Wednesday 24 June 2015

Making journals


I just love a ready made journal ... the instant accessibility is a winner. And I should know because I have got lots and lot of journals (none of them are finished of course!)

But I don't think there is anything more satisfying than making your own journal from scratch.

I recently went to a proper bookbinding course (!) I learned a lot, but the finished book was a bit too neat for me so I couldn't wait to do my own freestyle version.


I finally got the time to play with my new Decoart Media goodies yay! The combination of fluid acrylics with the white tinting base is right up my street. If you have seen any of my DVDs or watched any of my on-line classes, you will know I nearly always begin painting with white and add colour to it allowing me to build up depth of colour, so this combination is great for me :-)

I started by making a colour swatch. You knew I would do that didn't you?!


And then I made a concertina style journal using cartridge paper. Some of the pages are already complete but I still have a lot to add to the others:







This is how the pages began. Yikes, it looks really messy!


 The cover was constructed with grey board covered with Ranger Sticky back canvas. and coated with Paynes Grey. I then gave it a good coat of Decoart Matte Varnish, before stamping and embossing in clear:



I have started to add the pages to the inside but I am keeping it 'free' at the back of the journal to allow me to pull the pages out fully to work on but you can see here how it is starting to look like a book.







19 comments:

  1. As always your artwpork is LUSH , kate. I love the way you are not afraid to be bold with your colours and designs! Millie

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  2. Wow! Gorgeous! I also love making books myself. Just made a junkbook with leftover scraps. But I love your colours and your style. It's always making me glad!L
    Love Margo.

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  3. I love this little journal, full of colour and lots of things to look at. The cover is really cool too. I'm playing with the paints right now :) Michelle xx

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  4. I always gasp when I see your projects. So much delightful color and scribbles and arty joy. Love this.

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  5. what a beautiful journal!

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  6. What a gloriously beuaitful journal.Love all your pages and the cover is super cool too.

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  7. Just gorgeous Kate!! Love that palette!xx

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  8. This is beautiful Kate. Love all the colour and layers. x

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  9. This is just sooooo beautiful!!!!!
    Greetings from Vienna,
    Claudia x

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  10. this is gorgeous. so colourful and a perfect example of mixed media :)

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  11. Beautiful! Love the colours and fabulous patterns

    Jools x

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  12. This is just the coolest! I adore your bright DecoArt Media Line interior pages....WAY COOL! And your do it yourself cover is awesome as well! I have ALL of that stuff....why didn't I think of that?!!?! You are one very talented lady, Kate. Thanks for sharing! <3 Candy

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  13. So gorgeous art journal!!! very beautiful!! hugs

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  14. Fabulous - the media paints are lovely to work with aren't they xx

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  15. Oh my goodness, this is absolutely stunning! Such a great mixed media example & the colours are incredible! I don't think I have been to your blog before (came via decoArt Facebook link). I WANT/NEED all their products. So wish I had the pennies. I own 2 colours & 2' finishes' but not sure how to use them all. A lot to learn which is why I shall subscribe to you straight away! Wow, this is fantastic, wish I could create like this!

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    1. Thank you so much! And thanks for dropping by my blog :-)

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  16. STUNNING Kate ♥♥

    Enjoy the paints ♥♥♥

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