Who I am becoming ~ an eP art journalling page

Today I decided to play in a smaller art journal, a moleskine that is 3.5" x 5.5". I thought it would be fun to try thissmaller size and the stamp I wanted to include suited this format so well. I began by adhering the two pages from the spread to their neighbouring pages with matte medium since this is just a sketchbook with thin pages. I applied white gesso over the two adjoining pages and allowed it to dry thoroughly. Next I scribbled three shades of brown and three shades of orange Neocolor II crayons over the pages and activated the colour with a wet brush. At this point, the one page ripped out so it was washi tape to the rescue on the front and masking tape on the back to reinsert it and strengthen the seam. A little white gesso on a finger knocked back the colour and design of the washi tape to help it blend into the background. Gelatos (Chocolate, Butterscotch, Mango and Tangerine) were added to both pages to deepen the colours and add another layer. A damp finger spreads and blends the colour beautifully

 Torn pieces of a BoBunny ETC 6x6 page were edged with Vintage Photo Distress ink and adhered to the background with matte medium which was also brushed over the top of the pages. This was important for the next step which was shading next to them with Walnut Brown Big Brush pen. By adding the matte medium over the top of the designer paper, it gave me a little open time before it dried to smudge the Big Brush pen and create a softer and grungier look.

Out came the stencils! I used Vintage Photo Distress ink and an applicator tool over the TH Layering stencils, Measured and Burlap. Oh my, I love these two patterns. Then I took Aged Mahogany Distress ink and applied it over two of the patterns on TCW's Well Rounded stencil, followed by white gesso through the same stencil, different pattern. I was in stencil heaven :)

Crafty Individual's Imagine Child was stamped onto a manilla tag using Versamark and then sprinkled with Ranger Rust Antiquities embossing powder and heat set. This powder is so cool...it looks like sandpaper once embossed. It has several shades in it and comes out bumpy and textured which I wanted since it wouldn't be coloured. I fussy cut the image which happens to already be in a smaller tag shape. The tag was then matted on dark brown textured cardstock and the hole was punched through both layers. A torn strip of muslin was used for the tag topper. The tag was adhered to the background over a piece of cheesecloth, using foam tape.

The sentiment was computer generated and matted with the same dark brown cardstock to help it become  more visible. Doodling with a sepia Micron pen was done around the words and around both pages. Dark brown primitive stars were punched and adhered to the right page to add weight and contrast to the page and also draw attention to the sentiment. White gel pen dots were added to each star. A punched border was adhered to the opposite page for balance and to bring the dark brown colour to that side. Again white dots were added. The final touch was the game spinner and brad which were adhered below the image both to underline it and to point to the part of the sentiment I wanted to emphasize.

I truly enjoyed creating these pages. Love the Imagine child's sweet face, my new stencils, and working in this small size journal...and all without using black which is very rare for me.  A good time was had here, let me tell you. Thanks for dropping by today. I always appreciate your company and your comments. Imagine child did, too. She just gets distracted with all that imagining.

I am entering this project in the following challenges:
Creative Corner Challenge ~ #42 Can't Touch This (add texture)
Crafty Hands ~ #1 Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz Challenge ~ #43 Anything But Cards
Paper Crafting Journey ~ Anything Goes
Crafting For All Seasons ~ #64 Autumn Colours

Life is good; so is art.
Bonnie

These thumbnails will lead you to the eclectic Paperie store to check out some of the products I used:

Claudine Hellmuth Studio-Multi-Medium Matte	Liquitex Acrylic Gesso	Faber Castell - Gelatos - Neutral Colors	Faber Castell - Gelatos - Yellow Colors
Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo	Distress Ink Pad - Aged Mahogany	Faber Castell - Big Brush Pens - Neutral	Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Measured
Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Burlap	TCW - 6x6 Well Rounded Stencil	Crafty Individuals - Imagine Child	Uni-Ball White Gel Pen