Monday 11 June 2018

Alchemy

Hello friends and thanks for taking the time to drop in! Today I have a project to share using one of my all time favourite paper collections, Alchemy, from Stamperia.
It's yet another altered file folder, I love making these. This one is meant for a friend I am going to see later today, so fingers crossed she will like it.
The front is decorated using some stencils, some dry embossed bits, a cut out from the paper collection and a little metal charm.
I think the stencil is from Kaisercraft, I stencilled with texture paste and then sprinkle Seth Apter's Patina Oxide powder into the wet paste and then heat set it. I then highlighted it all a bit with a Cracked Pistachio Distress Crayon.
The words were stencilled just with the Distress Crayon and all the other elements were highlighted with Treasure Gold in Copper.
Here is the first double page and pockets, almost entirely decorated with fussy cut elements from the collection.
There are two double pages in this booklet, so this is the second one.

I created different elements to go into the pockets:
The first pocket holds this little booklet that has another pocket inside
Inside that pocket is a little folded card that has one of several quotes I added to the booklet.
All the quotes are from Paulo Coelho's book The Alchemist, one of my favourite books of all time.
The next pocket holds a slightly larger folded card with another quote inside.
The next  pocket holds a larger card with a quote on the back side of it.
And finally the last pocket has a bookmark again with an inspirational quote printed on the back:
I kept the back of the booklet really simple, just using the same paper as the front and adding one of the lovely cut apart images from the collection:
I embossed the edge of it with a mix of the Patina Oxide and Rust Baked Texture powders, just to make it stand out a bit.
The booklet closes with the simplest of closures, just a little clip to which I attached a couple of charms, and that was pretty much it.

Hope you are all having a good week, and thank you so much for dropping in,
xxxxx

23 comments:

junemac2 said...

Astrid if she does not adore this she is blind this is truly truly fantastic

Hugs June x

Valerie-Jael said...

Astrid, this is totally gorgeous, I love it, and I can imagine how much it will delight your friend. Hugs, Valerie

Meggymay said...

Your friend will be in love with this gorgeous book. It looks stunning with all the wonderful detail and additions.
Yvonne xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

This really is the most amazing book and I have a really strong feeling that your friend will have loved it! Hugs, Chrisx

Helen Wallace said...

What a delightful creation to gift to your friend. Each page offers something special and the whole thing is a triumph. Thanks for the inspiration.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

What a fabulous display, those papers are beautiful reminding me of a wonderful big hard back book I would flick through as a child just for it's etched designs. The pop of turquoise upon the cover really draws the eye. Just love those quotes and words of wisdom.
From pockets to inner detail it's a real treat for anyone Astrid, your friend will truly adore it!!
Have a fabulous day Hugs Tracey xx

brenda said...

I'm on holiday catch up after two weeks of no wifi, super inspirational creation today Astrid.

B x

Patty O'Malley said...

Wonderful gift for your friend!

Nancy Wethington said...

Love your style! Once again another perfect project.

Dorthe said...

Oh my goodness, Astrid,- this is incredible stunning- your friend will drop her jaw , when seeing your gift.
Yes amazing papers, , but you really made them speak volumes more, the way you used them- decorated with them- embossed and stenciled to them. So love it all, and the copper is the most perfect add.
Thank you for showing this amazing art work.
Also thank you for you visits, I so appreciate it, and your words.
Hugs, Dorthe


Redanne said...

Astrid, I have a feeling that your friend would have been truly delighted with this gorgeous folder! Those papers are so beautiful and I just adore the embossing on the front of the folder. The insides are wonderful too, I am slightly at a loss for words at how beautiful this is!! Hugs, Anne xx

Paper Wishes said...

This is a gorgeous folder and all of the work you have done to enhance beauty of the papers is absolute alchemy. It is easy to forget that many people do not spend hours of their time making things with no other reward than the urge to create something beautiful. I am sure your friend will really appreciate all your time attention and creativity, and treasure your gift. Just as we all treasure your generosity on your blog. x Amanda

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Oh my Astrid! this is beyond gorgeous! Just amazing but from you....not surprised! Just love it xXx

My name is Erika. said...

I hope your friend liked her gift. How could she not? I think it feels like a medieval magic manuscript. That is magical in itself. And quite beautiful too. You have a feel alchemy. Thanks for sharing this piece as it is inspiring. Hope it was a fun day out with your friend. Hugs-Erika

Kate Yetter said...

I can see why you love this paper collection, Astrid. I love that it is such a simple project but so many textured touches and hidden spots to hide goodies. You have made it look anything but simple. Beautiful!Now I want to make one of these.
Kate

ann barnes said...

Astrid, this is going to be treasured by your friend! What a fabulous piece. I love the double pockets and their contents are really special, it’s like the beauty just keeps unfolding. Amazing creation. Thanks for sharing!

Jackie PN said...

Astrid, WOW WOW and WOWS!
I just LOVE this file folder! I agree about Stamperia-these papers are gorgeous!
And that stencil! I have to have this one- did you buy it long ago? It is beautiful!
Oh I do hope your friend loves this gift- each bit of paint, paper and medium you have added adds so much interest and brings this all together beautifully! Magnifique!
Jackie xx

Margaret Mifsud said...

Oh my! What a totally delightful gift for your friend! I bet she was absolutely thrilled with this gorgeous journal Astrid!! The cover is stunning!! The papers are so gorgeous and I love the embossing .. it looks amazing!! The inside is every bit as gorgeous! Each page is pure delight! Thank you for sharing .. this is awesome!!! hugs xx

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what an amazing altered booklet! I'm sure your friend loved it, I was oohing and ahhing at every page that I looked at ...lol 😉. It looks so tactile too with so many happy discoveries - perfect! Thanks so much for sharing how you created it too, you are such an inspiration! Have a lovely day! J 😊 x
p.s. sorry for being late to visit, seems our internet connections doesn't want to work at the moment ...lol 😉. J x

froebelsternchen said...

Your friend will be over the moon about that unique gift for sure. This is a treasure. Every single page is a pleasure to look at! The papers are so specially beautiful and the embossing is simply gorgeous! Great that you shared how it came all together as well!
You are always an inspiration with every single piece of artwork and post you share with us!
Thank you dear Astrid!

Hugs Susi

Marisa Job said...

Beautiful creation!! Great details and texture!

sarascloset said...

I love how you've showcased that paper collection on your booklet, especially the elements on the covers. Great colors and magical texture on your embossed pieces and even more surprises within! I know your friend treasures this wonderful gift! Hugs!

Words and Pictures said...

Ooh, those papers are so full of mystery, and your touches of embossed Patina are gorgeous against the darker colour tones. What a wonderful gift for the lucky recipient... if she doesn't like it, there's something wrong with her!
Alison x

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