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Saturday 12 August 2017

Autumnal Oxide Journal

Hello all!  As promised, I'm here with some more pictures and words about one of my latest journals created with Eileen Hull's fabulous journal die.  Warning - there are many, many pictures to capture all the colours and angles, so you might want to grab a sustaining beverage!


Oh boy, did I have fun playing with the Oxides on this one?!  As well as some of Tim Holtz's brilliant new Thinlits dies... and I'm very happy with the journal I've ended up with.





If you missed the exciting launch of the Journal Treasury - a collection of inspirational projects made with the die (but also providing inspiration for any kind of handmade books/albums/journals) - you can catch up with all the details here... or just head over to Bella Crafts to grab a copy of the e-book at the reduced August price of 30% off.

Buy the Journal Treasury E-Book

This particular journal isn't in the book, but there is one of mine there, and there are some spectacular projects to enjoy from amazing crafters around the world.










From the moment I saw the new Thinlits collection, there were some "must-haves".  They're intended mainly for Halloween, but there are lots of them which will have a much wider use, especially for those autumnal projects which always get my creative juices flowing.

You've met this colour combination before, and with crows associated with it too.  I've pretty much "cased" my own journalling pages, A Beautiful Adventure.











But now I've got some glorious ink and oxide effects in the background, which simply couldn't have happened back then in pre-Oxide days...












... as well as Tim's fabulous Scarecrow to add to the scene.  And it's a journal not a journalling page, so really it's quite different!














I started with a large piece of watercolour paper, and my autumnal landscape colours in Distress Inks on the mat for the first passes.














Once I had some good bright layers down, I switched to Oxides on the mat and started layering.














And from there I did a bit of ink and Oxide mixing, as well as plenty of water-spritzing, until I was happy with the results.
















Well, a little more than happy, actually...












I cut the Eileen Hull journal cover first of all in some strong cardboard.

I spent a bit of time deciding which parts of my large sheet I really wanted to feature... 












... before running it through with the die to get my front and back covers, which I stuck on to the cardboard pieces for extra sturdiness.














I love how the final layer of white spatter really adds detail and depth somehow.
















I had added some stamping, of course... one of my favourite Tim Holtz meadow flowers stamps...














(I love how the Antique Linen Oxide gives you this wonderful misty look over the top of all the other inky layers.)












... and the glorious tree branches to give a little more for the large crow to perch on.

He does have the branch which comes as part of the set, but I like how the stamping gives a little more depth and truth to the illusion.












He seems to be contemplating whether to join his fellows in the sky.














The tiny birds flying away in the distance come with the Scarecrow.  They're fiddly, but definitely worth it...
















... providing an echo of another of my favourite TH stamps, but with a bit more presence over a busy background.















On the front cover, his partner in crime has no such doubts about whether to leave...













... he's off!
















The scarecrow can only stand and watch the results of his successful scaring.  I do love the detail on this die.















If you're wondering, his twiggy fingers do go off around the corner onto the spine.
















My signatures inside are made up of some cheap watercolour paper, perhaps for mixed media journalling...















... or maybe I'll stick some of the many autumnal tags I've made (past, present and future) onto the pages.














The signatures are held in place with some elastic twine, so they're easy to get in and out.  I haven't bound the signatures, as I thought it would be easier to create on the pages if I left them loose.








Some simple rustic twine forms the closure.  I didn't want anything getting in the way of the scene too much.













It goes in through the central hole in the spine and is held in place with some wire inside, so it's not going anywhere.















You can undo the knots without any worries about losing the twine!
















This one really gives me great joy to look at and to hold, as you can probably tell from the number of photos!  I hope you've enjoyed seeing some more of the details in close-up, front and back, inside and out.













Thanks so much for stopping by today.  And remember, if you're looking for more handmade book inspiration, do check out the Journal Treasury.  See you again soon!

