However, I also have the practical perspective of Marie Kondo, which I've had from birth. Books are just things. They aren't people, or animals, and they don't have feelings. So one of my favorite things to do is to use them as art tools. I have been roasted for this in the past, which I care nothing about, except for the amount of amusement it brings me.
But my love of books and all things book related really was cemented when I first discovered art journaling. I wish I remembered that first introduction to it - it was probably my sweet and beautiful friend Vicky Pappaioannou, who I'm so glad I got to see again last week at Creativation. Her creations are fantastic, and the book format for creating art just brings together all the things I love in one neat little package.
So when I saw my friend Melanie's new stamp set with an open book, and lots of accessories - the first place my mind went is to an art journal.
I took a Gel Press print I made at Creativation while demoing in the booth, and stamped the beautiful book image onto it using my MISTI and Amalgam ink. Then I cut it out and set that aside. I took a white card front, and set the bookmark image up on the MISTI and stamped it onto the card front. Then I took a contrasting Gel Press print and stamped the bookmark onto that and cut that out. I got to use Pebeo paints for the first time at Creativation and I am hooked. They have some shimmery paints that do amazing things on the Gel Press. Hopefully that will be coming to a video near you soon.
Next, I used Connect Glue to adhere the book image onto the cardstock, lining it up with the bookmark image on the card panel. Then I used the 1/8" side of my Crop-a-Dile to punch out the hole in the bookmark (see the print peeking through?), and glued that down onto the book - lining it up with the tassel that was on the book and the card base and on the print. Then came the fun part.
I stamped the butterflies and sentiment from this stamp set onto the Gel Press print, and embellished the bookmark and stamp images with a white gel pen and my .3 multiliner. I took the rest of this print and cut a card front sized piece to mat the panel with and glued that down on a card base. I shaded the crease and under the bookmark with a cool grey marker for a realistic shadow. I just love this image so much - so many possibilities, and the perfect size to do all the things.
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And what's crazy is - my friend Melanie - who lives here in Austin, designed this set for my amazing friend Gina, who is just the cat's meow. She had her first booth at Creativation this year, and it was beautiful. Here's a picture of her booth.
And here's a picture of us - you can see her husband behind us.
I'm glad to have found a calling where I can spend my money with people I know and love. Gina is someone I know and love. Melanie is someone I know and love. Good feeling.
Speaking of spending money - while I was gone, the last order I placed with her arrived - I was so happy to come home to Key Lime envelopes and Connect Glue - the glue has such a tiny opening it's perfect for die cuts and just general glue use.
Loveyameanitbye.
Oh MY!!!! This is spectacular. I love it and the set. I knew I was sunk when I saw Melanie's sneek peek last night.
ReplyDeleteCould you please do me a favor and stop making a liar out of me? K, thanks. Because THIS is my favorite thing you’ve ever made. I know I said it was the last thing you made, but now it’s this thing. First off, it’s brilliant. Second, the colors and design are spectacular. Third, now I have new stamp sets and new paints to buy. Love you ♥️
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing...wow so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteEvery. Thing. About. This post. LOVE. You are fabulous. That is all. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteSimply stunning! I love books and I see Melanie has included a cat too! What could be better? Just last weekend our son was home and we talked about the hours and hours I read Harry Potter to them! He loved it but my daughter said she was BORED! She admitted that she only listened to my husband read her stories when she was little because she could tell it was important to him! Bored? What? :) The written word might be boring to her but she will LOVE this when I show her. She adores color! I love what you did with the book mark too! This is a magical piece of art!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Lydia! I'm just trying to figure something out. You said you stamped the butterflies onto the book so how did they get white? Unless you used your gel pen to color it. Please answer this for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you!