Saturday, 13 July 2013

Art Journal

As soon as I saw France's art journal project over on the PA blog earlier this week, I was hooked.  France used a mini-canvas for hers. I didn't have anything small enough so I took apart a 21 x 14 cm canvas, sawed some new mitred corners, reduced it down 14 x 13 cm, re-attached the canvas through the new frame as opposed to across it and carried on from there. I also took it as an opportunity to use up my stash of odd papers to give different surfaces to work on. 



Like France's project, I attached the doors to the front of the frame (made from mount board). I  used up some spare pieces of canvas for the hinges. The surface of the frame and the outer covers of the journal have all been crackled and heavily distressed to make it look as scruffy as possible.  The little star and ribbon were actually off a bought birthday card for another member of the family that was about to go in the rubbish bin.


It's a long time since I've done a coptic stitch binding but it's not complicated once you look at a YouTube video. (What would be do without YouTube!).  The whole thing is actually about 5 cm deep with it's frame attached and a lovely chunky size to draw in.  Thanks France for a fab project!


20 comments:

Heather said...

What a stunning project and a fantastic result. If I wasn't already fully occupied I'd want to try it myself. I must make a note of it in my 'To Do' notebook.

Chris said...

Wow, that's stunning, Carol. Love the doors and the surface treatment.

Have a great weekend. xx

Helen said...

I haven't done any of France's projects this week, which is a shame because (as ever!) they are all gorgeous. I need to study you-tube, because your book looks gorgeous. Good luck in the draw!

Julie Lee said...

Fabulous work! This is so lovely and vintage I feel I want to see in irl and touch the textures. I can't wait to give the coptic binding a go myself when I have a minute: I will look on YouTube soon. Thanks for sharing this. Julie Ann xx

Lin said...

Carol this is great..love how you've used all your different papers and the covers look great!!I love making books!!

Karin said...

You've done a fabulous job on your mini book Carol, it's definitely on my to do list.

Inkypinkycraft said...

A fab project! Looks great x trace x

Craftyfield said...

What a fantastic journal, custom made no less (can't believe you made your own canvas frame)!

Paula J Atkinson said...

Gorgeous project, Carol!

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely to die for, Carol - this is beyond beautiful. I adore handmade books... I now need some time to have a go myself!
Alison x

craftimamma said...

Fabulous improvisation on your part Carol and a wonderful book as a result. Great aged effect and lovely binding (which I have never tried).

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Gillian .... said...

Love your make as I did the orginal project from France, I adore these little handmade books that look like they have been around and stood the test of time. xx

sam21ski said...

Ooooh fabulous little book Carol.

Your turn again tonight!!!

Sam xxx

Rossella said...

Wow, fantastic, Carol
Rosie x

Gráinne said...

That's so very awesome! Love it. Suzanne

Alison said...

Wow! This is fabulous Carol! I do love that PS image...it's one of my favourites!
Thanks for the great inspiration at PA this week.
Alison xxx

Neet said...

Very clever - that is my kind of thing - love it.
Hugs, Neet xx

G Peplow said...

Total magic, love the whole beautiful project, xx

Sian Ridley said...

This is gorgeous! I love the old looking journal pages, they look like they belong together :) It's so beautiful that I don't think I would ever be able to bring myself to 'soil' any of its' precious pages! ;)

Cath Wilson said...

Stunning, Carol - I need to start watching the PA blog again, methinks, lol. Love France's work, anyway but you've made such a fab job of this, it's amazing.