Butterfly Booklet with Sara Naumann Products {by Ann Barnes}

Hi everyone, nice to be back with you again. It is Ann (@aksbarchitect) here with you today.

This year on the blog, we have free reign to do a deep dive into a PaperArtsy product range of our choosing. For this post I have been exploring Sara Naumann's products. One of the things I love about the summer is watching the butterflies silently flutter through the air and alight upon the flowers. They always bring such a sense of peace. When I saw the Sara Naumann butterfly stencil and stamps, I wanted to create something that reflected this peacefulness that the butterflies bring.

Working with the beautiful PaperArtsy Infusions and various papers, I had an idea to use the stencil in a new (to me) way. I was hoping to achieve a dimensional page that would make you eager to look deeper. It took a few tries, but once I was able to make my vision become a reality, the remaining pages seemed to flow effortlessly.

I am looking forward to sharing my process for creating this with you.

For this booklet, I primarily used Sara Naumann Stamp Set 33 (ESN33) and PaperArtsy Sara Naumann Stencil 122 (PS122). I also used the gorgeous PaperArtsy Infusions Dye Stains Raspberry (CS24), Blackcurrant (CS09), and Violet  Storms (CS11).

Most often when I think of butterflies, my mind conjures visions of purples and pinks. The PaperArtsy Infusions created such gorgeous intense colored papers, I thought that using a yellowish base paper would complement it wonderfully. For this I chose PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Acrylic in Heavy Cream (FF203) and Ranger Industries Distress Ink in Antique Linen.

Knowing that I would be incorporating hand dyed papers made with PaperArtsy Infusions dye stains, I decided that creating those papers would be the perfect place to begin. Watching the colors spread onto the paper with the addition of water is so much fun! I like to use 100% cotton rag vellum because it accepts the colors easily, withstands a lot of water and also dries flat. Spritz the vellum paper with water, sprinkle the infusions randomly over the page and add more water. Then, layer another page directly on top and repeat the process. This allows you to add color to both sides of the paper efficiently. Once you have completed as many pages as you want, allow them to dry overnight. If there are any remaining crystals that have not dissolved, these are easily brushed off once the papers are completely dry. I also dyed some Bristol cardstock and tracing paper that I would put to use later, both in the booklet as well as in some of my collage art. Having a stash of these gorgeous and vibrant papers is always nice.

My original idea was based on creating a dimensional paper using the butterflies stencil (PS122). I was hoping to use a translucent vellum topper that would allow color to show through butterfly shaped openings. I tried multiple variations of layering and could not get this idea to work out. Frustrated, I then decided that perhaps the colors would only be seen within the booklet... It was when I allowed my creativity to guide me, that things began to head in a direction much more to my liking!

 

To create the cover, I laid the stencil onto my handmade paper and lightly traced the butterflies with a pencil. I moved the stencil around to create a pattern that swept across the page. It is not necessary to use all of the stencil cutout openings in your design, and you can easily make the design your own by changing the angles and positions of the different sized butterfly openings.

Using an Exacto knife, I cut around each of the butterfly wings that I had traced and intentionally left the central "body" section intact. This allows the wings to be folded upward while remaining attached.

Once all of the wing shapes are cut, gently erase the remaining pencil marks. You can then adorn the wings in any way you desire; I added some gilding.

Using the piece of Infusions dyed Bristol, I die cut two ornate butterflies. Then I traced the edge of the butterfly onto one half of a folded piece of cardstock and cut it out with scissors. This created a folding card where the top flap was in the shape of the butterfly and the base remained untouched. Using the butterfly quote stamp from Sara Neumann Stamp Set 33 (ESN33) I stamped repeatedly to create a background.

Using a blending brush and Distress Ink, I added color to the patterned butterfly shape.

This piece was then sandwiched between the two die cut pieces.

I inked a piece of vellum with Distress ink in Antique Linen, then created some tone on tone pattern using the butterfly image stamps from the set. Using the same Antique Linen Distress ink, I inked up my stamps and randomly stamped onto the colored vellum.

Since the images are stamped in the same color, they appear as a deeper shade of the background. I love the look of this, especially on the translucent vellum.

The sentiments that were intended to stand out, were stamped onto the vellum with Archival Ink.

When the butterfly flap sits atop the vellum pages, it creates an interesting and beautiful backdrop.

I wanted to create a similar sweep of the butterflies on the back page. To do this, first lightly sponge PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Acrylic paint in Heavy Cream onto the Bristol cardstock and allow to dry. Then using an ink blending brush, ink up a few of the butterfly shapes in the stencil creating the desired pattern.

Once the ink is dry, replace the stencil over the page and add metal leaf adhesive to random areas of the inked shapes. Gold leaf is then placed onto the adhesive and the excess is brushed off.

The final step is to assemble the pages and secure them together with a piece of sari silk to create a butterfly booklet.

