FABRIC FUN: 2013 Autumn Journal Foundation

 

I have fallen in love with fabric journals.  So for the Fall season, I decided to create one adapting the woodland creatures as my theme (squirrels, foxes, deer, etc)

 

To begin, I created foundation pages with various backgrounds using gelli plate, Silhouette, stencils, gesso, texture plates.  Added various embellishments and ribbon plus started a few drawings on some pages.  So far, I am completely smitten with it.  Let's hope the momentum keeps up. 

 

used a stencil to create a colorful leave over another gessoed stencil

metallic paints with the United States stencil

burlap, ribbon and gelli print with leaf stencil on feed bag

Fox drawing page including burlap ribbon and letters atop gelli printed page

used a feed bag for this page I got while at The Depot in Concord, NC

some pages were created with upholstery samples

FAVORITE RIBBON - found at vintage store...LOVE.

attached some pinecone charms to this page

used a deer stamp repetitively on this page, adding other stamps on the tag
(you can't really tell, but I stamped "September" & "November" in a light ink above/below October)

used a gelli print on vellum paper as well as a squirrel charm and wooden heart embellishment

many pages are made from feed bags which I love the feel and texture of

added HELLO DEAR wooden tag, plus used the outline of a texture plate with gesso + puffy paint to outline (plan is to watercolor the background of the mountain and forest/stream)

FAV PAGE:  I used a feather stencil applied with gesso.  Then did multiple colors on a gelli plate to create the look.  Added THANKFUL in a pink from a Silhouette cutout.  Just adore it..and will leave it as is.

2ND FAV: Used an owl placemat to create the stenciled look on my gelli plate.

added a mistable feather embellishment I found at Marshall's....yes they now have art supplies.

Adore this vintage napkin, so I will leave this page alone as well...may add a word or something, but it reminds me of growing up in Nebraska and picking strawberries at my grandparents' house

Another page done on a manila folder using textured plates and gesso; then gelli printed.



Attempted to gelli print on fabric...result was a duller effect, but once I added the leaf stencils...Perfection.  The final touch was adding two fox charms. TOO CUTE ...if I say so myself.  The small end of the napkin will have the word HARVEST embroidered on it.

I plan on using this spread for an embroidered grid I am making titled "I LOVE FALL"; however I haven't decided if I would rather frame it.  TBD I guess.

I used a stencil with Venetian plaster and then once dried...sprayed inks to define the stencil more.  It is a heart dangling from a tree branch.

The feathers are a stencil used on a gelli plate then cut out to create an edging to the pages.  Another favorite moment in the book.

(notice the little fox sleeping ...ADORABLE) 

Another attempt at gelli printing on fabric plus a few stickers and wooden embellishment.

 

Once the album was complete and bound, I glued it in place inside the album cover which is found here.

 

If you are interested in your own Fabric Album, please let me  know and I would be happy to create one for you based on a theme or just for any use.  ETSY STORE - Ali Gitt

 

DONNA DOWNEY STUDIOS carries a majority of the supplies I used in this project.  It is like a stencil heaven plus ribbons galore.  Go check it out.

 

 

FRACTURED ANGELICS: Journal - Work In Progress

Class has ended, but work is still yet to be done!

In Charlotte, I took an art class at Catherine Anderson Studio; hence I wanted to finish my journal created as part of Kate Thompson Fractured Angelics class.

Lots of old photos were printed out at a local shop to use as transfers.

(Note To Self:  Make sure to mirror the images before printing.)

I loved the mannequin photo I had on my initial album cover, but so wanted to use this image, the moment I saw it on Kate's Pinterest board.

So I transferred it onto another gessoed board.

Thanks to a handy tip Melissa shared about getting the "chalky" appearance off the picture,

the picture came alive.  TIP: Use Tar Gel and the image becomes so much clearer...

...and shiny.

Plus you can still cover the tar gel with paint & water color, etc.

I added some elements of Distressed Markers around her face prior to making more changes.

This gave it more dimension and shading aspects.

I finished my backcover by applying pastels and rubbing them in with my finger.  I love how subtle they are and embrace the mannequin transfer.  It is one of my favorite journal covers to date.

FRACTURED ANGELICS: Day 3

DAY 3 IS HERE....AND I AM READY EARLY!

(despite being up until 2 am sewing elements to my pages, but it was worth it)

I experimented with some ink on fabric & gesso.  I liked the result, but not the color choice.

Hence this is going to be my back page that is adhered to the wood back page.

The first signature with the strands to bind it together. This page will be covered with the wood front.

I did stop by Joann's before Day 2 and picked up a few lacy linens to use.

This white one is my favorite.  My album was in a pink, green, white, and bluish tone.

I used a transfer on the thin white fabric and love how it is seen on through the fabric.

I plan to use some other transfers that I failed to mirror before printing; therefore the writing will be legible.

My journal goodness prepared to be binded together :)

So in love at how the edges look and pile on top of each other.

Back page also showing the side panel of a completed coptic stitch binded book.

Prior to lunch, Melissa and I walked around the yard (which also features a labrynth) and admired the gorgeous flowers and landscape Catherine's home features.  Beautiful & Serene.

The weekend crew & our books.

Goodbye sweet girls!  Until next time.

Thanks Catherine & Kate for such an enjoyable weekend

Exhausting, yet unbelievably INSPIRING & ENJOYED!