Thursday, September 06, 2012

Sew This Is An Art Journal

Last summer, I took a class from Marion Smith from Prima, who took a regular manila folder and transformed it into a mini book cover with really cool strung in pages. I wanted to make my own mini Art Journal using this type of cover, so I used her idea of the manila folder to make an Art Journal cover but  instead using the Faux Leather Technique, and using a ring binder so I could take the pages out for easier art journaling. 
I trimmed the manila folder 6 inches wide the whole length of the folder. I'll use the other part for something else.
I stained the manila with Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain Distress Stains.
I stamped a plethora of Stamper's Anonymous sewing images of Tim and Wendy's, and a border from the new Classic #3 set in either Jet Black or Coffee Archival, using some of techniques Tim showed in his video the other day at the Simon Says Stamp Blog for Stamptember Fest. That extra long sentence qualifies this for the Everything Wendy Vecchi Yahoo Group Making Art Challenge #50...phew!
I flipped it over and liberally sprayed the back with Ranger Inkssentials Ink Refresher, and massaged it in until the paper became very pliable.
I waded it all up very carefully so I wouldn't rip it, and allowed it dry for a while.
I ran Rusty Hinge Distress Ink directly over the top of the paper (now a journal cover) to highlight the wrinkles made. I then gave it a little blast with the Heat Tool.
I cut a strip of Grunge Board 1 1/2 x 6 inches. I adhered the button printed paper from Idea-ology onto the Grunge, and inked the edges with Rusty Hinge. Then I attached the Large Ring Binder from Idea-ology as well to it.
I flipped the journal cover over and placed the ring binder right next to the fold in the middle of the cover. I drew a line on the other side of the ring binder. I then removed the ring binder and drew dotted lines down the middle of the of the drawn line and fold. This is the spine of the journal. I used the rest of the button paper and cut it in half making 6 inch wide strips.
I adhered the strips of paper to the journal, one on each side of the dotted line. I trimmed the button paper so it was now the same shape as the journal cover.
I placed the ring binder right in the middle where the papers were adhered, one side being on the fold that was originally there, and gave both sides a good crease. I removed the binder and then stitched around the edge of the whole cover.  My machine did not like the glue I think, because it often stopped moving from stitch to stitch and jammed a few times. This made the stitching very jagged and heavy on some spots. I was not happy, but you can only notice it on the inside. It's not a gift, so I will live with it.
I adhered the ring binder between the creases, and gave everything a good inking with Rusty Hinge.
I die cut the shapes from the Sizzix Tim Holtz Sewing Room Bigz Die using Grunge Board.
I stained them with Vintage Photo Distress Stain and inked the edges with Rusty Hinge. I adhered pattern tissue to the dress form, added twine around the spool, and inked the button. The dress form also got Tissue Wrapped wings and embellishments.
The side of the journal that was 2 1/2 inches longer was creased at 6 inches and again at 7 inches from the spine to make the closure flap of the journal. I stitched a button on the front with the twine while stitching the Grunge one onto the back at the same time to cover the stitches, also leaving about 18 inches of twine to wrap around the journal.
I cut several strips of good weighted ivory cardstock 6x10 inches, folded each strip in half, punched holes to line up with the ring binder and placed them into the journal for my blank pages to create on.
I added the die cuts, wings, Prima stamped flowers, sewing machine Blossom Bucket, and title piece to the front of the journal.
I am entering this into Simon Says Stamp & Show's challenge of "Read All About It", and Sunday Stamper's challenge of "Stamped Flowers".

Supplies:
From My Stash: regular manila folder, pattern tissue paper, Recollections Flower Bling Brads, brooch given to me from Marion


I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!



36 comments:

  1. Wonderful work, i love it!!!!!! Very very very creative!Barbarayaya

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  2. A really eautifu piece, I love the sewing theme, the colours and embellusnents are stunning! A really beautiful make! Trace x

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  3. ...WOWzers Anita!!...this is awesome!! I LOVE it!...great step-by-step, loVe your paper choice on the inside all those gorgeous buttons so in keeping with the theme, so much work & detail on the front, a real delicious feast for our eyes...thank you Anita for so much inspiration, you are so creative...Melxx :)

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  4. Anita this is just fabulous I'm running out of words for your projects, you are a very talented lady x

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  5. Wow, Anita this is absolutely beautiful AND you share how it was made! So glad I popped by and found this as I have some folders from my husband which I've been wanting to do something with but you know how it is. . . . .
    Your gorgeous textural piece has inspired me to have a go.
    Thank you so much.
    Juliaxx

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  6. What an amazing artpiece...I enjoyed the pictures of the journey Anita! Gorgeous results!!!

    greetings, Alie :-)

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  7. Just fantastic, I really love this album. Thanks for showing all the photos.

