Hello

Last week I shared a peek, on social media, of a journal spread.

This book/journal is something I have beside me, to pick up now and again in the evening. I had the tree stamped onto stained tea bag paper but decided to apply acrylic wax (soon to be released from That's Crafty!) The effect of using the acrylic wax was as beautiful as I expected, bringing a translucency to the panel. I then decided to apply a second layer of acrylic wax, which created a wonderful crackle effect.

There is something so inspiring when a new product comes along that "fits". I can see that I will be keeping a bottle of Acrylic Wax near to hand, with my other "essentials".

Supplies
That's Crafty! Clear Stamp Set Lynne's Affirmations Set 7
That's Crafty! Flat Matte Sprays: Basil, Sage, Ohre, Walnut
That's Crafty! Luster Aubergine
That's Crafty! Multi-Surface Paint: Antique Gold, Interference Gold
That's Crafty! Texture Paste
That's Crafty! Sand Texture Paste
That's Crafty! Walnut Ink Crystals and Tea Bag Paper
13Arts Script Stamp
13Arts Ayeeda Spray Pearl Clear
PaperArtsy Eclectica EAB01
Memento Ink Tuxedo Black
Archival Ink Designer Series Potting Soil
Rusted Safety Pin
Linen Scrap
Sewing Machine
Brown Cotton Thread

Instructions

Apply the Flat Matte Sprays to journal spread, allowing colour to pool.  Allow to air dry, flat.
Stamp Script onto upper edge of both pages.  By randomly applying ink to the stamp and using my hand and not a stamping block, it provides a grungy appearance to the stamping.
With Potting Soil, repeatedly stamp PaperArtsy EAB stamp across both pages.

Stain tea bag paper with walnut ink crystals. Once dry, stamp tree. Adhere to journal page with acrylic wax, along upper edge. Apply two layers of acrylic wax to stamped image. As it dries, curl edge.

I embellished upper edge with a hole reinforcer, which was kicking around (!) attaching brown cotton thread.

Layer stained pieces of various paper to bottom edge: watercolour paper, book text, handmade paper, etc.  Apply Sand Texture Paste and once dry, apply more colour.

Add dots of Interference Gold paint.

Onto another piece of stained watercolour paper, partially ink up PaperArtsy EAB stamp.


adhere piece of stained tea bag paper, layering with torn piece of book page which has also been stained. Once dry, apply acrylic wax to book text piece only.

Turn over upper right corner of page. Attach rusted safety pin scrap of linen, adhering to corner.

Beneath this panel, layer stained pieces of paper, adding machine stitching. Stamp "Trees are poems" onto walnut stained watercolour paper. Apply acrylic wax. I applied three layers, allowing to crackle.  Adhere brown cotton thread to frame the words, allowing tales to hang loose.

With fingers, apply more areas of Texture and Sand Pastes, when dry, applying Interference Gold on those textured areas.

With edge of palette knife, apply more paint.

Final touches, spray the beautiful 13Arts Peal Clear,  avoiding the stamped tree panel.

Just to add, I am no expert on art mediums, including Acrylic Wax. I simply play, experimenting on different papers and other surfaces. I "plutter" around, knowing that any mistake is not devastating and I will always learn something new.

Wishes
Lynne