is astounding, I can't wait to see what wonderful art works you will produce in 2014
Wishing you a very a Happy New Year

Jools x

Carol said...

Just gorgeous Astrid. Thanks for your posts this year and the inspiration to keep creating. May 2014 bring you all you wish for.

Terry said...

Happy New Year and may 2014 be the best creative journey yet! Astrid, I love all the steps you shared in this process! Beautiful details and great ideas! Enjoy your family time, Hugs!

PetraB said...

What a beautiful cover, love all thetextures and details. I wish you and your family a very happy and peaceful 2014.

Meihsia Liu said...

This is such a gorgeous page, Astrid. Thank you for sharing and wish you a happy new year. :)

artwolf2009 said...

what a wonderful cover. Surely that way you can keep your aim of journaling more often

Brenda Brown said...

What a fabulous post and truly inspiring project Astrid. Thank you for your friendship, encouragement and support this year, it was wonderful meeting you in August and I hope we manage it again in 2014.
Wishing you a wonderfully creative new year filled with love, peace, health and happiness.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Ros Crawford said...

This looks amazing ... i love how you get those textures you make it look so simple ... Have a wonderful New Year!

Annie said...

A beautiful journal cover and wonderful layers and textures, which I adore.
Sending you and yours best wishes for a wonderful and prosperous New Year. I look forward to meeting up with you and viewing your very inspiring and stunning creations

Best wishes

Annie x x x

toni said...

That's a beautiful journal cover, I'm sure it will inspire you to pick up your journal more often. Have a very happy and creative new year, very best wishes from Toni x

Claudia N. said...

Dear Astrid,

by now you should have had a wonderful New Years Eve with your family and loved ones and I wish you all the best of 2014 and a happy new year!

Wishes,
Claudia x

Elly said...

Love your cover. Now i know that dies are not only for cardmakers. Thanks for this great inspiration. Hugs and a wonderful 2014 for you and your family♥

Barbara Rankin said...

Absolutely gorgeous journal cover. You have inspired me to make one for myself. TFS your wonderful talents, and have a wonderfuly New Year!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

That's breathtaking, thanks for the wonderful inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Hello Astrid. What a beautiful journal page. The back ground is so full of life and delicious texture. Love it!! Thanks for visiting me and welcome to my blog. Karen.x

Lagene said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS! Thanks for the inspiration!

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