2020 #4 Mighty Mica: Vintage Gelli Print Journal with ESC {by Autumn Clark}

2020 Topic 4: Mighty Mica

Introduction:
Autumn has a gorgeous in-depth project tonight, you can see how she totally got caught up in the making of this! What a delight!
~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Autumn Clark from SewPaperPaint with you today, and I'd like to share my latest journal/mini album featuring the glorious newly released PaperArtsy Eclectica {Scrapcosy} Collection.  

When I saw Raquel's new stamps and stencils my heart melted and I really wanted to create a soft, vintage book to showcase them.  For days I couldn't stop adding more and more layers and bits to my pages and even now as I see the final photos, I am beckoned to go back and play in it yet again... (so forgive me for such a long post please :))

Having been a stamper for some 20 years I have quite the collection of odds and ends from trends that have come and gone, sheet mica being among the others.  I knew it would be beautiful with these stamps and a palette of Fresco Chalk Acrylic Paints in: Blue Oyster, Waterfall, Toad Hall, Sage, Hint of Mint, Taupe, Concrete, Cloud 9 and Chalk.  

Eclectica {by Scrapcosy} Sets 19 & 20: ESC19 & ESC20

PA Stencil 191 {by Scrapcosy}: PS191

PA Stencil 108 {by Scrapcosy}: PS108

I used the bird image from ESC19 on my opening spread, but also wanted to use it on my cover; what a beauty he is!  First I stamped him directly onto my gel-printed papers using a stamp platform, then painted him with the above mentioned Frescos and overstamped him again for definition.   

To make the images stand apart from one another, next I stamped him onto vellum with black Archival ink and then painted the top of the vellum so I could flip him over and use the image in reverse.  The result was so soft and much more delicate.  

By starting with simple color printed pages, I was able to add stamping, stenciling, and layers wherever I wished and built my composition in reverse around the focal elements.  

For my foreground stamping, I used scraps of gelli printed pages and stamp platform as described above.  When I felt like the images needed a little more shading, I did so with watercolors.  This is why I love working with Fresco paints so much, because the matte finish allows for such dynamic layering.  Here I mixed stamps from ESC18 with one of the new stencils, PS191.  They all work so beautifully together.  

Eclectica³ {Scrapcosy} Set 18: ESC18

PA Stencil 191 {by Scrapcosy}: PS191

This stamping/painting/repeat stamping technique with the platform allowed me to paint over the words in the circle frame stamp and I covered the circles with die cut letters.  I used the excess paper in my book construction to make little flaps and belly bands to store ephemera.  I love using embossing folders with my prints for adding additional texture.  A gentle sanding reveals the pattern.

I added some Distress Oxide stamping here and used the coordinating Distress Oxide Spray over PA106 stencil.  All of my mica was stitched in place, though it doesn't show well in the photos.  The subtle shimmer works perfectly with these soft colors.  Flowers and birds and tea, of course!  I had to mix in ESC16, but used the dotty image in ESC19 to give the teacup a pattern.  

Eclectica³ {Scrapcosy} Set 16: ESC16

PA Stencil 106 {by Scrapcosy}: PS106

Because my gel-prints were done on both sides of the paper to make this book, I accidentally tore one of my beloved stamped dogwoods in half.  Upon realizing this, I used them on opposite sides of one spread, but painted them differently so that they seem to be different flowers all together.

So many details...

I love that Raquel included a corner motif in her stencils and a corner flower stamp.  These will be showing up in many a future project.

PA Stencil 190 {Scrapcosy}: PS190

I had so much fun adding ephemera to my pages and journaling out my thoughts here and there.  

Again, I used the same images in different colors and orientations, highlighting favorite details with mica.  

I am really happy to discover how wonderfully PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic make double sided prints.  There are so many times when a double sided patterned paper is just what you need, especially with book making.  I would love to share how I constructed this book, but fear this post would be far too long.  If you're up for it, head on over to my blog post HERE for the specifics.  

Though projects of this size can seem daunting, you can certainly try some of these techniques in a smaller format.  But if you are up for it, make plenty of paper so you can stamp your heart out and have a wide array to work with in your own book.  What colors are calling to you when you see these nature inspired stamps?  Hmm?

It has been a pleasure, Autumn

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