Secret Garden Spool with HP {by Jenny Marples}

Hello everyone, Jenny Marples here with you today to show how I transformed a long strip of paper into a mixed media adventure through a secret garden, all securely attached to a spool for easy storage. I'll be sharing how I build the collage 'vignettes' along the way, a process that can be applied to journal pages, tags, books, boxes and more.

We are delving into the vaults of PaperArtsy's Hot Picks range to play with stamp sets HP1005 and HP1006, combining them with a more recent stencil PS021, Fresco Chalk Acrylics, Grunge Paste and Printed Tissue.

Start by gluing torn pieces of book page/manuscript, brown wrapping paper, gel printing cast offs and stained paper onto your strip of backing paper. If you need to recreate these, apply Fresco Chalk Acrylic Sorbet (FF169) and Koala (FF141) to plain (or even better tea stained) paper and add a thin layer of Mattint Ladybug (MT12) to graph paper or similar.

These scraps need blending together with the background - I find scraping a fine layer of  Grunge Paste over the edges and toning down the colours/text with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Chalk (FF83) works well for this.

Finish your base layer by lightly tea staining it all, adding extra depth in areas if needed with dry used teabag papers and highlights with more Chalk paint.

Now to start adding the details.

 

I adore the process of combining translucent layers, stamping and stencilling to create collages but it can feel overwhelming when looking at the finished pieces. Start with thinking about where you want your stamped image to go a try applying a layer of sewing pattern tissue below it. This helps to draw the eye to the image. Make use of any text on the pattern piece to help you line up your stamp. You can even use a fine permanent pen to extend the manuscript lines.

Try re-stamping some of the images within the larger stamp to make those details pop. Then extend the design further by using the text stamp either side of the main image. And to finish for now help to blend the edges between your stamping and the background by adding Grunge Paste through the stencil.

Let's repeat this process in another section, beginning again by deciding where your stamping should go. There's a straight edge to this border so I added some Printed Tissue Postcards (PT13) on one side, adding the stamped butterfly to enhance the design.

Repeat stamping a border can be very effective when you are looking to fill an area. Try adding another of those translucent layers below the stamping (in this case some 'mop up' paper towel covered unevenly with Infusions Golden Sands (CS05). If you don't want extra stamping like the swirls to compete with the border design try using a coloured permanent ink, and then add more stencilling to blend it all together. You'll spot that I added an extra butterfly and used some paper coloured with Fresco Chalk Acrylic Pumpkin Soup (FF33) to make them more impactful.

Here's one final example of this process in action, starting with the Printed Tissue and stamping with different coloured inks.

More layers are added by stamping the images onto card which can then be cut out and place where you need them to be. The repeat stencilling and some tea stained lace help to create a natural flow along the whole design. The scrap of woven fabric beneath the lace was coloured with Fresco Chalk Acrylic London Bus (FF37) which I then rinsed and dried for a more faded appearance.

Just a few more elements to go now.

Work along your paper adding more stamping to extend your designs further. Don't be afraid to leave some areas blank - this provides a visual break and makes those focal points stand out even more. I love to add stitching using different threads. Follow the lines of your stamped images to give them more textural impact.

Cut out stamped images to add over previous stamping and stencilling to help finish your panel.

 

I often strengthen the back of my panels/pages by adhering a layer of calico but in this case that went 'wrong' as the paper buckled when the fabric dried out. The only way to make the paper lay flat was to cut into the fabric.

Rather than give up I remembered how Shelley Rhodes deliberately adds flaws to her paper and fabric. And so I visibly stitched through the two layers to secure the fabric and create 'rivers' of thread throughout the paper.

All that remains is to attach your paper to a spool or similar so that it can be rolled up for storage purposes.

Here's the end of finished spool...

... and here's the beginning, inviting you into the Secret Garden Spool.

Let's take a walk through the whole of the design.

All of this has been created using just two stamp sets and a stencil - so the question is which of your stamp sets would you use to create a spool of your own?

Thank you for joining me today.

Jenny

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Tuck In tags with JoFY {by Etsuko Noguchi}

Hi everyone, Etsuko here with you today.

When making a journal, I thought it would be lovely to have a small container for bits and bobs to hand, so I came up with the idea of making one using lovely JOFY stamps and stencils.

These are the primary items used. Now then, let me introduction them in order. From the two stamp pictures above, JOFY stamp set 127, 133 (JOFY127, JOFY133), and the two below are (JOFY98, JOFY134) The main paints are PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic - Turquoise and Vintage Lace. And Brayer. Ranger Industries - Archival Ink (Jet Black, Forget-Me-not), Distress Oxide - (tea dye). Some oil color pencils.

These two images show JOFY's products used for small items inside the container. JOFY32, JOFY122, JOFY123, JOFY124 and JOFY101.

