I don't really need any more projects, but I have been increasingly drawn to junk journals and ephemera journals so decided on a bit of a whim to make a junk journal and tea-dye some copy paper. This was the first time I had attempted such a thing and I got some interesting results. The purply patterns came from the baking tray I used - it is an old one and the coating is starting to come away. Where the paper touched the metal, these patterns emerged.
I also got a range of colours, which I was pleased with. The sound of the paper is rather nice too - all crinkly! The junk journal will be an 'as and when' project - the fun will continue in making things to go in it - pockets, journal cards, tucks, bands etc. Currently, I would like some illustrations from some of my favourite books as a child - Alice in Wonderland, The Wind in the Willows, Winnie the Pooh, the Secret Garden, Beatrix Potter, but I have a feeling the journal will be a mix of all kinds of things I like - there won't necessarily be a theme as such.
I have also been making cards for various occasions - the one above was for my colleague at work who needed some happy mail.
This one was inspired by the season...
...and this was for my very clever nephew.
This happy sun was for a family friend who is 102 years old!
This Christmas card is winging its way across the sea to South Africa. Sadly, it won't get there by Christmas - my last letter took four months to reach the recipient!
As well as cards, my art journal course, my watercolour journal and my junk journal, I would like to do some sewing and have just got a very nice pinafore pattern which I am going to try out shortly. So much to do - I love it!
A mix of the many things you like sounds like an excellent theme to me.
ReplyDeleteLove your cards. As I so often say, your cards are things to treasure. And keep.
Thanks, EC. I have no doubt that the junk journal will be a complete mish-mash, but that's fine with me! I really enjoy making the cards, particularly when I can tailor them to the recipient.
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
I have tea and coffee dyed papers before... it's fun, isn't it? Try doing the same with coffee filters, deli paper, those lacey papers that go under cakes, etc. Those are fun to use in junk journals as well. Do you follow LorriMarie Jenkins on YouTube, Ellie? She's wonderful with "altered books"... which is just another type of junk journal. So many crafts... so little time. *lol* ~Andrea xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea. I think I shall be tea-dying again, once I have fininshed using the stack I made first time round. I shall check out LorriMarie Jenkins. I follow several junk journallers, who all have different styles, so it will be interesting to see another one. I agree - so many crafts, so little time! (thank goodness I work part-time!)
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Like yourself I do love the illustrations too from the ones you have mentioned and also from the Water Babies. I don't know if you have ever seen the illustrations in the book "Faeries"illustrated by Brian Froud & Alan Lee. They are fabulous! I used those time and time again in class to motivate my pupils to write a fairytale based on the drawings. Your cards are lovely and I most particularly like the "clever nephew" one. Keep well. Amanda x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amanda. I think I have seen the illustrations you mention - I find them just a little bit disturbing, but fabulous, as you say - they are a bit like the film 'The Dark Crystal' - I can imagine that they were great for motivating pupils to write.
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
True.. some of the drawings from that book border on dark fantasy. As does "The Dark Crystal" which I enjoyed but not so the sequel that came out in 2019. A x
DeleteI would also add 'Labyrinth' in there too - slightly disturbiing, but fabulous!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
The cards are great, Ellie. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thnaks, Amalia. I am enjoying making them and they are quite quick projects to do.
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
There just aren't enough hours in the day to do everything we'd like. Who can resist crinkly paper, I don't know what it is about it but it's such a satisfying sound as you turn the pages, haha. I love your cards, I think the Christmas card is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jo. I agree about the crinkly paper - so much nicer than when it was just copy paper! I really enjoy making the cards, particularly if I can tailor them to the recipient.
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Such interesting results for the paper. Lovely cards xcx
ReplyDeleteThnaks, Chrissie. I was very surprised when all the purply patterns appeared - I wasn't expecting that at all!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie
Hello Ellie, the purply patterned crinkly paper is very lovely. Junk journals - now I like the sound of that! You are a very busy lady. Fingers crossed for the card delivery to South Africa, that seems a long time to get there :0 Interestingly my Mam had to send something to the North Pole once (not to Father Christmas)and amazingly it was there within the week! Happy sewing :) Lulu xXx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lulu. I do always seem to have lots of projects on the go. I think I have inherited that from my Mum - she is and always was very busy with many different craft projects. Yes, my last card and letter did take a lobng time to get to Soth Africa - I am not quite sure why it takes that long, but there we are. I am hoping to do some sewing when i have a few days off work in November, but we'll see!
DeleteBest wishes
Ellie