Rusty Tag Book

The Mixed Media Monthly for May is Rust. Rust often comes up as a challenge topic but it is something I have never used but is that not one of the meanings of the word challenge?  One of the benefits of blogging is that I look at what others are up to more often. If you have read previous posts you know I have tried the new Seth Apter and Emerald Creek's new embossing powders but so far I have only managed to get the deep sea and vintage beeswax. I decided to try and mix some of my existing powders up and create some rust effect. I thought tags would be a good way to test it out. I started with a couple of colours of distress ink.

I did a bit of spritz and flicking and darkened the edges with more distress.

I stamped lots of images in Versamark and clear embossed them. I also did some stamping in Seinna Archival ink. I darkened the tags down with several brown distress inks. The clear embossing acts as a resist so the golden, green and orange tones popped through.

I spritzed with water and used lots of Rusty Car and a little Golden Sands Paperartsy Infusions.

They were already looking a bit rusty.

Next I selected some embossing powders to try and mix up my own rust. I used lots of Vintage Photo, a pinch of Black Soot, a tiny bit of WOW Copper, a pinch of Chinese Red and a couple of pinches of Terra cotta. It was meant to be a fun experiment so no exact measurements here!

I  decided I wanted to make a tag book with them as they were looking interesting. So I worked some Versamark over the edges at the ring end which would be the open end of the book "pages." After covering in the rusty powder mix and heating I think they did look rusty. Might use more Terra cotta next time though.

I decided to use some illustrations from an old technical book I have been keeping for years. Finally realized there is never a perfect time to use it just DO IT.

Having got over this procrastination I think they work OK on these grungy little pages. Dont you think makes them each seem more precious and significant than the original book?

I made a spine hidden hinge as there is no need for expansion I used a simple accordion fold and no space between each hing.

I glued each of the pages onto one hinge and held them tight with a bulldog clip to let the glue set.

While the glue set I cut two board covers shaped like tags. I used Prima Craftsman paper to decorate the front and inside covers. I used distress ink to darken the edges inside and out

I wanted to make the covers more like the pages of the book so I used the Rusty Car Infusions again Then I had to make more rust powder as I had used my concoction all up. I added rust to the cover mainly round the edges.

I used the keyhole plate from Tim Holtz's Hardwear Findings Sizzix die to make hinges for fastening the covers to the book on the inside.

Of course they were 'rusted' too. This is definitelymy favorite illustration - Fig 420. the text makes me smile. Perhaps I am mistaken, I cant imagine ever soldering with a potato, who even knew it was possible!

I glued the covers on and left it to dry. While I waited I made more rusty fixings for the outside cover and spine binding.Once these were glued on I punched holes in the spine so they were tags too.

 

If you have made it this far thanks for your paitence. If you explain the process it does make a long post.
I am entering this little book in  Mixed Media Monthly #48 challenge which is "Rust"

Also entering the Emerald Creek Challenge which is Rust  #ECMAY2018
Im joining in with Mini Album Makers Monthly Challenge