Hi friends! I hope you had a good weekend and managed to get some crafty time. We went to a fun Halloween party and for another beautiful autumn walk. I love seeing how nature changes when I compare photos from a couple a week's ago and now.
This week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog we have a Monochrome challenge. I always enjoy doing projects using only one color, in addition to maybe black or white, but don't do it nearly often enough.
Don't miss the very warm and pretty card by our October guest designer Wanda Hentges.
A couple of weeks ago, I made Anton an Alphabet Notebook which he uses to practice writing, and also drawing in. He likes it a lot and asked for a second one, for drawing only, and with 'only white pages'. The sketchbook was made with Eileen Hull's Sizzix Journal die, and I picked one of Anton's favourite colors, turquoise. The book was embellished with stamps by Darkroom Door and Prima.
I wanted a book feel to the sketchbook and started out by adhering white sticky-back canvas to mat board. To make sure it really stuck, I glued it down with Matte Medium first. Don't die cut until the medium is dry. You need the Extended Cutting Pads together with the Journal die, and it fits perfectly through an ordinary Big Shot or Vagabond.
Coat with gesso.
When stamping on textured surfaces, I often use tissue paper. Stamp on tissue paper with a waterproof ink. I used three stamps by Darkroom Door: Pencils, Happy Quote and Wild Africa vol. 2, as well as one stamp set by Prima, Iron Orchid Art Supplies.
Tear around the edges of the tissue paper images and apply with Gloss Multi-Medium. Add a coat of multi-medium on the background first, then carefully place the image into the medium and add another coat on top. I wanted the pencils to be longer than on the stamped image, so I stamped them twice and cut the top part off from the second impression. By mistake, I glued the bottom part the wrong way around, but I don't think it shows much in the end.
When dry, paint with Dina Wakley's Ocean and Turquoise paints, adding a little water when needed.
I stamped the background repeatedly with the art definition stamp from the Art Supplies set and splattered it with black paint.
For the inside, cut papers to 8.5 x 8.25 in (22 x 21 cm) and place in signatures of about six papers each, depending on the thickness of the paper. Fold, score and then stitch down the center. You can also use staples. I rounded the corners for a finished look. I used Neenah cardstock, and added a sheet of watercolor paper here and there, for variety.
The spine was glued with Matte Medium and placed under heavy books until dry. Bind the book with elastics, according to the instructions on the die packaging.
Tie through a button on the outside and tie the other end to form a closure for the book.
Simply slip the signatures under the elastics and you are done. Anton thought the binding of his book is very cool and he can also take out a signature if it is easier to draw on it unattached to the cover.
Customize word stickers with ink to fit with the monochrome color scheme. The Pencils stamp is such a fun stamp and if you make a multi-colored version of this book, you can color each pencil in a different color.
I love this sentiment from the Prima stamp set.
Customize Deco Tape with alcohol ink and turn it into any color. The title was die cut from wool felt with Tim Holtz's Deco die.
Another stamped sentiment by Darkroom Door and more Small Talk stickers.
I really like the chunky look of these journals.
You could also add a title to the spine.
Here's the back of the journal, with even more stamping and words.
I love this Happy Quote stamp by Darkroom Door and have used it a lot. The stars were die cut from wool felt with Tim's Stacked Stars die.
Anton picked the number tissue tape himself, since he loves numbers.
I also really like this stamp with all the paint brushes, and one of my favourite sentiments.
Here is Anton's drawing and writing books next to each other. You can find the tutorial for the Alphabet Notebook here. I have also made another three journals with Eileen's Journal die, if you want more inspiration: Tree Sketchbook, Seaside Journal, and the most recent Christmas Journal with the SSS Making Spirits Bright release.
I hope you will join us this week in our Monochrome challenge. As always, you have a chance to win a $50 gift voucher to do some fun shopping at Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in.
Do you use Instagram? If so please add #sssmchallenge so we can see your entries there too.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog today!
Happy crafting!
Anna-Karin
Supplies:
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What an awesome drawing book, Anna-Karin! I love the colors and design and if I were Anton, I'd use it all the time. Love it!
ReplyDeleteCathie ♥
Oh, so pretty! I love them both, what a fabulous set of journals. The turquoise is so beautiful with all its shades and the stamps match perfectly the purpose of the journal. The big letters are my fave fonts! Hugs, Marzena
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful drawing journal for Anton, no wonder he loves it! I really love how you did your elastic stringing, it is so neat... I really must try doing one that way! Hugs, Anne xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous drawing journal! I love how you created the journal using sticky back canvas. Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE LOVE LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome book Anna-Karin and a great tutorial, as always. Thanks for the heads up on Wanda's beautiful card, I enjoyed seeing that as well. TFS!
ReplyDeleteI love these books you make for Anton! This one looks awesome in monochrome. Lots of fun touches, and I especially like the button closure, Anna-Karin! hugs, Maura
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sketchbook! The stamps are perfect and you used such amazing colours - I love it! Enjoy your week! J 😊
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous piece! I love the color palette from the get-go and then I adore all the different textures you added. I also love the structure of this and how it has all the elastic and the button closure. Very fun details!
ReplyDeleteFabulous project Anna-Karin and I love your colour choice, it just works so well on this beautiful journal which I'm sure Anton will enjoy using... :)
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful sketch-book Anna-Karin, love all the tones of blue you used, Anton is such a lucky boy...hugs kath xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a message of encouragement to present your child with a book that says, "Everything put inside is very important and deserves a special place for safekeeping."
ReplyDeleteReally I'm in awe! My favorite color and design fabulous creating an incredible piece of art! Love it! barbara
ReplyDeleteWow!!! i am in awe aswell like Barbara!! Love the way you designed the cover, it is awesome!
ReplyDeleteYour book is fabulous!!!!!!! I love everything about it. I had to take a second look at the pencils to see what you were talking about as I hadn't even noticed. Even now knowing, I think it looks totally fine!! It's so wonderful that he likes his books and that you made them!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fun and awesome sketchbook, Anna-Karin. The color scheme and the embellishments you created are fantastic! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, love this gorgeous sketchbook, Anna-Karin! The pencils are fabulous and love the color! Hugs, Sandra
ReplyDelete