Jul 21, 2018

Tim Holtz and Eileen Hull Steampunk Travelers Journal Tutorial


Hi my friends!  Today I'm sharing a steampunk themed travelers journal and a neat idea for upcycled packaging idea with you, as inspired by recent conversations on the Tim Holtz Addicts Facebook Group.  If you're not a member, you should be!  This is such an incredible group with so much talent and daily inspirational shares.


Now, normally the first thing I do when I get a haul is unpack everything and sort it into containers.  I always throw away the packaging because it takes up so much room and I have a tiny space.  I do save my acrylic packaging and use it for making shaker cards, but everything else goes.  Someone had mentioned using the backings for their projects and when I unpacked a new stencil, I saw the backing in a whole new light!  :)  I decided to cut off the top and emboss it to see what it would look like.  I lined up the folder along the bottom and embossed a second time for a continuous pattern.


I sanded the raised portions and dipped the panel in Distress Oxides (Fired Brick, Iced Spruce, Frayed Burlap), then dabbed my Veramark randomly and embossed with Seth Apter's Baked Texture, first in Rocky Road, then in Chunky Rust.  OH MY GAH!  I could have eaten it like rusty candy!  LOL!  Now, I was just playing around and supposed to be doing something else, but when I had gotten this far I just had to turn this awesome panel into something cool!  So I reached for my Eileen Hull Travelers Journal die.


I was thrilled that the stencil package backing was exactly the right width to use for this journal die, but it was too short.  To make it work with my size, I centered the rusted panel on my cover, then marked pencil lines to cut off each end.  Then I traced the front onto the back and cut off the ends of the back cover.  BTW, I used Graphix black chipboard to cut my covers.


I used the cut off portion to help mark new holes and cut those with my Crop-o-Dile.


I wrapped a piece of Tim's tissue tape around the spine of my front panel and extended to the inside so it didn't come off.  I put a bit of glue stick below it, then sanded it and coated it with matte varnish. This worked perfectly to remove the sheen and seal the tape.  Next, I lined my insides with Tim's Dapper paper stash.  I ADORE this script!  This time I lined the center panel, which is connected to the back side when the covers are sandwiched.


You can see how great it looks inside without the mass of black space.  I like making my journals with two inserts so the spine lines up better.  I used more Dapper paper and kraft paper with a long reach stapler to make my inserts.  I left things simple inside for the recipient of this journal to customize.  I have to say how much I LOOOOOVE the kraft paper inserts!!!  I cut my sheets all to 8.5 x 7" and folded them in half for a finished insert of 4.25 x 7".  


I put a huge stack of books on them to help them flatten, since kraft paper is a bit thicker than copy paper or graph paper, which I usually use.  I only added 4 sheets of kraft to each insert.  I wanted room for ephemera and pockets, and maybe a pen inside.


Now back to that collage...  I used one of Tim's older ephemera pack to build my composition.  I sponged a Small Talk sentiment with Antique Linen DOX.  I tried tinting my paper doll, as inspired by the one and only Paula Cheeny.  Only I don't have any Distress Markers.  So I tapped my ink pad onto my mat then used a dry brush to paint him.  I had sanded him, so you see how those areas accepted the ink more.  I sealed him with Distress Micro Glaze.


Behind him I added a die cut Bigz Gadget Gears #2 cut from chipboard and repeated the same embossing process.  I added some Fluted Fasteners in all of the corners with a brush of Prima Rust Paste, watered black gesso, and Walnut Stain DOX.  I covered the backs with the interior lining as shown above.


Oh my gosh how I love those gears!  Now, I used an old gear texture fade for my background, but imagine this technique with Tim's new 3D Mechanicals Texture Fade!!!  What!  #wishlist  The only thing missing is a matching back panel, so I need to buy a new stencil for that packaging!  I truly hope you've been inspired by this post and have thought of some new ways to use your packaging and die cuts.  Have an amazing weekend, Autumn

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22 comments:

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

FABULOUS! The texture, the embossing, the colors, the gent...love it all!

