Today is the start of a new challenge at Frilly and Funkie. Sara is our hostess and has titled it Read Any Good Books Lately? Here is what she has to say about it:
Reading a good book on the beach or on the porch is a simple summer pleasure. For this challenge, please create a vintage or shabby chic project that depicts a favorite book or use book pages on your project, alter a book or even make a journal or journal page! Just be sure it's in the vintage or shabby chic style that we are looking for!
I was at the dollar store and saw this notebook with a textured vinyl cover and an elastic closure. It was actually $3.00 - so much for being the dollar store. I thought it might be fun to alter the cover so despite the price, I picked it up and brought it home.
I changed my mind and decided not to try to pull it apart since the cover was quite nice but whatever I did would have to tie in the chocolate brown colour so I settled on adding an assemblage panel that would have some brown on it.
I took a piece of chipboard from Linda's shop and cut it to size and then gave it a coat of clear Gesso before gluing on all sorts of bits and pieces. There are pieces from The Funkie Junkie Boutique, my husband's workshop and my stash - lace, flowers, buttons, charms, pop caps, screws washers, etc.
To unify the colour I gave everything a coat of white Gesso.
Then I added the colour starting with a coat of Khaki Acrylic Paint (Craftsmart) followed by a dry brushed coat of Poodleskirt Pink Acrylic Paint (DecoArt). I sponged on some Espresso (Craftsmart and some Rich Espresso Metallic (DecoArt). Then I sprayed on some Worn Lipstick and Gathered Twigs Distress Spray Stain.
To finish the cover off, I distressed the edges and added some tiny chocolate brown seed beads in random clusters before I glued it to the notebook cover. Once it was dry I discovered that my distressing had left enough lift on the edges for the elastic closure to slide underneath - bonus because it doesn't hide any of my bits and pieces like I expected.
I hope you will join us for this challenge. The Design Team will choose their top pick who will have a Guest Designer opportunity with us and also their next top three who will receive a badge to display on their blog. A random winner will also be chosen to receive a $25 shopping spree in The Funkie Junkie Boutique.
Wow, Cec! I loved seeing the progression from plain old dollar store notebook to boutique worthy art piece! I've never done this sort of assemblage, and I think you might have inspired me to give it a go. So much beautiful texture and little treasures everywhere. I love it!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous as always!
ReplyDeleteWow, Cec, your journal cover is amazing! I never cease to be amazed that such a random group of stuff can be made to look so beautiful! I love your awesome combination of medium to make this is to a real work of art! Thank you for creating this wonderful journal for my challenge! Well done! Hugs! Sara Emily
ReplyDeleteWay cool Cec! You have mastered this art form and I cannot get enough. I love the shape of your repurposed book and the new cover really sets it off. Hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteBeautiful texture and color! I love how you mixed all those fabulous bits and pieces together to create an incredible composition. The notebook is a beautiful piece of art and functional too! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic way to upcycle this journal with style! Love how all those assembled pieces have come together to create a beautifully textured cover. Fabulous! xx
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