Tuesday 22 March 2011

Mixed Media Book Cover

I've been looking for projects to give me ideas and techniques to play with and saw this book cover designed by Angie Hughes in an old copy of Stitch Magazine.  I've pretty much stuck exactly to her instructions and I've had such fun making this!  It surprised me how many different techniques are involved.   
















The above pic is curtain interlining which has been sploshed with watered down PVA glue and allowed to dry.  A layer of scrim has been added to the top section and crumpled tissue to the bottom section with the assistance of Bondaweb.







I then couched cord to the bottom section and along the middle dividing line, adding a vertical layer of hand stitching.









The top section was then covered with punched flowers and a bead hand stitched onto each.  I then painted the top half with fluorescent pink and the bottom half with bright yellow (you wouldn't know it would you?!) and finally sploshed on watered down prussian blue followed by a layer of Lumiere metallic paint.   I've also ironed on some gold foil to highlight the raised areas and added a backing fabric to the underside.


Lastly, I stitched a cord all round the edge (once I had dyed it) and finally added a cord to hold it together.  I think I'm going to decorate the cord and add some dangly things but I'll look for those at the NEC show in Birmingham which is on later this week (anyone going??)  Anyway - you may think it was a lot of work but it was huge fun to make and I've learnt a lot too.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

well worth the effort/work Carol - its totally stunning, just wish I had the patience to create something like this.

Minxy said...

WOW WOW WOW, how fantastic did that turn out.. i love it :D

Cath Wilson said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Carol, but you must be SO patient!! I'd never do all that fiddly stuff. I'm impressed.

Createology said...

This is an amazing amount of texture. I love the colors and design you came up with. Your journal is now unique and ever so clever! Happy journaling...

Karen said...

this is absolutely stunning, I love it. Are you going to work in it? thanks so much for the lovely words about my work too, Karen

patcrafts said...

This is stunning,love the colours and all the flowers. Thank you for the step by step.

Marita Soutar said...

It's gorgeous! Just love it! The colours are lovely.

Heather said...

Your book cover is gorgeous Carol. You should email a photo of it to Angie Hughes - she'd be impressed. Enjoy your visit to the NEC and don't forget to tell us all about it and the goodies you bought!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous piece, absolutely love the depth of colour and great idea adding the punched flowers then painting over the top. Tracy x

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous! And no, I wouldn't know!!!! I really love the colours and the textures are so lovely :))

Anonymous said...

Really nice Carol, I love the colours and texture, I would love to find five mins to play with some fabric, I have the fabric journal book and just drool over it late at night.

Juls said...

wow wow wow!!!!! This is amazing!!!! such a gorgeous creation....I look forward to seeing it blinged up with your beads e.c.t.....Love the colours and the textures! Hugs Juls

Netty said...

Oh wow Carol this is so beautiful. I don't understand all those technical sewing terms but to see the process and end results are just amazing. Beautiful work my friend. Annette x

Suzanne C said...

Lovely cover! The layers are fantastic! Beautiful!

Sid said...

Ohhhh !!! it's fantastic !!

Chris said...

This is just fabulous, Carol. Love all the texture and the colours. My, what patience you have. :)

craftimamma said...

This is gorgeous Carol. I might have attempted it at one time but like several other commentors I know I wouldn't have the patience now.

Thank you for taking time to explain what you did. The result is a totally beautiful piece of work.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

hazel said...

This is wonderful Carol. Love the textures and the beautiful colours.
xxx Hazel.

Neet said...

This is stunning. I am so envious of your talent. I love the colours, the ..... everything! Brilliant Carol.

Pia said...

woooow so beautiful
hugs pia

thekathrynwheel said...

Wow, this amazing - stunning! I LOVE it :-)

Jo Capper-Sandon said...

oooooooooo ooooooooooo oooooo I missed this!! How did I miss it!!! Ohhhhhhhh its the most beautiful stunning piece. Very clever indeed

Miek said...

I like your work very much, this is very cool!