PaperArtsy: With 3 things: Trio of Journal Tags {by Mags Woodcock}

Monday 29 July 2024

With 3 things: Trio of Journal Tags {by Mags Woodcock}

Hi everyone, it's Mags with you for another With 3 Things post.

This feature on the PaperArtsy Blog, is where 3 bloggers are sent 3 items in the post. We have no clue what PaperArtsy HQ is going to send us, there might be a slight variation (for example on this round we each were sent slightly different stamps) but generally 2 of the 3 things will be identical.

The next blog topic coming your way is a focus on Scrapcosy products, and the current theme is 'hidden', so if we can tie that to this 3 things post, then that adds another layer within this project.

Today I have made a set of tags with hidden notepads for secret journaling, so let's take a closer look.

It was a lovely surprise to receive such wonderful supplies to work with and I couldn't wait to get started. I decided to create a set of tags with a space for hidden journaling inside.

I started by creating a set of 3 double tags, each folded in the middle. I then set to work adding interest. I wanted a grungy look to the tags, so mixed Squeezed Mattint (MT06) with some Just Walnut Infusions powder (CS25) and used this to collage some of the ScrapCosy printed tissue (PT05) onto the tag. As you can see, it created a lovely almost rusty colour.

I wanted to knock back the colour just a little, so brayered on a random layer of fresco Finish chalk acrylic, Heavy Cream (FF203)

It was time to start playing with those gorgeous stamps now. I used the words and numbers as a background stamp on the tags, varying the position on each one. Archival ink worked well for this.

I wanted to use the stencil (PS376) in a couple of different ways. Using a fine-liner pen I added the hexagon shapes to the tags, concentrating more at the edges. A soft pencil and cotton bud worked well for adding shading.

It was at this point I realised the pencil might smudge and transfer when the tag was handled. So I painted on a coat of the Squeezed Mattint, which did the trick, sealed it nicely and also added a bit more of a pop to the hexagons against the Heavy Cream areas of the background.

It was now time to move on and put the Grunge Paste (GP190) through it's paces.

I brayered a small amount of Grunge Paste onto an old tile, and using the rectangular stamp from the set, picked up the paste and stamped onto a wad of kitchen roll paper. Whilst the paste was still wet, I sprinkled over the Rusting Powder (RP45) and set aside to dry completely.

Whilst I had the Grunge Paste and Rusting Powder on my desk, I applied the paste through the stencil to another wad of kitchen roll paper, and again sprinkled on Rusting Powder.

When both lots of grunge paste were dry, I brushed off the excess powder and sprayed on some white vinegar to activate. You can see the results below, lovely dimensional rust and gorgeous rusty kitchen roll.

I have often wondered how grunge paste would mix with translucent Fresco Finish paints, it was time to give it a go. Rusty (FF227) was the obvious choice.

I mixed the paste and paint in a 50/50 ratio on my old tile, stamping onto cotton tape using the numbers from the stamp set. I love how clear the results were, but with a bit of raised texture.

My next job was to stamp out some of the labels and numbers to embellish my tags. For this step I wanted a distressed look and chose to use one of my favourite techniques. Again I brayered some of the Rusty Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic onto my old tile. I inked up my stamp with Ranger Jet Black Archival ink and then pressed it lightly into the paint, then stamped it onto blank vintage book pages. I cleaned my stamp after each stamping so I didn't ruin my ink pad with paint. The numbers were added to the labels using the same technique.

Now I had all my elements prepared and ready to add to the tags. I started by adding torn fragments of the rusty kitchen roll, using matte medium as the adhesive. On some tags I added individual rusty hexagons from the stencilled Grunge Paste, whilst others had the dots added. The rusty labels framed some areas of the tag as well as adding more grungy texture. Don't forget the plain areas of the kitchen roll can also add interest and rust.

The next step was adding groups of the stamped labels, both the distressed, and some stamped onto vintage dictionary pages. Inking the edges of the tags with black ink helped frame the whole composition. Can you spot the textured cotton tape ? I gently ran a black ink pad over the top to add a distressed look, this also had the bonus effect of highlighting the texture.

All that was needed now was to add an eyelet to each tag and create a mini notepad to go inside the folded finished projects. Luckily I had some gold/yellow twine that coordinated nicely with the project and a rusty paperclip secured the bottom of each folded tag

I've thoroughly enjoyed creating these tags and have lots of rusty and distressed leftovers for future projects. Keep a look out in the PaperArtsy People Facebook group for my journal pages using those in the future. I am definitely going to try combining more Mattint colours with the Just Walnut Infusions in the future and can't wait to see what vintage inspired colours I create.