This is a unique challenge blog where we are inspired by and focus on the Vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial, timeworn and steampunk genres and encompass the talent, flair, expertise and ideas of many artists that we are inspired by. We welcome all types of projects - cards, journaling, assemblage, layouts, albums, atcs, altered art in fact whatever you want to share (as long as it is in good taste).

Monday 15 May 2017

Destination Inspiration : Arriving at Terminal 2

Hello Everyone and Welcome

Amanda here today, ready to greet you at Terminal #2 , the second leg of this months Destination Inspiration. Lets begin by taking a quick look inside the travel bag to remind ourselves of the contents:

Product: Any Ink or Paint
Technique: Brayering
Colour: Pale Blue
Substrate: Book

Ready to see what I have created? Here it is - a little piece of Art .



When having a good 'sort out' a few months ago now I came across a book I had made back in School (6th form- eek that shows my age). It was great to 'find' it and I put it to one side thinking at some point I would alter the cover. This was that point! However instead of just altering the cover I stripped the book covering off and then broke the book down so I had 2 panels and 4 hand sewn signatures to work with. (my name and form/class scribed in pencil is still visible after all those years- not that old after all! )



I decided to put the signatures to one side and use pages with text on instead. At this stage my thoughts were to have some of the text showing through my painty layers.



With my books sorted I was all set to start creating .I cut the 2 book covers into 4 smaller panels and primed with gesso.



I selected my choice of paints



and applied a layer of the required pale blue to 2 of the panels using my brayer. I then adhered torn pieces of the text book pages to the panels with Tim Holtz collage medium



before continuing to brayer the other colours of paint layer by layer. At some points in the process I brayered over either a wet wipe or a dry kitchen towel to remove some of the paint. I followed no golden rules just went with what felt right at the time and enjoyed the process.



With all the layers of colour the text on the torn pages soon became unnoticeable but though it wasn't what I intended I decided it still looked ok especially when I added a touch of drama with black acrylic paint and some stamping using Jet Black Archival ink and a couple of Seth Apter stamps- Dot Matrix and Word Chain. 



At this point I decided to work on just one of the panels - the one on the left. Here's a closer look



Now for the various elements and embellishments.



The two strips are off cuts from the book covers. They were primed with gesso then the wider one was coloured using my brayer with the pale blue paint before delicately rubbing distress inks over the surface using my finger, whilst the thinner one was covered with Tim Holtz Grit paste and then painted, again using my finger, with the distress paints.

The butterfly is one of the beauties from Tim Holtz Flutter stamp set, heat embossed with Archival Ink and clear embossing powder



and coloured using Distress inks



The circle is created using Seth Apters 'Ring Around' die- just the larger one, die cut from black card stock.



With all my 'pieces' complete it was just a case of 'placing' all the elements onto the panel and adding a few finishing touches - yes you guessed it-hex nuts topped with black gem dots.

Here's a few close ups



The text on the torn pages may not show but the pages create some lovely texture









and one more to finish


Thank you for accompanying me on the 2nd leg of  this months Destination Inspiration. I hope both I and Sandy (Terminal #1)  have inspired you so far but be sure to pop back next Monday when a fellow Creative Guide will be ready to greet you at Terminal #3 to continue the journey.
We hope you will be able to join us in our current challenge 'Use a Quote'. 
There's still plenty of time to enter as the challenge is open until June 1st 2017. 
We always love to see what you create and appreciate each and every one of your entries .
Wishing you all a great week
Happy Crafting 
Amanda 
xxx

37 comments:

  1. Wow Amanda, you certainly created a dramatic piece with your book cover! The book pages really do create some lovely texture and I really love that very subtle stamping in the background and that butterfly is just stunning! What a wonderful way to showcase the items in the travel bag - love this!! xxx

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  2. A brilliant post Amanda, love the transformation of your old school book and the steps you took to get to that amazing textured finish. The butterfly and Seth's diecut look amazing as the focal points. Xxx

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  3. Wonderful altered book cover! Just love the grungy backdrop for the embellishments. Stunning creation. Xxx

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  4. Just fabulous Amanda, great step out and the finished result looks amazing! So love how you coloured the butterfly and how wonderful you were able to use a book you made in school, - wow, that makes it extra special. xxx

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  5. Amanda, I just love your style, and it came shining through on this altered book cover! Brilliant post with all of the steps clearly noted so if I made one it would come out exactly like yours! NOT!!!! Love the texture and the signature A Pink design! Drop dead gorgeous industrial look that I love! Hugs!

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  6. Great step by steps Amanda. I love the addition of the torn pages which add fabulous texture and detail to the backdrop. Love the circle centrepiece and your butterfly is gorgeous, love the colours. Great way to alter your book. Have a lovely week. Tracy x

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    1. Thank you Tracy. Hope you have a lovely week too x

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  7. What a wonderful find - I'm not sure I'd've been able to take apart a book I made that long ago, but I do love the new makeover. Great to have the book text pages to work on now, and all that texture is fabulous. Amazing rusting on the die cut, and I love your vivid butterfly, and especially the jewelled bolts - so cool!
    Alison x

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    1. Thanks Alison . If you'd have seen the original book covering ( drab and dreary - school budgets and all) I'm sure you would have been keen to update at least . x

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  8. Fabulous project and all the wonderful layers to create a fabulous book cover.
    Hugs
    Linda xxx

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  9. Pink!!!!!! You're still rocking ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Love this, you always create such beautiful work!

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    1. AW Thope you are having a wonderful Birthday . x

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    2. That should have read Thank you Teri . Hope you are having a wonderful birthday . Apologies

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  10. What a great design for your altered book Amanda! I like how the text strips turned into blackened areas a great unplanned design change!! Your butterfly is beautiful too! Julia xx

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  11. WOW Amanda this is awesome! What a way to save an old project and restore it into something amazing! You did an amazing job with the paints and texture, love the added addition of the nuts! Truly an inspiration! Please check out my blog as I host challenges every Friday, always anything goes! Please come play with us! Have a great day!
    Hugs,
    Jo
    ♥ Jo's Scrap Shack ♥

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  12. It's so very cool Amanda! I love the black/teal combo and the gorgeous bfly and round die together! Brilliant rework! Hugs, Autumn

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  13. Loved seeing how your creativity came together Amanda. This is so unique in color and design which is what I love to see!!! Xj.

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  14. Love your books new cover Amanda, fabulous textures and love the addition of the torn book pages. Fabulous use of the travel bag contents, thanks for sharing it! Deb xo

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  15. Utterly stunning Amanda!!! LOVE the whole layering process on the old school book (how fortuitous was that!) and of course the magnificent embellishing. A stand out project - thank you for sharing xx

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  16. Such an amazing DI project Amanda x love the way you have used the contents of the travel bag and wonderful photographs. Love the colour mix and texture, complete with Seths fabulous die x huge hugs Annie xx

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  17. I only have two words for this project Amanda, SIMPLY AWESOME!!!

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  18. Another spectacular piece Amanda..and definitely one that has to go on my blog :-)

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    1. Thank you so much! Seth for the love and the blog feature! What a thrill and honour. Much appreciated x

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