I decided to go back and catch up with one of the few art journal prompts that I didn't complete when they first came out. I didn't discover this weekly challenge until week 10 and have three more to catch up on, while keeping up with the new prompts. The prompt was 'believe' and I immediately thought of some lines from one of my favourite ABBA songs (I have a Dream).
I thought that I'd better complete this page as the next mission has already been posted and we are now in June. I'm not usually this late, but I got sidetracked with other things over half term. In the end I decided to make the page semi auto biographical as I am the eldest (by 15 minutes) of four (three girls and the youngest a boy). The quote is completely tongue in cheek, as my parents do not feel this way at all. However the old fashioned nature of the Paper Dolls that I used as the focal points reminded me of the 'Victorian/Edwardian' feelings about children. As my brother (aged 6) once said about our grandparents, "I'm not spoiled, I'm ruined rotten." The colours of the month were Teal, Lavender and Grey, so I decided to use a warm grey which matches the colour tones of the Paper Doll characters.
I must admit that I got part way through this page and then lost my mojo for a couple of days. The effect was of such a beautiful old fashioned marble printed book cover that I didn't want to spoil the effect. This challenge celebrates the growth of the JJJAMA group (Junk Journals Junkies and Mindful Art) started by the fabulous Louise Withers to over 1000 members. The theme of tolerance is most appropriate in these challenging times.
I have a friend of mine to thank for this technique. She was using it when crafting with me in the shed the other day. I tried a couple of backgrounds, but preferred the one with a little more white space and made it into a card.
This card was made for a colleague who was married yesterday and was signed by the staff of the school where we work. I hope that she and her new husband had a fabulous day.
Wow, what a week that was. I think I managed to visit everyone's desks eventually. You can tell it was the anniversary last week as I don't think I've had 50 to visit before. If I missed anyone, major apologies. Thanks again Julia for keeping things going so long (and LLJ for stepping in when needed). This is such an amazing group of people. If you want to know what I'm on about, visit the Stamping Ground where our lovely host will explain all. I didn't do too much swapping myself as I don't make ATCs, only tags. I hope my PIF Sandra De in Australia gets hers before long (it did go off Air Mail) and that Shaz's arrived safely too. I received two gorgeous ATCs; the one on the left is from Lisa (I was her PIF) and arrived with a lovely note; the one on the right was as a swap from Shaz (Silverwolf) whom I met for the first time (along with Neet and several others) at Port Sunlight. Thank you both, they are beautiful works of art.
I'd better show you my desk as this is the purpose of our weekly get together. As you can see, I was working on some shaving foam backgrounds, a technique that I haven't used in ages but decided to retry. I was working with Aqua Tints, but you can use Distress re inkers or Ecoline inks too. In the foreground is my latest journal page (see HERE), which started as a mop up sheet from another project.
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| Eva puts me to shame! |
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| I will have to try this! |
Finally I'd like to share some more cards which my friend made from the backgrounds she created during her play session in the shed with me last week. This week she is playing around with Gelatos, trying a blowing technique. I did pass on all the lovely comments about her cards from last week's post!
I haven't used this technique for creating backgrounds for ages, but having seen a journal page by Sue Ralph recently using a shaving foam background, I decided to have a session. As you
can see, the effect gives you a look of marble and you can never be sure
of the exact finish until you clean off the foam.
