I love nothing better than to relax and unwind by making card `fronts' for my art journal and getting inky. There is something very liberating about playing with ink, stamps, sprays, stencils etc, knowing that it doesn't have to end up being a card.
I love flicking through my art journal for ideas and reminders. I often copy a panel to make a card. I find duplicating my own work is very relaxing, it is also a great way to kick start your mojo when she goes on holidays without you!
The other thing I love to do is watch birds, not the serious type of bird watching where you hide and can't talk....like that would work for me LOL. We have a family of magpies visiting us daily, they come for food and a bath - soooo cute.
Now about the glossy photo paper panels. Start by spraying a blue Distress Spray Stain (bird panel) / a green Dylsuions Ink Spray (grunge panel) onto aluminium foil then squirt on Ironing Spray starch. Dunk the photo paper into the puddles. I am not sure if it is the photo paper or the ironing spray, but it dries instantly.
All of the other colours, stencilling and stamping was done with Distress Ink using the Smack & Squirt technique - smack distress ink pad onto al foil, squirt on water and using a foam blending tool, scrub the inky water onto the panel. If I did all this stenciling taking ink directly from the ink pad, I would still be here making it.
A little bit of Dylsuions white paint was stenciled on using my finger. The white ghost like flowers on the bird panel is Picket Fence Distress ink- good thing this isn't a card - the stuff wipes off even after I heat set it - I will have to read up on how to use it.
I doodled a double border using a fine micron pen. The finer the nib, the easier it is to doodle borders.
Note:
Ironing Spray: I don't know why, but ironing spray is not as wet as water, it's great to use as it dilutes the Distress Spray Stain and Dylusions ink stain without diluting the intensity of colour. The `spread pattern' is also different to water. I haven't tried it with Distress Ink yet, just the spray stains/inks.
Robin did a fabulous DTGD challenge using spray starch and plastic wrap. Robin's card is found here along with links to the tutorial.
Thank you for looking, I hope you all have a happy, inky week.
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2016 GMT Views: 1214
Favorited:15
Accessories: Memory Box floral stencil, TH stencils, StencilGirlProducts.com long legged bird stencils, Prima grunge stamp, Darkroom Door (spikey flowers and white flower), Hero Arts dotty stamp, Dylusions ink spray and Distress inks and stain, Ironing spray, Dylusion
Registered: May 23, 2009 Location: sunny california Posts: 9825
Thu, Nov 17, 2016 @ 8:28 PM
I would find it so enjoyable and relaxing to sit with your journal and just look through the pages. These two pages are gorgeous...those blues with the bits of white are so pretty. It has such a calm, refreshing feel.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Favorites Team Notifier Splitcoast Challenge Hostess
Registered: October 26, 2009 Location: Oakhurst, near Yosemite Nat'l Park. Posts: 46821
Thu, Nov 17, 2016 @ 9:10 PM
Your journal pages are so beautiful and I sure wish I had thought of that...years ago! I forget what I did last month let alone a year ago! Dang!
I love your bgs and that bit of white "finger" painting! Your birds are really cool and your other page is so colorful...love them both!Thank you for being on the team and for making beautiful samples!
My sistah from anudder mudder!
------------------------------ Blessings, Robin Encourage one anotherMy Blog-InkMagination , QFTD201,Dirty Dozen Alumni.Impression Obsession DT, ECraftDesigns DT, Formerly HC DT, ODBD DT, DRS DT
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Host Proud Fan Club Member
Registered: April 11, 2016 Location: Posts: 30054
Thu, Nov 17, 2016 @ 9:39 PM
Susie, you've done it again. Just beautiful. I also would love to sit and just lose myself in your art journals. I bet they are fabulous. Love the doodling and tips using ironing spray.....do people still iron? Lol. My hubby does ours. My pet hate. Happy Friday. Jx
------------------------------ The Difference Between Try and Triumph Is Just A Little Ump Wednesday: Alpha Challenge
Thursday: Ways To Use It Challenge
Monthly: MMJ Challenge….get inky and have fun
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 132012
Thu, Nov 17, 2016 @ 11:01 PM
Fabulous rich colours, Susie, as beautiful as always. I wish I could come and look through your art journal - as well as visiting the little penguins. The dandelion head In the bird picture is so realistic looking, as if it would blow away if you puffed on it. I like both types of bird-watching, but your type is definitely the more relaxing fun sort. And DH isn't good at being quiet for the other sort, he's always breaking into song and he walks more loudly than I do, LOL.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: June 3, 2016 Location: France Posts: 60538
Thu, Nov 17, 2016 @ 11:19 PM
wonderful pages Susie love the design deep warm colors and watching birds can be very zen but not those who come on my windows and pick with their beaks holes into our mosquito boards, the already ate 3 new ones grrrrr that doesn't relax me...but watching all the beautiful cards here that is relaxing, and reading all the nice comments people leave that's just fabulous
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: January 19, 2014 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 91162
Fri, Nov 18, 2016 @ 2:55 AM
Super stunning journal pages Miss Susie. I can't imagine your mojo goes on holiday without you as you always have such stunning cards and creative ideas. My DH's grandma had a large window in her kitchen and she had bird feeders in the window with many wonderful birds visiting for a snack. It was wonderful watching the birds that came for a visit. Super stunning journal pages to incorporate your love of getting inky and watching birds.
Registered: February 22, 2012 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 43340
Fri, Nov 18, 2016 @ 4:48 AM
Two GORGEOUS pages!!! Your art is beautiful, rich and so artistic - you have an amazing imagination for writing and art. Like so many others, I would luv to sit with you and stroll through your art journal.
------------------------------ Priscilla (aka - PJ)
QFTD187 My Gallery
Registered: July 12, 2005 Location: Hugging a golden and stamping' in PA Posts: 21216
Fri, Nov 18, 2016 @ 4:53 AM
Your journal pages are gorgeous, Susie! The colors are so vibrant and the pops of white so striking against the background. What an exceptional eye for design and color you have!