My Other Creations: Junk Journal

I made this junk journal and tried to actually follow proper thick-book-binding techniques this time rather than sewing up the middle of it with too-tight of a stitch on my sewing machine.

The cover is made from Strathmore Mixed Media paper, some washi, text scraps, and lots of Infusions Color Stains by Paper Artsy.  To get the black circles, I just put some black paint on a plastic lid that was headed for the recycling bin.  The "no clear idea" text was cut out of an old book.  I splattered some black spots on by flicking some Dylusions Black Marble ink spray on.

I made two "signatures" (paper pamphlet/wads) that were hand-stitched up the center, then I attached those to the cover.

Here's a quick little flip-through video of the inside pages I cobbled together.  I basically used some old ledger paper, recipe pages, book pages, a paper bag, vellum, collage scraps, flashcards and whatever else was lying nearby.

My Cards and Tags: Courage, Dear One Tag using Inky Antics' Stick Figure Fun

This week's Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog theme is to be inspired by our Spring mood board.  I love Spring because it represents hope for better things to come.  It brings warmth, brightness and the desire to move forward, which is what I chose to focus on with this tag.

The stick people on this tag are from Inky Antics' Stick Figure Fun stamp set, which I designed.  This stamp set has a special place in my heart because my sweet little 5-year-old daughter drew some of the images.  I love the free whimsicality of kid drawings and wanted to preserve that.  And of course, the message of courage seems especially poignant right now.

Here are the supplies I used, which you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Inky Antics Stick Figure Fun stamp set	Inky Antics Write On stamp set	Inky Antics Encouraging Words stamp set	Makers Movement Nested Box Tags Die Set	Sizzix Big Shot
Strathmore Mixed Media Paper	Dina Wakley Olive Acrylic paint	Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE acrylic paint	Dina Wakley Ocean Paint	Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink Pad
Tim Holtz Grid Acrylic Blocks	Ranger Non Stick Craft Sheet

The Simon Says Stamp store is accepting new orders, but we can expect longer shipping times due to the corona virus, which has impacted every single one of our lives in a very real and very scary way.  We are all trying to stay afloat and with that in mind, Simon Says Stamp has made the difficult decision to suspend the $50 store voucher for this challenge.  But please continue to support the wonderful women who run Simon by sharing your art through these challenges.  Upload your creations to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog.  I know that I've personally gained a lot of hope and courage by seeing all of the crafty creativity that's out there, so please keep it coming!

Video Tutorials: Art Journal Page using Washi Tape, Paint and a Yearbook Page. Journal 1, Pg. 1

I've been trying my hand at art journaling lately, so I thought I'd start posting some videos of the pages I create.  Here's the first video (scary process for this non-technical whiz) showing how I made this page out of Washi tape, paint, and an old yearbook page.  Enjoy!

My Cards and Tags: Imagination Tag using Tim Holtz's Noble Gent Stamp Set

"Steampunk" is the theme this week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog and I would be lying if I said I didn't find it challenging!  Gears and metal and machinery (which are the elements I think of first when I hear "steampunk") have never really factored into my aesthetic vibe.  Instead, I decided to celebrate the creativity and imagination behind all of those wacky steampunk inventions and innovations.

I started this tag with some gorgeous patterned paper from Stamplistic called "Cogworks."  I stenciled some turquoise dots onto it using Tim Holtz's Halftone stencil.

I'd been anxious to try Seth Apter's new line of Izink Ice glaze (this shade is called "Whisky Frost") and it did not disappoint!  It is smooth and translucent enough to have your background elements and colors still show through, but it is full of rich color itself.  It is a layering dream and I look forward to using it more.

Next I sprayed the tag with Dylusions Calypso Teal Shimmer Spray and let it dry.  Since I'd put my paper through a lot of wet stuff, I glued it onto some Strathmore Mixed Media Paper to add some sturdiness.  Then I smeared on acrylic paint in different colors.

While that was drying, I cut out and assembled the elements I'd be using to create my flying machine.  The wings and hat were cut out of some collage scraps I'd had leftover from a different project that were laying on my table.

All that was left was to assemble, which I did using my trusty UHU glue stick.  I finished this off by heat-embossing some white words at the bottom.

Does my project scream "streampunk"?  Hmmmmm.  Jury's still out, but I did have fun making this tag.

Here are the supplies I used that you can find at Simon Says Stamp:

Stamplistic Cogworks 6x6 Paper	Tim-Holtz-Layering-Stencil-HALFTONE-THS144	Tim Holtz idea-ology Photobooth	Tim Holtz Idea-ology URBAN LAYERS th94042	Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous NOBLE GENT
Tim Holtz Stacked Tags Thinlits Die	Sizzix Big Shot	Dylusions Shimmer Spray, Calypso Teal	Izink Ice Whiskey Frost Glaze	Dina Wakley TURQUOISE Heavy Body Acrylic Paints
Dina Wakley Ranger WHITE acrylic paint	Dina Wakley UMBER Heavy Body Acrylic Paints	Prima Impasto paint, Crimson	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Ink	Ranger Embossing Powder SUPER FINE WHITE EPJ36678
Ranger HEAT IT CRAFT TOOL	UHU Glue Stick	Strathmore Mixed Media Paper

Show us your steampunk skills by uploading your creations to the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog for your chance to win a $50 voucher to the Simon Says Stamp store!