Journal For A Friend...

     I had decided to make a journal for a friend as a Christmas Present,

sneak peek here:

    Then the fun began -- what do I use to make the cover -- chip board, cardboard, 140# Watercolor paper, recycle something??? The ideas were endless but I ended up recycling cereal boxes. I used two of the same size, glued them together for added strength and thickness. I sanded the printed glossy side for better adhesion using Liquitex Matte Gel to glue together. I did not want the printed side out incase there might be any bleeding of the colors.

     When the matte gel set up, I cut the boxes to the size journal I wanted. Since I was using Designer Paper folded to 6x9 inch size, I made the front and back covers 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches to give a 1/4 lip all around.

     The sides of the cereal box were 2 3/4 inches wide which I kept, but cut the length to 6 1/2 inches.

      I cut duck cloth, which is a very heavy cotton material that resembles canvas, to 18 inches x 11 inches for the complete front/outside of the journal and 15 1/4 inches x 9 1/4 for the complete inside cover. The extra on the front cover allows for wrapping around to the inside for a finished look on the edges. Applying the smaller to the inside finishes the book. I left an eighth inch separation between the front/back cereal covers and what would be the spine, so the journal would close/open unobstructed.

     Using the Matte Gel, I glued all in place and left to dry over night. When all was dry I used Liquitex Gesso to all sides of the journal.

     I worked on the inside first. I wanted dimension, but not too much. I used gauze, lace, Magic Mesh, the mesh from an onion bag, felt flower strip, and dot tape, adhering all in place with matte gel. When all was dry, I added Liquitex Modeling paste for more dimension using a chicken wire stencil along with a harlequin, clock and dot stencils. Once all was dry, I covered it again in gesso.

     Using Lindy's Stamp Gang Gator Gumbo Olive and Jazzy Jivin' Purple Mardi Gras Mania Magicals and Tibetan Poppy Teal Autumn Leaves Collection Magicals, I sprinkled the DRY powders randomly over the inside covers. Then I spritzed with water and let the magic begin. I let the colors mingle and merge!! Where there was not enough coverage, I mixed the Magicals with water in Ranger Mini Misters and sprayed where I felt was needed.

     When all was dry, I mixed glitter from Finnabair Art ExtraVagance Glitter Mardi Gras set (Prima) with Art Basics 3D Gloss Gel (Prima) spreading onto the felt flowers to make them "pop" with that amazing glitter sparkle of this line of glitter!!!

     I also mixed a thick paste using the Gator Gumbo Olive Magical powder and water. Using my finger to spread this past onto the all the stenciled areas to highlight them with that amazing green gold!!!

     The depth and sparkle of LSG Magicals is breathtaking and they co-ordinate so richly with the Finnabair Glitter!!

Complete inside:

Left inside cover:

Right inside cover:

     Now for the outside. I wanted dimension on all the sides, just like the inside. Using the same materials from the inside, I cover the complete front with onion packaging mesh, gauze, lace and ribbon and magic mesh. I used the same stencils and the modeling paste to add more dimension.

     When all was dry, using items from my "stash" I collaged gears, beads, flowers, and various metal objects onto the front then gessoed everything.

     Applying the same technique as I did on the inside covers, I sprinkled the same Magicals randomly, then spritzed with water, filling in with more color from the sprays I made.

     I finished the outside cover off with the same paste of Gator Gumbo Olive on all the stenciled items and on the metal pieces on the front.

     Using the glitter gel, I added the purple and olive colors to all the flowers and some of the metal pieces.

     To complete the front, I attached a few rhinestones in the the Mardi Gras colors and added white pearl sprays.

     The sentiment I printed on music paper and sealed with JudiKin Micro Glaze which is a wax I use to seal Ink Jet printed items.

     I sealed all with Grumbacher Final Fixative, since everything is water based. Sure would hate for this to get wet!!!

     Now, all I have to do is add all the signatures and this will be done!!!

The full outside cover:

Front of journal:

Trying to catch the simmer and glitter here:

The back side of the journal:

Full journal again:

     I just love how LSG Magicals are tonal and have a luster and shimmer unique to them. The depth of color is amazing and they are a perfect pairing with Finnabair Mardi Gras Glitters

     Thanks for sticking around to read this long description, I truly appreciate it.