Saturday 24 February 2018

2018 #3 Watercolours: Sense of Time - A Handmade Journal with ESN {by Lynne Moncrieff}

2018 Topic 3: Watercolour



I still pinch myself when we get a lovely project to share with you from Lynne Moncrieff. Her gentle muse leads her into a dreamy tone on tone patchwork of soft, ethereal papers. They could be found objects from an attic of a bygone era. Watch and delight in how she brings this journal together. It wasn't as easy as she originally envisioned, but she makes it all look like it was super easy in the end! ~Leandra

Hi, Lynne (Adorn) here and thrilled to be sharing a handmade book.

When Leandra unexpectedly extended the invitation to write a post for the Watercolour Topic I had no direction in my mind, I was in a quandary, a quandary that had me with two false starts.  Watercolours are beautiful, instantly taking me down Memory Lane, to school Art & Design classes. Those memories brought ideas of working with delicate washes in pastel, Springtime colours but it was not gelling as a project. It wasn't until I stopped forcing myself to make a decision on a project, instead, gathering a stack of various found/re-cycled papers: handmade photo album, brown packing paper, PaperArtsy packing paper and simply painting them. The result of this painting session,  a handmade book,  place for quiet, contemplative thoughts.



The beauty of watercolours, is the gentleness and serenity they bring to brown, black and dark blue and with a hint of Twinkling H20s, in particular, a delightfully muted gold, brings a gentle shimmer to the papers.  This subtlety evokes shimmering sunlight, perfect for this nature themed handmade journal.



Transforming the papers is time consuming and involves space to spread out especially as I prefer to allow the items to air dry, allowing the paint to settle, to not be disturbed by the forced heat from a heat gun.

 
The paper below was re-cycled from a PaperArtsy delivery.  I decided not to iron the paper, allowing the watercolours to pool around the creases.



Once all the papers were left to dry thoroughly, it was time to stamp and I dived right in, inking up EAB, ESN and ELB all bringing a sense of nature and thoughtfulness which I wanted to express with this handmade journal.  I actually inked up even more stamps but decided to focus on the main ones.






ESN03

EAB01


ELB30






Partially inking up an ESN text stamp, without placing it on an acrylic block and simply stamping randomly onto the pages, removes a blank page appearance and brings further interest to the pages.  On this double page, as I did on other pages,  a torn piece of watercoloured paper stitched/adhered is another way of adding texture and interest without adding bulk which could interfere with any future journaling.


The landscape pages (of the photo album pages) were what inspired me to not simply fold the pages in half but to play around with them as their length allowed me to create staggered pages, with a wee flap here and a wee flap there!  Flaps and stitched pockets are perfection for journals, areas to secret away thoughts.



A mini diary, simply formed from a piece of the painted paper, stitched together with brown re-cycled paper to make the pages,  tucked inside a pocket and  flap on both pages.  The pockets formed from papers which were machine stitched to the journal pages. 









Watercolours bring a particular essence, a dreamy quality, a particular fluidity which heightens the handmade paper (from the photo album) that form the actual pages of the book.




Torn, stamped pieces of papers were adhered to the pages above, not so intrusive that they would inhibit journaling but enough of an accent to bring interest to the pages.

As a side note:- the book was bound by threading nettle yarn, through the two holes already punched in each page of the photo album pages and wrapping around a twig.  This not only bound the book but the yarn, twig and addition of a feather also create visual interest and sets the scene for the nature essence of the book.


Never be limited to only using watercolours with watercolour paper.  Experiment with found/re-cycled papers from around the home.  There is nothing as soothing as settling with that stack of paper and paints, transforming into beautiful papers to incorporate into your art.  If you studied Art at school, then it is possible, like myself, you were bound with rules but this is Mixed Media, it is not Fine Art, so free yourself from any constraints that are possibly embedded and enjoy the therapeutic process of allowing yourself the time to enjoy painting papers and if your artistic soul desires, take those papers a step or two further, creating a journal. 

My two tips to leave you with are 1) always take extra time to paint more papers/textiles than you will require for one project  2) use your least expensive Gesso to prepare the re-cycled papers. 

Blog: Adorn
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/lynne.moncrieff
Instagram: StampingandBeyond
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lynnemoncrieff/



We always hope that you  learn something interesting from our blog

Our creative team love to read your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!  

