Pocket Shrine "Seth-style" with SA {by Ann Barnes}

Hello everyone, Ann here with you today sharing a folded "Seth-style" pocket shrine using the newest Seth Apter Stamp Release for PaperArtsy. 

I was thrilled to receive the three new Seth Apter stamps from PA HQ. Seth's designs never disappoint; and these newest stamps are some of my favorites! It's definitely worth checking out Seth's PaperArtsy Release Blog created for these new sets, it offers insight into the designs as well as inspiration from the designer himself!

Seth's stamp designs are so perfect for incorporating into backgrounds and creating mixed media abstract art. For this project I wanted to create something meaningful that allowed a few of the designs to become focal points. I decided to make a pocket shrine, combining my love for religious art with Seth's unique grungy, layered style. This is a special piece that can be used for prayer or contemplation. I drew color inspiration from the image of Mary, choosing PaperArtsy Fresco  Chalk Acrylic in Castleton (FF231), Admiral (FF233), Tomato (FF229), Buff (FF96), and Gold Rush (FF204).

Using images stamped onto PaperArtsy Printed Tissue - Blank (PT10), I was able to figure out the shrine sizing. I cut the shrine shape from a piece of primed canvas. Working on the outside surface, I began to add layers of paint first with a brayer, and then with a chip brush.

I started with a layer of Buff (FF96) then built up layers with the colors, each time brushing more Buff on top to create a muted and worn look. Partially stamping different images randomly onto the surface added texture. I stamped in Tomato (FF229) along the fold locations to create a binding appearance. I love how this looks when the shrine is folded.

The interplay of this lined image atop the canvas texture gives the surface a linen appearance. It's a good idea to put the stamps into water after using them with paint, they are much easier to clean.

As soon as I saw the frame image in Seth Apter Set 53 (SA053), I knew it would be amazing in 3D. Stamping into air dry clay allows you to create a relief of the image.

I rolled out the clay onto my craft surface. I kept the thickness to about 1/8". The thicker the slab you create, the longer it will take to dry. Also note that if it is very thin, it will be extremely fragile. Stamp directly into the clay with consistent pressure. (Note: spritz the stamp with water before stamping for easier release after impression.)

You can make various versions of the frame by cutting out different sections. The central opening can be removed or remain intact; while the outside can be decorative or square. There are many variations you can try. Adding color to the raised edges or within the recessed areas allows the design to stand out visually.

Once you select the frame style you desire, the rough edges are easily cleaned up with a small piece of extra fine sandpaper or by using a craft knife to scrape away any excess.

When the pocket shrine is unfolded, the beautiful interior is revealed. I chose the mandala style stamp image to balance the central framed piece. I stamped the image with Ranger Archival Ink in Watering Can onto separate papers and allowed it to dry. I colored the image using watercolor paints, then set it aside to dry.

 

I next worked on creating the main background for the interior of the shrine. I painted the entire surface of the canvas with Castleton (FF231). This color complements the watercolored images as well as the framed Madonna. Using a hardened paintbrush, I added streaks of Buff (FF96). This created a textured effect adding interest while also softening the appearance. The patterned areas were created using the repeating diamond shape stamp, and gold embossing powder. This surface makes me think of a wallpaper design.

With the main interior background complete I wanted to focus on the pocket. This is where the outside surface becomes an interior surface. To close the edges securely, I stamped some twill with the tread-like stamp. The twill ribbon was narrower than the stamp, which allowed me to create a unique pattern. I secured this around the right and left sides of the pocket with glue.

I wanted to add a special detail to the top edge of the pocket. This was created by stamping and embossing the DNA-like pattern onto a piece of paper then fussy cutting around the design to create a unique "Ric Rac" piece. This piece was trimmed to the correct length and attached to the pocket just below the red stamped edge.

I stamped out the bubble letter phrases onto paper with Ranger Archival Ink in Cobalt. Then using a small circle punch, I punched out the circled letters to form the word MARIA. These were glued in place along the base of the pocket.

When the two watercolor panels were dry, I added gold details with a metallic pen as well as some gemstones to embellish. I then attached them to each side panel with French knot stitches at all four corners.

I want to make the outside closure flap very special. To do this, I emboss the radial circular stamp in gold. Red stitches follow some of the rays upwards accentuating the design and mimicking the attached flaming heart Milagros.

On the inside of the flap, I added pieces of thread to balance the stitched threads and glued an accent piece at the center.

I love how the different patterns interact, can you spot at least 6 different stamps in the detail image above?

The frames I created are truly beautiful. I am looking forward to using the extras in different projects.

The connections between the "DNA strands" created the perfect spot to attach additional Milagros.

Here is a close up view of the stamped twill used to secure the pocket sides.

I made a few cards that can be tucked into the pocket, for a prayer or special intention. I love the way that the designs look embossed in gold and colored with watercolors.

I love the way this turned out. I have so many ideas for using these new stamp sets from PaperArtsy, and look forward to sharing more! I can imagine creating a pocket shrine to hold a treasured coin or good luck piece to carry with you. I think I might try my hand at making some of the "bits" Seth shares on the blog. There are so many possibilities! If you are interested in grabbing any of the newest stamp sets, there is a list of stockists on the PaperArtsy site where you can find one that's located in your area. Hopefully you are inspired to get creative.

I'm so happy you stopped by,  Ann xx

Blog: aksbarchitect CREATES

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Strawberry journal spread with ESC {by Riikka Kovasin}

Hello everyone, Riikka here with you today for an art journal spread process. I was inspired by warm days, memories of summers gone by and the sweet taste of strawberries. In this post I'm showing you, how I created a weathered collage background for the page to echo fleeting moments and then layered a mix of vintage and herbal focal points on top.

