Seth Apter Mini Book

This week I have been working on a tiny book. I joined in with an online workshop with Seth Apter.  With the current situation so many classes are now online. living somewhere without local craft shops and venues offering bookbinding and other paper craft workshops this is one positive effect of the virus. Opened up possibilities for me. Nothing is all bad. It is strange learning online but it is good to make something new.

I have made books before but the binding system was new to me and Seth is amazing at loosening up your inhibitions and encouraging experimentation. His class was very reasonable and he is such a gentle and clear teacher. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the two hours sped by. I have enjoyed collaging lots of tiny pieces onto the pages. I have used lots of tags, cards and backgrounds that 'failed' now these torn into tiny pieces are proving treasures and can shine in their new life.

I made an effort to use papers that I tend to hoard. The endpapers are old Graphic 45 Nature Sketchbook paper. There are some tiny snippets of Stamperia paper too. I bought it ages ago and have not used any.  I also used paper from 7 Gypsies Mariner paper. This book is only 2.5 inches square so it is easy to find places for lots of small scraps.

I also cut into my rub ons (Tim Holtz Idea-ology 'Remnant') I also tore up a beautiful illustration from an old dictionary or encyclopedia. it had illustrations of birds eggs in lovely subdued colours complete with fig numbers. I am not sure what is so satisfying about fig. nos. but I know I am not alone in being drawn to them I think I must have at least 5 stamp sets with them in.

 I used Izink Ice by Seth Apter, that golden colour is it. It is translucent gel like paint. Very satisfying to use. Its in a bag like cake frosting and you can put it on with a spatula. it drys really quickly and goes on easily over everything so its great to use on collages to pull elements together. I tried to play with some mark making and stamped  pieces of text or patterns to add details over the layers. It is very mediative making abstract work without a set outcome in mind.

I even managed to use some postage stamps. I have hundreds of them but I hardly ever think of using them. There is some gold embossing powder scattered throughout. I have been drawn away from my favorites
by Tim Holt's new glazes and all the techniques from his weekly demos but I had a lovely time drizzling and dipping into gold,  Rangers Antiquities - verdigris and Seth Apter's Baked Textures (Beeswax and Aegean sea).

That amazing bright green is more Izink Ice it really does look jewel like. Ive a tiny piece of one of my favorite tapes here too from Tim Holtz Design Tape - Remnants.

On some pages I ran some paper through the big shot to emboss it to add even more texture. I love the look of the gold embossed torn edge
on this page.

The final page and endpaper. I took my time and enjoyed each page. I am probably going to go straight on to making another one now this is finished. If you are interested in the workshop I will put a link to Seth Apter's page. I think it will be available soon or maybe even now.

Here is the spine, heavenly embossed in all the colours above.

The back cover (left) and front (right) The front was actually my first page but I decided the beeswax embossing made it to stiff so I used it as a cover and made another page for inside.

It is an age since I made a book so I am linking up with Mini album makers for their June Challenge.

As I have used up all my old background papers I am linking up with Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Somewhere else I have not been for a while. They are challenging us to make your own background.

Thank you for visiting hope you are staying safe and well and enjoying your creative time.

Circus Art Blocks

I made lots of these sets of picture blocks for gifts over the last few years but these ones were made for myself. Like lots of the things I make they are nearly always given away. I am going to try and make more things that can decorate our own house this year.

 

 

These are like children's puzzle blocks they look great and use up those lovely scraps of paper. Each side gives you a chance to really appreciate the detail on papers. These blocks use paper from Le Cirque paper an old Graphic 45 collection. They look great as complete pictures or randomly arranged, the trapeze lady is my favorite side.

The blocks are recycled from old chair legs by my husband and the edges are finished with Tim Holtz crackle paint in antique linen. I have a few old tubs I am trying to use up before they go completely solid. These blocks are a favorite with all my visiting nephews and nieces.

Graphic 45 birthday card

Who doesnt love these papers. I used the By the Sea Collection to make a birthday card for my Mum.

Graphic 45 Album

Album using Graphic 45 papers from the Artisan Style and By the Sea paper collections. This album was made for keeping pictures of my Dad who we lost recently. I made the album for my Mum. As she gets a bit confused I have kept to a very simple clear structure for the pages with just a few flaps and easy to spot pockets.

I think my favorite part of the album is this little book which holds some of his old passport photos.

I have tried to use papers that have meaning for my mum and Dad. As they live by the sea I have added some paper from the “By the Sea” collection.

My parents have lived in Spain for years, the houses on this paper remind me of Barcelona they look bright and sunny and very European.

I love that graphic45 make coordinating stamps for the paper. The sets for this collection (Artisan Style) are gorgeous and I have used lots of stamping on plain coloured cardstock to make photo mats and decorate the pages.

I could not resist turning the doors into a little photo spot. I have also used stamps to add paint brushes and music as Dad played the Guitar and painted all his life. He also wrote and loved books so pens and books appear throughout. He was a colourful character who lived a full and creative life and the bright rich colours of G45 paper reflect this. I am entering this in the Mini Album Makers Challenge for March. https://minialbummakers.blogspot.co.uk/

Returning to blogging

Its been nearly 5 years since my last blog. Ive moved back to Ireland. I have been crafting since then but not posting. I was in a studio outside the house for a couple of years but I am back home in a lovely attic studio so I can craft anytime day or night and even in my pjs! I can also have the company of my cats again. I got a new kitten for my birthday last year who loves to sleep in the studio. the one who was hit by a car in Oz returned with us and sometimes visits me in the attic too.

My new cat "Sweetie" is the small fluffy one who actually fits into the basket! I have neglected my blog for the last few years but I am going to put some life back in my blog by posting images of the things I have been making since I moved into my new studio.

This is the image Ive used in my new banner. Made while playing with distress inks and paperartsy infusions making cards. I love Graphic 45 stamps but they seem to have given up on them. This mermaid is one of my favorite stamps.