Most of the time when I create for pleasure, I have no idea how the project will go. It is a challenge to deal with design issues as they come up and it is satisfying when the pieces come together. The "journey" is as pleasing as the "destination." For the above skinny book page, I had no pre-conceived idea. I decided to let the paper determine the theme, so I went to a scrapbook store and challenged myself to create with the first paper that I struck my fancy. I found pretty pink paper from "Laundry Line" by "My Mind's Eye".
Step 1. Cut the paper to a 3 x 5 size and mount it to a contrasting paper to make a stiff working surface.
Step 2 - Layer additional papers. The pink paper was so feminine, I wanted to continue a feminine theme. I tore a random piece of dress pattern and used Golden Matte finish medium to adhere it.
Step 3 - Add acrylic paints. I did a light wash of color over the center of the papers and a heavy application of white long the edges. At this point, I still have no idea what I'm making.
** Do NOT get too attached to your background. It is a mistake. If you love your background, mess it up and start over. You will find yourself compromising your design to keep from covering up something you like.
Step 4 - Choose a focal point. I pulled out my feminine stamps and chose an image I could highlight with pink. I stamped the lady from "Art of Being Beautiful" in Sepia Archival ink and used the pad to edge the image. I highlighted the stamped image with a pink Tombow marker. I like to give my pieces "headlines" so I stamped "Mode de Paris" from the "April in Paris" collection. (All stamps Oxford Impressions, of course!)
Step 5 - Add additional stamp and textures. I added the postmark to reinforce the French theme. I used the sepia ink to add a dark balance to the bottom of the page. I used a circle image for interest - most of the other elements are very linear - straight lines and squares. Since my theme is now fashion, it was an easy decision to choose fabrics and threads as texture. I cut two small pieces of natural colored skrim fabric and arranged them to frame out the focal point. I loaded some cream colored thread into the sewing machine and stitched the decorative bottom border.
Step 6 - Distress the stamped focal point. This is the hardest thing for me to do! I hate messing up my stamped images! I took some medium grit sandpaper and roughed it up, making sure not to scratch the face.
Step 7 - add the finishing touches. I attached the focal image with matte medium. I have quite a collection of old buttons and I found one that really seemed to fit. I made a color photo copy of the button and mounted it to chipboard. I cut out the button image, attached it with matte medium and added a crystal to the center to mimic the sparkle of the real one. A white gel Signo pen was employed to write "passion for fashion" and add curly accents.
Suzanne
This is a great piece. I love it! Great job on it. I know what you mean about scuffing up your work; I have to take a deep breath myself but love the results! Kathy Eddy
Posted by: Kathy Eddy | December 11, 2008 at 08:46 PM
Gorgeous page Suzanne and I can just imagine the pain you went through roughing up the stamped image!
Posted by: Debbi Bakewr | December 12, 2008 at 05:20 AM
Suze - this is awesome!!! Love the roughed up look.
Posted by: Marva | December 13, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Very pretty, great tutorial!
Posted by: Lindsay Weirich | December 13, 2008 at 08:20 PM
thanks for letting me have your extra one..so glad that you came yesterday..thank you again for the most AWSOME ss gift..i have gone thru the box another 3 times since yesterday afternoon..my mind is reacing with things i would love to do with all the great things.
Posted by: michelle | December 14, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Hey Michelle! I had a wonderful time at your home! You have a true gift for decorating. Your entire house was amazing! Your craft room totally puts mine in the shade. I felt like I was on a field trip to coolsville. About the skinny book, I was a total goof. I thought about doing a Christmas theme and discarded it. "Oh, everyone will do that," I thought. I didn't realize that it was a REQUIREMENT of the swap! How embarrassing! Well, I had a good time making them anyway. Let me know if you want to get together for some pizza - or art making!
Suzanne
Posted by: Suzanne | December 14, 2008 at 12:44 PM
She turned out BEAUTIFUL! I love the peach/brown mis on cream. It looks vintage.
Posted by: Tammi | December 16, 2008 at 08:42 PM
This page is simply wonderful. Love the vintage look. Great job!
Gaby
Posted by: Gaby Bee | January 07, 2009 at 02:24 AM