Tuesday, 7 January 2025

2024 - Year in Review - Topics 4, 5, 6 {on the PaperArtsy Blog}



Hello everyone from PaperArtsy HQ,

We continue taking a look back at some blog highlights for 2024.

2024 was a pretty unpredictable year in many ways, from wet, hot and stormy weather to oodles of elections across the globe, most of us have been impacted by something unpredictable.  Our sense is that people are hoping for calmer times ahead in 2025. 

For us here at PA HQ it has been amazing to finally start the relocation of all our machinery and equipment into the stables - a much slower project than we anticipated it to be a couple of years ago. But if there is one thing we have learnt in France it is how to be patient. Balancing work, family and our quickly expanding social network has been an absolute pleasure this year - all topped off with lots of visits to us here from friends and family from near and far. We are so fortunate to be able to share our little corner of this world with so many people year-round.

Today we look back at Topic 4: Books & Journals, Topic 5: Ink Pads and the designer focus for Topic 6 was Scrapcosy products. 

These topics all have an added touch of mystery, as the overarching theme was hidden. Lots of secrets and surprises to explore within the creative exploits of the blogging team! From subtle secret journaling to interactive, moveable parts. The interpretation of 'hidden' is vast. We left it to our amazing blogging team and their muses to channel this in a way that resonates with their creative style!

Let's take a closer look at some of the highlights from this section of the year.

Topic 4: Books & Journals

We felt it was time to revisit an all time favourite: Books and Journals! If you take a peak at the topic intro post, you can enjoy plenty of eye-candy. You will also notice that we did not limit this topic to making but expend it to altered books, using book parts or even projects about books. Quite an extensive playground for our amazing blogging team!

The talented Kaz Hall (The Maker's Table) shared with us this elegant pocket book made of... books! It is amazing how she pulled the parts together with such a delicate colour palette. Be sure to check her original post HERE for a more involved description of her process as well as views of the lovely interior.


Ellie Knol also indulged in book making, a favourite past time of hers, with this dreamy cover and its lacy signatures. The contrast between the vibrant colours and the delicate lace is just gorgeous! Follow this project developing organically in Ellie's original blog post HERE, and take a peak at the inside!


Did you spot this clever altered book full of pockets by Autumn Clark (SewPaperPaint) made for the 'with 3 things' challenge? She perfectly balances intricate Lynne Perrella stamps, free hand elements and a moody blue palette for a personal and expressive result. To discover a few of the secret layers hidden in this piece, go to her original post HERE.


Finally, I simply can't leave out the fantastic Lady Hara of the Green Leaf by Riikka Kovasin (Paperiliitin). There's so much to feast the eyes on here... A true majestic Lady of the word! A visit to her original post HERE is a must to appreciate all the ways she incorporated the 'book' theme in this incredible rabbit doll!


Topic 5: Ink Pads

This was a slightly more technical topic for a change. Hundreds of references of ink pads are available nowadays and it is not always easy to understand the differences. The topic intro post aims to clarify the main types of ink pads available and their properties, as well as several characteristics that might influence your choice when working on a specific project. It's good to know what t use (or not) in the myriad of mixed media situations you mind find yourself in! 

These sea creatures cards by Claudia Neubacher look deceptively simple but, as per the 'hidden' theme, they both reveal secret messages! Check her original post HERE for all the contraction detail as well as a neat stamp & ink mirroring trick!



We really loved this faux stained glass panel by Ann Barnes. Her post HERE explores transparency and thoroughly explains how to use the Alcohol Lift Inkpad by Ranger. Such a vibrant yet subtle result, perfect to catch sunrays and add a touch of magic to a room!


We hope you did not miss Etsuko Noguchi's exploration of Distress oxides making this delicate mini book with a secret! What a great selection of colours, so dreamy. Be sure to stroll through her post HERE to enjoy all the delicate details of this beautiful make.



We really can't leave out this fantastic journal spread by Liesbeth Fidder-de Vos with her mystery 'with 3 thing' package. Visit her original post HERE to see how she mixes the OG Distress inks with her signature bleaching technique for a colourful yet soft look with highlights.


Topic 6: Focus on Scrapcosy

Since 2017, Raquel Burillo, AKA Scrapcosy, has been regaling us with vintage imagery and intricate patterns. These designer deep-dives allow you to learn more about where her inspiration & creative process stems from and the impact her international background has had on her art. Read this interview in the topic intro. It is always fascinating to see how our fantastic bloggers interpret a designer's work in their own style and this time was no different!

Our first pick is these gorgeous grungy tags made by Mags Woodcock using her mystery 'with 3 things' package. Mags and Raquel are both lovers of ephemera! Check the original post HERE for all the rusty deliciousness, both 'faked' with paints and Infusions, and real. 


With her '3 things' goodies,
 Mi Mii created this whimsical spinning card. What a clever ideas, so different! We really loved the contrast of the vintage imagery and fresh colours. In her original post HERE you can see the details of the construction and the other hidden parts of the wheel.


I simply can't leave out this fantastic interactive journal page by Nikki Acton 
(a2a.craft).  She chose a mash-up of Scrapcosy's and Kate Crane's designs with peppy colours, for a unique look. It almost seem like two completely different pages, but she actually explains her clever use of windows, flaps and sliding parts in her post HERE.



I also could not leave off these funky journal pages by Riikka Kovasin. There are not Riikka's usual style, or what you would expect with Scrapcosy's stamps, but aren't these owl ladies amazing! A great example of transformative and creative thinking. See all the fun layers of these makes in the original post 
HERE.


We really hope you have enjoyed all the creativity shared today, and the hidden secrets from our talented team. Do not hesitate to visit their posts and pages for even more inspiration! 

Part 3 coming soon!

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