Wednesday, May 23, 2012

E-Team Blog Hop - Inspired by Words

Hello, my friends.  I am thrilled and honored to have been chosen to be a part of this month's E-Team blog hop. This is the second in a series featuring art journals, with the theme -- inspired by words.  

Visit each E-Team blog participant PLUS the guest bloggers to leave a comment to win a $25 eP gift certificate.  Comments may be left from May 23rd - May 28th.  Two random winners from the blog hop will be chosen.  Gift certificate winners will be posted on May 29th on the eP blog.  

Here are links to all the participants:  Daisy - eP blog; BroniMicki; Sherry; Starla; and the guest bloggers: Marji; and ME.

Join the E-Team in our journal adventure and link your journal page on the eP blog.  Two people will be chosen to join the hop next month.  You have until Sunday, June 3rd to upload your journal page inspired by the monthly quote.  The next guest bloggers will be announced on Friday, June 8th on the eP blog.

For my page, I started with watercolor paper coated with gesso.  Then, using matte Mod Podge, I covered the page with torn pages from an old book.  

Next, since I wanted something to represent tea, I took some used coffee filters, which had been rinsed and dried, and tea-dyed them in some strong tea, giving them a nice brown color.  After drying them, I tore them into small pieces, crinkled them up to get lots of wrinkles and texture, and then used the Mod Podge again to cover the page with the pieces.  

I had this idea in my head to use several women stamps, but I wasn't sure how to get them on the page.  I tried stamping them on card stock and die cutting them in ovals, but that just didn't work.  Then I tried just cutting around the faces, but I still didn't like it.  I finally settled on the idea of stamping them on some dyed coffee filters, coloring with copic markers and then attaching them with Mod Podge.  This is exactly what I was going for.  The stamps clockwise from lower left are B&J's Art Stamps, Inkadinkado, Stampendous, Stampington & Co., and Stamps Happen.

(edited: I replaced the blurry picture.)
Unfortunately, even though I used matte Mod Podge, the copic markers left a shine, which I didn't like.  So... more experiments.  I diluted some gesso with water, brushed it over the page, and then used a paper towel to blot it off.  It took away some of the shine without removing or hiding the images.  I needed to do that twice before I was satisfied. 

I printed the quote on my computer, cut it apart, sponged the edges with tea dye distress ink and then edged the pieces with a black marker and glued them down.   

Then I made a tiny tea bag from tissue paper, which I filled with tea leaves from a regular tea bag that I cut open.  I added some tea dye distress ink and a tiny bit of water to blend it.  Since I didn't have a tiny stapler, I just made a couple of stitches with black thread to represent the staples on the bag and tag.  I also added some black pearls to two of the corners. 

So, now I have my page all together... and I am not happy with it.  It was just way too bland.  I like more color.  What to do?  Well, add color, of course!

I punched out some tiny butterflies with a Martha Stewart punch and a embosslit die from SU/Sizzix, added some sponged color and placed them around the page. 

That was better, but still not enough, so I decided to add some crochet accents.  I made some tiny flowers, a small edging and a larger flower, to which I added some sponged color, and attached them.  This was a big improvement.  

Although this page didn't turn out quite like I wanted, I do like it.  I think it would have been better if I had a larger area to work with, but since I started with a 6" square for my cover, that's what I'm using.  

Don't forget to visit all the other members of the blog hop and leave comments.  Thanks for stopping by. 

30 comments:

My Creative Chateau said...

The addition of the bright blue butterflies really made this pop. Great snese of balance to this journal cover. Beautiful job!

Marjie Kemper said...

I love the pops of blue b'flies and how you carried it through on some of the women. The tea bag is great, too!

SusanK said...

Very nice! Your ladies look so refined...surely they can't know the trouble of being in hot water? lol

Swedie said...

I love the vintage colors along with the vintage images! The bright blue adds just enough color.

Noreen
http://craftyjournal.com

Lorelei said...

I love your page. Beautifully done.

Anonymous said...

Your page is fabulous! All the added elements make it pop.

bethann said...

great page.

Barb said...

Really well done, love your style.

Starla said...

I LOVE the idea of stamping on the coffee filters and then applying it to the page!!

And your spots of color are the perfect final touch!

Starla said...

PS...glad you could join us today!!

Terry said...

This is one stunning page! Thank you for including all the steps, which is very helpful for those of us who have never done a page! Love this and I also adore Mod Podge!

jengd said...

It may not have been what you were going for but the end result is fantastic! LOVE the pop of blue with the butterflies!

Kathy/NorthCarolina said...

Fabulous! I love all the textures and layers here. The stamped images are wonderful...would never have thought to do that. And the butterflies add so much. The tea dyed crocheted lace is just right. I love this!!!!!

Suzanne Bouchard said...

You seemed to have worked hard on this page but I think art journaling is all about that, trying, returning, doing over, adding etc. And that's what makes art journlaing interesting and fun. It is not a game of being perfect or performaing anything, just doing it and maybe learn while we are at it. I build upon my pages that way too. I continue until I am satisfied with the results. bravo for your page!

Rea' said...

Love the variety of women stamps, love their expressions, like how that blue accents the page!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous page. I love all the little details.

Kathy Eddy said...

Nice page Melody. This was a great quote to work with.

Anonymous said...

Really nice page, love the blue butter flies, they are great, thank you so much for sharing this.

rush said...

nice project. thank you for sharing.

Micki said...

Melody,
LOVE your art journal page, how you incorporated stamps and your handmade doilies and crochet flowers. I love the vintage feel and the stamps (ladies) are perfect for this quote. Gorgeous!
PS: Totally had to chuckle at your comment about your picture being blurry. I sometimes have the same issue....totally frustrating. :-).

MaRyKaY said...

wow I love all those ladies. this is an awesome page. thank you for sharing with us all

betjunroe said...

I love how you used different mediums to complete your page. The collage effect is beautiful and I love all the sophisticated lady stamps you used! Bette

Bast said...

Beautiful page. Love the colors and the lace. Thanx for sharing!

KimMJ
bast830@comcast.net

Dee in N.H. said...

That is just beautiful! I love the way you used the coffee filters! Genius!

Cathy Y said...

Your journal is really lovely. It almost looks like batik.

Bunnyfreak said...

Love the tiny tea bags.

Kamal Kant Kaushal said...

Good one....

Kamal Kant Kaushal said...

Praiseworthy...

paperpapier said...

the crochet flower is awesome..

Donna B. said...

Love your page Melody!! Great quote and so creative with all the different elements!!