July AJ Page-Leave The Trail

Art Journaling, Mixed Media, Other Than a Card, steampunk, Tim Holtz/Ranger

Happy weekend!  Where in the world did July go?!  I can’t believe we are at the end of the month already.  It’s really been a busy Summer this year and I know that Autumn is a favorite season of mine which will be busy as well, but that’s all a good thing.

It’s now that time for a monthly Art Journal page and collaboration with my crafty friend, Carol (from Crafty-Stamper), so please check out her blog for more inspiration too!  We’re trying to get creative by using up our never-ending stash piles!  So here’s my Art Journal inspiration with the “SMASH OUR STASH” July prompt of: “decorative papers/collections/kits, etc” :

OK, I don’t really know how much of a “challenge” it is to use decorative papers on anything…but I have such a HUGE stash of papers and I’m always trying to find different ways of using it up instead of always hoarding it!  The papers I’ve used on this page are exactly that…I hoarded it!  It’s just too awesome NOT to use!  I purchased this pack of Stamperia Sir Vagabond 8×8 papers when they came out and haven’t even touched it!  Now is the time!

I used my traditional 6×9 size with the holes pre-punched at the top to fit with the book I’m making.  I ran out of my usual 140# watercolor paper, so I’ve switched to another pad from my stash which is Strathmore Acrylic paper…very thick and made to use with paints. (I like the canvas texture it has.)

For the background:  I started with some old paint from my stash and brush blended the different colors.  I didn’t want them to be too bright which I thought would take away from the paper images.  After it dried, I covered the entire page with some Tim Holtz Postage Tissue Wrap.  I thought it ‘stood out’ too much, so I painted over it again using the same paint colors.

For the Journal Prompt with the papers: I cut out pieces with scissors that had interesting images I wanted to use like the circle map, the “Vintage Travel” strip, the hot air balloon with train, the “mountains” at the bottom, the circled compass, the sentiment and then I ‘ripped; a piece for the top of the page and then re-punched the holes.  The compass circle, hot air balloon/train and ripped newspaper edge was sponged around the edges with Toffee ink.

Before placing the cut paper images, I decided to add a fun textural window image.  I stamped the window with chocolate colored pigment ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.

Collage Medium was used to attach all of the different paper images except the balloon/train, compass and sentiment.  I used Pitt Big Brush Markers to go around these collaged images for some shadowing.  I then used some white and chocolate paints to create splatters over the page being careful to cover up the window area.

Before attaching the sentiment strip and the compass, I used some Aged Brass Metallic Wax to go around the edges.  I also used this around my entire page and over the shutters on the window.  I attached the sentiment strip and the metal cogs with 3D Matte Gel and then used foam squares to pop up the compass and balloon/train.

 – Really fun AJ page to create and I hope that you’ve enjoyed it too!  Thanks so much for stopping in today!

Challenges:

  1. Country View – Travel
  2. Creative Artiste – Anything Goes Mixed Media
  3. Mixed Media Lovers – Anything Goes Mixed Media
  4. Arty Divas – Anything Goes
  5. NBUS – Anything Goes + Never-Before-Used-Schtuff (papers!!)
  6. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday – Anything Goes

Published by *Vicki*

I'm so happy you found me! I love to share smiles with my handmade cards! I also enjoy papercrafts through art journaling, scrapooking and mixed media projects too! Thanks for stopping by!

Published

26 thoughts on “July AJ Page-Leave The Trail”

  1. Great travel journal page. I know what you mean about hoarding paper, I fear I am in the same boat and have started cutting it down to get it used. These are fabulous papers!

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  2. Good for you in using these great hoarded papers to create a fun journal page! All these elements look wonderful together with all the detail work you added. I just love that little window along with everything else! Great job on this one and I wish you a happy end of July. I too am looking forward to fall – my most favorite time of the year!

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  4. WOW absolutely stunning Vintage page Vicki you always make brilliant journal papges and I love that we both have a completely different take on the challenge.Fabulous papers and love all the images you have used-brilliant
    Carol x

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  6. I’m so glad you decided to use those papers, Vicki, so tat the rest of us could enjoy them, too. Fantastic work with the cut images, so perfectly arranged! Loving the vintage, almost steam punk, look of it. Fabulous!!

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  7. Ahh… the paper hoarding syndrome! been there doing that, and particularly with Stamperia papers. So well done for using them and how lovely is the resulting page. So glad you joined us at Country View Challenge this month.

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  8. I really applaud you ladies for challenging each other and for finally letting your beautiful pp out in the world for others to enjoy! (Having said that, I can see why you hoarded it for so long!) Your creative journal page is outstanding, Vicki! Thank you for inspiring everyone at NBUS! Hugs, Darnell

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  9. An absolutely fantastic page Vicki,love the papers,colours and textures a brilliant travel theme

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  10. This is absolutely brilliant Vicki I love everything you have done to create this awesome page top notch work
    Hugs
    Lorraine

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  14. FABulous Steampunk Vicki, love the cutting out and layers such a great page, love the papers too one set I never bought, but still can..stop it, you are leading me astray..

    Luv CHRISSYxx

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  15. I have a hard time using decorative papers and this is such an inspiration, Chrissy! Love it! So glad to see this in the NBUS gallery!

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  17. I always enjoy reading your posts! So glad you decided not to hoard this time! This is one incredible project, my friend! Like you, I do not know where the month went! I fly out again in 1 week to dear daughter’s this time. My granny hat is getting frayed and grayed around the edges, just like me! Can’t wait to see the 3 grands in Colorado, though – it’s been a while! Thanks for faithfully visiting my blog when I’m away! Hugs and blessings to you!

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  18. I will second that about July Vicki although I’ve spent nearly 3 weeks of it getting over Covid.. Boooo!!
    Beautiful layout, I adore those Stamperia papers. Thanks again for being out GD @ Creative Artiste this month and also for sharing this beauty with us all on the Creative Artiste team.
    Creative wishes Tracey xx

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  19. So happy you are using your “hoarded” papers – I think that is a habit a lot of us do is hoard beautiful papers. I have no clue why we are saving it. This is a beautiful art journal page – very vintage and a little steam punk. July is gone and it went quickly. Well one thing was taking care of dear hubby after his surgery, long month – rough recovery plus infection but I think we are well on our way to a successful recovery. (and a better mood).

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  23. I love the way you used the “Paper.” Paper for many of us is a great starting point and I think paper arts can and in your case are very artistic! I could definitely see art teachers of middle schools using DSP if they were doing “journals” as a yearly art project. Back to your page you “really” used some great products and techniques to get such a unique and special look…and I am sure every step of the way was wonderful art therapy for you!

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  24. All of the papers are gorgeous and I love the train balloon! I know what you mean about hoarding paper, but I still can’t resist buying more. I am now at the stage where I need to find a place for anything new I buy…. A wonderful page, you always do such beautiful work.

    Hugs
    Sue

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  25. Wow, what a stunning page! I love your steampunk design and how it came together; the way you coloured the background the same colours as the papers looks beautiful and the Sir Vagabond pieces are perfect 😊. Take care and happy wishes! Hugs Jo x

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  26. I have mentioned many times that you have the amazing gift of bonding patterned papers. This card is proof of your abilities. Amazing.

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