Open a New Page

Hello!! I'm here with my first post of 2018. I am sure like many of you the New Year is a new slate and offers a blank page for new dreams. And who doesn't love a nice notebook to jot down notes? As you may know, I love using houses in my art and thought of these simple but amazing Simple House Ornaments in my stash and got to thinking about how they would make the perfect covers for a book. This an easy project that is taken up a level with a simple Coptic stitch which was one of my goals to learn and practice in 2018, and believe me I definitely need more practice.

I started by painting both front and back of the Simple House Ornaments pieces with Raw Umber. I did one light coat and it offered a wood-like look to the chipboard pieces. 

On the front of one ornament, I did a simple collage with various pieces of vintage text and sheet music. I applied the collage with Distress Medium. Once dry I used a palette knife to add a few random swipes of Gesso to the collage. To add some interest I stamped this image of a postmark and French postage stamp and then layered a vintage French stamp on top. 

To make the pages I made signatures of 3 pages each folded in half. I then traced around one of the house shapes and cut out. I used 6 signatures in my book. I just searched YouTube for a tutorial on how to do the Coptic stitch. This was my first time trying it. It is a simple technique but one that I need to fine tune just a little more. 

To finish off my cover I heat embossed a key from the Keys and Plates Shape Set with Burnt Copper Leaves and adhered using Distress Collage Medium. 

I will probably use my little book to write quotes in. I can see many more of these in my future though!! I hope I have inspired you to try this simple bookbinding technique. If you do give it a try I would love for you to share. Wishing you a creative and happy new year!! ~Jennalee 

Unlock Your Wings

Hello!! I am so excited to share with you my first post on Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. 

I had so much fun creating this piece using lots of awesome Gypsy Soul pieces. I am always drawn towards art that incorporates house shapes, and that was the basis of this piece. It all started with the Simple House Ornament. 

To start cover the Simple House Ornament with a piece of scrapbook paper and ink the outer perimeter with Distress Inks. Apply a layer of crazing medium, allow to dry. Using Gold embossing powder heat emboss the outer edges of the house ornament. Heat Emboss 3 Inch Bird Cage, key hole and key pieces from the Keys and Plates Shape Set using Charred Gold adding extra detail with Burnt Copper Leaves and Verdigris Sparkle. Also emboss 4 mini brads using Charred Gold. Stamp girl image and color as desired. With mini brads attach key hole to birdcage. 

Paint the wings from the Wings Assortment with Robin Egg Blue acrylic paint. Allow to dry.  Add detail with Cracked Pistachio Distress Oxide ink. Add random spots of Verdigris Sparkle and emboss. Around edges of wing and a few random spots on inner wing add Charred Gold embossing powder. Stamp and color girl as desired. Adhere all pieces to house ornament. Set aside.

Trace house ornament shape on scrap paper. Using a couple pieces of washi tape attach cut out pattern to the middle of a book page. With brown thread add stitching approximately ¼ of an inch around the edge of the pattern piece. Because I LOVE messy stitching I went around the perimeter 3 times. With gold thread sew the book page to a piece of muslin scrunching the fabric as you go. Add Walnut Stain Distress Oxide ink to edges of muslin and spray with water. Heat set the inks. This adds a warm vintage touch.

Hand stitch key to bottom of book page. Using glue dots attach vintage button to the round ring on bird cage and the top point of stitched house shape. Adhere house ornament to book page. Adhere finished piece to metal plaque. 

I had such a great time playing with all of these amazing chipboard pieces and watching this piece take me in a different direction than expected. Happy Creating!! Jennalee

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts used:

Simple House Ornament 

3 Inch Birdcage with Solid Back

Keys and Plates Shape Set

Wings Assortment

Other Supplies:

Embossing Powders 

Character Constructions Stamp Mannequin Cafe Plate 4

Tim Holtz Craft Thread

Vintage Buttons 

Vintage Book Page 

Metal Plaque (Michael's)