Nature's Best

Happy Saturday one and all, there is a lot to share today, it has been a crazy busy week, but productive, the kind of weeks I love.  On a yippeeee note, yesterday I found out that my Gothic Make Over Challenge by Haunted House Designs, 5th post down, won the challenge,  I used a Krista Smith image(which I adore) and the challenge was sponsored by her new store, 2 images were up for the winner, so I will soon be the proud owner of 2 more Krista digi images, oh boy.  If you have not seen this remarkable woman's work please visit her brand new store at this link. You may have seen her images used but did not know where they were, but be forewarned they are addicting, lol. 

So on to today's post. I was asked to create one of my altered compositions books by a friend for a friend, I got very few details, which gives me Artistic License to play, oh how I love to play and work at the same time.  This is the journal that has been all consuming this week and I will give you some of the particulars because some of what I did was experimental and I love love love how it worked out.  So here we go!



This is the journal cover, I covered it with 2 sheets of craft paper using PVA adhesive, the first coat was a regular brown craft paper, I let it dry and then adhered an almost sheer off white craft paper that I receiv as packing stuff from a retailer I do business with.  I then took Ranger Ink "Dylusion Dies" "Fresh Lime" and "Vibrant Turquois", misted the ink with water and then rolled very quickly with a paper towel roll to absorb as much of the water as possible, so as not to distort the composition book.  I love the texture and mottled color.  I did the same process with the back cover, when it is completely dry I then apply 3 or 4 coats of Goddard's Fine Furniture Wax to seal in the color and help protect the journal, I buff for about 10mins after each wax coat has had sufficient time to dry, this gives a slight sheen to the journal. I will definitely do this again.  The font for "Journal" - Making Memories "Simply Stated" rub-ons.

 This is a close up of the front, I used Memory Box dies to embellish, except for the butterfly which is Martha Stewarts, all have been lovingly doodled on, lol. Colors are done with Copic markers.

 This is the back of the journal, kinda blurry, sorry, the eyelet in the upper right secures in the bookmark, I used a metal chain and Tim Holtz closure, I have been wanting to try this for quite a while and love this bookmark, will definitely use it again.

 The inside covers were altered with cardstock I printed out using a scanned in cover front, I then attached these awesome metal photo corners.

This is the bookmark chain inside the journal. The charm you see is a lucky coin.

This is a closeup of the bookmark bottom, it has 3 charms, a dragonfly, key and the lucky coin.  And that is a wrap, hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  Ours is calling me outside, it is stunningly beautiful out there.  Hugs