Project Art Journal: Page 11

The next few pages of Project Art Journal have the distinction of being “pocket pages” in that they slide into the open pockets of the paper bag journal.  They are constructed using the same techniques utilized on previous pages, only instead of being attached they can be pulled free. Pocket pages also create an opportunity for design on the outer edge of the art journal as they require tabs and pull strings to make them accessible.

Pocket Page #1

For the first pocket page, I decided to make it a record of the places I’ve traveled, while also dropping hints of places on my bucket list.   The only two trips I don’t have on this page are Ireland (2009) and London (2011). I didn’t plan far enough ahead, so I ran out of space!

Front: Pocket Page #1

Back: Pocket Page #1

Supplies:

• solid card stock
• travel themed card stock
• Lined tags/sticky notes
• stamps
• eyelets
• eyelet setter
• coins
• decorative fibers
• scarab beetle bead (or any other bead!)
• gold beads
• marker
• double-stick tape
• glue dots
• small hole punch
• scissors

Layer 1: Foundation

• Measure and cut a square that is slightly smaller than the paper bag journal page.  Slide it into the open end of the page to make sure it fits and slides out easily.  Trim if necessary.

Layer 2: Background

• Measure and cut two squares that are the same size as Layer 1 using printed card stock with a travel theme.  Attach squares to the front and back of Layer 1 using double-stick tape.

Layer 3: Word Blocks

• I used this layer to record all the places I’ve been over the years, but it can easily be re-configured into a bucket list.  The paper for this layer came from a kit, but regular tablet lined paper is just as good!  Create squares of varying sizes and make lists of places visited or places to go. Attach each square on Layer 2 on both sides in a scattered fashion.  Decide where they look best and stick them down!  Tip: Leave the edges free of tape, so its easy to maneuver the position of the stamps in the next layer.  This way the stamps have more freedom to go over or under Layer 3 items.

Layer 4: Stamps and Coins

• This is my favorite part! Grab some stamps and just start sticking them wherever they look good. Go in all different directions, let them hang off the edge (its so easy to trim the excess!), slide corners under Layer 3, or whatever else comes to mind.  Get reckless!  Make sure both sides get a nice smattering of stamps. Use double-stick tape or a glue stick to attach each stamp.
• The stamps I used are actually representative of my bucket list.  Each one is a place I’d like to go one day.
• Something round goes a long way in a sea of squares, so I added a coin to each side using a glue dot.

Layer 5: Pull Tab

• Select two stamps that are about the same size.
• Cut a square out of plain card stock to fit the size of your chosen stamps.  Attach the stamps using double-stick tape. Trim the edges if necessary.
• Using a small hole punch, make a hole on the right hand side of the square.  Insert and secure eyelet.
• Attach tab to the front side of the page with double-stick tape. Allow the tab to hang over the edge a little more than halfway.
• Thread decorative string through the eyelet hole using a slip loop and then string a bead of your choice.  Add two small gold beads on each strand and knot the ends.
• My bead is a scarab beetle that represents my ultimate dream destination of Egypt.  Every time I see it dangling from my art journal it keeps my dream alive.

Slide the page into the paper bag journal pocket and enjoy!  The tab should stick out and the bead should be visible as well.  Once more pocket pages are added, all that dangles creates a beautiful effect.

Stay inspired!

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For previous Project Art Journal pages, please visit my sidebar and tag could.

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c.b. 2012

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Project Art Journal: Page 10

This week’s Project Art Journal page revels in how travel changes us from the inside out. Adventure is everywhere and daring us to take part. Sometimes that means trying something new at home or venturing to places far beyond your imagination. Blues, blacks and greens turn ordinary travel book pages into something truly beautiful, while Thoreau’s quote is a stirring reminder to keep an open mind and a willing heart.

May you find adventure near and far.

Supplies:

• Blue and ivory card stock
• Printed paper (with text and stripes)
• Pages from an old travel book
• Postage stamps
• Copper brads
• Craf-T Chalk
• Imagine charm
• Coin
• Brown ink pad
• Paper piercer
• ¼” square punch
• Double-stick tape
• glue dots
• glue stick
• Marker

Layer 1: Foundation

• Measure and cut a square out of blue card stock that is slightly smaller than the paper bag journal page.

