This Week's Mixed Media Monday theme is "show us what you love to do", and I love making my own fabric paper, as a base for my 8 X 8 art journal pages.
Now before you all get confused---I can hear you saying it now, " I thought her journal pages were 8 X 10", and "No, her journal pages are those wide 7 X 5s you see in that book of 2 page spreads"......etc. And the answer is: You are all right! I have five on-going art journals at the moment. The 8 X 8 is made up of entirely hand-made papers, and I LOVE making these out of lots of different pieces of things, acrylic paints, and gel mediums, so this is what I've chosen to do for the challenge.
For this particular paper, I used a waxed paper backing and began with thin layers of matte gel medium, letting each layer dry before adding another one. When I had built-up several layers, I added a coat of light green acrylic paint mixed with fluid matted medium, and dabbed it around all over with a stiff acrylic brush. When this was dry, I added another layer of medium, set an ultra thin sheet of tulle on top, and sealed it on top with a second, thin layer of medium. When this layer was dry, I began dabbing paint, metallic flecks, torn pieces of tissue papers, and more paints and mediums, until I got the desired effect. I let it dry for several hours after setting it with a heat gun, then I cut it to 8 X 8 and saved the scraps for ATCs.
It's only a substrate, so look for it again soon when it will be artiphied and journaled.
Have a great day, Everyone!
This looks amazing and interesting technique, looking forward to seeing it when used in the journal
Posted by: Moira | September 24, 2008 at 02:29 AM
Wow this is amazing.
Fantastic.
Posted by: Sandy | September 24, 2008 at 05:07 AM
Your paper is beautiful! And you must have patience. Waiting for things to dry is not one of my strengths. :)
Posted by: Beth Haendiges | September 24, 2008 at 07:03 AM
Love your fabric paper!
Posted by: rein. | September 24, 2008 at 07:46 AM
beautiful!!!
Posted by: femmy | September 24, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Great! thanks for info.
Posted by: Christine D. | September 24, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Beautiful fabric paper, Barbara!
Posted by: Willy | September 25, 2008 at 08:03 AM
wOW!! That's so beautiful... very spring-like! I can't believe you have never seen an autumn for real - that's quite shocking. It's my favourite time of the year, apart from Spring, of course!
Not sure I'll ever have the patience to make your style of fabric paper, but it really is gorgeous!
Posted by: Rosie | September 25, 2008 at 03:06 PM
What a wonderful thing to Love to do Barbara = really excellent!!!
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | September 25, 2008 at 06:09 PM
Wow, this is amazing in it's own right - can't wait to see what you end up doing with it! Diane
Posted by: Diane | September 26, 2008 at 01:29 AM
Really beautiful!
Posted by: Janny | September 26, 2008 at 05:49 AM
Beautiful fabric paper - very textural and interesting!
Posted by: Debbi Baker | September 26, 2008 at 06:40 AM
Fabulous background.
Posted by: Hermine | September 26, 2008 at 09:41 AM
This paper is awesome hun (clapping) xxxxx
Posted by: carolann | September 26, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I can't count the times I've wanted to try this. I think it is something I would really enjoy. Just may have to dive in--your instructions are great.
Posted by: Lisa | September 26, 2008 at 10:47 AM