A Paris Journal

Hi everyone, well I've finally finished my first journal using Eileen Hull's Journal Die. It started off as funky but quickly turned shabby chic...so I tried to create a little vintage style Parisian elegance. It's more of a Traveler's notebook than a junk journal with lots of room for making notes and it's not too chunky so will fit in a bag easily. Am I going to Paris? Not that I know of..but it will definitely be going with me when I do!

I've also created a little flip through video which I'll share at the end of a rather long photo heavy post. Before I start though I want to thank Anne Redfern for her generosity and helping me out whilst I waited for my die to arrive and also for her many inspirational posts, this one is a particular favourite and Jenny Marples has been fairly busy herself creating gorgeous inspirational videos like this one, which is where my I picked up the tip about using a band of Sari silk ribbon to close the journal. THANKS to both of you!

This may be the first of many journals as I really like this die...

The cover was asking for grunge paste through a large lacy stencil, this is one I've had for ages, picked up in a sale and I'm not even sure who made it. Once covered I use Fresco paint in Nougat and then sprinkled infusions on and spritzed with water before heat setting. A little archival ink and treasure gold highlights the texture. Stitching and metal foil to finish.

As you can see lots of stencils and all my french or elegant style stamps came out. The stamps in the top left are an elusive image set and unfortunately aren't available anymore but photo realistic stamps would work brilliantly. Why Paris, well I was looking for a word to 'bump' stencil onto the plaque and the Scrapcosy stencil showing the word PARIS just sealed the deal as it fits perfectly over that wonderful crackled paint effect. Raquel of Scrapcosy has also made several videos using infusions and the link here covers infusions with Fresco paint.

I used walnut ink to stain the ribbon and white cartridge paper for a lot of the pages as I find it works beautifully with infusions.

The crackle effect on the front can be changed into gorgeous large cracks just by applying the paint thicker. I've used infusions a few different ways, the first page is spritzing water through a stencil having sprinkled the area with infusions, then monoprinting other areas with the infusions remaining  on the stencil.

Stamping and embossing on tissue paper pockets.

Stamping with versamark before brushing on infusions and spritzing, extra stamping in gold and brown archival and a few splashes of walnut ink.

All those punches I've been hanging onto were put to good use and splashes of white paint helped to age parchment writing paper. Stamps I've hoarded from childhood that hopefully aren't worth anything came in use.

As well as scraping white paint over Kraft paper as a base for journalling, it was very effective just stencilled on.

Several different colours of Infusions were used, think this is Violetta....love!

Waxed Kraft paper embosses beautifully and made some lovely stitched pockets for tags.

Another way of stamping with Infusions is to sprinkle them on to the stamp, rub in and spritz the stamp with water.

I imagine writing across in this journal starting at the edge of the images so there is a curvy flow of memories flowing down the page.

Of course there is room for tags and little souvenirs to be tucked away in flaps and pockets.

I'm itching to make another one but will content myself with leafing through this one for a little while longer....and if you want a walk through of the journal then here's the video.

Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you enjoyed your visit and enjoy the weekend. R x