I think I have something going here...

After I had a chance to get used to the French Country Market journal pages I decided I liked it and I thought I would try to do it again but a little different this time.  Here's what happened!

Steampunk Spells Graphic 45

Viola!!  Black gesso, Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells, and a few stencils gave me an evening of a lot of fun.  I have decided I really do like fussy cutting and collages and it gives me a feeling of accomplishment to turn out something like this.  I have also decided I am going to offer the two journal layouts in classes for my students at the shop because they are fairly easy peasy and maybe it will interest them in journaling!

How was it made?  Black gesso went on first then using some stencils I used white paint and had fun with various stencils.  I let the background dry and then did some therapeutic tearing of some of the larger pieces and glued them down with Glue and Seal (maybe use Mod Podge? certainly a lot cheaper).  Next I fussy cut all the other bits and glued them down.  I added a few embellishments and couldn't find anything else I wanted to add.

I think this will make a great class in September or October for Halloween!  What do you think?

What do you get when...

What do you get when you use black gesso in your art journal?  Well.....I realized I didn't know what I was up to after I painted the page with gesso so I decided I would try this....

I first used a stencil and white paint and made a white on black cursive writing that you  can see behind the various bits.  Unfortunately after the cat jumped up and walked across it parts were smeared so I had to come up with something to cover the most smeared parts!  Yes they are going to have to learn new habits if they are going to be allowed in the room while I am crafting.   
Next I used coarse modeling paste and mixed brown paint in and used a harlequin stencil and made the stencil pattern on the top of the pages.  I decided I needed something other and darker then the harlequin on the bottom so I did the bricks on the lower right I took a break and when I came back I didn't like the black and brick but it was already dry and decided to try something different on the left.  I frosted a layer of the modeling paste on the page let it dry a minute then laid the stencil over the top and put a layer of the lighter modeling paste on top...I like that better!  I don't know how you do it but I always work right page first then move on to the left and it sometimes looks like there is a gigantic learning curve going on between the two!  After all was dry I did some fussy cutting of a couple sheets of Graphic 45 French Country Market paper and glued them down with Glue and Seal (suppose you could use Mod Podge) then added a few embellies and called it done.

I haven't been feeling well or in a really creative mood of late so haven't been doing a lot of anything but I have decided I am going to do something artsy fartsy every day and this is my lot for today.  Hope you like it!