Layer 2: Blue Text Background

• Tear a page out of an old travel guide.  Make sure it has plenty of text!  Use an eye shadow applicator to rub blue chalk all over the page.  To give it some texture, rub harder in some places to darken the color.
• Measure and cut the page to a size slightly smaller than Layer 1.  Attach to Layer 1 with double-stick tape.

Layer 3: Secondary Background

• Cut out a small square of text printed paper.  This section is attached at a slight angle, so be sure to measure and cut it to fit the corner of Layer 2 from that angle. Attach to Layer 2 using double-stick tape.
• Try to find a map in an old travel book.  Rip it out and add some color using chalk, (if needed).  I used multiple shades of green because it compliments the blue and my map came from an Ireland tour book.
• Cut out a section of the map to fit the lower edges of Layer 2.  The width should reach the halfway point on the page and the height should be slightly taller than the midpoint. Essentially, the big idea here is to make it a different size from everything else on the page so far!
• Attach to Layer 2 with double-stick tape and make sure it overlaps the text print square.

Layer 4: Quote Blocks

• On a piece of ivory card stock, write out the quote in several sections.  Break it up in a way that looks nice and adds emphasis to the elements of the quote you like the best.
• Rip the quotes free from the card stock.  Don’t worry about straight edges!  Just go with the tear!
• Crumple each piece and then run a brown ink pad over the top.   Make sure the torn edges are juiced up with ink as well!
• Arrange the quote blocks along the left-hand side of the page.  Attach each block with a small piece of double-stick tape.  Let the edges stay free and fluff them up a bit to give them some character.

Layer 5: Embellishments

• Decide where a copper brad should go on each quote block.  Then, use a paper piercer to poke a hole in the chosen spot.  Insert and secure copper brads.
• Find two postage stamps that are the right size to fill up the space on the right-hand side of the page.  One of my stamps has the added bonus of still being attached to part of its envelope.  I decided the torn edges made it look more interesting, so I left it as is.  Attach the stamps using double stick tape.
• Real or fake coins always add a nice touch to any collage.  Attach one of your choice using a glue dot.  Make sure it overlaps one feature on the page.
• Place a charm near the top of the page and use a paper piercer to poke a hole though the attachment loop.  Insert a small brad and secure the ends to hold the charm in place.
• Use a small square punch to cut three squares out of printed paper.  Attached each square next to the charm using small pieces of double-stick tape or a glue stick. Play with the pattern a little bit to make them stand out!
• Attach the finished page to the paper bag journal page using plenty of double-stick tape.

Enjoy your beautiful page!  Stay inspired!

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For previous Project Art Journal pages please visit my sidebar and tag cloud.

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c.b. 2012

Project Art Journal: Page 9

Part of the fun of collage is mixing and matching items of different genres.  Maps and keys, Europe and Asia, glitter and antique edges all come together as if they were always meant to be.  On this week’s Project Art Journal, its all about unifying random objects and allowing a quote to travel freely from one edge of the page to the other.

Quote by Rosalia de Castro

Supplies:

• Printed card stock
• brown card stock
• postage stamps
• fancy flower brads
• tab paper clip
• key charm
• keyhole brad
• acrylic stickers
• card board “tile”
• paper piercer
• black and brown ink pads
• scissors/paper slicer
• double-stick tape
• glue stick
• glue dots
• pencil
• marker

Layer 1: Foundation

• Measure and cut a square out of brown card stock that is slightly smaller than the paper bag journal page.

Layer 2: Background

• Measure and cut a square out of printed card stock (script print if you’ve got it) that is slightly smaller than Layer 1.  Attach it to Layer 1 using double-stick tape.
• Measure and cut a 2½” wide rectangle out of printed card stock (a map of some kind would work, too) that touches the edges (lower, upper, and right side) of Layer 2.
• Crumple the paper until it feels “soft.”  Flatten and then lightly run a brown ink pad over the top so the wrinkles pick up the ink.  Tip: To really give those wrinkles some depth, use two different shades of brown ink.
• Attach to the right hand side using double-stick tape.

Layer 3: Stamps

• Choose three postage stamps, preferably international and colorful.  Attach in random places on the page using double-stick tape.  Its fun to let one or two wander towards the edge to give the page a snapshot feel.  Simply trim the ends that hang over the edge.

