2018 #3 Watercolours: Sense of Time - A Handmade Journal with ESN {by Lynne Moncrieff}

2018 Topic 3: Watercolour

I still pinch myself when we get a lovely project to share with you from Lynne Moncrieff. Her gentle muse leads her into a dreamy tone on tone patchwork of soft, ethereal papers. They could be found objects from an attic of a bygone era. Watch and delight in how she brings this journal together. It wasn't as easy as she originally envisioned, but she makes it all look like it was super easy in the end! ~Leandra

Hi, Lynne (Adorn) here and thrilled to be sharing a handmade book.

When Leandra unexpectedly extended the invitation to write a post for the Watercolour Topic I had no direction in my mind, I was in a quandary, a quandary that had me with two false starts.  Watercolours are beautiful, instantly taking me down Memory Lane, to school Art & Design classes. Those memories brought ideas of working with delicate washes in pastel, Springtime colours but it was not gelling as a project. It wasn't until I stopped forcing myself to make a decision on a project, instead, gathering a stack of various found/re-cycled papers: handmade photo album, brown packing paper, PaperArtsy packing paper and simply painting them. The result of this painting session,  a handmade book,  place for quiet, contemplative thoughts.

The beauty of watercolours, is the gentleness and serenity they bring to brown, black and dark blue and with a hint of Twinkling H20s, in particular, a delightfully muted gold, brings a gentle shimmer to the papers.  This subtlety evokes shimmering sunlight, perfect for this nature themed handmade journal.

Transforming the papers is time consuming and involves space to spread out especially as I prefer to allow the items to air dry, allowing the paint to settle, to not be disturbed by the forced heat from a heat gun.
 
The paper below was re-cycled from a PaperArtsy delivery.  I decided not to iron the paper, allowing the watercolours to pool around the creases.

Once all the papers were left to dry thoroughly, it was time to stamp and I dived right in, inking up EAB, ESN and ELB all bringing a sense of nature and thoughtfulness which I wanted to express with this handmade journal.  I actually inked up even more stamps but decided to focus on the main ones.

ESN18

ESN03

EAB01


ELB30

Partially inking up an ESN text stamp, without placing it on an acrylic block and simply stamping randomly onto the pages, removes a blank page appearance and brings further interest to the pages.  On this double page, as I did on other pages,  a torn piece of watercoloured paper stitched/adhered is another way of adding texture and interest without adding bulk which could interfere with any future journaling.

The landscape pages (of the photo album pages) were what inspired me to not simply fold the pages in half but to play around with them as their length allowed me to create staggered pages, with a wee flap here and a wee flap there!  Flaps and stitched pockets are perfection for journals, areas to secret away thoughts.

A mini diary, simply formed from a piece of the painted paper, stitched together with brown re-cycled paper to make the pages,  tucked inside a pocket and  flap on both pages.  The pockets formed from papers which were machine stitched to the journal pages. 

Watercolours bring a particular essence, a dreamy quality, a particular fluidity which heightens the handmade paper (from the photo album) that form the actual pages of the book.

Torn, stamped pieces of papers were adhered to the pages above, not so intrusive that they would inhibit journaling but enough of an accent to bring interest to the pages.

As a side note:- the book was bound by threading nettle yarn, through the two holes already punched in each page of the photo album pages and wrapping around a twig.  This not only bound the book but the yarn, twig and addition of a feather also create visual interest and sets the scene for the nature essence of the book.

Never be limited to only using watercolours with watercolour paper.  Experiment with found/re-cycled papers from around the home.  There is nothing as soothing as settling with that stack of paper and paints, transforming into beautiful papers to incorporate into your art.  If you studied Art at school, then it is possible, like myself, you were bound with rules but this is Mixed Media, it is not Fine Art, so free yourself from any constraints that are possibly embedded and enjoy the therapeutic process of allowing yourself the time to enjoy painting papers and if your artistic soul desires, take those papers a step or two further, creating a journal. 

My two tips to leave you with are 1) always take extra time to paint more papers/textiles than you will require for one project  2) use your least expensive Gesso to prepare the re-cycled papers. 

Blog: Adorn
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/lynne.moncrieff
Instagram: StampingandBeyond
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lynnemoncrieff/

We always hope that you  learn something interesting from our blog. 

Our creative team love to read your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!  

You must complete step 1 AND 2 to be entered into the draw. 

