Jan 5, 2017

Junk Journal Embossing Techniques Tutorial


We have a new challenge at Stamps & Stencils today.  Our amazing hostess Ruth has chosen the theme Swirls, Whirls and Flourishes.  She says, "It may be chilly January but this months challenge doesn't have to be anything to do with winter, this month I'd like you to usher in the New Year by creating any mixed media piece you like as long as somewhere you include a swirl or a whirl or a flourish and some stamping or stenciling, of course!"

I've recently fallen in love with embossing again.  When I opened my goodie box from Darkroom Door for my guest design post and saw this fabulous Fancy Flourish Stamp that Rachel has included I about flipped my lid!  Oh my gosh, is this thing every beautiful!!!  And flourish stamps are always just up my alley.  I decided I should just take some time to play.


I went with a trusty favorite color combo and embossed the flourish stamp repeatedly on the gessoed front cover of my cardboard junk journal.  I just randomly applied the lightest color (green) to the wet Versamark ink and tapped off the excess, then completely covered the page with my darkest color (blue) for full coverage.


Next, I had a swirly good time spraying a variety of Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays onto my panel.


I cleaned up my ink mess with a sheet of manila card.  I embossed the Butterfly Eclectic Stamp onto this piece and fussy cut.


Next, I used an Xacto knife to cut a curved slit down the middle of my page.  I peeled the top layer of the cardboard back on both sides to reveal the corrugated section.  I adhered Art Stones by Prima randomly, then covered with torn cheesecloth while the adhesive was still wet.


I placed the butterflies over the cracks.


Then I wrote the sentiment on a scrap and stapled it to the cover with my tiny attacher.  The middle is bumped up for dimension and a bundle of thread tucked underneath.


I just love these two breaking free, very symbolic and perfect for a new year.  I hope you've been inspired to do some multi-color embossing of your own today.  Thanks again to Darkroom Door for supplying me with tha bomb GD pack.  :)


I'm also sharing with:

38 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

Oh Autumn this is stunning - love all the stamping and embossing and that fabulous torn section. Your creativity is inspiring!
Blessings
Maxine

Ruth said...

My on my, cutting into the cover just made my heart sigh with joy....love the textural element it's created, but you had me with that stunning flourish stamp, just gone on my list and it's lovely to hear other people rediscovering the joys of embossing, it's something I've recently gone back to as well. Pure gorgeousness Autumn!! Hugs Ruth xx

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

This must look even more stunning in real life with all that embossed background texture!

brenda said...

This is just adorable, both the lovely Butterflies and pretty colours.

B x

A Pink said...

This is fabulous, Autumn Love the colours and the slitdown the middle of the beautifulembossed page is such a clever idea . So effective especially with the butterflies emerging from it- gives your junk journal cover real depth and meaning .
hugs x

Hazel Agnew said...

Adore the slit with the cheesecloth Autumn! Might borrow that idea! What an uplifting piece to greet the new year. Love it! Xx

Marty F said...

I do love this, Autumn, and I'm not even sure what's my favorite part. The stamp is gorgeous with your colors and embossing powder. It was so creative to make a cut into the cardboard and then decorate it! I love your junk journals and whenever I one of your posts, I want to start one so bad but just haven't found the time. One of these days...Awesome!!! Hugs :-)

Vintagehandmade said...

Oh my, Autumn, you have outdone even yourself with this brilliant junk journal! Your idea to cut the cover is simply genius! I am going to borrow your idea, for sure! It's absolutely stunning make in so many ways! Bravo, my friend! Sending lots of love to you! Branka xx

Darlene said...

This is FABULOUS Autumn ... thanks for the tips!

*Vicki* said...

Really stunning journal!! Love your details! :) Thanks for sharing! HUGS

toni said...

Wow! Autumn this is just beautiful! I love your idea with the butterflies breaking free, the colours and textures are gorgeous! Happy new year to you and yours , Toni xx

Mac Mable said...

Love the thinking on this project. Thanks too for the step by step. Fabulous, colourful, full of techniques and gorgeous! x

Lisa said...

Absolutely stunning, Autumn!! The colors and texture are so gorgeous!! I love seeing your creative process in action!! The details are amazing!! Love this my friend!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

rachel said...

this is absolutely stunning autumn - I adore the colours and the whole journal is just perfect! Hugs rachel x

Art By Wanda said...

This is gorgeous, Autumn!!!! LOVE LOVE it!!!!

Mrs.B said...

A stunning journal cover Autumn, gorgeous textures and I love the idea of the butterflies breaking free.
Avril xx
p.s. Thanks for sharing at FSC

Helen Wallace said...

A gorgeous project. My favourites colours; lots of texture and I love the symbolism.

