This page is the beginning of a new mixed media journal I'm working on. I like the idea of working on my pages separate from a book, so I picked up some heavy watercolor paper and an cutting the pages to size, then will add back to a bound journal. I'm still in experimentation mode with some new techniques and this time found a great little jewel of an idea in the process. I added embossing powder over my wet watercolor background. The areas where the ink had pooled or dripped created the coolest embossing pattern! Better pic down the way...
What I enjoyed about embossing this way was the ability to just wipe off excess EP with my hand.
The center of my background has some Tim Holtz stripes stenciled on with texture paste. Then I added pooled watercolor and let it drip in places, and in other places spritzed it with water to let it bleed. I stamped my new tiny Prima texture stamps randomly in waterbased inks so the patterns would bleed as well.
OK, so I'm pleased with my background making and would be content to sit and make these types of backgrounds ALL DAY LONG. Seriously! It's the grouping of elements that I seem to have trouble with. I started this grouping by adhering a square crocheted piece that my dear friend Barbara's mom made. Such a treasured piece, but unfortunately I couldn't build much over it and the square still flow with the inky puddles, so I covered it some with the burlap doily. I'm still not pleased with it, but it's a journal page and all about experimentation. I tucked a snippet of white paper doily under to add a little more texture.
I might have gotten a little carried away with the embossing in places, but look at the outlines of those drips! Be still my heart!
In retrospect adding the brown string was a bad, bad idea. Ha! Live and learn... Anyway, I wanted to share this play time piece to help celebrate the new Creative Cart Blanc blog and their first challenge "Try Something You've Never Done Before."
I'm also playing with these other fun challenges:
50 comments:
gorgeous work Autumn - really fabulous - love all the texture and colours and the runny paintiness - beautiful! Hugs rachel x
I do not think that the black string is a bad idea! Rather, it gives an extra touch to your beautiful creation! ....I like it the way it is! Rosi x
Wow Autumn I have read what you have done to create this amazing page, wow, I am in awe, I also class these projects as works of art because of all the beautiful texture and techniques it is something that I would never be able to do but I so love to see the outcome of your brilliant work I love it
hugs
lorraine x
Hey there Autumn. I absolutely LOVE your piece! I really appreciate your sharing your steps in creating this with all of us....so informative and inspiring! I love the look of watercolor and I adore how you got yours to pool and run and create those fantastic drips. I agree with you...those outlines are amazing! And I have to say that I like your brown string! I don't think it's a mistake at all. I think it sort of pulls the dark embossing powder at the bottom of your page and the burlap doily together in a perfect way. All of the color and drips are there but the meandering brown line adds so much! Love your collaged pieces, too. It's all about the layers! :) Thanks so much for sharing with us at Creative Carte Blanche!
Stunning creation again Autumn, so many little elements of interest and lovely textures and you really nailed our theme at FlonzCraft Vintage Stamping Challenges, many thanks fro joining in.
B x
Love this!
Oh wow, this is stunning, Autumn!! The background looks amazing!! I love the colors and texture!! The details you added are just perfect!! I love the drips and the beautiful bird and just every single thing about this!! Wow!! Spectacular!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)
Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
You're going from fabulous to FAB-U-LOUS! Love your idea to add the embossing on the wet w/c. What a beautiful & unique look. Also loving all the texture you've added, (and I quite liked the string & twine and all the other embellies). Especially loving the wonderfully colored bird as well. This is just fantastic! We need an afternoon to play with products!!! TFS
Lots of gorgeous details on this page! I think individual pages are more practical than an already bound book, especially when working with wet media that can transfer to other pages! Thanks you for showing your drippage at Vintage Stamping Challenges, very artistic it is too...
Totally brilliant Autumn and I must say the effect of the EP on the water colour looks superb!! Wonderful background and I love the elements you added, brown string and all, I actually think it works well as it picks up the colour of the EP and makes for a great contrast to the other string... Wonderful journal page!!
Fantastic journal page Autumn ! Love the background and the layers you've added. Sue C x
Fabulous page Autumn, love the different textures in your background and I like the look of the dark string. Gorgeous layers too.
Avril x
Wow, this is awesome. I love the background you created and it looks like you placed everything perfectly.
Such pretty pages Autumn! I love the soft water colors and all the shimmery detail!
Seems I am always drawn to your work when I am looking at the entries on the SS Challenges. We are always our own worse critic, wishing we had done something a bit different here or there. Your work is lovely.
Wow, Autumn, what a fantastic journal page! Awesome rich textures and I love all the elements you added, so perfectly arranged! It's breathtaking! Hugs! Branka xxx
Fabulous! Love those embossing on the watercolor edges. Beautiful layers of texture and colors. Thanks for playing along with us at the "Enjoy your Embossing Challenge" at Frilly and Funkie Challenge!
Wow, just gorgeous Autumn. So drippy and splashy, love it! Thank you so much for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Hugs, Pamellia DT :)
Well I think the black string is perfect! It makes me think of items that a bird would carry back to its nest for padding...I love it and it guides your eye right to the scrumptious drips with EP around them. This page of yours is truly stunning!! I think you did a fine job with the clustering of elements; although to be honest, I find that the most difficult and scary thing too. However, you pulled it off masterfully!