Life is populated with scarecrows—all those people and things that seem so scary and trouble our sleep. Isn't it nice to know that most of them turn out to be made of nothing but straw?
Jerry Spinelli







I'd like to play along at That's Crafty Challenges where they are looking for Anything But Cards
At Love To Create, sponsored by Premium Craft Brands, they are having they're usual Anything Creative/Mixed Media Goes, so I'm joining in there too
At the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, they'd like to see things For A Child - I'd have loved a notebook like this as a child to record my thoughts in

43 comments:

Amanda said...

Absolute stunner! Inks and oxides worked brilliantly for your background. I've just got Tims raven due isn't it great? Just wish I could get hold of the journal die!!
Love
Amanda x

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful journal, have a nice weekend, hugs, Valerie

Nikki Acton said...

Wonderful! I love how you have created the landscape effect with the inks and oxides... Really clever and very effective! Xx

chrissie said...

Another terrific journal and so many different things to look at on the pages.

Love Chrissie xx

Redanne said...

Well, what can I say... it has shades of Halloween in my Halloween loving eyes, the mix of colours is just fabulous, the scarecrow and raven look amazing - so realistic in the scene you created for them. This really has the wow factor and has now shot to the top of my very long list of 'favourites' of your projects. Superb and very striking!!! Anne xx

Andrea Small said...

Luscious colours - yum
Andrea x

craftytrog said...

Wow! It looks amazing Alison! Wonderful effects!

A Pink said...

Wow! Now this is a real stunner! Alison . The silhouette imagery against your amazing oxide background is knockout! Only love and hearts for this one from me .
hugs x

Helen said...

wow, Alison, this is simply knock-out gorgeous! off to check out the book now

Dorthe said...

So beautiful photos of your amazing journal. Gorgeous color combinations, and results. I love how it looks like the meadow is burning and how the birds are all leaving the scene of crime !! A fabulous work, dear Alison .
Hugs, Dorthe

Annie said...

Fabulous journal Alison and I so love the fabulous colours you have used. The flowers look amazing too....wonderfully detailed.

TFS and best wishes
Annie xx

Dortesjs said...

waue this is gorgeous.

Craftyfield said...

I'm not really a Halloween person but as soon as I saw the latest TH Thinlits I thought how good they were. And your book cover is absolutely gorgeous, I love this sunset vibe!

froebelsternchen said...

This cover is really a dream and what I like on this journal is that one can take out the pages and put it in again - that's really handy - since I always make a big mess by creating my spreads.
The last layer of white speckles really makes it. I found out that a last layer of white or black speckles adds that certain something to a piece - often the piece tells me that I have to do that...lol!
Thank you for your lovely comments for me at your last visit. This is always much appreciated dear Alison!
Sending you sun for the weekend!
oxo Susi

Shirley said...

Such beauty in a single book Alison nothing even looks spooky just divine.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

suzyb said...

Yes you have done it yet again Alison. I love everything about this journal. Colours, the crows (I love crows), the scarecrow and everything. I like how this one is bound as well. Your work is truly stunning. Thank you for sharing this with us.

Monika Gulyas said...

This is wonderful Alison!!! I love your mixed colours and the whole design! I'm waiting for my scarecrow, so your project was a great inspiration! Big hugs

Sue said...

Absolutely beautiful Alison, I love how you've used the oxides, and the dies look amazing, nothing Halloweeny about them, just pure Autumn (which has come very early). Have a great weekend, Sue xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Glorious, glorious colours, a truly wonderful cover. The black thinlets make for such a cool contrast! You have now totally tempted me to those dies, that crow is just wonderful!!

Anneke said...

Your journal looks amazing! Thank you for all the pictures
You have made to show us how you made your journal!

Meggymay said...

