The E-Team has a new challenge from Daisy this coming year. Today is the first in a series where we will be journaling, inspired by quotes that Daisy sends us each month . . . “Inspired by Words.” We also have a new set monthly date for our Blog Hops, the fourth Wednesday of each month . . . mark your calendars now because we are also asking you, our readers, to take part in the journaling with us. There’s more than one reason for this, the first being we are curious as to what you are up to, but also we will be picking some Guest Designers from the entries. Daisy will have more about this on the eP Blog and on the eP Facebook Page, but here is what I know:
Follow the hop to each member of The E-Team and leave a comment for a chance to win a $25 eP Gift Certificate. Comments can be left from tomorrow until Sunday, April 29th. Winners of $25 GC will post on Monday.
Play along with us by posting a picture of your journal cover on the eP Blog by Friday, May 4th, and you will have a chance to be one of two Guest Designers with The E-Team next month!
The E-Team:
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Now for my journals. YES, I said journals. The first one I want to show you is the original one I made, giving great thought to how I wanted the journal to work for me. I made up my mind that I did NOT want a spiral-bound journal like I kept finding the in the stores. First, I did not want to have to work around the wires when I was making a project . . . SO I purchased a Canson Mixed Media Pad and started from there. The paper is double-sided, one side smooth and the other side with texture. It is also 96lb weight which I wanted for working with water. I removed the back cardboard from the pad and used that for my journal covers, cutting it in half and covering it with some favorite Graphic 45 paper from Olde Curiosity Shoppe.
Have you figured out yet that my continued use of the heart and three flowers is actually a take on the boots in my blog banner? I actually have my uncle’s cowboy boots and plan on decorating one like those above when I have some spare time. In the meantime, I keep using the heart and flowers in my project work. The heart is from Studio 490 Art Parts – Dress Forms and More.
The stamping on the heart is with the background from It’s More Flower Art. The flowers die cut from Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante Collection were made with Spellbinders™ Grand Peony and Rose Creations.
Now I know you are looking at the cover thinking . . . BUT it’s spiral bound! Yes, but once you open it, this is what is there.
Strips cut from the edge of the paper, that have been punched and bound with the covers. The remaining paper is trimmed to fit in the journal and scored off center for a fold, so that I can tape and/or glue the paper in the journal once it’s done to the strip in the book. This way, I can work on a single sheet of paper without messing up the entire book while I work and have the freedom to move around the entire page. See that mess of shimmer on the right hand side. That’s left over shimmer spray from the front of a stencil used on the front. I just turned it over and smacked it down to dry off the stencil.
In the above picture you can see the shimmer on the front cover and the outline of the flourish stencil used.
The close-up above shows the Studio 490 sentiment from I Am My Art that I so love. It’s die cut/embossed with Office Supplies from Spellbinders. The sticker holding the sentiment to the inside cover is made with the Blackola sticker from Studio 490 For the Arts. It was stamped in archival Jet Black ink onto a mailing label, colored with Stormy Sky Distress Ink and then die cut out with Classic Circles. Just peel the backing off and I had a sticker! Can you see where I dropped the lined background stamp after everything was done . . . I left it thinking it added some character to the page!
Now I have to admit that after I looked at this journal cover for a few days, I was a little upset with myself. It looks just like everything I’ve done for the past year and definitely did not stretch my creativity. . . well except for trying to decide on what paper to use for the flowers. So while I was out running errands yesterday morning, I found the below journal at Hobby Lobby. It is exactly what I was wanting in the first place, bound with no wires.
Here’s the thing! Today is my last day with the Graphic 45 Design Team. They actually are giving me a farewell today on the Graphic 45 Blog, showcasing some of their favorites of my work I’ve done for them this year. Since my year has come to an end and I’m ready to move in another direction and take a new path, I had to make another journal. This will be my “MESSY” journal! One I won’t mind if the other clean pages get covered in a little ink and one that I can explore new directions in.
There was one piece of Sticky-Back Canvas in my drawer of stash, that could be trimmed down to the first the outside cover. It was misted with water, covered in Tumbled Glass and Picket Fence Distress Stains, then misted with more water and dried. Now I have to tell you . . . if you decide to use this canvas, tear away the backing and just stick it to your craft sheet. With it stuck down, the edges won’t curl up on you and it won’t move around the craft sheet.