To join our challenge:

1. Leave a comment on the Topic Introduction Post and go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy Apron. 

2. Make something arty relevant to the topic, and link your creation from any social URL (eg. Instagram, Pinterest, Blog Post etc) sharing your original make to this challenge page.

The current topic link Topic 3: Watercolours will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, March 4th 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy creative apron. Please make sure we can contact you as a prize winner - it helps if you share your contact info from the platform you opt to use.

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

2017 #18 Torn, Ripped, Burnt: Torn Memories with VID {by Lynne Moncrieff}

2017 Topic 18: Torn, Ripped, Burnt

It's always a treat when one of our bloggers lets you inside their head; explains how they think, how they create, how they arrange... and it's super-fun when that head belongs to Lynne Moncrieff!

Hi everyone, it's Lynne Moncrieff, Adorn, with you today, and I'd like to share with you a project which found me immersed in my comfort zone where I dipped into many of my tried and trusted favourites to achieve a torn, ripped appearance.  I will throw my hands up in the air, I did not actually burn any items!  In my defence, I hope that some of the  elements have a burnt appearance even though I did not set light to anything. 

The beauty of such a project, items can be hunted and gathered from around the home and garden, a perfect project for re-cycling textiles, found papers and all manner of goodies.  Investing some preparation time in tea/coffee staining and placing bundles of gathered items outside to weather/rust will pay you in dividends. When moving onto creating the project, there is a wealth of stained and weathered items to select from.

I worked with the wonderful PaperArtsy Vintage Ink and the Dog Collection: set 06, the woman on tag stamp being the central figure in the narrative, the other stamps playing an important supportive role in her story. The high quality of PaperArtsy stamps ensured that I had confidence they would stamp onto a variety of collected surfaces:

I will happily while away time preparing bundles.  Vintage tart tins, wrapped with a mixture of textiles and papers, alongside vintage keys, crochet lace, safety pins.... laid outside, either doused in vinegar, tea or coffee with Mother Nature bringing rain and wind to distress the various items.

Patiently waiting for the items to be weathered, broken down, rusted, a little bit battered and torn, before bringing indoors to dry thoroughly. A beautiful tactile collection of textures in a variety of colour tones which will sit side by side harmoniously.

The pleasure in rooting around home and garden, discovering items to incorporate into projects, items which might appear insignificant at first sight but the magic is, they will soon become part of the story that is woven into the artwork. 

I never tire of tea and/or coffee baths. I used them in two ways, to stain virgin items as above but also placing some of the items that had already been outside, playing around with items which have been weathered and then dipping them into the baths, lots of interesting variations can take place, sometimes producing a very dark, almost black/grey colour. 

Vintage ID06

 

Having a plethora of prepared papers, textiles and extras to stamp onto is in itself inspirational especially when the stamp designs are so in tune with the aged appearance of the papers and textiles, as though each fragment has been unearthed from the past.

When working on such a multi-layered project, I have learned that there is a moment of restraint required from wanting to stamp everything in sight, ultimately there is a fine line, a balancing act of placing stamped elements alongside elements which are allowed to breathe, with no addition of stamping as they paint the narrative as much as stamped pieces.

Sometimes with layers, whether paint, stamping or textiles, they might not be evident to a viewer but that does not make them any less worthy of being included in a project.  For me, layers bring intrigue and in this project the layers symbolize the layers of her life, as though she might be flicking through the pages of her mind, looking at her past.

A wooden vintage clothes peg and craft peg, given a slightly burnt appearance from being weathered with the addition of dipped into a coffee bath. The clothes peg brings visual weight to the top of the assemblage, layered onto a variety of textiles all with torn, raggedy edges, including the fragment of lace which tops of the focal images.

When editing photos, my eye was caught by the fact that this element could be a mini assemblage, ideas already circulating in my head for future projects. . 

Torn, ripped edges of found papers, cardboard paper, calico, all previously stained and weathered with the addition of some of the edges being dipped into coffee or tea, with loose hand-stitched threads adding to the overall distressed appearance, as though memories that are fragile, about to be whisked off in a passing breeze as she desperately tries to grasp hold of those fading memories.

When you take the time to stain, rust, weather, it connects you even moreso with your project. Although ultimately, you cannot control the outcome of any of those processes, you are invested as you patiently wait for the result to unfold.

Try, if possible to re-cycle items or utilize found items as it is so rewarding when those items are transformed into a project.  When sourcing items, keep in mind that a variety of surfaces will not only bring more visual interest to your project, it also heightens the pleasure of stamping and can sometimes result in viewing a stamp with new eyes.