Preeti D. (aka Dutt Preety) said...

Gorgeous :)

Wendy B. said...

Wow, I ADORE this book and what an informative tutorial!!! I would never guess that is packaging material, run don't walk and get more!!! xo xo THA rocks!

ann barnes said...

I am loving on this Autumn, I love to repurpose things and I have a few pieces of packaging the I am going to put use after seeing your amazing journal! Thanks so much for the inspiration! Hugs to you, Ann xx

simo said...

That's absolutely gorgeous Autumn! Combining my fave Baked Texture with Steampunk and Traveller's Notebook...perfection! ❤

Kate Yetter said...

This is such a gorgeous piece! I love all those baked textures and colors that you added to your embossed background. That gentleman is the icing on the cake.
Kate

Helen Wallace said...

Oh golly gosh! This is a superb example of Tim Holtz products used to perfection. Thanks for the link too. Love the result of sanding the Paper Dolls so it can be inked. The colours and textures of the cover are jaw dropping!!! I wish I had touch-a-screen computer! Anyway, I think you get the idea - this is a new fave for me. x

eileen hull said...

Wow Autumn- this is amazing 😍😍😍

Susie Bentz: My Time to Play said...

Excellent- so many great ideas AND it looks so amazing!

Susanne said...

Beautiful journal! So much texture, and love your collage!

Marty F said...

This is amazing, Autumn! What a great idea to use that packaging - I threw all of mine out last year :-( You certainly did a fab job with those baked textures and I love how the Chunky Rust surrounds the Rocky Road. The TH papers you used are just perfect for this project, completely complimenting that super cool cover. Love this! Hugs :-)

Zsuzsa Karoly-Smith said...

This looks so tactile - makes me want to caress it - I hope I'm not overstepping any boundaries here - I mean mentally caressing other people's artwork LOL! Seriously Autumn, this looks irresistible!

Donna Ellis said...

Wow! Fantastic masculine, steam-punky, texturized, vintage creation, Autumn! I love all the textures! But my favorite part is the man seeming to wait for ... what? A train to take him to his next job? in a parlor waiting to ask for his true love's hand in marriage? or maybe even waiting to talk with the person seeing your creation? They all point to a hopeful future - your sentiment is SO SO SO gorgeously wonderful and full of hope! hugs, de

Lisa said...

I don't even know what to say, Autumn - this is spectacular!! Actually, I can't speak because my jaw is on the ground!! Truly a work of art!! That rusted gear front is absolutely amazing!! Wow!! Love, love every single detail!! You are such an inspiration, my friend!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Mukta Parvatikar-Maniar said...

This is just amazing....
Hugs

Jackie PN said...

Totally COOL! Autumn! You are rocking those embossing and powders girlfriend! I love how you flatten- why have I never done that? heehee See! You are teaching me new things all of the time- now if I could just retain them- I'd be that much ahead! LOL
hugs,Jackie

Dorthe said...

Your cover is amazing , love all the grungy texture, and your chosen colors.
Sorry I have no time for reading your tutorial, now,- I hope to return to do it- looks interesting how you created the book Autumn.
Hugs, Dorthe

Jane Elizabeth France said...

heck..Autumn!!!....my craft room looks like a recycling centre!!!..Im a cardboard and packaging hoarder!..just cant bear to part with it. You have done amazing things with the packaging and the embossing, your creations are inspirational Autumn. hugs jane x

sarascloset said...

Wow! This grungy texture is AMAZING! I love all these grungy details and how you rescued some trash to make an awesome cover for your journal! I just wonder if you can hear all the applause! Hugs!

MakaArt said...

Just great! Maria ;-)

Nancy Wethington said...

How do you continue to create one masterpiece after another? I'm in awe of your work.

Words and Pictures said...

Wowzer - I missed this at the time, so I'm so glad I clicked on the Test as I'm starting my MAM commenting! A completely glorious piece of work - rusty texture galore and fantastic dimensional collaging as always. Beautiful!
Alison x

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