WOYWW #422: Permission to Get Really Messy!

Perfectionism is a trap that I've fallen into now and then. It usually puts me in a gloomy frame of mind. No more gloom!

For a chance to find out what the WOYWW fun is all about, my readers can follow the link HERE to Julia Dunnit's Stamping Ground. I'm posting quite late at night this time, and may need to wait till midday on Wednesday due to another commitment before I will be able to visit other deskers. I can hardly wait to see what's on everybody's desk this week!

I've decided to relieve a lot of pressure this year by relaxing and playing more using whatever materials may happen to inspire and please me. That is, when it is time to let go of digital art for a time and loosen up. (fussy stuff, digi artwork)

The Main Idea
This altered book project began with an idea I had gotten from some videos on reorganizing art and craft areas. Apparently, paper that gets stored on its edge tends to survive better than paper that's kept flat in stacks. I have different sizes of papers in my collection. Portfolios house my larger sheets and boards (up to 32" x 40"). I 'd already made a Steampunk scrapbook paper sized one last year that's been working for me ever since, but it is too deep for my smaller pages and sheets.

I had these two antique book covers which I'd removed from their previous book blocks (a book block is all of the pages either sewn or glued together without the cover). I'd very nearly tossed them a few years ago. These were the ideal size for smaller sheets and scraps.

The other promise that I'd made myself was to use as much existing stock this year as possible. I don't toss things very easily anymore. I've learned by past experience how reckless this can get for me. Hanging onto too much "stuff," however, seems wasteful and pointless. It's easy for me to get hung up on such a dilemma.

Coming Together

The two uninspiring old book covers belonged to books that were literally given away for free. Sometimes even books which exceed the 100 year mark in age can be worthless to collectors. I've used a number of illustrations and photos from these books for my Free Graphics blog, Plush Possum Studio, but the covers needed a chance to be of some real use. I added bottoms to both covers, then glued the two together using PVA. I chose some berry colored mulberry paper for the lining.

One Side View

I chose my old monoprinted cardstock from last year as the starting point, and vowed to allow the project to be messy looking but interesting if necessary. I think that I've succeeded! Lolz   

Nothing perfect about this side view, now is there?

:)

Unfortunately my camera does not photograph metallics or iridescent colors very well. The torn mulberry paper at the top edge has been overpainted using copper metallic acrylic paint. I used Liquitex Heavy Matte Gel Medium for the lining in order to avoid any possible tackiness from a glossier product. My final finish with all such projects that I know are bound to come in contact on wet rainy days with other acrylic-coated objects is Microglaze by Judikins. This has never failed me. 

The Icing

The spine area of my 2-book cover altered book project is a drippy mess, but I really like it. I enjoyed that part immensely. Loosely controlled chaos! The iridescent drips were made by mixing Mod Podge with Winsor and Newton's iridescent Watercolor Medium. A small amount goes a really long way!

Let the 2017 messiness continue....

#ATCAD2017 My ATC Treasure Box

I have a special fondness for useful, decorative boxes, don't you?

This year's June Artist Trading Card fest, #ATCAD2017, really got me going. Even though I am not celebrating by making any new ATCs, I have made something which can hold a whole bunch of them. Note: This is a 2-blog post, with Free Pattern Downloads at my Free Graphics blog, Plush Possum Studio.

Here's what my project's interior looked like once it was completed. As you can see, I'm already storing some ATCs inside my new creation. I hope you'll enjoy the process I went through for this project. The construction of this Treasure Box was a bit tricky at times, but overall it's a fairly easy project for just about anybody to make.

I used a 140 lb watercolor sheet from my  18"x24" Canson Montval Watercolor block, but even a single sheet of watercolor paper in the same weight will work once primed using gesso. I have often used heavier weight watercolor paper with acrylics as the results can be really interesting. For this box, every additional coat of pigment or medium really made the paper tough and a little bit on the leathery side.

The technique which I chose to try for the decorative part of my painting was acrylic paints + 91% Isopropyl Rubbing alcohol (surgical spirit in the UK, I think). The layers have to be applied and treated with speed, otherwise the effect will be minimized or simply won't occur at all.