Layer 4: Quote Path

• The trick with creating a “wandering path” is to cut without a plan.  Take a pair of scissors and just start cutting curves.  Attach the curve(s) to the page using double-stick tape.  Let the ends hang off the page if need be in order to find the right spot for the path.  Trim the ends when everything is secured with double-stick tape.
• Pencil in the quote along the curves of the path.  This might take a few tries and a willingness to experiment with spacing and size of writing.  Keep an eraser handy!
• Once the quote is just right, go over it with a marker.

Layer 5: Embellishments

• Grab a piece of scrap paper and crumple it until it feels like wrinkled cloth.  Flatten it out and rub a black ink pad over the entire surface until it looks like old leather.  Attach the keyhole brad to the approximate center and secure the ends.
• Cardboard tiles are sold in most craft stores, but they are also easy enough to make from a thick piece of cardboard.  The square should be about an inch, but any size will do.  Cover the top and bottom with glue from a glue stick, (really slather it on!).  Center the keyhole on the square and then wrap the edge of the paper around the tile, like you’re wrapping a gift.  Add extra glue where needed.  Decide where it will look nice on the page, but hold off on attaching.  Set it aside so the glue can dry.
• Attach fancy flower brads where they look best.  Use a paper piercer to make a hole for the brad. Insert and secure the ends.
• Attach acrylic stickers wherever they look nice.  Tip: Buttons are a nice alternative to acrylic stickers.
• Attach key charm using glue dots.  Tip: The key can also be attached using wire or ribbon.
• Attach tab paper clip to one part of the quote path.  It’s okay if it overlaps some of the writing! If the double-stick tape is difficult to lift, try slipping a small strip of strong card stock under the path to ease it loose.
• The glue on the keyhole tile should be dry by now, so attach it using either double-stick tape or a glue dot.
• Attach finished page to the paper bag journal page using plenty of double-stick tape.

Random objects have never been so beautiful!  Stay inspired!

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For previous Project Art Journal pages, visit my sidebar and tag cloud.

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c.b. 2012

Project Art Journal: Page 8

A great art journal page doesn’t have to be overly complicated.  Sometimes the best pages remind us that less is more when it comes to mixed-media collage.  A few pieces of printed paper, silver stitching, and a few embellishments come together to give a quote by George Moore a beautiful backdrop.

The Key to Travel

Supplies:

• Printed card stock
• black card stock
• tag
• string
• key (charm or the real thing!)
• 2 charms w/ attachment loops or holes
• postage stamp
• brown ink pad
• silver wire
• silver thread
• sewing needle
• double-stick tape
• standard tape
• glue dots
• paper piercer
• marker

Layer 1: Foundation

• Measure and cut a square out of black card stock that is slightly smaller than the paper bag journal page.

Layer 2: Pattern Background

• Measure and cut a square out of patterned card stock that is slightly smaller than Layer 1. Attach to Layer 1 with double-stick tape.
• Measure and cut a rectangle from a second sheet of patterned card stock that fits from top to bottom and is about two inches wide.  Attach to Layer 2 using double-stick tape.

Layer 3: Quote Tag

• The tag I used for this page came from the office supply aisle at Target!  Crumple it up repeatedly until it feels “soft,” like cloth.  Then, take a brown ink pad (translucent ink if you can find it) and lightly drag the tag over the ink to make the texture pop and to give it a nice weathered look.
• Pencil in the quote and then go over it with a marker.
• Attach to the left side of the page, with a couple pieces of double-stick tape in the middle of the tag.  Let the edges be “free” to add a little dimension.

Layer 4: Stitching

• Draw a free hand spiral or use a stencil.  Use a paper piercer to poke holes along the the spiral that are spaced with a distance about the size of a standard stitch.  See Project Art Journal: Page 2 for a refresher on stitching instructions.

