Topflight Stamps: PaperArtsy Gwen LaFleur Bird Journal and Card

Monday, March 9, 2020

PaperArtsy Gwen LaFleur Bird Journal and Card

Hi everyone! It's Autumn Clark from SewPaperPaint with you today to kick off our week of Mother's Day crafting inspiration. I wanted to create a card and notebook gift set, so I altered an Eileen Hull Wrap Journal Die with PaperArtsy Fresco Finish Chalk Acrylic Paints and the new stamp set by Gwen LaFleur, EGL05. First I thought I would make some two sided painted paper to use for my handmade insert covers.

I used a palette of Nougat, Taupe, Sage, Hint of Mint, Blush and Autumn Fire toned down with Blush and painted at random on a sheet of PaperArtsy Smoothy cardstock. I then used my leftover paint to sponge Tracy Scott's new Mini Stamps EM64, EM61 and EM60.

On the back side of the cardstock, I used my leftover paints mixed with water to make a lighter wash of the same colors and used coordinating inks to stamp with.

Once I was satisfied with how my palette worked together, I painted the front of my die cut journal in similar fashion, omitting the stamped dots.

Once I dried my journal completely, I was able to line it up in my stamp platform and do repeat stamping. The purpose of this was to stamp one impression to leave me a guide to paint with. I painted the sections as shown above, then when my paint was dried I stamped the image again to bring back the line detail. Note I even used a scrap bag for my palette so it would be handy to work inside of my stamp platform and I could throw it right away when I was finished.

Here is the finished detail. This process achieves two things: 1. the finished image is smooth (it was important for me to have a nice feel to the cover of my journal) and 2. it eliminates fussy cutting. 3. bonus - its just such a cool way to use your tools!

Here is my finished journal. I glued the leftover strip from making my notebook inserts to the flap side for contrast.

The magnolia wraps around to the back of the journal...

PaperArtsy EGL05

I am absolutely crazy over this stamp set! There are so many new releases in the PaperArtsy section of TopflightStamps.com. And here is a shot of the inserts I made with my long reach stapler and kraft paper.

It was really hard to capture the soft colors on this journal, but I'm sharing a video on Instagram @sewpaperpaint.

Next, I made a super easy background to coordinate. My favorite ways to use Prism Ink Pads is direct to paper. I looked at the color chard I made and picked colors that blended with my journal. Find the color chart HERE. I just swiped the pads across PaperArtsy Smoothy cardstock. I stamped Mini Stamp EM64 with Fresco Chalk Acrylics in Nougat using a sponge.

I watercolored the focal images for my card with Distress Inks.

I used some basic dies and Gumdrops to finish the card. My second bird found his home on the inside cover of my journal, which I lined with patterned paper to coordinate.