27 January 2016

Caelataque In Libro...

Hi everyone and welcome! Over at Frilly and Funkie it's my turn to host the next challenge 'Enjoy your Embossing'. As you might guess it's all about embossing! Find those all important prizes and entry details HERE. Officially I'm sharing my Funkie DT project next Wednesday but just couldn't resist the chance to show something else I've been working on which is all about embossing.

For those who caught Georgie Connelly's recent post HERE (if you haven't you must!) you'll have seen her incredible hand crafted book, inspired by the work of Luthien Thye from Altered Alchemy. We've both been drooling over it and talking about giving it a go.
So now, with Georgie's encouragement, it's my turn to share (be gentle with me!)...

~ Caelataque In Libro ~


So first up (and essentially) where to start with creating a book from scratch. For me it was a new Sizzix die I got from the fabulous Eileen Hull Designs. Called 'Needle Book' it is a beautiful design that easily cut a mount-board base onto which I could add a die cut damask design. In hindsight I might have been better simply embossing the card before cutting! (note to self) but being as it was my first venture into book making it was an opportunity to learn from my 'mistakes'. I also cut a second needle book shape from plain kraft card onto which I could attach the thicker covers. This meant the spine could remain thin and flexible enough to add painted canvas to.



The main front and back covers were covered in a blend of Broken China, Peeled Paint and Salty Ocean Distress Paints (these blend so well with a fine spritz of water). Then came embossing powders; I love to mix mine to achieve different effects. In this case I used an initial layer of Ranger Silver Embossing Powder on the raised areas before re-embossing with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder. When they melt together the silver takes on a grainier appearance which, when rubbed over with Archival Ink (Potting Soil) catches in random areas. Finally I pounced a mix of Mushroom, Stream and Meadow Alcohol Inks on top to add to the jewel-like quality of the embossing.



I used Ground Espresso Distress Paint to colour the edges of the cover and canvas spine before turning my attention to the centre of the front cover. Book paper, coloured with Frayed Burlap Distress Stain and burned at the edges with a candle flame, was layered under a couple of filigree metal embellishments (embossed with more Silver Embossing Powder and coloured with the same mix of alcohol inks mentioned earlier) a small brass button and a little gem coloured with Cranberry Alcohol Ink.



The signatures were cut from a plain manilla folder, distressed at the edges and dry embossed for interest. Next time I'll have a bash at making dirtier bespoke papers but for now the process of hand stitching the signatures into the spine and attaching a ribbon 'marker' was enough to tackle.


It's amazing what a spot of embossing can do to a project and I hope it lives up to expectations in some way. This is definitely an addictive process and with more Eileen Hull Designs covers in different sizes/shapes to work with the possibilities are pretty much endless!

I hope you pop over to see what my amazing Frilly team mates have to show you and look forward to seeing your own embossed projects entered into the challenge. Next week the Funkie side of the team (me included) will share more inspiration, and tomorrow we have a special Guest Designer posting her own project so if you're stuck for ideas there's plenty to get you started right there!

For now have a great day and take care of yourselves, Jenny xxx

23 comments:

  1. Gorgeous Jenny!! I am also in the middle of putting together my first junk journal and this is just so inspiring! I love the idea of the embossed edges on the pages, wow! That cover is something else, love love love!! hugs :)

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  2. Love the embossed texture on the interior pages, and the wonderful gleam of the aged vintage cover, and perfect embellishing - beautifully done!
    Alison xx

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  3. What a fun project - gorgeous piece of work. Love the colors and the wonderful front medallion. I agree with Pamellia, the embossed edges of the pages is a fantastic touch!

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  4. Your hand created book Jenny is an absolute gem ! It certainly doesn't look like a first attempt , more like you've been created them for years . Your Altered Alchemy inspiration is clear to see in your embossing ,embellishing and all the finer details. Thank you for sharing hugs Amanda x

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  5. this is just beautiful Jenny - the front cover makes me think of Paua shell from New Zealand - it looks amazing. I've just finished off my Kate Crane wanderlust book and really enjoyed it so it was good to see this for more inspiration - thankyou! hugs Rachel x

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  6. WOW Jenny, I adore your Needle Book. You cover is rich with color and I love all that embossed look! I love all the pages too. Stunning little book. I just got mine a couple of weeks ago. Love it!

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  7. This is fabulous and so rich looking. Love the jeweled front and the embossed page edges. I made a journal a while ago but haven't posted it yet - it has a quilted cover. I am now working on one now where I am trying to incorporate some stamping and some stenciling with the quilting but it is still a work in progress.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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  8. Jenny- love how you used the lighter weight base and then added heavier board on top- great idea- this is beautiful!

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  9. OH my gosh! How utterly wonderful is this! I tried to sew a star book that I had labored over for hours years ago and it flopped, so never tried book binding again. But this is most inspiring and now that I write these words I see how silly it is that I gave up after one failed attempt. :) I am die hard drooling over your embossed embossed cover! Coolness and the alcohol ink was a brilliant addition!!! Gorgeous design, I think you'll be making more of these in the near future, what a gift this would make!!! <3 Hugs, Autumn

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  10. This is just gorgeous Jenny! Love the embossing and embellishments, and the wonderful opulent style, it really appeals to me . Great work! I've got a little something on the go at the minute so will try and get it on the FF challenge xx

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  11. This is a fabulous little book Jenny love everything about it. The rich emboss colours and jeweled front cover make it look really special, I like the addition of the marker ribbon too. This would make a lovely gift for someone special. Mo x

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  12. Oh my gosh, this is stunning!! The cover looks amazing!! I love the colors and details!! Embossing the edges of the pages is such a fabulous touch!! Wow!! I love this!! So inspiring!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  13. What a fabulous technique Jenny, the book looks really old but very beautiful, the colours are great, the gem on the front makes it look so opulent! The pages look amazing with the embossing too. I love how you used Eileen's wonderful die! Anne xx

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  14. I've been drooling over Luthien's work for years, that woman is incredible. I nearly did a class with her once, but after watching a preview video, I decided it was all a bit too complicated.... Anyway, I think your little book here looks stunning, both you and Georgie have done a great job! Love the embossed background and that luscious central piece looks stunning!

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  15. this is just so wonderful!!! I love it Jenny. =)

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  16. Lovely journal. The texture on the cover is awesome and great idea to emboss the edges of the pages. Will rremember that next time. Thanks for taking us thru the process.

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  17. A beautiful cover Jenny. Rich with texture and wonderful 'patina-esque' shades. I love it! J xx

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  18. Jenny, your first attempt at book making is a HUGE success. You did a fabulous job! Love the embossed Manila pages. That extra texture is awesome. I absolutely love your book covers. The rich embossing colors just make it. The ground espresso is such a great choice of color to effectively distress the edges and so forth. Thanks for sharing!!

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  19. This is jaw dropping, Jenny! The richness and colors with the gem in the middle is stunning! I love what you have done with this cover! Hugs!

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  20. Handcrafted books are the best, and your cover is SUPREME!!!! Completely gorgeous and eye catching!

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  21. Absolutely stunning Jenny, gorgeous book cover! Deb xo

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  22. Only word that I can say: LOVE IT! BArbara

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  23. I just love your tiny book Jenny! what a wonderful cover and embossed pages! Julia xx

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving your comments - they are really appreciated and will be published when moderated. Jenny xxx

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