On my work-desk this week is the start of an altered book cum journal - its going to be about how I feel about Autumn.
Last Saturday, whilst the menfolk were off watching "The Swans" play football, my friend Lynda & I had a lovely afternoon getting all messy & painty - I recently suggested she try art journalling & now she seems to be really enjoying it - and has created some lovely pages already !
We decided to have a go at altering books - so raided the Charity shops in Carmarthen and found some suitable candidates !
We camped out in the conservatory - great light to work in ! And moved down my stash of paints so we could choose what we wanted to create with
Then we set to .. getting creative & messy in equal part ! Here's Lynda working on her journal ...
And me gesso-ing over a page in my book .. I had started at one end but then we decided the book would work much better upside-down - so I had to gesso it all out again !
My book started as a child's jigsaw board book ...
and got a good smothering of gesso and I discovered a new textured effect completely by accident - as I was gesso-ing the later pages the initial ones were sticking together.
When I pulled them apart they left an amazing crackled textured effect - it wasn't planned but it looked really good !
So I went with it and it will get incorporated it into the look of the book !
So next it working up each page with colours & images ... hopefully not quite so messy !!
Anyway - have a brilliant crafty week ! Ali x
Sometimes the best effects come from accidents. We love the idea of an autumn journal. And altering the book is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting the bears tiday. :)
Oh my what a fab idea. I think I might be looking into a few charity shops! Happy Wednesday. :o)
ReplyDeleteSue x (MiniOwner @89)
Happy WOYWW. Your messy session looked like fun. Thanks for the inspiration. I keep meaning to raid the Haverfordwest charity shops for old books and music sheets, for backgrounds, but will try altering a book one day. Ali x #54
ReplyDeletegreat looking book you are working on! Love how bright your workspace is! I wish I could talk DH into having a sun room built on our house! Hope you have a crafty week! Vickie #91
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to work with children's board books for altering - love the texture effect you discovered! Have a great week...
ReplyDeleteAlison x
#35
Hurrah for tidy and portable boxes of supplies!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your process, Ali--and how fine to have a friend to get painty with!
ReplyDelete:)trisha
#136ish this week
What a great painty time you had. So much fun to share the time with somebody else.
ReplyDeleteKrisha #40
Wow, you have so much light on your conservatory...lucky girl!!!
ReplyDeleteOooh! Looks like fun - board books are brilliant for altering - look forward to seeing more! Chris 150
ReplyDeleteNot been around for a few weeks, so glad I didn't miss your very lovely shaped journal! I must have a go...I always say that! I never seem to find the time to go look for books to alter and I'm Too messy!! Thanks for my snoop! Have a crafty week! HaPpY Late WOYwW!
ReplyDelete((Lyn)) #25
My word, talk about getting stuck in! and such a lovely work area too, bet it was great to have company while you threw the paint around! Love your happy accident texture...isn't that the same technique as artex?!!
ReplyDelete