You must complete step 1 AND 2 to be entered into the draw. 

To join our challenge:
1. Leave a comment on the Topic Introduction Post and go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy Apron. 
2. Make something arty relevant to the topic, and link your creation from any social URL (eg. Instagram, Pinterest, Blog Post etc) sharing your original make to this challenge page.

The current topic link Topic 3: Watercolours will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, March 4th 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.


All links go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy creative apron. Please make sure we can contact you as a prize winner - it helps if you share your contact info from the platform you opt to use.

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

30 comments:

Helen said...

wow, Lynne, this is glorious! I love the soft colours on the pages, teamed with the perfect stamping.

Miriam said...

Totally gorgeous... Could totally see your style. Love this!

Kirsten said...

This is stunning. It's not just an art journal, it's a work of art.

Julia said...

Oh my goodness, this project is fabulous. I love the natural look of it. Stunning!

Ruth said...

Utterly charming, love this Lynne x

Astrid Maclean said...

stunning journal, love all the natural elements she has added!

geezercrafter said...

Exquisite journal Lynne, love the colours you have chosen and all the points of interest.

Julie Lee said...

Lynne this is exquisite! The texture, layout, colour - everything about this journal is worthy of hanging in an art gallery. xxx

Lauren Hatwell said...

Just so beautiful. Lx

Redanne said...

Your handmade journal is stunning Lynne, beautiful in every sense and made with your usual style and flair!! xx

Elena said...

This is simply enchanting 💜

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Leandra, Thanks for pointing me in the direction of Topic #3, it was a joy (beyond the initial head scratching and dithering!) to work on this and has set me in the mood to go and make some more books along this line.
Thanks for all the lovely, positive comments, i am so fortunate to have this degree of support. Thanks so much everyone!
wishes
Lynne

jostridge said...

This book is really wonderful. The new stamps are great. Good job!

Marci said...

Beautiful!

Chris said...

Incredidbly beautiful book Lynne, i love your colours and textures and am so glad it set you off to more, I look forward to them! xx

Words and Pictures said...

Dreamily exquisite... this is a feast for the eyes, and I can imagine it's just as good for the fingertips. Glorious work, as ever, Lynne.
Alison x

Edzellinni aka Linda Edkins Wyatt said...

Fabulous, I love the colors, gentle touch and mood

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Absolutely brilliant project Lynne, I am inspired!!

Jo said...

Swoon! This is completely gorgeous

Etsuko said...

Splendid art journal Lynne!! It seems beautiful poem, I love the great textures and the natural colours. I'm very inspired always. xx

Suman Pandit said...

your journal brought a feel of calm and stillness to me Lynne .....a Zen kind of feel...thank you so much for the inspiration !!

Craftyfield said...

Wonderful project! The colours are so subtle and the stamps you used so perfect for the book!

Hazel Agnew said...

Wow Lynne, this art journal is like a symphony! The harmonies sing out from each page.
Adorable muted colours combined with intriguing images. Such divine inspiration! Xx

Annie said...

What a beautiful Journal Lynne x I absolutely adore the transformed papers and natural elements details incorporated along with the fabulous PA stamps....a feast for the eyes and very inspiring. Off to play with my sewing machine as I love the stitching too

TFS and huge hugs
Annie x

Corrie Herriman said...

Such a beautiful project ! love everything about it !
Corrie xx

Jackie PN said...

AN absolutely heavenly project....I am still drooling on my laptop...
Jackie xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh my! This looks wonderful- can't wait to get home and see it on my computer screen! Chrisx

Dorthe said...

A big sigh of happy feeling , when ended reading and seeing this amazing art journal, you have so beautifully created, dear Lynne - in every way a stunning art work, so filled with your love of nature, and of reusing , and not throwing... and your results are always fabulous.
Every page is a delight, the "hidden" folded pages, and slips, the stamps, and use of nature thread, and the many layers of pure joy, when watching all the this . Thank you Lynne for giving such pleasures to us all.
Dorthe, xxx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Brilliant, really love this. Great creation. XxX

Lucy Edmondson said...

What a glorious and dreamy project, Lynne!

Lucy x