I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Friday 8 July 2016

Ancient History





Hello all!  When I shared my final GD piece for the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - the Tic Tac Toe journalling pages - I mentioned that the spread was done in an art journal made in a class with the awe-inspiring France Papillon, and I realised I'd never shared any pictures of the altered book itself (or any of the other things made at the class come to that), so now it's time...

I actually took this weekend workshop back in November 2014, France's first teaching visit to the UK.

I've always loved her work, especially her art journalling and the great videos she shares, so I was thrilled to get a place on the workshop.

We were up in Middlesbrough, brilliantly hosted by the fantastic Sue Tucker, and we did all sorts of things over the two days.  I'm just sharing photos of the altered book art journal today, but I'll try to track down some of the rest at some point too.








Obviously, I won't be giving away the techniques France shared with us on the workshop, but if you ever get the chance to take part in one of her classes, then do!

The rusted, worn look of the cover really gives me great pleasure...













... especially with the rusty metal additions of the bolts...














... and the fabulous metal plate on which the WordBand is mounted.












These were all real metal pieces which France had pre-rusted on her balcony for everybody taking part in the workshop!














The process we used to add the soft focus to the image gives it a lovely waxy look.















It'll be no surprise to regulars that, given a choice of colours to go with the rust, I went with teal blue tones!















I love the additions dangling down the spine of the book.














And the worn page edges are just so cool.














This started as an absolutely bog-standard hardback book, in almost-new condition.
















You'd never know to look at it now but, in fact, it's Terry Wogan's autobiography!















The rusted file tabs in amongst the scuffed edges and frayed lace are another great touch, I think.
















I've always loved how France uses eyelets in her journalling pages and altered projects, so this one allowing the ribbon to loop through the cover is great in my eyes.














And the teal-dyed ribbon runs all the way around the back to fasten the book closed - that will become more important as I fill more pages and the book starts to bulge!














For now, there are only a few page spreads inside.  (If you'd like to know which ones feature in this book, then just click the "France Papillon book" label at the foot of the post and it will call up all the posts with those spreads.)










So I'm only a year and a half behind with posting this, not quite Ancient History I suppose, but it feels like aeons ago.

I've some more ancient history coming up - a project from a workshop even longer ago which I never got around to sharing, and I'm hoping I might manage to catch my travel posts up to Shanghai or even Hong Kong in the near(ish) future.

There might be some more Encores too, as I'm away from my own craft desk for another month at the moment.  I sometimes get a bit sad knowing all those exciting supplies are sitting gathering dust - but mostly there's too much nice stuff going on to be too upset about it!

For now, my thanks for your company today, and I wish you all happy crafting.

Does progress mean that we dissolve our ancient myths?  If we forget our legends, I fear that we shall close an important door to the imagination.
James Christensen





48 comments:

Helen said...

what a glorious book, so pleased you have (finally!!) shown the photos. it sounds a wonderful weekend, wish I could have gone.

Vintagehandmade said...

Woooow, Alison, I am completely in love with your spectacular altered book! I wish I could create something as beautiful as this is! What a perfect rust effect you have managed to achieve! I am so impressed and so inspired! Bravo! Big hugs! Branka xx

brenda said...

Wow Alison, what an amazing piece of artwork, it could easily be something on display in a museum, the way you have aged both the pages and journal and the rusted look is fabulous.

Just to explain lack of visits for the next few weeks, being 'sent' to Italy to stay with an old school friend to recoup a little ahead of our holiday later in the month.

B x

Flo Langley said...

This is just gorgeous. Beautifully altered. I am sure Terry would have been pleased if he had seen it! :) He was such a treasure. Have a lovely weekend.
Flo xx

Ruth said...

What an absolute pleasure and delight to peruse your altered book. So glad you shared it, The worn cover is exquisite, rusty loveliness galore and the details on the page edges...mmmm! I took one of France's book classes last year too...not this one so would love to know how she distressed the edges....hope she does this one again, it's on my wish list! Ruth xxx

Annie said...

Your book is truly fabulous Alison x wonderful details and I love the rusting and frayed edges of the fabric and papers x
Safe journey and enjoy your time with your mum
Annie x

Kay Wallace said...

This is art at its very best!!!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous , I adore the worn, aged, rusted cover. The image is just perfect . I love this. Tracy x

Pamellia said...

Wow, just incredible Alison. I adore all the bits of lace sticking out between all the rustic pages. Just amazing! hugs :)

Candy C said...

Alison...I always love everything you post. Sometimes I just don't get a chance to leave a comment at the time then life happens and I fail to get back to your blog. I am so glad I caught this list. I adore your altered book!! It is brilliant and of course, you had me at the teal accents! I also love the rusty, worn weathered look. Love your weathered edges on your pages! Your rusty metal pieces are amazing as is the soft feathered look of the edges of your cover photo. Everything about this book just adds to its charm.

chrissie said...

What a stunning project and it must have been wonderful to learn how to make something so special

Love Chrissie xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Wow I absolutely adore the rusting technique you've done here Alison, it's different to all the others I've seen. Another gorgeous creation from you ;)
Hugs
Donna xx

craftytrog said...

It's gorgeous Alison, & looked even better in the flesh! I remember that weekend well, it was fab, wasn't it?!
Alison xxx

Lauren Hatwell said...

So beautiful and it sounds like it was a humdinger of a workshop too. Happy trails. Lx

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Rust and lacy ribbon, you combine it so well. This is fabulous.

Diana Taylor said...

The first thing I say whenever I visit your blog is WOW! And today is no exception - this is stunning - I love the rustiness of it and the aged, worn pages - I love the torn edges to the pages too. Just delightful and beautiful work.

Sandy said...

