9 August 2017

Read Any Good Books Lately? for Frilly and Funkie

Hi everyone and welcome! It's Sara Emily's turn to host the latest challenge over on the Frilly and Funkie Challenge blog and she's called it 'Read Any Good Books Lately?Reading a good book on the beach or on the porch is a simple summer pleasure. For this challenge, please create a vintage or shabby chic project that depicts a favourite book or use book pages on your project, alter a book or even make a journal or journal page! Just be sure it's in the vintage or shabby chic style that we are looking for!

The team will choose their top four picks with the winner being invited to join us in a Guest DT spot at Frilly and Funkie and the next three will receive badges to display on their blogs. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will be entered into the draw to have the chance to win a $25 spending spree at The Funkie Junkie Boutique, so there are plenty of reasons for joining in the fun.


My DT creation for this challenge is a book, inspired by a book! It's a steampunk themed mini book which incorporates elements tying into the story The Invention of Hugo Cabret (more commonly known from the film adaptation, Hugo).



Now there are times when I have a clear idea how I'm going to create a project but to be honest that is rare! Normally, as in this case, it's a case of letting something evolve, layering until it looks right. So I decided to give you a 'warts and all' guide to getting the finished look to this little book.


I started by cutting covers using Eileen Hull's 'Passport' Book die, covering it with die cuts using Tim Holtz' Gear Head Thinlits and his Weathered Clock (covered in grit paste). This was all given a coat of Black Gesso, followed by a layer of Dina Wakley's Night acrylic paint (there's a special discount on this at The Funkie Junkie Boutique right now!) I diluted Ocean acrylic paint and dropped it onto the raised areas to highlight, allowing it to air dry.


The contrast was too dramatic for me so I dry brushed the Ocean acrylic paint over the whole thing. Next came dry brushed layers of Cheddar acrylic paint and White acrylic paint which looked lovey but was still too matte for gears and cogs. If I'd have had Dina's Guilt and Sterling paints they would have come into play at this point but instead I did more dry brushing with Tarnished Brass and Brushed Pewter Distress Paints. The key to all this layering is to use less of each colour as you progress to allow the previous ones to remain partially visible.


One of my favourite tricks is to spritz a dry dimensional project with water then drip alcohol ink (in this case Latte, though Mushroom, Rust or Butterscotch would also work). Heating it with a heat tool brings out various shades and effects.
Now just to show the difference you get by leaving out two of the layers of paint used on the cover, I painted the black gesso'd spine piece with Night and Ocean acrylic paints, then the two metallic Distress Paints.


You can see that the additional Cheddar and White layers significantly lightened the cover.
To embellish I added a die cut Eiffel Tower, covered in Crackle Medium and layers of Cheddar and Metallic paints. There are also dots of Liquid Pearls, cogs, metal charms, French coins, a sprinkle of druzy cabochons and some fabulous steampunk embellishments from The Funkie Junkie Boutique. The inside pages were stamped with the cog image to match the theme.




That's it for my DT project for the current Frilly and Funkie challenge 'Read Any Good Books Lately?' I hope you've enjoyed today's tutorial. Do make sure you hop on over to see what my talented team mates have been inspired to create. And remember to link your own book related shabby chic or vintage projects, to be in with a chance of winning one of the fabulous prizes.

I'll be back on Friday with a new Friday Focus post. Until then have a fantastic end to the week, take care of yourselves and get creative! Jenny xxx



36 comments:

  1. Bravo, Bravo, BRAVO, Jenny! I love what you have done here, and I'm feeling a little speechless at the moment! Your warts and all turned into the most perfectly patina'd journal cover I've seen! There's such a richness and depth to the colors as you've layered them up--I so appreciate the step by step! What a fabulous steampunk design, too, and the stamped cogs on the pages is a genius addition! I am squealing with delight over the fabulous texture on your clock and Eiffel Tower! Thank you SO much for creating this GORGEOUS journal for my challenge! Can you tell I LOVE it! A new favorite from your talented hands! Sending hugs!

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  2. I loved that movie, and I knew right away that was the theme for this scrumptious mini album. I loved seeing the process photos, as it shows how each layer built upon the previous one. Such gorgeous color and texture and a wonderful feeling of whimsy. Love this so much!

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  3. Yummy texture and patina! I adore how you built up the grunge and rust and colors! Fabulous journal!

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  4. Holy cannoli! Me and my girls are going to Grandma's house every Tuesday this summer for pizza and movie night. Last week this was my choice of movie! I was looking for some steampunk inspiration too. You have captured the allure and industrial beauty of the story marvelously and I am giddy with delight as I inspect! You've really wowed me and I enjoy seeing a book with simple pages, because that is a lot less intimidating to recreate. What a treasure, thanks for the details! Hugs, Autumn

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  5. Welcome back Jenny. Gorgeous little book. Adore the layers of colour and dimension from the embellished elements. A delightful piece and looks so textural too. Tracy x

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  6. This is such a trimph Jenny, I loved seeing your warts and all (not many warts - lol), the colours are fabulous and the texture you created is outstanding. A stunning journal! Anne xx

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  7. utterly fabulous Jenny! (insert little face with heart eyes here)

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  8. Oh wow- so much to love about this book! The way you achieved that cover is amazing- you are like a scientist with all your techniques. I love all the textures and cool colors- it's hard to believe this is paper!

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  9. Just fantastic Jenny, just stunning!!!!

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  10. Holy cow! This is amazing. You always do such stunning work.

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  11. Fantastic Steampunk inspired journal Jenny xx Love the cover details and the amazing colours/techniques you incorporated both inside and in particular the outside...love it !!!


    TFS and best wishes
    Annie xx

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  12. This is absolutely amazing Jenny!! The colours and textures are spectacular and I loved you warts and all tutorial. Brilliant work!! hugs xx

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  13. This is simply spectacular. Love the depth of texture you achieved with the die cuts and then the addition of the metals make it lovely and grungy. You sure have a way with paints and the way you layer them creates the most wonderful finish.
    Hugs!
    Cec

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  14. Wow! Absolutely beautiful!

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  15. What a feast for the eyes. All those layers of embellishments creating such a great sense of depth , those colours and the texture - just fantastic. Love the whole grungy steampunky feel. An absolutely fabulous project .
    hugs x

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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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