These are also Jofy mini stamps for similar purposes. The one at the bottom right is Seth Apter's mini.  JM49, JM71, JM74. JM83, JM88, EM68

The main body utilised a small parcel box, with the flaps enveloping the box reinforced using card stock. The dimensions are as shown in the diagram below. The small parcel box was pre-treated with gesso in preparation for the work

Create the background for the container cover, blending shades of Turquoise and Vintage Lace with PaperArtsy Brayer to soften the edges.

Once my brayer work is complete to my satisfaction, finish the background using stamps or stencils. As the JOFY stamps lacked script, I printed Scrapcosy's ESC18 in several places using Tsukineko VersaFine Clair ink (Nocturne).

Stamped the JOFY98 diamond pattern onto Vintage Lace part using Tsukineko VersaFine Clair ink (Warm Breeze)

This stamp pattern was also printed using the Seth Apter Mini EM68 stamp, masked with paper and using Tsukineko VersaFine Clear Ink (Twilight).

Finally, I used the dot pattern from the PaperArtsy Stencil by JoFY (PS373) and drew with a gel pen in white.

The finished background. I marked the area to be cut to the size of the container cover using a water-soluble white pencil. As I will lightly wipe it off later with a baby wipe, no trace will remain.

I imagine you all use it frequently, but for this project I employed a brayer for most of the base coats. While it yields a slightly rougher finish than using a brush, I find it well-suited for layering. Here I'm using a slightly smaller brayer. The first layer was applied in beige tones using Sand, Persimmon and Chantilly on the Smoothy (Regular) A4 White Stamping Card, brayered to complement the blue of the container.

On the beige base, I stamped JOFY124 and JOFY134 using Ranger Distress Oxide - Tea Day ink, creating a continuous pattern as it would also be used on the trim.

For the blue base, I used Lake Wanaka, Blue Oyster, and Heavy Cream to achieve a slightly greyish finish.

I created a delightful masterboard using the stamps JOFY24, JOFY114, JOFY134, JOFY123 

and Kate Crane's mini KM014 with Archival Ink - SKY Blue.

I made the paper used for the Folio's pockets, belly band and trim. I applied a base coat of Turquoise mixed with a little Snowflake on the Smoothy (Regular) A4 White Stamping Card, then once dry, used the PaperArtsy Stencil by JoFY (PS396)) and embossed with Ranger embossing powder in White.

Now then, let me show you the finished container in its entirety. Also In the next section, I'll show you how it looks with the completed cover and for bits and bobs inside, so do look forward to it please!

Each edge has been stitched with trim made from beige masterboard.

I made a pocket on the left flap and decorated it with lace.

A belly band was created on both the front and back of the right flap to hold small items. This area was also decorated with lace, though it was not yet complete at this stage.

This is the central box; what you can see is the lid section. A window was cut out in the centre using a circle die, acetate was fitted, and the same blue trim was added around the edges.

The focal point on the cover, JOFY127 Echinacea, was stamped twice onto Smoothy A4 white stamping card using Tsukineko VersaFine Clair (Nocturne) ink on a stamp platform for a crisp impression, then coloured with oil-based coloured pencils.

Check whether the ink is smudged and try it several times.

I have created two copies of this image.

Sentiment settled on JOFY133 Carpe Dime, embossed in black powder over a white crackle texture.

This is the completed project. In the photograph, the background colour appears slightly darker, but adjusting the colour would have made the flowers appear paler, so I did not edit it. It is difficult to make photographs appear close to their actual colours, and as it also depends on the viewer's equipment, it always proves a struggle.

Moving forward, this will be an extra feature, but I've made a few small items for inside the container, so I'll briefly introduce them. I made the small tags for the first pocket.

Using a simple method, for the flowers, place a slightly darker colour at the centre as shown in the image, then add white around it and blend. Once dry, stamp the flower. Fresco Finish Acrylic Paints dry quickly, so adding a little Drying Retarder allows for smoother work. PaperAtsy has the Drying Retarder.

Add some contrast to the flowers with coloured pencils or similar, and it's done. I added stamps and stencils to the leftover papers for the background.

I also inserted a slightly smaller tags made in the same manner into the belly band. Additionally, lace has been added to the surface of the belly band.

Meanwhile, apply Bougainvillea, Dolly Mix, Tangerine Twist and Vintage Lace using a brayer.

Using PS250, PS422, PS396 and PS410, each colour was stenciled over the top.

I cut that master board and added it to all the small tags as part of the background.

Finally, I placed a clusters inside the middle box; you can see what's inside through the window.

I created and added four types of clusters.

I have inserted a small envelope into the back of the belly band for holding very small items, such as labels.

That concludes my tour. When you open your journal in your studio or while travelling, why not slip your favourite tags and clusters into this little container? Then gently take them out.

Thank you for visiting here.

Etsuko x

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