For me, such projects are layers of joy.  From the moment I begin gathering items to the  staining and weathering,I treasure those times as they are meditative, a time when the creative brain is on a different frequency, allowing ideas to brew.  It is also a time to simply experiment, play around with different textures, notice how some tear/rip differently creating different torn edges, some might not stain, rust as successfully as others.  

As for the tea baths, add a dash of Infusions. There is no right or wrong so long as you ensure you are not working with fumes, anything which could be toxic and be careful when handling rusted items, in other words, be creative and play but keep safety in mind.
My mind is already brewing with project ideas and yes, next time I will be burning something up!

Blog: Adorn  https://lynnesbowsandbelles.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynne.moncrieff
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stampingandbeyond/
Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lynnemoncrieff/

You do this beautifully! I love the loosely gathered and gently stitched elements, dangling thread, frayed lace, newly stamped papers that look old and weathered. It all comes together with your attention to detail in such a thoughtful manner! Taking time to enjoy the process certainly reaps rewards!Thank you for such an insightful post! ~Leandra

We always hope that you  learn something interesting from our blog. 

Our creative team love to read your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!  

Why not join our 2-weekly challenge by blogging your create response to the current topic and link it here?

The current topic link Topic 18: Torn, Ripped, Burnt will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, 10th December 2017, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store.

NEW {Eclectica³ Sara Naumann} with Lynne Moncrieff

Wings by Lynne Moncrieff

Tonight we have another take on how to use Sara's stamps from Lynne Moncrieff. Lynne has become an infusions addict since we released them, and many of her layers are ages with these to take you back in time to create a faux distressed effect. A long-time promoter of Sara's stamps, Lynne was thrilled to be able to present her take with them for this launch. 

A reminder of the new stamps...ESN21/22, PS062/063

Hi everyone, Lynne here to show you an idea with Sara's brand new stamps she has designed for PaperArtsy.

Sara's stamps are amongst my most frequently inked up, so you can imagine my excitement when learning I would be one of Sara's wingmen, alongside Miriam.

I was instinctively drawn to the Victor Hugo quote (ESN22), allowing this stamp to steer me in the direction of an assemblage, organic in style with a strong emphasis on textures. This is a generously sized quote stamp, making it a perfect selection as the focal on my project however, both stamp sets are so cleverly designed, with the inclusion of smaller words/phrases.  Aside from the stamps I inked up, the collage, ephemera style stamps have endless possibilities.  Take the time to study each of the collage stamps, looking at stamps within stamps.

If I had wanted to go further with this project, I could have stamped the words, pause or fly, directly onto the greyboard feathers or second generation stamping of the Victor Hugo quote onto each feather.  There was still lots of room for me to have played around with this. 

The tree branch, from PS063 was an effective way of allowing the eye to travel towards the quote.  With it being an almost stylized design, it avoided the stenciling being overly fussy in this area and allowed for ease in having the branch extended over, onto the smaller, layered MDF panel.

From the outset, I wanted to use the stencils in a way which allowed creating texture which would easily sit beside authentic textures from nature.  Possibly not standing up to intense scrutiny but from a distance, I was aiming for an overall effect on the assemblage where the viewer's eye could be fooled in determining what textures were created by my hand and what were created at the hand of Mother Nature. 

The "pause" stamp spoke to me, how often do we actually pause in our days.

On first sight I could see that the new ESN stamps and stencils fitted perfectly into my comfort zone, allowing me to immerse myself in texture and dip into my favourite colours of Frescos and Infusions but imagine the dragonfly or bee collage stamps from ESN21 with a pop of colour and all the words scattered throughout both stamp sets are perfect for art journaling or popped inside a bezel for jewellery projects.  Personally, I am eager to explore both sets further.

Thank you for visiting this blog post and thank you to Sara Naumann for designing those stunning stamps and stencils. 

Wishes
Lynne

Blog - Adorn
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New Products will not be available to purchase from PaperArtsy until late 2017. This means the only place you can purchase is from an official PaperArtsy approved stockist. 

