I had so much fun creating this page for the “Letters or Numbers or Both” theme over at Try it on Tuesday and the “Circles” theme over at Art Journal Journey. I chose the word “dream”, the grunge design and some of the colours from a sign that adorns my craft room wall.
This grunge look took sometime to create and it started with a mop up background of Red Cherry and Passion Fruit gelatos which I covered in a thin layer of white gesso to tone down the colours a little. I stencilled the clock and some numbers using two stencils by Craft Sensations and black Versafine Ink with a blending tool; I wasn’t very careful in applying the ink and didn’t mind the splodges of ink that formed around the edge of the stencil as it added to the grunge look. I applied black Papermania embossing powder over the top of the ink and then shook the excess powder onto a piece of scrap paper tapping the page against the table to make sure I’ve removed any stray powder. Once the excess powder was safely returned to its container, I used a heat gun to melt the embossing powder. I swept the gun over the images, taking care not to direct the heat in one area for too long until the embossing powder changed to a glossy finish becoming smooth and dimensional. Next I scribbled a Coconut Faber-Catell Gelato onto the page and I dipped my finger into some water and rubbed the gelato to smudge the colour. I removed the gelato that had gone over the embossed images straight away with a piece of kitchen towel returning them to a glossy finish. I added some small leftover pieces of torn black and white polka dot washi tape to the page and then I applied Pébéo modelling paste through a Shabby Harlequin stencil by Creative Expressions.
Once the paste had dried I used Dark Sepia, Sanguine and Cold Grey Faber-Castell Big Brush markers to add more colour to the modelling paste and the background; I did this by scribbling each marker onto an acrylic block, spritzing the block with water and then pressing and dragging it across the page. I then painted some white gesso onto the page using my finger. I applied a Snow Cone blue gelato to the pieces of washi tape and to the top of the modelling paste which highlighted the texture and shape wonderfully. Then I used the Dark Sepia marker to outline the stencilled shapes.
I drew the larger circles and shaded them using the blue gelato and edged them with white and black Uni Posca paint pens. I used the blue gelato again to add the smaller circles using a Dutch Doobadoo mask and when it had dried I added some detail to the edges using the Uni Posca paint pens. I used black Versafine ink to stencil cog shapes using a Viva Décor stencil and also stamp a circular postage mark using a stamp from The Works. Then I stamped a Kaisercraft Script stamp using Rich Cocoa Memento Ink. To add more depth of colour to the clock, cogs, circles and background around the modelling paste, I used Gold, Fawn, Desert and Chestnut Spectrum Aqua Markers by applying the ink to an acrylic block and using a wet paintbrush to pick up the ink and apply it to the page.
To finish, I added some circular and small cog shaped sequins using Glossy Accents, some 3D butterfly stickers from The Range and the letter buttons from Home Bargains to add the word “dream”.
Here’s the sign that is on the wall of my craft room, I love the sentiments it contains and to me it’s a wonderful reminder of how to live and enjoy life to the full! As you can see the design is a bit worn and grungy just like my page (grin!).
I often listen to music while I’m crafting and when I created this page a particular song by Elvis, called “If I Can Dream”, caught my imagination. Here’s a link to Elvis singing this song as part of his famous 1968 Black Leather Comeback Show – I love the lyrics:
Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.
Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:
- Pébéo White Gesso
- Tsukineko Versafine Ink (Onyx Black)
- Memento Ink (Rich Cocoa)
- Faber-Castell Gelatos (Coconut, Snow Cone)
- Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Dark Sepia 175 B, Sanguine 188 B, Cold Grey IV 233)
- Spectrum Aqua Artist Marker (Gold, Fawn, Desert, Chestnut)
- Uni Posca Paint Pen (White, Black)
- Papermania Embossing Powder (Black PMA4021006)
- Pébéo Modeling Paste (High Density)
- Kaisercraft Clear Stamps (Script CS752)
- The Works (Clear Stamps CR0274/TW3)
- Craft Sensations (Deco Stencil Set 154892)
- Creative Expressions Mini Stencils (Shabby Harlequin CEMSHARL)
- Duth Doobadoo Mask Art A5 (Geometric Tiles)
- Viva Décor Universal Stencil (Past Times 900270300)
- Poundland (Washi Tape)
- The Range (Craft Stickers ST5256)
- Home bargains Love Letters (Self Adhesive Letters 22738)
- Poundland (Assorted Sequins)
- Ranger Glossy Accents
What an incredible journal page. I love how you described the process right down to the descriptive adjectives that brought the process to life in my mind. Adding the photos added to the fun of seeing how you made this. I really liked the grungy look you got. You certainly achieved the look you were going for, but in a very controlled way. I would say this is a fabulous two-fer challenge wise, and a great journal page to add to your memories.