Suzanne C said...

Beautiful journal cover and love that you are GD at Darkroom Door. Lovely mix of colors and the butterflies are sweet! Thanks for playing along with us at the Frilly and Funkie New Years Inspiration challenge.

sarascloset said...

Inspiring journal cover, Autumn! The background is delicious, and I have to agree, you cannot do better than to receive a flourish (and a butterfly) image in a GDT package! (Congratulations on that!) The two tone embossing looks fabulous, and those emerging butterflies from the center of your page speaks volumes! Love this to bits! And you! Hugs!

Oh, I almost forgot...why not enter this into our New Year's challenge at Emerald Creek Dares??? http://blog.emeraldcreek.org/2017/01/40-to-40-4-bring-on-new.html

Pamellia said...

What a gorgeous journal Autumn! Love the colours, and your black butterflies look so beautiful fluttering across the cover! Sending wishes for a belated Happy New Year!!

Words and Pictures said...

Simply gorgeous, Autumn - I love the colours (of course) and the rustic binding, and the shimmer of the embossing just brings the whole thing swirling to life!
Alison x

Donna Ellis said...

Autumn, I am in love. GORGEOUOSNESS! I want to copy this project from start to finish! Some very similar stamps are in my stash, and plenty of embossing powder - the perfect touch is the butterflies flying freely into the life of the book! Love your journal, Autumn!

And now for my other hat:

Thank you for playing at the Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenge. We love seeing your paper crafting projects, and are so happy you have joined us! Please check back next month to see if you have won a prize or badge!
crafty hugs,
de

Puppy Kisses and Paper Dreams said...

This is gorgeous! I love your colors, and the way you slit the center and embedded more embellishments and the cheesecloth. Such a unique idea. Your embossing is beautiful too, those colors go so well together. Thanks so much for joining us at Sparkle N Sprinkle's Creative Challenge. -Chris, SNS DT

Heidi MyLittleStampingBlog said...

Really pretty. The multicolor embossing is really extra special and I love the images of the butterflies setting free!

Craftyfield said...

(Wet) embossing never gets tired, and I love mixing powders too! Gorgeous project Autumn, thanks for joining us at Country View Challenges this month!

jenn shurkus said...

wow! amazing project! Thank you for playing along with us at simon says stamp wednesday challenge!!

Redanne said...

That stamp really is fantastic, I can see you getting so much use out of that one. I love the embossing, the wonderful colours and those gorgeous butterflies! Hugs, Anne xx

Pamellia said...

Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie for our 'New Years Inspiration' challenge! Hugs, Pamellia DT :)

Denise van Deventer said...

Beautiful colours....love the swirls and butterflies! ;-) You did a super duper job! ;-)

Monika Gulyas said...

This is fabulous, Autumn! With your embossing powders and flourish stamp you created an absolutely beautiful background! I love your chosen colours too! Thank you for joining the January challenge of the Country View Challenges blog!

Pawsitively Creative said...

This fantabulous design may be a junk journal but it sure isn't junk desire. Lol. This is gobsmackingly gorgeous and I bet the texture feels amazing in real life. I am with you on that stamp! Wowza! Stunning colors and layers and those butterflies are the bees knees. Awesome sauce and fantabulous design! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

Elaine aka Ellapu said...

wow beautiful - did I say wow yes wow! Thank you for sharing with us over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month and hope to see you again in future challenges.

Handcrafted by Ellapu
Mother Hen for Altered Eclectics
Mother Hen for Eclectic Ellapu
DT Rhedd's Creative Spirit

Nancy Dynes said...

I love, love, LOVE your journal, Autumn! It is the exact opposite of junk:-)) I keep going back to admire it. Thank you so much for joining us at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge!
Hugs,
Nancy

Eret said...

Stunning work of art! Love the colors you used and your brilliant design. I'm inspired! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous journal page with us at Sparkle N Sprinkle.
Eret x

Anne Temple said...

WOW! This is amazing!

Mimi said...

Ok, so another one I thought I commented on... definitely remember this thought-provoking piece. I have a pretty cool flourish stamp-- never thought to make it a pattern, smartie! Love your colors, and here you have another good butterfly stamp. I still think I need the IB guy!
Beautiful...

Mrs A. said...

This is gorgeous and like Mimi above I have a swirly stamp flourish too. must have a clear up and find things. I love the colours on your journal book and love, love your idea of tearing a slit and pealing back part of the cover. Just found your blog whilst on Scrapper's delights. Hugs Mrs A.

Jennie -The Artistic Stamper said...

Gorgeous ! Thank you for joining in The Artistic Stamper Creative Challenge this month xx

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