We encourage you to support independent retailers; they offer you valuable expertise and a wide range of product choice outside of the big box stores. Buy in-store or online now from the following stockists:

Canada

Scrapbook Centrale, Dollard Des Ormeaux, Quebec www.scrapbookcentrale.ca

(Zinski, JoFY, ESC, EKC, EKD, EEG, ETS, LPC, Infusions, Frescos)

Treasured Memories Scrapbooking, Duncan,BC www.treasuredmemoriesscrapbooking.ca

(Frescos, Infusions, EKC, EEG, ESC)

USA

Artistic Studio Creations, Fayetteville, Georgia www.facebook.com/ASCbyCrystal

(ETS, Infusions)

Artistree Workshops, Fulton, New York, www.facebook.com/artistreeworkshops

(Zinski, EKD, EKC, EEG, ELB, ETS, ESC, Ink and the Dog)

Clay with Me, Colorado www.facebook.com/Claywithmestudio

(ELB, LPC, ESA, JOFY, Infusions, Frescos, EKD, EKC, ESC, EEG)

Creek Bank Creations, Indiana www.creekbankcreations.com

(MN, Zinski, Jofy)

Ephemera Paducah, Paducah, Kentucky www.ephemerapaducah.com 

(Fresco Chalks, Lynne Perrella, Seth Apter)

Frantic Stamper, Oregon www.franticstamper.com

(Zinski, LPC, JoFY, ELB, EEA, EEG, ESC, EKD, EKC, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Guadalupe's Fun Rubber Stamps, Roswell, New Mexico www.santafe.com

( Frescos, Infusions, LPC, ESA, EEA, Zinski, MN, ETS, HP, Treasure Gold)

Simon Says Stamp, columbus, Ohio www. simonsaysstamp.com

(Zinski, JoFY, ETS, EEA, EEG, EKC, ELB, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Stamplistic, Cleveland, Ohio www.stamplistic.com

(Hot Picks, LPC, JoFY, ELB, Squiggly Ink)

The Queen's Ink Savage, Maryland www.queensink.com

(Infusions, ESA, LPC)

Seth Apter, New York www.sethapter.com

(ESA, Frescos)

Stamp Fever, Orange, California www.stpstamp.com

(Frescos, Jofy, Infusions)

UK

Aldridge Crafts, Attleborough, Norfolk www.aldridgecrafts.co.uk

(Zinski, Jofy, EEA, EKD, EKC, EEG, ESA, Frescos)

Amelia's Creative Crafts, Spernal Ash Nurseries, Alcester Road, Studley, Warwickshire  www.ameliascreativecrafts.co.uk

(Jofy, EKC, ELB, Frescos)

Art from the Heart, Harrogate, Yorkshire www.afth.co.uk

(EEA, ETS, ESA,Infusions)

Birds in the Barn, Marks Tey, Essex www.birdsinthebarn.blogspot.co.uk

(Zinski, Jofy, EEG, EKC, EKD, ESC, ETS, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Blade Rubber Stamps, London www.bladerubberstamps.co.uk

(JoFY, LPC, Frescos)

Countryview Crafts, Potton, Bedfordshire www.countryviewcrafts.co.uk

(Zinski, Jofy, ELB, EEA, EEG, EKC, EKD, ESC, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Craft World Scotland, Glasgow www.craftworldonline.co.uk

(EKD, EKC, JoFY, ETS, Zinski, ESA, ELB)

Crafty Snippets, Billingshurst West Sussex www.craftysnippets.co.uk

(EKC)

Craftylicious, Mildenhall, Suffolk www.craftylicious.co.uk

(Zinski, Jofy, EEG, ETS, ESA, ELB)

Dandie Crafts, Caerphilly,www.dandiecrafts.co.uk/

(Fresco Chalks, Kay Carley, Tracy Scott)

Everything Art, Powys, Wales www.everythingart.com

(EEA, Frescos, Infusions)

Keep on Crafting, Burt St Edmunds, Suffolk www.keeponcrafting.co.uk

(Zinski, Jofy, ELB, ESC, ELB, EKD, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Loobie Crafts, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, www.loobicrafts.co.uk

(Zinski, JoFY, ETS, ESA, ELB, Frescos)

LouLouPurple, Gwynedd, Wales www.louloupurple.co.uk

(ETS, JOFY)

Papermaze, Ipswich, Suffolk www.papermaze.co.uk

(JoFY, EKC, ESA, ELB, Zinski, Infusions)

Paper Story, Norfolk www.paperstory.bigcartel.com

(Infusions, Treasure Gold)

Rowan Tree Crafts, Carnforth, Lancashire www.rowantreecrafts.co.uk

(Zinski, stencils, ETS)

Fave Rave, Stourbridge, West Midlands www.shabbychicstencils.co.uk

(Jofy, EEA, Zinski, ELB, Frescos)

