I was so inspired by Astrid’s Tissue Paper challenge over at A Vintage Journey that I created another page; there is still another week to join in the fun, it would be lovely to see you there!
This time I collaged tissue paper to create the background and distressed it, then added a beautiful butterfly and some motivational wording; I hope you like the shabby chic style that resulted.
The background is made of pieces of tissue Patch Paper collaged together using a glue stick and matte gel medium. Once dry I applied some white gesso over the top using a palette knife and then created a worn look by adding: some Coconut and Caramel Faber-Castell Gelatos smudging the colour with my finger; Cold Grey Faber-Castell Big Brush marker which again I smudged using my finger; and finally some Frayed Burlap Distress Ink which I applied using a blending tool. Then I stamped a Tiny Dot stamp from Kaisercraft using the Frayed Burlap ink and also some black Archival Ink. For the butterfly, I chose a large pre-cut butterfly and heat embossed the edges of its wings and also its body using Versamark ink and black embossing powder. It is attached to the page using double-sided tape in the centre and also double-sided foam tape for the wings. The words are Small Talk stickers from Tim Holtz and read “you are capable of becoming more than you realise”, “believe in yourself” and “with brave wings she flies”. They are all outlined using a black marker and using the same marker I drew two antennae on the butterfly which finished the page.
This page seemed to create itself and I think I was channelling butterflies as our friend that we walk with every week went on a Butterfly Tour last week, around the UK, looking for rare butterflies. When she was telling us about the Large Blue it reminded me of my page and as she is an exceptional photographer she kindly shared her photos with me which I’m pleased to be able to share with you too. This is a Large Blue which became extinct in 1979 and is being reintroduced to some areas of the UK.
Here’s some more of her amazing photos, this one is a Painted Lady …
… this is a Heath Fritillary …
… then there is a Marbled White …
… and finally a Brown Argus – I so enjoyed looking at the photos as I haven’t seen many of these butterflies before, so thanks very much K (grin!).
Thanks for joining me today! If you have any questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.
Challenges
I’m pleased to join the lovely Halle of Halle’s Hobbies and her Words to live by challenge over at Art Journal Journey with my “Believe in yourself” page.
I’m joining in the It’s a Bugs Life challenge over at Country View Challenges with my butterfly art journal page.
I’m happy to join the Spots and/or Stripes challenge over at Paperbabe Stamps with the dots I added to the background of my page.
I’m also joining Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge and their Anything Goes challenge too.
Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:
- Poundworld (Patch Paper DS9454)
- Pébéo White Gesso
- Faber-Castell Gelato (Coconut, Caramel)
- Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artist pen (Cold Grey IV 233, Black 199)
- Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Frayed Burlap)
- Kaisercraft clear stamp (Tiny Dot CS360)
- Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
- Derwent Graphik Line Marker (Black 0.08mm)
- Tsukineko Versafine Ink (Onyx Black)
- Papermania Embossing Powder (Black PMA4021006)
- The Works (Make your own 3D Butterflies)
- Tim Holtz idea-ology stickers (Small Talk #TH93193)
- Pritt SticK
- Liquitex Matte Gel Medium
- Stix2 double-sided tape
- The Range double-sided foam tape