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  8. Fabilicious creation Anita, those colours are so me.... THanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x

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  9. Wow! 11 out of 10 for this one! This is just gorgeous! Deffo my new fave of your projects. That step by step is perfect too, you are really good at those. You really are very talented you know! By the way, your blog makeover is gorgeous xx

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  10. Hi Anita, I am with Anna on the 11 out of 10 for this truly amazing and inspiring piece. You do the faux leather technique so well and I love that you made the binder from scratch too. Fab papers and love that sewing machine, I have one but don't want to use it, just keep looking at it! Brilliant job. Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  11. Wow This is an absolutely stunning Book cover Anita.You are really a verry talented Lady.
    Greetings
    Felicie

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  12. Hi Anita, beautiful creation. Love the faux leather and thecwholecidea is fabulous. Live the dress firm and wings and the art embellishment is stunning. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

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  13. Drives me mad when it changes my text. That is supposed to say love the faux leather and the whole idea is fabulous lol. Tracy x x

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  14. What a stunning stunning piece!!! I love all of your detail!!!

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  15. this is stunning!
    LOVE it...
    think I'l go share it on Pinterest!

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  16. Love this, Anita!! And, as I'm creating (fingers crossed!) a travel art journal this weekend, perfect timing! Thank you so much for sharing all of this!

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  17. Anita...LOVE this! Way cool idea and wonderful tutorial! You always have such cool attention to detail and this journal is a perfect example of that! Love your design and all of your wonderful distressing! Thanks for sharing your work with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

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  18. And sew it is and gorgeously cool at that! Love this, Anita! Have a great weekend!

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  19. Oooooh, that's one stunning book, hon! LOVE all your cover embellies and the papers you chose for the inside are just perfect. Best use of that ring binder mechanism I've ever seen! Absolutely beautiful!

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  20. That is SEW lovely!!!! I am going to make notes and see what trouble I can get into recreating one for my self but a different theme. Thank you!!!

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  21. I love it. Wish i could find how and where to buy Prima products and classes.

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  22. Absolutely outstanding! That really is an Art Journal... Thank you so much for all the detailed pictures and descriptions of your process, technical and creative - this is a really great post as well as a truly gorgeous piece of work! Thank you for all the amazing inspiration you keep providing.
    Alison x

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  23. Wonderful and so creative! The ring binder thing is an amazing idea. You rock, as usual.

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  24. Wow Anita, I want this folder! :) You did amazing work!!!

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  25. OMG!!! Where do I start?! Just unbelievably stunning. THE best use of a manilla flower I have ever seen. Hugs, Buttons x

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  26. So beautiful!!! Don't know what's happened to my FeedBurner sub, I used to get an email each time you posted, but now I'm getting one email with about a dozen of your posts. Got to work out how to fix it, don't like missing out!

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  27. Whaaaaaaat? What as in HOLY CRUD this is AWESOME, not What as in huh? LOL
    Anita, this is sooo groovy. My son would flip over the vintage sewing machine. He collects them to use on his homemade 'creatures.' LOOOVE what you've done on this binder, it's fantastic and the textures just scream awesomeness to me! I could just pet it all day. That's not supposed to sound as weird as it does...LOL!
    hugs
    lisa xx

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  28. Oh my, what a beautiful art journal! Very clever idea to make a binder! LOVE it! Hugs, Sandra

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  29. oops, almost forgot: Thank you so much for joining us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Hugs, Sandra

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  30. You leave me speechless over and over again. This art folder is not only genius in design, it is drop dead gorgeous. You put so much detail and artistry into everything you do...I love your step by step tutorials. I appreciate the way ou share your creative process with us. Amazing finished product. Amazing artist! Thank you!

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  31. Wow, this is SEW cool! lol! Fantastic work! Thanks so much for joining the MAC!!!

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  32. Oh so beautiful! And what a great tutorial. Thanks!

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