I was excited to be introducing Mags Woodcock's first set of mini stamps that she created and so I thought, as they are all based on travel, that I would create a journal that I would take on a journey at some point...I knew straight away that I wanted to use the stamps to make interesting feature pages and each in a multiple way.
So the very first thing I did was to rip some paper to create the pages/signatures and a slightly bigger piece for the journal cover.
I had originally planned to use colours that would represent Mags in her 'true rusty' style that she is renowned for, but when I chose my paints I automatically discarded the oranges, yellows and browns because I was drawn to these three PaperArtsy fresco finish beauties (Blood Orange, Front Door, and Copper) I started making some collage fodder by stamping onto the gel plate knowing that these pages would get ripped and stripped into panels and segments.
I folded the pages in half and measured and punched the holes for binding to start with. My thinking behind this was because I wanted to use infusions to colour a few pages the liquid will pool/puddle in the creases and holes rather than lying flat...I used Rusty Car and Just Walnut Dye Stain Infusions.
I 'rough sponged' the heavier paper that was to become the cover using PaperArtsy fresco finish Front Door and let that dry before using Just Walnut Infusions to add interest to the surface.
The plastic bag I used to protect my workbench had natural wrinkles and folds in it where it had been stored in a pile. This added wonderful texture to the paper where I left it over night so that the depth of the puddles would dry naturally.
I loved how the random plastic folds etc created lighter and darker areas.
I then slotted the dyed pages amongst the blank and music pages.
I painted some close weave calico cotton using Fresco Finish Chalk acrylic paint leaving some areas unpainted. I used this to stamp onto and pull a few prints off the gel plate too. My idea behind this was to be able to create tabs or attention to detail on some of the feature pages.
I used The mini rubber stamp EM149 using Ranger Ground Expresso Distress Archival Ink on printer paper, tissue paper and the painted calico to give me a selection of different choices for the title words. The Ground Expresso was a nod to Mags' rusty browns and was softer than using a stark black. I needed to use my stamping platform for the calico especially as the weave, even though it was fine, made the fine lettering difficult to print.
When stamping the Mini Stamp EM148 onto the gel plate I liked to leave one half without paint rolled onto it so that I could transfer what comes off the gel plate when you press the stamp into the wet paint and stamp it further down the plate to leave the arrows without the background colour...(for those of you who are new to gel plate printing this is so that the colour you lift the print off with shows through heavier in the clear section.)
One technique I like to use when I have got paper that has been dyed using PaperArtsy infusions is rubber stamping with bleach...you must have your windows open (wearing a mask is advisable) to do this. I pour a little bleach into a shallow glass dish; you only need a small amount. There are two ways of doing this...using a flat brush, paint a small amount over the surface of the rubber stamp and press it onto your page or smear a little onto a paint palette and stamp the rubber stamp like an ink pad. When you first press the bleach onto the paper it does not show straight away...it has to react with the pigment in the paper, hence why it works best with inks and stains and not acrylic paints as they generally sit on top of the paper. I used rubber stamp EM145 for the bleached detail on this page ad EM149 and EM146 for the added details. PLEASE NOTE...You must thoroughly wash your rubber stamps after you have used this technique to not only clean your stamp but to preserve the rubber.
You can see how using bleach creates a softer effect than using paint or embossing powders as it becomes part of the page rather than something stamped on top of it. The heavy weight of the paper did not allow the bleach to penetrate through to the other side.
I used Mags Woodcocks Mini stamp EM149 to do the same on the right hand page here and you will see how I picked out a few of the words I printed onto tissue paper to add some of the written detail in for interest.
When journal making I like to add detail through where you stitch/bind the journal together. So after moving the other pages to one side I 'over' stamp where the pages would be joined using part of the rubber stamp EM146, this is so it can be seen from both sides.
I then added bleached and collaged detail to the page that would sit over the typed stamped words. I like the way the bleach is not one solid colour but is somewhat diffused.
When initially tearing my pages in preparation of making my journals, I always leave a few intentionally longer or bigger...this is so that I can create pockets or flaps or margins to tuck other papers into or stitch for further interest. I often use paint to stamp with...make sure you wash your stamp straight after though!
Tearing and sticking in parts of the gel prints made some interesting feature pages...tucking some under the margin fold and then over stamping areas gave the page more attention to detail. I'm sure that when I come to use the journal I am likely to gesso or white paint an area over the music page opposite to write or art onto.
A close up captured the metallic shimmer of the copper...
adding more attention to detail using the calico and stamping straight onto the page...
Pressing lightly, both with part ink stamps and in paint made subtle background pages...
So, even though I have shared numerous pages with you, without a video here, it is very difficult to show the whole finished journal...there will be a video that you'll see on the PaperArtsy social pages and a full slower reveal on a reel on my Instagram page. I will announce that in my stories this week so watch out for that if you want to see the whole thing.
Or the pockets...
I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog as much as I have enjoyed making it and using the new stamps...this is just the beginning of what will be a fun journal to work into...oh and a cover to still decorate when I know the date I will use it.
Floss Nicholls: Mixed Media Artist and Tutor
Website: flossWORKSHOPart
Instagram: floss_WORKSHOP.art
I'm scheduling classes for March and April shortly...If you are interested in a doing a mixed media in person workshop (East Sussex UK)
please drop me an email...info@flossworkshopart.com
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