A TRIO OF TULIPS with ELB {by Martine Dubé}

Hello everyone, Martine here! Today I wanted to create different project using the same image and background. I will be making a couple of art journal pages, a card and some ATC all made with PaperArtsy stamps set by Lin Brown and some infusions and a few more supplies.

Here are the stamp sets and supplies I've used to create this project. The stamp sets are  ELB23-ELB24-ELB30-ELB33, the infusions are Terracotta and Emerald Isle and the  Fresco Finish chalk acrylics used is Little black dress.

I love working on loose pages, I find it easier than working in a book. the finished project can become a book by sewing a spine to my pages or with book binding ring.

I started by preparing my infusions, be careful not to add to much if you want your background to be somewhat light. They can get dark very quickly if too much pigment is used.

Then I applied my first color of infusions with a brayer with a very light hand just to make a few marks of color but not cover the hole page. I left some white space where I will add more layers later, repeated the same process with your second color.  You can add more colors if you wish.

Next I added some splatters using one of the colors..

To finish the base part of my pages, I added another layer using a stencil with some matching distress oxide ink.

I chose some small circle and text stamp to create layers by stamping them randomly on my backgrounds using the same matching distress oxide inks.

I then went over some of the marks with water to activate the ink to create a darker contrast.

                                               

The last step for my backgrounds was to add some black splatter with little black dress fresco finish chalk paint and a black marker.

Next, it's time to stamp the chosen flowers. I went for the tulip since it's one of my favorite flowers. I've stamped several since I'm making a few projects at the same time. 

I started coloring very precisely but then realised it wasn't necessary.  I was going to be fussy cutting everything after. I also colored the edges of the cut images, it helps polishing the final look of your project. You can do it with either a black marker or using matching colors like I did.

Next, I prepared some ripped pieces paper that where colored on both side with infusions and created some stripe paper using tape to add on my journal pages and my cards.

The sewing part is always one of my favorites; it always adds a little something to a project!

Here I'm showing how the spines for my journal pages are made.

Now it's time to put everything together and create pages and cards.

I used black cardstock to create a frame behind some of my background before gluing them on my card base and journal page.

To add dimension, I've use some 3d foam tape on the flowers.

And to finish, stamped and cut the sentiments for my finish pages.

Here are my assembled pieces showing that, with the same background, you can make a variety of different projects.

Here are some up pictures of the final projects.

Tanks for stopping by hope you enjoy!

Martine

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September 2025 - With 3 Things - Woven book {by Dounia Large}

Hi friends, 

It's Dounia from PaperArtsy HQ with you for another 'With 3 Things' challenge post. 

For this feature on the PaperArtsy Blog 3 identical items are sent to 3 members of the PaperArtsy Blogging team. Typically we will receive a stamp, a stencil and a couple of Fresco Paints.

We have no clue what PaperArtsy HQ is going to send, the whole idea of this challenge is to do something crafty in our personal style with these 3 items. We can incorporate other PA products into the mix if we feel it is necessary.

So let's take a look at what I 'received' from PA HQ ...

We had a very autumnal kit this time: a lovely stamp set full of textures from Lin Brown (ELB34), a choice of leaves in a fun stencil from the archives, PaperArtsy Stencil PS002  (also from Lin Brown) and two gorgeous warm Fresco Finish acrylic paints from the Seth Apter range: Kiwi Gold and Rusty. I also added a couple Fresco Finish colours from my stash for contrast and variation: Mahogany and Toffee.

With all of that I made a little sketch book with a fun woven cover.

The base for the cover of my book was a series of Regular Smoothy card bands, as well as a full A4 sheet for the inside cover. I worked simultaneously on all of them, without thinking too much, treating each like a mini master board.

I started with the texture stamps from ELB34. I used them quite randomly all over the bands, stamping in coordinated, water resistant inks.

Once dry, I added a layer of paint all over using Kiwi Gold, Rusty, Mahogany and a range of mixes. As all those paints are translucent, you can partially see the layers beneath, creating lovely and subtle textures. For an ever lighter coverage, I diluted some of the mixed with a bit of water.

I cut the finished bands into strips of varying width and it was time for weaving! 

I kept the more textured backgrounds quite large to show them off and the cut the brighter and darker ones one much thinner. I took inspiration from plaid for the weaving sequence but I think a random one would be gorgeous too! I tried to keep everything square with the help of a grid but the end piece is not exactly rectangular...

Now for the stencil, PS002 by Lin Brown. I really love the group of little leaves on it and wanted them to run along the whole cover. I secured the ends of my woven panel with masking tape and turned it over. I positioned the stencil under it and marked the groves with a stylus to create embossing. It is a technique I love but here it was not the easiest to achieve a clear image because of the thickness of the woven substrate and the breaks between the strips.

I then gave the whole cover a wash of Toffee Fresco Finish paint, making sure to push it in all the crevices and them wiping the excess on the raised parts. This disguised the white cut edges of the strips and helped all the colours work together .

I re-did the same technique with pure Toffee paint on the leaves to accentuate the relief. I also lightly sanded the raised parts  to make them stand out even more.

I love the overall effect! Then I 'only' had to glue on the inside cover and sew on the signatures. However, once I had the book completely constructed, I was not convinced the leaves were visible enough, so I dry brushed a little bit of Gold on the raised pattern. It was the final touch I was missing! I reminds me of a sunny autumn day!

The inside cover was done just like the bands with Kiwi Gold and Rusty, just on a bigger size.

I had a lot of fun with this project and love the result. It was a pretty safe bet as the colours are among my favorites! 

I hope this helps you travel toward autumn and maybe inspire you to try your hand at paper weaving.

Stay creative!  

Dounia x