This is really glorious Alison - I only wish that France would offer this as an online class. Really a wonderful journal - so tattered and vintage - marvelous and the cover is really pretty clean and simple - Just the way I like it!!
sandy xx

Redanne said...

Rust and teal blue are an exquisite combination in your hands Alison. This altered book is a real stunner, it is hard to imagine it as a nearly new book! Thanks so much for sharing this beauty with us! Anne xx

Fliss said...

So sorry I've been a bad commentor lately Alison and hopefully that will be remedied soon!
Your book is stunning and so beautifully altered. Love the rusty effects and touches of teal too.
Strangely enough I did something with exactly those tones a couple of weeks back but it's hush hush and I can't share yet!
Fliss xx

rachel said...

wow alison - this looks wonderful - I wonder what Sir Terry would have made of it! Brilliant! Hugs rachel x

Meggymay said...

Better late than never sharing this gorgeous project. I imagine you enjoyed all the techniques that went into its making.
Yvonne xx

Margik said...

Awesome altered book, Alison. Love the worn edges, lace and the rusty details. Brilliant, as always! Hugs, Mar

Brenda Brown said...

Absolutely delightful finished book, would love to do one of France's workshops. Hope all is well with you xxx

sally said...

Woohoo! I live your catchup posts! This one is no exception- I, too, love France's work and miss the fact that there have been no videos recently :-( but one day....ill managed a course ....maybe! Happy travelling- I'm off on Monday .

Sally xx

Gio said...

Every time I visit your blog and see these masterpieces I really wanted to make everything rusted...ok, ok, then I give up every single time, I know I know. Such a beauty, love the frayed details, the soft blues and the amazing picture.

Lys said...

I love France's work too, and what you made here is a pure delight, such a precious ancient book for gathering treasures ... Wonderful!

Corrie Herriman said...

So wonderful ! I had the pleasure of following two of Frances Workshops and they are fabulous indeed, just like the lady herself !!
Corrie xx

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh I so love this beauty! The blue lace peeping out is truly beautiful and just the right touch. Lovely!

Curls N Twirls said...

Its a piece of art , well crafted and surely something to cherish! France makes amazing stuffs and am a big fan of hers too :)
Enjoy reading and seeing your work of art !!
Hugs
Remya

sam21ski said...

Oooh stunning xx

Dorthe said...

It is a stunning book you created, dear Alison, looking so beautiful inside, from what you show here. The toning on the cover is magical, and echoes the rusted iron pieces , wonderfully. Love the torn pages and bits of laces I see in there, and the beautiful old image of the girls.
A gorgeous book.
Hugs Dorthe
xo

Evelyn Walter said...

I´m really in love with your book! Gorgeous rusty pieces and the distressed pages with the teal and the scraps of lace are gorgeous!
Hope you have a good time <3
xx Evelyn

Mrs.B said...

An amazing piece or artwork Alison, love the shabby pages and pieces of lace poking out of that wonderful cover. A real treasure.
Avril xx

Anke said...

Wundervoll, genial und traumhaft schön.

Viele liebe Grüße
von Anke

Sarah B said...

you would never guess what this book started life as - an amazing transformation- xx

Willy said...

Wowww can`t find the right words for this great artwork!!

Cocofolies said...

Hi Alison, sorry for the late visit, I'm taking a few days of holidays with the children (currently in Guerande near La Baule if you know maybe?..), and it's hard to do regular visits at that time!
Loving your book, with so beautiful rusted effects and wonderful blue shades.. :) Thanks for taking the time to share it now, it's never too late.
I hope you are spending a beautiful summer! Hugs xx

Paper Profusion said...

What more can I add to all the above?! It really is a stunning make with terrifically authentic looking aging. Hope everything well with you and work a success. Nicola x

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow what an amazing book, I just love your work!!!

Have fun!!
Maria

Etsuko said...

Beautiful journal cover fab the vintage look and the result of rusty effect, xx

experiments in paper said...

Fabulous, Alison! I've just watched the Tempest film with Helen Mirren, and your beautiful books remind me of hers, so sadly (to me) tossed away into the sea. How fantastic that you've had a class with France - she is also one of my favorites.....I am woefully behind in visits but look forward to catching up with you. And thank you for your kind comments on the recent PA post....I marvel at how you do all of that kind of thing before your travels - the timing f that stretched me quite a bit but I had a ball playing around, as usual! xxx Lynn

Mary Elizabeth said...

Oh my goodness ... What a spectacular art journal. Don't you just love a special art piece that just keeps giving. Being able to fill this gorgeous make with even more gorgeous spreads is such a gift. Love all the rusted bits. And you know that I'm absolutely drooling over all the vintage surfaces. Love France's work. What a joy it must have been to take this class. Again -- thanks for sharing this with us! -- ME

Julia Aston said...

What a marvelous rusted book Alison! are the pages blank or text from a real book??

Neet said...

I am in love! What a fantastic book. The rust is just the right amount, not too much, subtle and perfect. Love the image too. I only met France when she was helping out at a Ranger class at CHA and I thought then what a lovely woman she was. Now I so want to do a class with her.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Hugs, Neet xx
(and for the visit to my blog) xx

Adventures in Paperland said...

I'm enjoying your "ancient posts" Alison and congrats on 4 years of fantastic, artsy blogging. Hope life is treating you well! xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My! This is a real treat! I adore this Alison! Well worth the wait! Chrisx

toni said...

A beautiful transformation! Can't help wondering what Sir Tel, would make of it! A France Papillion workshop is high on my list of to do's xx

Jackie PN said...

always your blues and brown are exciting in what ever form - and this book is no exception!
Just gorgeous Alison! The composition and design are a feast for one's eyes!
Wish I someday could also take a class with France! What an amazing talented artist she is!
Thank you for sharing, however long ago this was created! xo