There’s lots of background stamping, sea sponging and over-stamping going on.
The leaf from Studio 490 Nature’s Art were stamped repeatedly across the top in Olive Archival Ink. The white dots were made with the Picket Fence Distress Marker and then the leaves were outlined with a black artists’ pen. When you first work with the Picket Fence marker, the white does not show up . . . but once it dries . . . it’s like magic!
I drew the heart free-hand with pencil, covered the area with water and then dotted the Fired Brick Distress Stain in the middle. I love they way the stain bled out to the edges (you can barely see the feathering in the photo). It needed a little something, so the white marker was added, then still needing that extra touch the black outlines were added. For the finishing touch Specimen #1 from Art in Bloom was added in the center.
The bottom sentiment is from I Am My Art (there’s that set again), stamped in Archival Jet Black. A bit of crazy stitching around the edges and the canvas was ready for the front of the journal.
Since this journal is bound, I will have side-by-side pages to work on, if I so choose.
This layout is great for messy stamping, smashing the pages together, and just all around inky fun . . . the kind where your fingers are covered in ink and you have to wash your hair to get all the ink off! YES, before the Ranger Craft scrubbie it was shampoo to get all that distress ink off!
Well, that’s it for me . . . two art journals done in two different ways, for two different reasons! I guess it will depend on my mood and the WORDS that Daisy gives us on which one I use. Hell who knows, I may never use one of them at all!
Thanks for stopping by today, and don’t forget . . . visit the other members of The E-Team to see their journals and don’t forget to leave them a comment. I sure hope you decide to play along with us because as some of you who email me your projects know . . . I LOVE to see what you make!
I’m hopping over to the Graphic 45 Blog now to see which of my projects were their favorites . . . you can join me too! It will be fun! An aside note: this by no means is any indication that I will quit using Graphic 45 papers and other products. Heck I LOVE the new Halloween collection and have already made plans to order it when it is released!
Spiral Bound Journal Supplies:
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Canvas Journal Supplies:
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Totally Awesome! I love the page idea and will be trying that out soon.
Great job on the journals; the spiral is my favorite!
As always, super ideas. Swore I wasn’t going to buy a binder, but will definitely think about it now.
Great collage of stamps on the cover.
Two wonderful journals and so very different. Great job, Sherry.
wow your creation is awesome i wish i can be so talented . congrats
these are both wonderful! I love the idea with the spiral bound, but adding in the pages. VERY clever!!! The way you used the canvas and decorated it is great too. Love the tip to stick it to the craft sheet.
Oh Sherry…above and beyond once again. Love the first journal and your great idea for the single sheets. Your creativity on the “messy” journal has great color and will be wonderful for doodles, notes and just being messy!!!! ( which is mostly my handwriting!) Thanks for the fun and the motovation to get me going on a long time idea.
Love both journals. That Sticky Back Canvas creation you adhered on your 2nd journal is simply artful. Can’t wait to see what goes in those blank pages.
Fab journals Sherry! Love the collage and added elements to the top one!
Gonna miss you on G45…but change is good, right?
The engineering in the first journal is pure genius….and the design/art on the second journal is a signpost of new directions for you. And I love them both!
I love the idea of the strips of paper to add the pages to. It is a very creative solution to the disadvantages of working in an art journal that you mentioned. Both of the covers are very pretty, yet each a completely different artistic approach while still having a heart theme. Thanks for the inspiration.
Love your journals as I do all of your work. You are fantastic – I have followed your blog and your creations for some time. Keep up your great work.
Stunning creativity going on here! Both are gorgeous!
Great journals you have got started there. Wow, where do you find the time! Of course you added your signature gorgie flowers to the front. Nobody makes them like you.
I love both of them! What fun to have 2 new journals to work in.
I love this earthy tone cover…so perfect for some precious memory journal.
Sherry, I am so sad that you are leaving the G45 Design Team because I always loved what you created and looked forward to your next creation. I am sooo excited for your next adventure(s). I absolutely love the journals and I hope there will be lots more journaling posts in the future. Your blog is always a “must look” on my daily route through cyberspace. Thanks for all your creativity.
Wow! I just love both journals, you flowers are great, thank you for sharing them.
