Hello crafters! We had a weekend with lovely warm autumn weather. Unfortunately, many leaves are falling, so the trees aren't quite as pretty any longer. I wish that most beautiful period of autumn would last a little longer, but I guess part of its beauty lies in the fact that it is so fleeting and short.
This week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog we have a Starry Night theme. Stars are one of my favorite things to include in projects, and they work for so many different themes. Don't miss the last project of our October guest designer Tenia Nelson, aka Jazzy Paper Designs.
This week, I created a dreamy galaxy in one of my art journals. The background was such fun to create and it is quick and easy. I found a little cut-out photo of Anton on my desk, from when he was smaller, and decided to let him fly on a cloud on the page. It looks like he is balancing, which worked extra well together with the quote by Vincent van Gogh. The background would work great for many different projects, such as scrapbooking layouts and Christmas cards.
The larger spot at the bottom right was an accident, but I decided that it kind off looked like a far off planet or a moon.
I used Tim Holtz new Sizzix Swirling Stars for the background. Start with a piece of watercolor paper and die cut the star designs. For the two very detailed dies, it is a good idea to use the Sizzix Chrome Precision Base Plate, since it works great to get a clean cut with detailed wafer-thin dies.
Mist the background with Tim's Distress Resist Spray and let dry. I love resist techniques and this is such a cool product. I misted a larger piece of paper at the same time, for future projects.
Mist the background with Distress Spray Stains, starting with the lighter shades. Instead of misting with water to blend, I used the Cracked Pistachio spray, to make sure I got as saturated colors as possible. It is fun to watch them blend and move around.
There was leftover ink from the misting on my craft sheet, and I pressed a piece of watercolor paper into the ink, misting the ink with a little water first. This will form a cool background for future projects, and made sure I didn't waste all that ink.
Stamp with the a dotted background stamp, just here and there, for a little more texture.
The new Flurry 1 snowflake die has a star shape, and I thought it would work well to ground the photo to the background. Look at the fantastic fine detail of this die. Again, the Chrome Precision Base Plate works great when it comes to die cutting these detailed dies. I die cut it from Simon Says Stamp lovely White Diamond Glimmery Paper.
The same glimmer paper was placed behind the galaxy panel, since I wanted the stars to be white, but also just a little bit shimmery. The quotes were printed and cut into strips.
I loved the effect of the Resist Spray and almost wished I had added some more. It also gives a really cool textured feel to the paper. The swirly star designs and the swirly color complement each other to create a dynamic looking galaxy background.
The cloud was made with a piece of cheese cloth - it is white in real life, but for some reason it is looking distressed here. I also added some Clipping Hearts which were leftovers from Friday's SSS Fun and Festive Blog Hop post.
Here's another lovely quote about stars.
It is hard to capture the shine of the white glimmer cardstock, but perhaps you can see it a little bit here.
I rounded the outer corners and adhered it in my Small Creative Journal. My journals aren't chronological, but I date every page. Some pages work better as right hand or left-hand pages. When I work directly in my journals, I often choose the right-hand page, especially when the journal has started to become fuller, since that page usually lies flat, while the left-hand page doesn't. So these lose pages that are taped into the journal often end up on the left, but the galaxy worked better on the right.
For more inspiration on the Starry Night theme, check out my Embossed Cityscape tag from last week.
I hope you will join us this week in our Starry Night 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 next Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in.
LOVE this Anna-Karin! Fabulous art journal page! Little Anton star stepping is so cute and I love the colours of the galaxy, so beautifully done! GORGEOUS! :-)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great day!
luv
Lols x x x
All that I can say is Gorgeous!!! I love this journal page and the stencil and the Longfellow poem. This post is shear delight. I'm so Happy I came visiting.
ReplyDeleteConnie :)
Thank you!! I am so loving this project and how to!! I really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteWonderful dreamy galaxy Anna-Karin! I love how you've created your universe, and the boy on the cloud is awesome! Perfect quotes too. hugs, Maura
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty!
ReplyDeleteOooooohhhhh..... This AJ page is just AWESOME!!!! Love, love, love it!!
ReplyDeletePinned https://www.pinterest.it/pin/534802524499092050/
Wonderful colours and fabulous techniques used here, the stars stencil is just perfect with the quotes and your fussy cut son's photo is the perfection as focal point!! Any detail is a joy for the eyes, also the "blob-planet" in the corner! :)
Thanks so much for sharing this piece of Art!!!
Such a fabulous journal page Anna-Karin, the background colours are gorgeous, as are the stars. Anton looks so good on the snowflake (at first glance I thought it was a paper doll). I have been keeping my hands in my pocket but have had to succumb to buying the stars die and that gorgeous snowflake - you are such an enabler!! Hugs, Anne xx
ReplyDeleteThis is such a fabulous page! I had not heard of the resist spray before, so thank you for introducing me to a new product! :) Of course the star of the show, pardon my pun, is that adorable photo!
ReplyDeleteThe way you used the Swirling Stars die is brilliant, Anna-Karin! Pair that with the colors and a quote from one of my favorite artists and BOOM you've won my heart! Fabulous project! Love the idea of the snowflake as a star too :)
ReplyDelete*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!
"Forget-me-nots of the angels..." this is such a beautiful comparison. Love this sentiment and I could even imagine that. Love the deep dark background you made for the stars. The scene with the happy boy on a cloud is so sweet. Pretty project! Hugs, Macarena.
ReplyDeletethis is gorgeous Anna-Karin!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a stunning creation, Anna-Karin. The colors and stars on the background are amazing. Love the great sentiment, too. :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful art journal page Anna-Karin, the background is gorgeous and I love Anton standing on the mummy cloth cloud, hugs kath xxx
ReplyDeleteFabulous art journal page, Anna-Karin! Love the deep green color of the background, it's so rich! And the stars are amazing! Hugs, Sandra
ReplyDeleteWow ! Amazing colors, my favorite colors! adore your background! the whole design is incredible! barbara
ReplyDeleteThe color you achieved on your background is outstanding! I absolutely love it!
ReplyDelete