Monday, May 21, 2012

Summerbound!

Morning! Howdy! Buenos Dias and Bonjour! Or... "Ugh. Monday." Just in case anyone is feeling delicate or chronologically challenged. This week Simon Says Stamp & Show is looking sunny with a Summer Holidays theme. I love inky fabrics as much as inky paper...
 so I thought I'd create a canvas cover for my Art journal and indulge in bright summery colours. Who knows what the summer will bring but with baby-day just a few weeks away, I'm sure there'll be something to write home about!
l came across this wonderful blog and tutorial and was inspired to create my own take on things... My journal is a different size to that in the tutorial so and I knew that 4 panels would be enough as I wanted to use canvas which is quite thick. As well as normal seam allowances, the outer piece basically needs to be long enough to wrap around your journal when closed, adding on an extra 4 inches at each end to create the 'cover holders'. I also allowed 4 extra inches in the width to allow me to sew the cut and sew the strips together.
Firstly I created my fabric Masterboard. I liberally misted my fabric with water to help the colour soak in. Sometimes I'll prime canvas with gesso, but this time I wanted that natural colour in the background. I used Wild Plum and Sunset Orange Color Wash with the flower template and stencil waste, blotted the excess (very lightly!) and heat set.
I added random patches of Lettuce and Stream for more contrast, dried and then used old pot lids to add the circles, using Gesso and more Color Wash. I dried it thoroughly and then heat set it all with my iron using an old towel to protect the surface (and hubby's shirts!)
I then cut it into four strips and swapped them around to mix up the design. Other wise it's too predictable and even. When happy I stitched them together and ironed open the seams to allow it to lie flatter. At this point I added some random zig-zag stitching with my machine.
I stamped random words with Peg Stamps using Monarch Orange Archival Ink. Then it was onto the inside piece which I also inked up but left as one piece and the rest of the sewing. I went for a simple tie fastening using Distress Stained lace, ribbon and string. I sewed them to the back and used a shabby Tim button to help hold them in place.
Here's a close-up of the inside flap. If you're not a sewing type maybe you can ink up your fabric and then ask a stitchy friend to help with the rest! Except for the random zig-zag bit - it's all straight stitch. Or why not just play around with the same idea on paper to create fun backgrounds?
Here's the back which is as yummy as the front  - I like the panelled look a lot and the variation in colours and pattern. I fancy making a really wild one now! By the way, when I'm working on preparing my journal pages, I do take my journal out of it's lovely home! I hope the inky splashes and colours will brighten up your day... What mood springs to mind when you think of summer holidays?
I really hope you'll join in with this weeks challenge, and possibly win this generous $50 prize! Hop over to the Design Team Blog to enjoy more fabulous summery love!

Have a really good week, thanks for being here and... until the next time! Sarah.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration;)

Candy C said...

Your canvas cover is so awesome, Sarah! Love the colors, the patterns and how you've sewn it together! What a great look! Leave it to you to come up with such original and amazingly cool art! <3 Candy

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Sarah
This is a beautiful creative cover, for your journal; so unique which will make it so special.
Smiles:)
Sue

Annie said...

Hi Sarah this is a lovely colourful piece. And I love the patterns and stamped sentiments. Totally unique. TFS. :)

Helen said...

Wonderful journal, I am sure you will find plenty to put in it!!

Annie said...

What a beautiful way to use fabric. Love it.
Hugs,
A x

Redanne said...

Fantastic journal cover Sarah, love the colours and how you have mixed it all up with the stripes. Inspired piece. Anne x

Janny Jager said...

A wonderful creation Sarah
Nice colors

Greetings Janny

nerllybird said...

Oh that's really gorgeous - love the colours you've used! Hope you have time to put stuff in it once Baby Day has been and gone, lol!
Helen S #75

Marja's Stamp Addiction en Marja's Creativity said...

Gorgeous your canvas cover. Beautiful combinations and wonderful colors. Really beautiful.
I found your blog on AJC Challenge blog.
lovely greet
Marja

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Love the panels and variations in colour and such a fabulous idea too. The touch of stamping is a lovely touch and perfect summery colours. Enjoy your week. Tracy x

Peggy Parker said...

Love this! It reminds me of covering textbooks, only with so much more style!

Franka Benjaminsen said...

Dit is echt een heel mooie Journal cover. Ik heb ook nog even verder zitten smullen op de site waarnaar je verwees. Prachtig. xFranka

Peggy said...

I love this I just started an online class with Christy Tomlinson and we have to do the cover of an art journal. I think I might just give this a try. THanks so much for sharing your talent with us!

Hettie said...

Oooooo! I am liking this piece Sarah. Might just have to remember this for a future project!
Hugs
xx

Marjie Kemper said...

What a fabulous personalized cover... LOVE it! And that ribbon/lace binding pops with all that gorgeous color.

Marijke said...

great peace of art, love the way you used the fabric for an Art Journal cover

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Gorgeous journal, Sarah! I love the fabric pieced together and the bright color are fabulous!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!