Handmade Mixed Media Canvas Journal

It's time for a new challenge at Frilly and Funkie!  I'm so excited to be hostessing a challenge for the first time.  I've chosen the theme A Little Rusty.  With the end of summer nearing, some of us have gotten a little rusty with our creating due to holidays and lazy days.  For this challenge let's break out a rusty color palette in preparation for fall.  Whether you take the challenge literally and use rusted metal a faux rust technique, or just the color in your vintage or shabby chic project - the choice is up to you!  We can't wait to see your creativity in full swing!

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for a new surface to work with, any new substrate for my designs.  I struggled for several days trying to come up with something with no success.  In the end, I decided to make a canvas journal from scratch.  I won't go into the details on that for today's post, because there is far too much to say about the collage for one post...

I used a variety of Distress Stains and Lindy's Stamp Gang sprays to color the layers of lace on my canvas cover.  I concentrated the color in one area, but also added some flecks to the white space for interest.  I dry brushed metallic paint onto the lace to highlight the raised areas.  I used a found relative photo (I'm sorry I don't know which collection this one is from because I jumbled mine together).  I used a circle die to cut out just the faces of the photo, then sanded the edges.  I layered with a die cut doily and some circles, which I embossed with a folder and inked with coordinating colors.

I knew I would be using this journal year round, so I chose embellishments that weren't fall themed, though it was difficult resisting adding some die cut leaves in the mix!  I added a set of filigree metal charms, a Prima flower, and two smaller Wild Orchid Crafts flowers, leaving the stems for interest.

This section of lace was crocheted by my dear friend Barbara's mother, how I cherish it!  I cut two wildflower dies and honeycomb dies from thin chipboard.  To coordinate with my brass charms, I embossed them with brass embossing powder.

Here are some details of the inked lace...

This shot shows the metallic paint highlights.

I can hardly mix any media without the addition of some bundled thread.  I finished off with a simple small talk quote.  And here's my finished journal, though you can hardly tell it is a book at all.  Check back soon for more details on assembly.  Thanks for visiting today and I hope you will play along with my challenge at the Frilly and Funkie blog!  Make sure to stop by and see the amazing projects from my teammates.

Don't forget you'll have a chance to win a $25 giftcard to the shop to buy these and other fine Funkie Junkie Boutique products just by playing along!  

Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Dried Marigold	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Antique Linen	Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Stain - Vintage Photo	Lindy′s Stamp Gang Starburst- Starburst Autumn Leaves Set
(Late May Pre-order) Prima Art Extravagance - Patina Paste - Brass 8.45 oz	(February Pre-order) Sizzix Texture Fades Embossing Folder - Floral by Tim Holtz	Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Wildflowers by Tim Holtz 661190 (February Pre-Order)	Sizzix® Thinlits™ Die Set 4PK - Mixed Media by Tim Holtz®
Venise Lace Trim - 1.25 Inches	Venise Lace Trim - 1 Inch	4 Piece Antiqued Bronze Filigree Pieces	Wild Orchid Crafts Mixed Brown Cherry Blossoms
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Found Relatives - Occasions	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Found Relatives	Tim Holtz Idea-ology Small Talk Occasions	Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Crocheted Doily 1 by Tim Holtz 661497 (February Pre-Order)

I'm also sharing with:
Alphabet Challenge: L for Lovely Lace
Making Memories Crafting: Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create: Anything Goes w/Optional Twist Shabby Chic
Come and Get It: 2 or More Different Embellishments
Through the Craft Room Door: Anything Goes
Cute Cut Challenges: Hello Autumn!