Michelle Webb #3 .... The Most Memorable Experience

"Well it comes to my final post for PaperArtsy and as I love mixed media art and art journaling it was only fitting that I recorded my last guest designer piece in my art journal. It’s been an excellent adventure and the most memorable experience. So thank you Leandra (and Gillian) for seeking me out, it’s been a huge privilege to use your fantastic products. I would really like to say thank you so much to everyone who has commented on my posts, who took inspiration and made something to link up. It really is the best compliment anyone could ever get". 

This journal page didn’t start off being painted up like I normally do. I decided to do something different.

I decided to stick down strips of masking tape to the craft mat and stamp various PaperArtsy images with different coloured Archival Inks.

I pulled up some of the strips and stuck them in my journal (some curled up edges needed a bit of glue n seal)

I started to paint Beach Hut and Smoked Paprika FrescoFinish Paints in random places to make the strips blend in with the page. I wanted to use Beach Hut and Smoked Paprika because they were transparent so you could still see the detail underneath.

I was in some Dina Wakley classes a couple of weeks ago and she emphasised the importance of having "white space" to let the eyes rest a bit. So I wanted some white areas so I could stamp some words into them.  Here I’ve used ESN02, ESN03 & ESN05 from the EclecTica³ Collection by Sara Naumann, to say “What an excellent adventure, the most memorable”. 

ESN02

ESN03

ESN05

I began to build up my layers using a flower stencil from Crafter’s Workshop with Salty Ocean Distress Ink in the top right and bottom left corners, a text stamp (MINI 62) 

MINI 62

with a Pink and Blue Archival Ink and the flower stamp (MINI 67) which I inked up the leaves in green and the flower heads in Pink Archival Ink. 

MINI 67

I stamped the flower heads again with Peach Archival Ink and finally black StazOn Ink to reveal the detail. I really like the off-centre stamping of the colour. It’s Imperfection in the right place.

A journal page wouldn’t be complete without some texture too, so I added some moulding paste through a stencil and coloured it with Distress Markers when it was dry. 

I also brushed some Snowflake paint across the moulding paste with a dry brush, just to distress the colour a little bit so it wasn’t so bold.

I’ve really enjoyed being one of the guest designers for PaperArtsy and I hope I can do it again some time. I’m also looking forward to meeting up with many of you at Ally Pally in a couple of weeks too, I’m going to make the long journey down the country in the car, weather permitting that is!

Have fun, get your paints and stamps out! 

You’re in for a treat with the new semester guest designers. I can’t wait to see what they all make. 

Take care, Michelle xxx

Leandra Says: Firstly, what a superb idea stamping the masking tape on your craft sheet and transferring to the journal ...its like a huge bespoke washi tape! J'adore beaucoup. (still practising my French for this weekend in Paris!) Can't wait to see you at Ally Pally next weekend, AND I'm very much hoping you'll squeeze in an off the cuff demo for us!!

Can I also say what an absolute pleasure it has been witnessing your creativity with our products! The vibrancy you achieve, the layering, and the way you get all kinds of products to work so well together has been enthralling to watch! I have particularly enjoyed your journalling projects, I need to reactivate my booky based creative side, and you are kick starting me into action on that count! It has all been fantastic. Thank YOU for sharing your talent with us all. xx

Gillian Says: Huge thank you Michelle for sharing some real inspirational projects, your eye for colour has been amazing along with the attention to detail. Thank you for making my role so much easier:) it's been "totes amazeballs" (as said in Mrs PA voice) to have you onboard. Good luck with whatever the future holds. See you soon:) xx