Beautiful work Autumn and thanks so much for sharing it.
hugs,
Lisa x
Girlfriend are you crazy?! Because I seriously came over here, had a little moment where I had to pick my jaw up from the floor, got all sorts of jealous at your talent, and then started reading. PSHHhhhhhhhh to all of your second-guessing and downplaying. This card has geniusness built into every fiber (even the brown string). I am madly in love with it and whether you realize it or not, your design lines are beautiful! There are layers of concentric circular shapes everywhere. Gorgeous and totally pinning.
autumn, I actually saw this at several blogs that I was entering, and thought how much I couldn't wait to get by to visit when I had a few more minutes to soak it all in! This is a magnificent mixed media work of art! I love all the textures you've achieved, especially those embossed drips AND the string! Just a beauty from top to bottom, inside and out, and side to side! And to say you have trouble with placing your elements, I would have to STRONGLY disagree! I look to you for inspiration with that, my friend! Well done, and a huge round of applause on this! Big hugs!
Gorgeous piece, Autumn...makes me think of spring!
Autumn, this page is so full of lovely texture and sweet imagery. I love it! I'm thrilled that you tried new things and didn't fret over whether they went well or not. That's SO freeing, isn't it? We could all learn a little something from you on that score. Thanks for joining us over at the Creative Carte Blanche blog. This is the perfect type of project! Well done!!
Wow and WOW!! This is so fabulous. Absolutely love all the textures and different elements. Oh my this is gorgeous.
Beautiful, Autumn!! I LOVE that embossing discovery - will definitely be trying that! I am also challenged by layering, but you've done a wonderful job - everything feels very balanced but still energetic. This is a gorgeous journal page!! xxx Lynn
Hi Autumn!
Your page is absolutely fabulous! I am so impressed with the gorgeous palette, texture, and amazing detail! Beautiful! Thank you so much for joining us at the Frilly and Funkie Challenge!
Hugs,
Nancy
WOW, Autumn, this is simply stunning!!! What a fantastic bg!!! And all the detail you've added is just wonderful!!! Love that sweet little bird!!!! I can see a lot of work went into this, Autumn, but it was worth all the time and effort!!! Beautiful!!!
Have a wonderful day!!!
Hugz
Autumn....this is glorious! And I think your elements are beautifully grouped. And I love the little bits of string, because it looks like your pretty bird can add them to her lovely burlap/doily nest. It's wonderful! I wish I could see it in person so I could enjoy all that scrumptious dripping and splatting and texture. You should be proud of yourself because this is a GORGEOUS piece...and I think it deserves a frame! Thanks for sharing with us at the Frilly and Funkie "Enjoy your Embossing" challenge!
No... Those drips and outlines... Yes... Slice of fried gold.
Autumn, I have been so busy at work, and yesterday I peeked at this while walking down a hall and it totally made me smile! It was such a nice 30-second escape! You never know how you can impact someone's day :)
Gorgeous piece!!!!
An absolute feast for the eyes!
Autumn, this reminds us that Spring isn't too far around the corner with the pretty colours and sweet bird.
Wishes
Lynne
Enchanting, Autumn - wonderful use of colour and lovely to see your embossing experimentation having such great results.
Alison xx
Hi Autumn...I LOVE your canvas...it pulls you right in! The colors are beautiful and the textures are a feast for the eyes! Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your creation with us at Creative Carte Blanche!
Cor, so many layers and so much detail to feast my eyes upon... bravo, this is a beauty. Thanks for joining us at Creative Carte Blanche
Wow... Autumn, your creation is gorgeous! Love the beautiful colors on the background and those fabulous embellishments. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. :)
This is stunning Autumn! Such a feast for the eyes. I love love love the background. Thanks for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. :)
I love every amazing detail and the embossed area. Thanks for playing with us at TIMI challenge :-)
Wow Autumn, what a stunning piece of work. So much to see with all these fabulous textures and elements. Thank you so much for joining in with our challenge at Country View Crafts, and have a great week. Sue xx
Autumn, we're so glad you're celebrating Creative Carte Blanche with us! What a spectacular work of art-- I love the soft colors, and the variety of textures is brilliant!
Autumn, this. is. gorgeous!!! I love the loaded up art journal pages and yours is a beauty! I'm looking so forward to seeing more of your creations. :-)
Love the wc and all your pretty flowers. Great idea to do a journal like this. Very cool! Hugz
Truly gorgeous Autumn! Thank you for joining us at Frilly and Funkie. Jenny x
Beautiful work! I love all the drippage on the background. Thanks so much for playing along at Craft Stamper Take It, Make It :)
Fabulous journal page ... I love how you've created the background. Thank you for playing along with the Craft Stamper Challenge. Linda xx
YEAH - congratulations Autumn on your Top 3 at Craft Stamper - so proud for you!!! SUCH a luscious creation - so deserved! XXXXXX J
Fantastic to see you in the CS Top 3 with me, I was very excited too...
Your work is truely awesome and you never cease to inspire. This was such a well deserved top 3 creation....WELL DONE, Autumn, C.xx
So beautiful, I love the drips ! Congratulations on your top three at Craft Stamper.
What a great and lovely page, full odf beautiful details!!!!
Thanks for sharing Autumn.. and congratulations for your Top three win at Craft Stamper!
Hugs, Coco
How did I miss this when you first posted it!?! Its absolutely gorgeous, Autumn! Congratulations on the Top 3 win at Craft Stamper.
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