April Dirty Dozen Challenge - Be Inspired

Good Sunday morning! It’s that time again, time for another Splitcoaststampers Dirty Dozen Challenge. This challenge is open to all current and alumni Dirty Dozen, and one that I enjoy participating in each month. This month the challenge was to make an Inspirational Journal using the following picture as inspiration.

The inspirational photo is from BH&G 100 Decorating Ideas Under $100 magazine. We could choose to be inspired by the color pallette, the composition, or any other element of the photo that grabbed us. The restricted element for this challenge, was NO markers (including Copic, SU or any other brand) or watercolor crayons. I was immediately taken with the soft blue and white color scheme in the room. The next thing that jumped out at me were the flowers on the table and the oranges on the shelf. I decided to make my journal in blue and white, with just a small punch of orange.

As you can see, I actually was inspired by one of my own creations as well. Yesterday I posted the journal that I made for the Lizzie Anne Designs April Project of the Month, which subsequently became my sister’s birthday present. This time, the journal is for me and the design on the POM Journal was one that I absolutely loved. Not only that, but since this journal is mine, I pulled out my favorite Penny Black floral stamp that I have not used in months and months and months. I won’t go into great detail in this post about making the journal (since I did that yesterday), but I will highlight some of the details.

I inked the flower image by tapping Distress Ink Pads directly onto the stamp. I then misted the image with water, and stamped it out three times on a piece of watercolor paper. Once the image was dry, I went back with a wet watercolor brush and pulled the ink into the open areas of the image. The edges of this panel were then sponged with Weathered Gray Distress Ink, completely into the image. Using a baby wipe, I then pulled some of the color off by wiping from the image out to the edges. I loved the effect I got, more of a watercolor look as opposed to sponging. The image was then layered onto solid colored designer paper and stitched together.

The covers for the journal were painted with acrylic paint, then highlighted with distress crackle paint. Once the crackle paint was dry, I went back and sanded all the edges to give the journal a worn look. As a last minute addition, I added the flourish to the all the covers and the inside pocket dividers. The flourish was stamped in white acrylic paint.

I decided to separate the journal in two sections, divided by pocket dividers. The first section contains lined paper, and the second section is plain white cardstock.

Stamps: Penny Black Blush; Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection Anthology from Rubbernecker Stamp Company; and Stampin’ UP! Embrace Life

Paper: Canson Watercolor Paper; BasicGrey Periphery; Stampin’ UP Bashful Blue; Georgia Pacific White; Lined Memo Pad

Ink: Ranger Archival Jet Black, Tim Holtz Spiced Marmalade, Dried Marigold, Peeled Paint, Weathered Wood and Vintage Photo Distress Inks

Accessories: DecoArt Americana Blueberry and Buttermilk Acrylic Paints; Ranger Glossy Accents, Mini Mister, Snow Cap Acrylic Paint Dabber, Tim Holtz Old Paper Distress Crackle Paint; Sewing Machine; Zutter Bind-it-All, 7.5×5″ Craft Covers, 1″ Double O Wire; SU Hodgepodge Hardware; Tonic Tim Holtz Distress Tool; Sanding Block; Ribbon; Watercolor Brush

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend, and that perhaps you are inspired to make your own journal. If you would like to see all the journals made by the Dirty Dozen, all you need to do is click on this keyword, DCI408.