On the watercolor block top sheet of paper I first added matte medium in 2 layers. I'd begun that project with the idea of creating something semi-transparent using colorful glazing techniques, but later chose not to. Overtop those few layers, I added my turquoise in at least 2 layers. Once it was dry, I next added a very runny but still thick layer of copper that I'd tinted slightly for an"antique" effect. I splashed drops of the alcohol all over the surface right away and watched the turquoise underneath begin to peer out in surprising ways. It still didn't work completely well enough, although I could see that I was headed in the right direction. So I let everything dry overnight, then tried it again from the beginning with first more turquoise and then more copper. This time, I had the right formula for the thickness of the copper paint!

As a finishing touch, I then added a dash more of the turquoise in 2 toned splatters using a loaded paintbrush which I tapped just inches above the surface. I allowed those paint layers a nice, relaxing drying time of (as I recall) several days.

While the paint layers were still drying, I began a first mock-up using graph paper. As a base or mold, I used a vitamin powder packet box that I noticed fits ATCs a bit snugly. The snug part was the clue. You see, this would make anything that I could make using the outside of that snug box would allow ATCs to fit much more comfortably as this would add to the size a bit on all sides. To build a brand new box with a totally different construction and lid became the goal.

Once the fit to the graph paper pattern was finalized, I carefully removed my painting from the watercolor block using a smooth edged blade to separate it from the glue edging, then traced around the pattern on the back of the painting and carefully cut it out. The orange pencil marks made everything simpler with the next step. These did not show once I'd lined the inside of my Box.

A T square ruler really came in handy for scoring. This project is the wrong size and shape for a scoring board - but then, I currently don't have one anyway. Tip: if you should decide you'd like to try making my box using your own decorative skills, please be aware that to score and fold first prior to adding the lining is essential to success.

Below is how the unassembled Box looks when marked, scored and carefully folded. There is a somewhat trickier fold than usual in the Lid area. Notice how the top of the Lid is a tiny bit broader across the top? Please do pay close attention to the dotted lines of my download when scoring. The added width is there in order to allow the Lid to fit smoothly down over the top lip of the Box.

Prior to bothering with any prep work for the lining, I paper-clipped the box at its join spots to see whether I had got the fit just right. I am delighted to say that everything about this went well.

(sighing) Lovely, creamy Mulberry paper - just the thing for when a thin layer of something decorative would work best.

Prepping the Box's interior for its lining is the next step. Notice how the folds held steady for me even after the gesso had been added. I attribute this staying power to the heft and sturdiness of the paper along with all of the many layers of pigment on the outside side of it. Though I neglected to show it, my next layer was one in the Turquoise. Once the Mulberry Paper lining was being adhered using Liquitex Heavy Matte Gel Medium, notice how the turquoise showed through. I left this to dry lying open and unassembled overnight.

The next evening, I began gluing the box together - I did this backwards, unfortunately. It would have been simpler to have begun with the back rather than the front. Lolz My enthusiasm got the better of me!

Lastly, I glued the Lid so it would hold its shape. Already, I could see the possibilities for the decorative portion.

The following morning (this past Wednesday), I was up with the lark and working on making my very first paper tassel. Although I'm not altogether pleased with how it turned out, it can always be replaced later on. I began by coating a single sheet from an approximately 3.5"x5" tiny pad of some luxurious Italian paper.  the paper is Velata by Cartiera Magnani. It's actually made for drawing, although it took the Turquoise acrylic quite well, as you can see in this photo. (BTW, I have looked it up and the Italian word, "velata" means "veiled.")

Next, it was time to play a few "dress-up" games with this box. I am still not quite satisfied with the the way in which it turned out, but I left certain areas un-glued in order to make any new changes a bit easier later on.

Next, I added a bit of embellishment to the top of the Lid, as outlined in this next photo's caption below. One bit of advice: never construct this box using 2 already decorated pieces that are joined together at the lid "hinge" fold area. Too many layers and too much stiffness would make it less usable. it really is best to make a one piece version if you choose to use my own Pattern.

For anyone who may be interested, I will be offering free downloads of the Pattern at my other blog, Plush Possum Studio which you may find by following the link HERE. I'd really enjoy your feedback as to how this project works for those among you who are into making your own approach to my #ATCAD ATC Treasure Box. 

Happy ATC creativity!