I had planned to make an art journal with a delightful coffee cup that had inspired me a few weeks ago. I finally tackled the challenge this weekend and initially was a little stumped as to how to begin, this sometimes happens when I don’t strike immediately when inspired. But of course, just when you think you have lost inspiration something turns up, I had a book on my desk that I had been reading on and off for the past month. I flipped it open and this was the quote that I opened on. I immediately photocopied the quote and knew that this was perfect for this project.
A cup of coffee and freedom? Mmmm… yes I feel a certain amount of relief and time to reflect on my day when I stop for a coffee…so why not spend that time focusing on all the areas of my life that are blissfully and freely mine, like this one right now, or when I spend an hour being creative or even just taking a break for a cup of coffee!
Below is a step by step set of fairly self-explanatory photos outlining how I created this layout. Colour inspiration came directly from the paper cup.
I started out by stamping out the pages using Dragonfly Dreams photopolymer stamp set. This is a gorgeous stamp set that I have personally used in many projects.
I continued to create a busy background knowing that only some of this will peek through by the time I have finished.
Then it was time for the paint. When I’m art journalling I always put my first layer of paint directly from the tube to my paper. Its liberating and helps me let go of the desire to control what happens on the page.
You can still see my coffee cup (untouched) below in the bottom left corner. Before adding my yellow and orange I used some Vaseline on my page in a few areas to create some resistance and hopefully reveal some white paper.
By this stage, the first layer was fairly dry (still a little tacky) and I then used a baby wipes to remove some of the paint and reveal the resisted parts of the page. I then added a dusty light blue. I was not happy at this point and feeling rather frustrated with this project.
My work needed more depth so to create this I darken the edges tearing in some areas. I placed a paper towel behind my project to protect my other pages and my table. The ink was used directly from my ink pad.
Next came the coffee cup and I cut it into three, I knew I wanted at least three cups on the paper. I used mat medium gel and liberally applied it to the cups both back and front. I knew by now this page needed to be lightened up so I got out my white gesso and using my fingers liberally spread white paint over my page. Also at this point, I added some lemons and oranges (designer paper) but later almost completed whited them out. They still peek through in the finished work.
Now that was fun…I love touching all my art and applying paint with my fingers! Next came the words that came from a book I am reading. I photocopied the pages as its a book that I will probably reach for again and again. The book is called “Living with Joy” by Sanaya Roman. Well worth a read.
At this point I also placed some green and white dotted paper on my page to bring out some of the green on the cups, this paper brought a greater depth to my page. I then added more white, after this, I placed my quote and a section of the page of the book where the quote was taken from. I also put a strip of washi tape through the page.
It still needs something else and I added gold sparkles Gold Glitter Flakes from Stampin’ Up and they are truly gorgeous. I’m in love with these, so beautiful and really rather glamorous! I also had some leftover white embossed bumblebees from a previous card project and I decided that they would complete my project nicely.
So here is my finished page, its rather sparkly in the sunlight and has many interesting nooks and crannies, it was a challenging project for me and I’m satisfied with the outcome but who knows it could change at any time, if I feel the need or maybe I’ll just move on to something else.
Happy art journalling
Linda xxx
Stampin' Hearts 