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Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Life is always full of surprises...

Hello everyone and thanks for dropping in. Hope August is going well for you.
Life is always full of surprises and today I actually found the time to do some journaling in my big water colour journal.
The background to this page was created with the help of texture paste and stencils, Gesso and my newly received Bister (see previous post).
 Now before I go on, - so many of you asked what Bister is, so here is an explanation: It's  highly pigmented crystal powder available in different colours, you use a dry small paint brush and add a few crystals to your substrate and then spay with water, the colours disperse and give the most wonderful random splatter effects. Many of the Dutch crafters use it in combination with bleach to achieve wonderful results. (Not tried this myself yet). As far as I know there is something very similar on the market in the UK called Brusho. I have linked to a site where you can find out more.

Back to my journal page:

The central tag was cut from some Prima packaging with the Tim Holtz tag die.. I added some stamping with some little Prima stamps. The other elements were mostly cut from Kraft card and then treated with Gesso and more of the Bister.
The two tags on the side can slip in and out of the central tag and hide some secret journaling. Below are some further detailed pictures:

Dry brushed Gesso and some bits and pieces from my scrap box.

Heart from a Movers and Shapers die, Gesso and Bister (black) again and a couple of chit chat stickers.
Key on the central tag is a Heartfelt Creations stamp and die.

Well I hope you like my page, - after my previous long post I have tried to keep this one short and let the pictures do the talking.

Thank you so much for visiting today and all your comments are always much appreciated!!
Stay inky!!

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49 comments:

  1. Inkypinkycraft5 August 2014 at 06:49

    A gorgeous page and love the look of the bistre, it creates a gorgeous effect x a beautiful page and nice to find time to create and play x :)

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  2. Nikki Acton5 August 2014 at 07:04

    Astrid,you really are the texture queen. This is stunning. Nikki xx

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  3. chrissie5 August 2014 at 07:34

    A stunning page with so much interest and texture.

    Thank you for explaining about Bister

    Love Chrissie x

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  4. Maryann Laursen5 August 2014 at 07:51

    WAUW This page is beyond beautiful Astrid, it´s absolutely stunning, and thanks soo much for the explanation, as I´d also never heard of this before, but it looks fabulous. Your entire page here are sooo gorgeous and filled to the brim with exiting details and different textures and just sooooooo beautiful. I really love this one. You are such a clever bunny, wish I lived closeby, so I could come and get a class with you ha ha ha

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  5. Scrumplescrunch5 August 2014 at 08:31

    Hello Astrid,
    Such wonderful texture on this page and your elements all connect beautifully.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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  6. Anonymous5 August 2014 at 09:14

    Beautifully done Astrid! Another gorgeous journal page. I need to check out Bister too now. Sounds very interesting. Karen.x

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  7. Almo5 August 2014 at 09:38

    Fantastic textures page Astrid, so nice to here you had time for yourself to craft, the sentiment is so lovely too. Bister/Brusho? never heard of either but need to take a closer look as the effects look good. Mo x

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  8. Sophie5 August 2014 at 09:58

    Wow! Das ist wieder atemberaubend schön.
    Mehr Vintage geht wirklich nicht :-)
    Ein Traum, Astrid

    Sophie xx

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  9. Annie5 August 2014 at 10:08

    Wow!! Love your journal page, which is full of wonderful details and textures. Your layout is fabulous and I adore the colour palette too

    TFS and crafty hugs
    Annie x

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  10. Redanne5 August 2014 at 10:24

    Gorgeous, simply gorgeous Astrid, the colours and layout are wonderful! Thanks so much for explaining what bister is too, it looks like a fabulous product. Hugs, Anne xx

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  11. Cardgenie5 August 2014 at 10:25

    Astrid, this journal page is absolutely delightful. I love the delicacy of the colours and textures. Wonderful! Jean.x

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  12. Tone K.5 August 2014 at 10:38

    Hi. I love your work and I get very inspired by it.
    I love your font in your journaling. Can I ask what font it is? Or do you prefer to not tell.

    Thanks in advance.
    :)
    xx

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  13. rachel5 August 2014 at 11:33

    this is stunning Astrid - so much to look at - the texture is just perfect - love it! hugs rachel x

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  14. Heather Jacob5 August 2014 at 11:40

    oh Astrid, this is charming ... so beautiful and delightful .. loving the texture and the colors ... gorgeous x

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  15. Ros Crawford5 August 2014 at 11:41

    Absolutely fabulous!! one day I'm going to start an art journal ...

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  16. Unknown5 August 2014 at 12:33

    Hi Astrid! There's a lot of the 'oooh... aaah' going on in my living room right now! The page you created is out of this world! I love the background. You make everything so textured yet light and floaty... nicely blended... I love this page so much! Thank you for letting me know about Bister... I shall explore further ;)
    Ingrid xx

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  17. Maryanne5 August 2014 at 13:28

    I love this page, Astrid! And, thanks for the explanation of Bister. It looks fantastic and sounds like a fun product to use. Your layout for this page is beautiful and I love the little tags tucked behind the bigger one for private journaling. Lovely page all around!