 

My main inspiration for this project was the beautiful strawberry set by Scrapcosy (ESC53). I wanted to use that as my focal point. I then thought about a fun technique using rubbing for the background, so I chose a stencil (PS491) to be used in that.

To be honest, I started with three Fresco Finish acrylic paints and then added a Mattint and another Fresco Finish color along the way. First, I chose a color palette that would highlight the red strawberries, but also show off the green leaves. I picked Spring (FF180), Aquamarine (FF153), and China (FF101). When creating, I wanted the background to be more vintage looking, so I added Mattint Glow (MT01) to the mix, and lastly used Gold Rush (FF204) as the last stage of my worn wallpaper technique.

Along with these PaperArtsy mediums, I used a black stamping ink, beeswax crayons, and colored pencils.

I started my art journal spread by coloring tissue paper. For that I used a gel plate and added two acrylic paint colors, Aquamarine (FF153) and Spring (FF180) on top of the plate in small dots. I then used a brayer to spread the colors and pulled a print to a piece of tissue paper.

While making the prints, I cleaned my brayer to my art journal. This added a touch of color to the spread, with the same color scheme I was then adding on top a bit later. Also, no paint was wasted this way!

After the tissue had dried, I added a pattern on top using frottage. I slipped the stencil (PS491) underneath my tissue paper print and then gently rubbed with a beeswax crayon from the top. This added the pattern of the stencil to the print.

 

I named this technique worn wallpaper, but in fact it's a couple of techniques bundled together. The end result looks like a weathered, stained, and torn wallpaper.

I started with collage. I tore the tissue paper into smaller pieces and adhered them on top of the colored spread. I used a matte medium to adhere the pieces in place. If you want to combine a couple of steps, read further for another medium option. I didn't want to cover the whole area but instead give the impression of torn wallpaper.

Next, I added the same pattern but in another way. I used the same stencil (PS491) but this time with paint and a sponge. I used Fresco Finish China (FF101) mixed with Aquamarine (FF153). I concentrated the pattern to the gaps between the tissue paper pieces.

I thought the background needed a touch of contrast. I created that with a text stamp from the set (ESC53) and black ink. As you can see from the picture below, I didn't mean the text to be readable, but instead to add visual texture.

These steps were all about building layers, like layers of different wallpapers added to the wall along the years.

While I liked how fresh the background looked, I felt that a touch of vintage was needed to convey the idea of worn wallpaper and to match the background better to the vintage photos I was planning adding on top. 

First, I added a layer of Mattint onto the page, transforming the color scheme to a warmer one. You can tweak the colors easily with a layer of this medium! If I'd realized earlier, that a vintage touch would be needed, I could have used Mattint to adhere the tissue paper pieces in the first place.

As the last step of the worn wallpaper, I used water resist to create a splodgy paint layer on top of everything already on the background. First, I took a water mister and kept it at hand. I then painted the spread speedily with Fresco Finish Gold Rush (FF204). Next, I sprayed some water on my hand and flicked droplets to the wet paint. I tried to add a generous amount of the droplets, covering the whole area. 

I then used a heat tool to dry the paint. The idea with the water droplets is that the paint underneath the water won't dry while the other parts of the layer do. I then picked up a rag and dried the droplets and removed the paint underneath them. I was left with a splodgy, weathered looking paint layer with all the previous patterns peeking through.  

I had now my mission accomplished - a weathered, torn looking wallpaper background!

Now that the background was done, I concentrated my attention to the focal points. That is the strawberries. I stamped a multitude of them to two surfaces - the more geometrical design from the set (ESC53) on top of white cardstock, to be colored, and the more loose design on top of old book pages. I used the same black ink for both.

I cut the strawberries stamped on top of the book paper loose, and collaged those onto my background. I let the design partly overlap and created a cluster of plants on both pages.

Then it was coloring time! I used colored pencils to add color to the geometrical strawberry designs. I wanted the berries vibrant red and the leaves luscious green. I also stamped a couple of additional strawberries and colored them, too.

After coloring the images, I cut the strawberry plants loose. I also cut some of the berries loose, to be used individually here and there.

I chose a couple of old photos of girls to be standing among the strawberries. I layered the strawberries and girls and adhered them to the page using double sided tape. As I was working on a bound journal, I didn't dare to use foam tape, which I usually prefer to create an illusion of perspective.

As a finishing touch, I added a little journaling to my spread. First, I stamped the "beautiful memories" from the stamp set (ESC53) onto a piece of old book paper. I then searched text stickers that would make up a story, when combined. The stickers were actually from a Halloween themed pad, but I bet you couldn't tell that from the finished story. At least I hope so! You can read the story a bit further along the post.

An air of days gone by topped with sweet strawberries! Above you can see the finished art journal spread. I really like using the long journal format, but it's a bit tricky, when taking pictures.

The main points in this spread are the layered, worn wallpaper looking background and the clusters on top. Notice, how I used the strawberry design repeatedly, like there's a shadow underneath the colored plants? You can just see sneaks of the bookpaper stamped flora, but it still creates a nice backdrop to the colored clusters.

Here's a closer detail on the cluster and the background. There's repetition in the pattern - first in the background using the same stencil and then in the cluster using the strawberry stamp. I hope here you can see the bookpaper version better, peeking underneath the colored plants.

In case you are wondering, what kind of a story I whipped up with the Halloween stickers, you can read it here. "Beautiful memories held her spellbound. Then, suddenly, a strange thing happened. A beautiful garden." Naturally, instead of stickers, you could use actual clippings from old books.

Thank you for stopping by today! Wishing you a lovely summer day!

Xoxo Riikka

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