I love the way this butterfly booklet turned out. As I turn the pages I am transported to the peaceful flight of the butterfly. Drifting amongst the flowers carefree.

Blog: aksbarchitectCREATES

Facebook: Ann Sullivan Barnes

Instagram: @aksbarchitect

Memory Box with Tracy Scott Products {by Floss Nicholls}

 

Hi everyone, nice to be back with you again...It's Floss here with you today.

This year on the blog, we have free reign to do a deep dive into a PaperArtsy product ranges of our choosing. For this post I have been exploring Tracy Scott's products...it was not easy choosing which products to work with as she has so many beautiful designs!

Today I'm looking forward to sharing with you how I ended up using just two stencils, three paints, some tissue paper, glue and some thread to create a beautiful memory box.

I started off thinking that from enjoying making a recycled gift bag with a previous PaperArtsy project that I did not that long ago, how a packaging box revamp would be a fun thing to do too...I chose PaperArtsy Fresco finish chalk paints; Vintage Lace, Purple Wine, Prawn and Jade which are all Tracy Scott colours. A set of stamps, which I actually didn't end up using this time, and two stencils PS463 and PS234.

My first thing I like to do once I have chosen my colours is to create a colour wheel so I can see how well they work together and what other colours can be made by mixing them...

I started by using Jade, Prawn and Purple Wine...they created some great muted colours which I tend to prefer to the brighter colours...however, Vintage Lace has got to be one of my absolute favourite colours that PaperArtsy produces and so I created a second set of mixing replacing the Prawn with the Vintage Lace...I painted these around the edges of the wheel as a comparison. I was happier with this selection. I also like to mix an equal amount of all three shades together for an overall outcome which you can see at the base of the page.

I opened the box out flat and started by 'rough painting' the surface using Vintage Lace. I did it this way as I wanted the box to have an uneven painted finish rather than it being all flat and even.  I like texture and surface discrepancies.  I laid the stencils and colours out in front of me as I was starting so that I could get a feel for what might happen next.  I like to work intuitively and let things evolve, I do think that having the supplies out around you lets things happen more naturally.

 

I also love text. I decided that the text would be good to have randomly positioned on the box and so I painted Vintage Lace over the text areas on Tracy Scott tissue paper.

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I then painted some of the detail in the flowers and butterfly...using the mixed colour palette.

I liked leaving some 'white space in the little hexagons...I'm sure this little section was to come in handy somewhere on the box...

I started using the stencils PS234 and PS463 to add some pattern to the box...I enjoy layering the stencil designs over one another to create more interest.

I own about 9 white pens...they do drive me a little bit nuts when they don't flow nicely...it really is crazy how one can be working one day and not the next! I have had this conversation with so many creatives...anyway, I found one that worked and outlined the little cloud shapes from the PS234 stencil to make the shape pop a little...I smeared some gesso onto the blank spaces as I wanted to distress areas of the box too.

To make it distressed, I painted the Purple Wine fresco finish paint onto the box and whilst it was still wet, applied the stencil over the paint and wiped it back using a wet wipe...this incidentally leaves a fantastic residue on the stencil that when you flip the stencil over and wipe it again will give you a fun ghost like texture...which you should spot on another area of the box...

I decided that parts of the Tracy Scott tissue would look rather beautiful on the box, especially as I was able to paint the reverse and thought those designs would work well with the size of the box too...I let the design fall over the fold score line of the box to allow the base of the box to have pattern and texture on it too.

I continued adding tissue over the distressed and stencilled areas of the box...I softened the edges of where the tissue meets the box using a sponge dipped in the paint so that parts of the tissue became diffused.  I started looking at the stencil shapes and thought that PS463 leant itself to adding stitching!

I colour matched my thread to the Purple Wine but instead of matching a thread to Vintage Lace I found a thread that was similar to Tracy Scott Sunshine, which I thought could be considered a complementary colour as it may sit opposite on the colour wheel...I thought it looked good anyway!

I used my awl to make small holes top and bottom of some of the stencil shaped areas and set about adding thread...

It wasn't until I uploaded the photos that I realise I have missed a little stitch! I must go back and add that in...

I glued the little tab joining the sides together and folded the base shut bringing the 'overspill' designs together on the base which I really liked...

Take a look at each side...and the top and lid interior...have you got a favourite side? I have...I wonder if it's the same as my favourite?

The front...

The back...

and the sides...

and of course the lid...

The inside of the lid was fun too...

I lined the box plain but I do think that it would be more fun to line it with another pattern but something quite simple...if I do I will post it on my social media pages...

I hope you enjoyed reading the blog as much as I did making my memory box...please tag me if you try anything similar.

Much love Floss x x x

Website: flossWORKSHOPart

Facebook:flossWORKSHOPart

Instagram: Floss

Newsletter coming out soon with new class list in East Sussex UK for August dates...