Its another stunning journal. I love those new thin die cuts, perfect Halloween additions on the fabulous backgrounds.
Yvonne xx

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Oh how I love this Alison, so atmospheric and a little haunting too. Can't wait to see what you put inside it :)
hugs
Donna xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

You've captured the air of Autumn perfectly with the oxides Alison and your silhouettes seem to magnify it all. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your journal with us over at That's Crafty and joining in with the Challenge. Best Wishes Tracey.

Julia said...

Snap! I too have had an Autumnal moment today. Your journal is wonderful and the distress background colours are just magnificent. I'm liking that little scarecrow a lot. This is such a beautiful journal book.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My! Pretty well lost for words but enough to say that this is just stunning Alison! Hugs, Chrisx

Juliz Design Post said...

Totally amazing inky work Alison, love it.
Julie x

Kate Yetter said...

I am so behind visiting blogs but your journal is full of so much color and inky texture in the background. Beautiful!
Kate

WendyK said...

Absolutely fabulous, I just love the oxides, they do give some wonderful results. I need another journal (not) and now need to go to find out what it's all about. I will try to resist the dies, well for today anyway.
Thank you for visiting my blog Alison.

sarascloset said...

Oh, if this doesn't get me in the mood for fall, nothing will! Your spooky background is spot on--one of the things I love about Halloween is the color of the sky, especially at twilight. You have nailed it! I thought I could pass this die set up, but you've made it mighty tempting! Hugs!

Gemma Hynes said...

This is amazing, I love how you created your background with Distress Oxides.

Julie Lee said...

Alison, this is so beautiful! Your background is full of atmosphere and such beauty and the dies work perfectly with it. xx

Sandy said...

Good Lord Hannah - this is the most magical journal I have EVER seen. I have fallen head over heels in love. Fantastic Alison - you are without a doubt my hero!! You are the wind beneath my sails!! I am yours forever oh talented one!!!!!
Oh, did I tell you how much I love this journal!!!!!!
Sandy xx

Sandy said...

I want a video - I NEED a video!!!!!!!! At least you can tell me all the background colors you used especially the oxide layers. I can keep a secret - honestly I can!!
Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead!
sandy xx

Evelyn Walter said...

I love this!! The background is fabulous and the embellishing too.
xxx Evelyn

SewPaperPaint said...

First, that quote on scarecrows brought this home to me! I'm not a halloween fan, so I love that this has a fall vibe and the sunset and color of autumn. I really love the gorgeous application of DOX and range of colors you achieved and those deckle edged pages - oh my wish I could see the inside a little more! SOOOOOO cool! A fabulous journal. Hugs, Autumn

Cocofolies said...

I don't know if I can say that in English Alison... but I'm in LOVE with this book... Simply a stunner for me, one of my favourites forever!!!! Hugs, Coco xx

Mandy said...

Fabulous journal! The design is wonderful.
Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge for our "For A Child" challenge!
Mandy xx

Jackie PN said...

Glorious color meld for this journal!! I absolutely love it!!
Jackie xx

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous journal Alison :-) I just saw your comment on the challenge blog and think this would make a fabulous gift for an older child!! It fits the challenge theme perfectly ;-)

thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Luv
Lols x x x

Pawsitively Creative said...

Amazeballs! I can see why some of the does made your wish list (or should I say "bought" list?). Wonderful color choices and such a fun journal! The journal die sure is being used a lot, or maybe I just enjoy seeing journals and it's usually the EH die that is used. Fantabulous design and that scarecrow is awesome sauce! Fun and fun! Hugz. ~Niki

Marci said...

Beautiful! I love the colors, how you layered and blended them. The stamping is wonderful, and the splatters, too. I think there is an art to "splattering". You were really inspired on this journal.

Lou Sims said...

Fabulous project, full of detail, colour & texture. Many thanks for joining in with Love 2 Create Challenges 'Anything Goes' challenge. Lou (DT L2CC)

Etsuko said...

The oxide background is absolutely beautiful and layers so lovely Alison. That happening and control of oxide ink always excites me and I always refer to your experiments. Thank you so much. xx