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  18. Meggymay5 August 2014 at 13:40

    Gorgeous page, as always when I visit there is so much to admire.
    Yvonne x

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  19. Netty5 August 2014 at 14:14

    Lots of beautiful texture and effects Astrid. A beautiful page. Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  20. Dorthe5 August 2014 at 14:16

    Dear Astrid , good to see you home again , and so beautiful gifts you recieved ,both while away, and returning home !! I love it all- the Bister seems to be a wonderful project . I so love what you did with this page, -stunning in every way ,and the idea of private notes on the tag, is so lovely.
    Hugs from Dorthe

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  21. Linda Coughlin, the funkie junkie5 August 2014 at 14:25

    Sensational! I really love the texture paste background you have created. Beautiful colors and that new Blister product looks amazing! TFS!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  22. Evelyn Walter5 August 2014 at 14:53

    Wow, this page is stunning!! The Bister technique fits perfect to your way of art I think. Love the quote!

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  23. lisa5 August 2014 at 17:13

    Absolutely love this Astrid. Funnily enough I have just been investigating Brusho, as I've seen it on several blogs lately and it looks like it gives great results.
    Hugs Lisax

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  24. froebelsternchen5 August 2014 at 17:40

    This is wonderful-- love all the texture and effects here! Masterly!

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  25. massofhair5 August 2014 at 17:57

    I am pondering how many Master Classes you could teach Astrid...

    You have such a knack of getting just the right colours and textures together, each project you do is an inspiration and a treat for the crafty soul :-) xxx

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  26. nzillingworth5 August 2014 at 18:09

    LOVE THE DETAIL AND INTERESTING BITS. FAB

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  27. Terry5 August 2014 at 18:12

    Truly I want to touch this and all that glorious texture! Astrid, this is a gorgeous journal page and I love the added tag, which alone is so beautiful! Enjoy the day!

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  28. Jackie PN5 August 2014 at 18:38

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  29. Jackie PN5 August 2014 at 18:40

    Astrid ~I love your journal page and all of the beautiful and fine details!! Your close-ups are super and it enables us to soak in the beauty of each layer! Thank you for sharing! xoxo

    sorry about the deletion- i need to read before I post! heehee

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  30. Anonymous5 August 2014 at 18:51

    Astrid, what can I say that probably hasn't been said already.
    I adore the effect you achieved and the way you combined all the elements, out of this world.
    Many thanks for the link. I did wonder if Brusho was a similar product. The colours appear to be vivid, maybe earth tones would be a good way for me to introduce myself to them - your information has been helpful.
    Wishes
    Lynne

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  31. Anneke5 August 2014 at 20:34

    Astrid this is amazing. Love the structure. Love the Bister parts. They look wonderful on your page. There is so much to see. Everything fits wonderful together. Thanks for inspiring me Anneke.

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  32. Suzi B5 August 2014 at 21:07

    Beyond words..... I love your fantastic art work.
    Suzi B xx

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  33. Paper Profusion5 August 2014 at 22:02

    How fabulous Astrid! My eyes keeping catching more and more beautiful details. Will go back to studying it. Nicola x

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  34. Joan5 August 2014 at 22:23

    Fabulous journal page, so much to look at, have to keep going back and having another look!m

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  35. Marisa Job5 August 2014 at 22:25

    This is stunning!! Love everything about it!! Hugs!

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  36. Jenny Marples5 August 2014 at 22:31

    Oh my goodness how stunningly beautiful Astrid! I adore the way the stencilling works against the frameworks die cuts and the hints of crimson work with the deep blue and white. LOVE this. Jenny x

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  37. Anita Houston The Artful Maven6 August 2014 at 00:42

    I might need some of that Bister! Love the effect! What a super gorgeous page!!!

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  38. Margaret Mifsud6 August 2014 at 01:22

    Oh my!! This is awesome Astrid!! I dream of creating things like this, can never quite get it right, but you do it every time!!! Love, love, love!! Super gorgeous!! ox

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  39. Palemoon46 August 2014 at 03:20

    Beautiful Astrid. I really really love this journal page. I am also happy that you and Heather got to meet. I so admire your work and Heather's too. Both of you are amazing ladies. I love following both of you.

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  40. Anonymous6 August 2014 at 09:06

    Such a gorgeous page.

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  41. www.deeadamsart.blogspot.co.uk6 August 2014 at 11:23

    WoW! love the affect of the Blister, really love how the texture and tags all blend together, the colour as always is perfect. Dee x

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  42. Olga Siedlecka6 August 2014 at 12:52

    I love all these structures!

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  43. Ana K.6 August 2014 at 17:16

    Truly gorgeous piece, Astrid! And I love the past work I missed, too! Hugs

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  44. Lynn Stevens6 August 2014 at 17:52

    Beautiful Astrid. You continue to be an inspiration to us all!
    Hugs Lynn

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  45. Words and Pictures6 August 2014 at 20:55

    Absolutely gorgeous - the textures and those wonderful inky (Bister-y) splatters, especially on the heart, which is simply lovely... This is a beautiful page, Astrid. Bleach next!
    Alison xx

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  46. May6 August 2014 at 21:06

    AmAzing art work....Simply beautiful... Hugs May x x

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  47. Ruth7 August 2014 at 01:12

    How have I missed commenting on this fabulous page....I thought I had!! anyway I am in awe again, all that fabulous texture and detail. I just adore the way you create such shabby chic vintage colours, delightful. x

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  48. Marjie Kemper8 August 2014 at 23:13

    Oh, Astrid... this is stunning! Love the mix of colors and textures, and all the layering... GORGEOUS! Off to pin.

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  49. Sandy9 August 2014 at 02:42

    Wonderful!! You are always full of surprises AStrid!!
    Sandy xx

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