Altering Scrapbook Paper Color Glimmer Mist

Here I am working on today's scrapbooking project...you will love these techniques!

Missing my spring garden, after a long, chilly New England winter, I decided to use photos of some beautiful Irises for the weekly sketch challenge at Let's Scrap.

When my Jim was preparing to sell his family homestead, he dug up some Iris bulbs that his mom, Evelyn, had planted so many years before, and buried them in the backyard of my little Edgartown duplex for safe-keeping. They never bloomed in that shady backyard, but once Jim and I settled into his new house, and gave the bulbs a better home, they blossomed and multiplied and kept Evelyn's spirit alive, giving us much, much joy.

Gosh, I love my garden in June!

For my background paper, I decided to go with  a pretty, softly colored neutral by BasicGrey (Serenade). The paper already had a light watercolor wash to it and I thought it would be perfect to receive the effects I wanted to add. I sponged on Moss Green ink by ColorBox in a circular motion, and inked the edges of the paper with Chestnut Brown, also by ColorBox. You can see the altered paper on the left, next to the untouched paper on the right:

Here's the sketch by Jennifer Russel that I used for my inspiration. Butterflies are a natural compliment to gardens, and I decided to use them as the decorative element on the right, as suggested by the sketch. (I tried rosettes first, and I found them to be too competitive with the Irises.) I have beautiful die cut butterflies in my stash, but decided to go with a more artsy approach.

I adhered paper butterflies onto the background paper with temporary tape, and misted over them. (I would have preferred to use a temporary roller adhesive, which would have provided better coverage on the mask and made it more flush with the paper, but realized that I had run out, so I had to make do.) The butterflies are mostly from a packet of White Elegance Die Cut Accents (Glimmering Flutter) by S-E-I.
I used two different inks, Lettuce Color Wash by Adirondack and Creme de Chocolat Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels.

And here you see the removal of the butterfly masks with tweezers, revealing the lovely silhouette images that were created by blocking the application of the inks with the butterfly masks.
Next, I applied more butterfly images with a variety of rubber and acrylic stamps, using Archival Sepia from Ranger, Midnight Blue by StazOn, and Black also by StazOn. To get such a nice variety of images, I used first and second generation stamping techniques. If a softer image is desired, stamp the image a second time, without applying more ink.

This is what the right side of the double page layout looked like when I was finished stamping:

Initially, I intended to only embellish the right side of the layout, as suggested by the sketch, but I loved the look so much that I repeated the process on the left, as well.

Isn't this just so pretty? I really love the way it came out. So festive with all those butterflies!

I was tempted to leave well-enough alone, but I was intent on using this fabulous chevron-printed sheet of Washi paper from We R Memory Keepers that I've been saving for the perfect project. When I saw the Let's Scrap sketch, which sported a chevron background, I immediately thought of this cool paper.
I cut this shape out of the 12x12 sheet of Washi paper. I knew that after removing the backing, the semi-transparent quality of the unique paper would be interesting over my altered paper.

I was a little worried that the chevron paper would be just a little flat over all my artwork, so before applying it to the background, I decided to sponge a little ink on it for texture. I made my own applicator (courtesy of Heather Corbitt of Kraaft Shaak) by placing a make-up sponge in a binder clip. (The cut-outs that you see are the areas of the paper where the mounted photos will go...it's a good way to save some of this special paper.)

After inking, I carefully peeled off the backing...very tricky business, indeed! Because the delicate paper is entirely adhesive, just like Washi tape, it is not easy to apply, especially if you want to avoid wrinkles. However, I love the look and the inch-by-inch, slow and mindful application was worth it to me.

After adhering the mounted photos, I added layers of Washi tape (purchased from Tippy Tapey), adding a whimsical, modern detail. (The Kellycraft Laser Square is a fabulous tool when placing a tricky straight line, such as sticky tapes...it places a laser light to guide you as you apply your tape, alphas, etc.)

Journaling is next. I placed a cluster of journaling spots in the lower left corner to tell the story of Evelyn's Irises. II loved the look, but the butterfly that I stamped onto the brown frame didn't come out the way I intended, so I simply punched out a new circle to journal on from a 6x6 paper pad that offered softer butterfly images.

Now for the titlework... I found some fabulous chipboard alphas in my stash that I rather liked, but I felt they were just a bit too large, and perhaps a bit too ornate for the artsy feel of the layout.

In the end, I settled on stamping the title rather simply in black ink. Ready for the reveal? Here you go!

(click on image to see larger)

Such an unconventional approach to a traditional theme. I normally would have placed these colorful photos on a much more colorful background, but I love how the Irises still pop and hold the viewer's gaze even though there is so much going on.

I hope you enjoyed my post and that I inspired you to try your hand at a little misting, inking and stamping...I know you have some ink tucked away in that stash of yours!

Cherishing the memories, Enikö

Altering Scrapbook Paper Color Glimmer Mist

Source: https://enikodelisle.typepad.com/enikos-playhouse/2013/03/altering-scrapbook-paper-with-mists-inks-stamps-part-2.html

Share this post