Layer 5: Embellishments

• Loop some string through the hole of the tag and string a charm at the same time.  Secure the string, but make sure the charm lays flat.  Don’t trim the string just yet!
• Attach metal key with glue dots in the upper right corner, horizontally.  Tie the tails of the tag string to the end of the key with a loose knot. Now you can trim the ends or leave them long!
• Attach the postage stamp near the lower right corner with double-stick tape.  Fluff the edges to give it some personality.
• Place the second charm so that it overlaps the postage stamp.  Use a paper piercer to poke holes through the attachment loops.  Thread some wire through each hole to secure the charm. Secure the wire ends by taping them down to the back with standard tape.

Attach the finished page to the paper bag journal page with plenty of double-stick tape.

Simple, yet beautiful!  Stay inspired!

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For previous Project Art Journal pages, please visit my sidebar or search for Project Art Journal.  All pages are also posted on my Pinterest Project Art Journal Board.  Click on the red Pinterest button on my sidebar to check it out.

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c.b. 2012

Project Art Journal: Page 7

The pages for Project Art Journal are often inspired by other mediums of artistic expression. Throughout my childhood I watched my grandmother make beautiful quilts (and eventually started making them myself) using patterns such Hole in the Barn Door and Grandma’s Flower Garden.  One of my favorite patterns was one called Log Cabin, which involves staggered strips sewn together into a square.  When I sat down to complete Page 7, this pattern popped into my head, so I decided to make an altered version of it out of paper.

Are you awake?

Supplies:

• card stock (off-white, brown)
• Pages from an old travel book
• Craf-T Crafter’s chalk
• brown ink pad
• 2 spiral clips
• twig
• copper wire
• decorative fibers
• copper brads
• paper slicer or scissors
• paper piercer
• double-stick tape
• standard tape
• marker

Layer 1: Foundation

• Cut a square out of card stock that is slightly smaller than the paper bag journal page.

Layer 2: “Log Cabin” Background

• Tear out five pages from an old travel book.
• Choose five complimentary colors from your chalk palette.  I used red, orange, light orange, brown and tan to create a very natural and warm atmosphere to emulate the feel of log cabin.
• Using an eye shadow applicator smudge a different color chalk all over each travel book page.
• Cut each page into 1/2″ strips and then cut the strips into smaller pieces of varying lengths. This is important!  Without varied lengths it’s a lot harder to create the staggered look of a log cabin.
• Drag the edges of each piece on a brown ink pad.  This gives each piece a more defined edge that will stand out when the pattern is complete.
• This is where order and whimsy come together!  Arrange the pieces into a staggered pattern on Layer 1.  Its okay to go in different directions with the text, (i.e. horizontal, vertical or even upside down!).  Allow the pieces to overlap multiple times.  Attach the pieces with double-stick tape as you lay them out.  Tip: To give the background more texture, don’t put tape on the corners of each piece.  Use your fingernail to slightly curl the tips upward.  To add even more texture, crumple and flatten a few of the strips and mix them randomly into the square.

Layer 3: Quote Block

• Cut out a small rectangle from off-white card stock.  Pencil in the quote and then go over it with a marker.
• Measure and cut a rectangle from brown card stock that is slightly larger than the quote rectangle. Attach quote rectangle using double-stick tape.
• Attach quote block to Layer 2 using double-stick tape.  Place it slightly off center, favoring the left to leave room for decorative fibers and the lower edge to make room for embellishments.

Layer 4: Embellishments

• Using a paper piercer, poke three holes below the quote block, centering them as much as possible.  Insert and fasten copper brads.
• Grab a small twig and place it just below the copper brads, again centering as much as possible. Take the paper piercer and poke holes on both ends of the twig – one hole above and one hole below.  These holes will be used to fasten the twig into place, so be sure to leave enough clearance for the wire to take hold.
• Thread thin copper wire through the holes, (you can use thick thread, too).  Come up through the bottom, so both ends are above the twig and ready to twist or tie.  Once fastened, cut the excess wire and leave a small “tail.”  Wrap tail around the paper piercer to get a cute little spiral. This adds a nice design feature, but also keeps the wire secured.
• Take three strands of decorative fibers and string them along the left hand side.  Secure the ends on the back with standard tape.
• Attach spiral clips on the right side of the square.  Place one along the top corner and the other along the side so that it clips the quote block.

Attach the competed page to the paper bag journal using plenty of double-stick tape.  Again, don’t be stingy!

That’s it!  Enjoy your page and stay inspired!

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c.b. 2012