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Thank you, you say the most kind things! It was such a fun page and took some time to create with all the layers and waiting for elements to dry 😀. Thanks again and enjoy the rest of your week! J 😊
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Lovely page with a very pleasing colour combination. You have a great weekend, too. Hugs, Valerie
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Thank you Valerie! Happy Thursday and Happy Weekend! J 😊
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A fantastic page and a great post to enjoy as well
Thank you for joining us at Try it on Tuesday
Love Chrissie xx
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Thank you Chrissie! Its always a pleasure to join the TIOT team 😀. Hope you are having a good week and Happy Weekend! J 😊
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A wonderful rich journal page and even though you call it grungy – it is very elegant as well – a beautiful make – with fantastic layers and textures!
I am really happy you linked it to Try It On Tuesday and Art Journal Journey! We are happy about your wonderful support always!
A fantastic song as well that insoired you – and this sign makes a perfect deco on a craft room wall!
Happy weekend ahead dear Jo!
oxo Susi
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Thanks so much! I always have fun joining your challenges and it was a fun make too! Enjoy the rest of your week dear Susi and wishing you a Happy Weekend! J 😊
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Wow, your journal page is absolutely gorgeous.
Thank you so much for linking to ART JOURNAL JOURNEY
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Many thanks Rosie and a special thank you for hosting AJJ this month too, it was such a fun challenge 😀. Have a great week and weekend! J 😊
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I like the soft colors you chose for your page. Makes me think how one tries to remember a fragment of dream before it fades. Lovely
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Thanks so much, that’s such a lovely thing to say! I was trying to give the page a dreamlike quality 😀. Enjoy the rest of your week and Happy Weekend! J 😊
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It is an awesome page and I love how you always tell us how you create your pages.
I think we all learn patience as we wait to go to the next stage when we are creating a project.
I can see how you were inspired by by the hanging on your craftroom wall,it is a a good quote.
Thank you for adding this page to the Try it on Tuesdays theme, we are very happy to have you join us.
Yvonne xx
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Thanks very much Yvonne! I try to plan so I’m not kept waiting too long … lol 😁 … sometimes it gives me thinking time too … lol 😉. I enjoy joining in the challenges as Try it on Tuesday, all of your team are so supportive. Enjoy the rest of your week and wishing you a lovely weekend! J 😊
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This is a fab page Jo! I love the background!
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Thank you Alison! It was fun creating all that texture and blending the colours 😉. Enjoy the rest of the week and Happy Weekend! J 😊
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A super page, Jo! Great design and a fabulous combination of colours. Love the sign of your craft room… the sentiments are fantastic. Thank you for joining us at Try It On Tuesday. Mar x
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Thanks a lot! I have had the sign for many years and I still smile every time I see it 😀. Enjoy the rest of your week and Happy Weekend! J 😊
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Lovely page. The Elvis song is my favourite one of his. It’s kind of sad, but uplifting at the same time! It’s one that needs to be played loud and sung loudly too (when you’re on your own is best!!)
The page has some great layers and the colours are amazing too.
Dawn xx
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Thanks so much! It is a great song and the lyrics are beautiful 😀. It’s nice to meet you and thanks for stopping by to chat, Happy Friday and Weekend! J 😊
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A fabulous page Jo, love the soft grungy colours with all the lovely textures and the pops of orange on the butterflies. What a wonderful sign in your Craft room – lots of prompts there too.
Have a great weekend.
Avril xx
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Thanks very much Avril! It was fun creating all the texture and the butterflies finished the piece nicely 😀. Have a great weekend too! J 😊
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whoo love letters and numbers
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Thanks a lot 😀. Nice to meet you and wishing you a lovely weekend! J 😊
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This is a fantastic page – with a wonderful background and all the gorgeous details! And you have a wonderful sign in your craft room!
I am also a fan of Elvis – and now I was lost on youtube … 🙂
Happy new week! Rike x
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Thanks Rike! I know what you mean about YouTube, I got a bit carried away when I was looking for this song … lol … glad you found your way back … lol 😁. Have a happy week too! J 😊
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WOW! steampunky elements, butterflies – and elegance and grunge – this is right up my street Jo – and what a fabulous and positive quote too – a really great post – love it!
Hope your having a great weekend with some sunshine – not sure if you had heavy rain last week – we got off pretty light down here with just a little.
Gill xx.
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Thanks very much Gill! I thought you may like this one and it would have been perfect for your AJJ challenge 😀. We haven’t had too much rain and the weekend was lovely and sunny, it’s definately cooler though 😁. I was talking to family who live your way the other day and it seems to be hotter there, hope you get a respite soon. Have a great week! J 😊 x
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Pretty page!
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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind comments 😀 . Nice to meet you and wishing you a great week! J 😊
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Lovely with the perfect blend of grunge and femininity. I love the harlequin stencil in the background and how you outlined it.
What a great sentiment to hang on your wall and be frequently reminded of.
Kate
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Thank you Kate! The grungy look took sometime to complete but it was so much fun to create 😀. As always it’s so nice chatting with you! J 😊
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I missed too many inspirational projects, I’m playing catch up! absolute beauty, I love the harmony of your colours, all the elements and of course the sentiment 🙂 Happy weekend!
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Thanks, that’s kind of you and I’m glad you stopped by, it’s always nice chatting with you 😀. Wishing you a Happy Weekend too! J 😊
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