Simply Crafts, Cardiff, www.simplycraft.com

(EEG, ETS, ESA, JoFY, Frescos, Infusions)

Snazzy's, Swindon, Wiltshire. https://www.facebook.com/snazzystampingandscrapbooking/

(Zinski, EKD, EKC, JoFY)

Stampers Grove, Edinburgh, Scotland www.stampersgrove.co.uk 

(Zinski, JOFY, ELB, EEA, EEG, EKD, EKC, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

Swanstitch, Deal, Kent www.facebook.com/swanstitch

(JoFY, EKC)

That's Crafty, Romford, essex www.thatscrafty.co.uk 

(Zinski, Jofy, LPC, EEG, EKD, EKC, ELB, EEA, ETS, ESA, Frescos, Infusions)

The Artistic Stamper Craft Store, Faversham, Kent www.theartisticstamper.com 

(Zinski, EKD, EKC, ESC, ETS, Frescos, Infusions)

The Craft Barn, Merstham, Surrey www.thecraftbarn.com 

(Zinski, Jofy, ETS, EKC, EKD, EEA, ESA, ELB, Fresco Chalks, Infusions)

The Craft Box, Barnsley, South Yorkshire www.thecraftbox.biz

(Zinski, Jofy, ELB, ETS, ESA, Fresco Chalks)

The Craft Den, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire www.thecraftden.co.uk

(Zinski, EKC, EEG, EKD Jofy, ETS, Frescos)

The Forget me not Kraft Kabin www.facebook.com/TheForgetMeNotKraftKabin

(Zinski, JoFY, ELB, ETS, EEG, EKD, Fresco Chalks)

Whichcraft, Wallasey, Merseyside 

(Zinski, JoFY, Fresos, ELB)

Belgium

Expression Hobby, Marcinelle www.expressionhobby.be

(Frecos, Infusions, Zinskis, EDY, EEG, Jofy)

Denmark

Hobbyboden Scrapworld Samso www.hobbyboden.dk

(ESA, Fresco Chalks)

France

Kerudoc Creation, St Yvi www.kerudoccreation.com

(Zinski, JoFY, ELB, EEA, EEG, EKD, ETS, ESA)

Toutencolle, Dun sur Avon www.toutencolle.fr

(JoFY, Infusions)

Germany

Stempeloase Munich www.stempeloase.de

(Zinski, JoFY, ELB, ETS, ESA, ESC, EKD, EKC, LPC Frescos)

Stempelfee Shop www.stempelfee-shop.de

(Zinski, EEA, EEG, EKC, EKD, ETS, ESA, Infusions, Frescos)

Netherlands

Creafine, Papendrecht www.creafine.nl

(JoFY, ETS, Infusions)

Hobbycompleet de Duif, Leeuwarden www.hobbycompleet.nl

(Zinski, EKD, EEG, EKC, JoFY, ELB, ETS, ESA, Infusions)

Papillon Hobby, Hendrik Ido Ambacht www.papillon-hobby.nl

(Zinski, Jofy, ELB, EEA, ETS, Infusions)

Scrap & Co, Klarenbeek www.scrap-co.nl

(JoFY, EKC, ELB, EDY)

Stampingcorner, Capelle Aan Den Ijssel www.stampingcorner.nl

(Zinski, Jofy, ETS, ESA, Lynne Perrella, Frescos)

The Stamping Cottage, Schaijk www.thestmpingcottage.nl

(Fresco Chalks, LPC, ESA,  Zinski, Hot Picks, ETS, JoFY, ELB, Infusions)

Australia

Art and Soul Studio, Burrum Heads, Queensland www.artandsoulstudio.com.au

(Zinski, Jofy, LPC, EKD, EEG,  ELB, EEA, ETS, ESA)

Crafters Cupboard, Berwick, Victoria www.crafterscupboard.com.au 

(JoFY, ELB, ETS, Frescos, Infusions)

Scrap Matrix, Port Elliot, South Australia http://scrapmatrix.com/ 

(JoFY, EKC, ELB, ETS, Frescos, Infusions)

Time To Create, Modanville, NSW www.timetocreate.com.au

(Zinski, ESA, ETS, EKD, EEG, ELB, ESA, Infusions, Frescos)

Taiwan

Mandy's Card, Taipei www.facebook.com/mandy.card

(Zinski, JoFY, ETS, ESA, ELB, EEA, Frescos, Infusions)

Japan

TIny Dots, Funabashi-shi, Chiba www.facebook.com/TinyDots

(JoFY, Frescos, Infusions)