I love both your journals!! (You can send either one to me! :0)) On the first one, all your embellishments are so creative – especially the door knob! On the second the texture of the sticky back canvas plus the colors you used are really interesting.
Love the loose page idea.
Love your journals, I love the details… and those flowers…AWESOME!
Almost makes me want to do one LOL !
These are both just fabulous, Sherry! The first one shows such a creative way to assemble it! And I love your signature heart/flowers! But the second one is such a fresh and new direction for you, and I think I’m REALLY gonna love that direction!!
I am soooo impressed with both of your journals. Great idea on the first one to be able to work on the pages and then attach them in the journal. Love the colors used for both journals.
Oh Sherry!! I love both of those! I like that you can add pages to the first one and for the second one you can just smooosh stuff around! Great books!
Love both journals–especially the first one with the doorknob!!!!!
Love the ideas! The spiral bound format is great and lots of cool details on the cover! Love the sticky back canvas on the other cover too! Great texture!
DeniseB
Fabulous journals both! LOVE the fabric of the 2nd and the page idea in the first is just brilliant! Looking forward to seeing more!
The are both great! I’m glad you didn’t make me pick a favorite!
I work in different journals, too, and I bet you will be really glad you made that second one. Love your different styles.
Sherry-
I was over at G45 and realized a lot of my favorite projects from the last year were yours. How exciting to be heading in a new direction with journaling; I am still trying to figure out where the right journal is. I know, what an excuse, huh? I finally broke down and bought a spiral bound book…we’ll see. I look forward to seeing what you, Marjie and the others create in this new venture. Enjoy.
Cool beans — on both of them since I like your “old” style anyway! I love the door knob too.
love both journals! great job (as always)
wow!!!!!!!!!! awesome journals and make me want to run home now and get started. I have one of those door knobs I got in a box of goodies from May Arts Ribbon and didn’t know what to do with it well now you’ve showed me an awesome way thanks so much looking forward to this hop!!!!
Great cover! Love all the embellies! Thanx for sharing
WOW! Two covers! I appreciate your idea of converting a spiral bound journal into a folded page journal. You are a genius! I also love your soft blu cover very much. The bleeding of the red stain on the canvas is fabulous! Great work!
What a great journal. So original and clever. Iris
Seeing the different journals used and the different approaches is giving me the confidence to try this myself. While you may feel your creativity wasn’t stretched in the first one, it is a great cover and shows what all can be done to a cover.
Love your cover and Art Journal very interesting techniques…
Your covers are great. Those curiosity shop papers are my new favorite too. I can’t stop myself from buying them.
At one time I used a journal to write and draw in as well has write down those “Oh I should do that” moments. I think this is a great time to start that again. Thanks for the inspiration.
Sherry what amazing work as ever – I just love the cover on the first one and the way you can add pages as and when. The second ones colours just blow me away – hopping over to see your other work now – thanks for all your inspiration
Brilliant idea on the bound strips to attach pages!!! And my favorite thing is the beautiful door handle on the front. Where did you get that?!
This sooo ROCKS!! LOVE it!
I loved the idea of using the sticky back canvas on the bound journal. I will use that tip. Wonderful insperation.
These are awesome! Best wishes with your new directions.
you certainly are an over-a “cheever”! (like you have never heard that before!) the two journals are wonderful! thank you for sharing. rush88888 at gmail dot com
wow you are a totally and truly art journal God. I mean that too. That is a wonderful idea. I am new to the art journaling world and have a blue water color paper canson journal that I bought and now I am thinking that I totally need to find someone I know with one of those binder thing’s so I can get myself a journal like that..That so makes more sense. I love each and every element that you put on there. I have the same taste in goodies and crafting that you do just without all the stuff. hahahah You really put the elements to it and that makes for a fabulous journal. I bet you will have a blast putting art into it. thanks for sharing
The old curiosity shop papers look fantastic as a background for your cover and I love how you have used the art parts and flowers to mimic the boot design on your blog banner! How clever to cut out the pages so you can work one page at a time (I could have saved a bundle on wax paper and painters tape had I had the forethought to do this
). My favorite part is the patina door knob, the whole thing is absolutely lovely!
Both of your journal covers are so cool! I love the flowers and hardware design, and the freehand art on the second cover is great!
Now we’ll be waiting to see what you do with *two* journals!