Saturday, October 23, 2010

My remaining white swap pages

Here are the rest of my white pages for October's six person swap. This was our first month, and my first swap partner was Gina who unfortunately doesn't have a blog. Her white theme really spoke to me, even though I'm having a rough time getting decent art to flow. To recap, Gina sent each of us pages for her book. She didn't want us to struggle with the binding area. Be sure to click the photos for the complete picture.

As I said on Thursday, I was really looking forward to working in white. For this spread, I began with the music page that Gina sent, then added some lacy mulberry paper over about 1/3 of the page. I struggled to give this page a name or a sentiment, and ended up adding no words to this nature inspired piece, which included a real feather found in my yard, craft feathers, a silk flower, and a real beach shell. The people in the background are from a paint chip sample, something I know Gina will appreciate, since she likes to use them, too.


I actually showed how I made this page back in September. I want to thank Lynn from Her Creative Spirit for the original tutorial. This is some of my dried lavender. It is special to me, since I only had the bush one season before it died. If Gina presses on the page, she will get a whiff of lavender. Even trapped under a napkin and glue, the lavender still gives off a sweet scent.


Everyone should have known I would find a way to make some pages using my sewing machine. I began with the second unadorned page and added mostly paint chips, along with a book image, a flower petal, and button to this plain white page.

More book pages, paint chips, tea stained paper, and, when I thought it looked unfinished, grabbed a rub-on, my first ever, and added the word "believe." I sure believe in rub-ons now that I've used one. They are fun and give spectacular results.


I have to admit, this is one of my least favorite pages. I have no real pens, and thought the one I was using along with a stencil, was supposed to have white ink in it. But that was not the case. It would have been a fun page had I made sure I had the right tools before I started. I apologize Gina. Maybe you can go over the "white" word with a real white pen!


When I got this page from Gina, I thought it was really dark, but thought if I just lightened it a bit, it might work. So I got out the gesso and a scraggly paint brush and dry brushed some of the darkness out of the page. I then added the stamped image (another stamped image received in a swap that both Gina and I were in) that I trimmed to fit the page, then added the flowers and rhinestones.

These are my contributions for the month of October, and I sure hope Gina likes them. I even surprised myself by looking forward to this theme, since before these pages, I was so burned out on anything "True Colors."

I'm sort of on a recycle kick again. Seems I don't use enough recycled objects in my art. But John Dahlsen certainly does. In fact, he's an environmental artist and painter. And, I am delighted to have found his web site because I never seem to feature enough men who make art. As an environmental artist, John uses a lot of purged plastic, those bits and pieces that spew hot distorted plastic out of an injection molding machine. He also makes assemblages from found and recycled objects, including driftwood. He has won many awards, including awards for his use of plastic bags. John lives and exhibits his art in Australia. He is renown there. Although I have only scratched the surface of his art, if you are like me, you will spend a lot of time perusing his site, especially if you are a recycler.

22 thoughtful remarks:

Esther said...

Hi - well I've made it to the weekend and feeling much less stressed now...got some time for blogging and crafting! Love these pages, so elegant, particularly the pressed flower page. I've got some flowers from my nieces wedding which would look great in this technique - hope you're enjoying the weekend too...Esther xx

Caterina Giglio said...

ok love the white and the size of the photos is magnificent, love that you lightened her up, good contrast. as for upcycling, it is how I live my life, the only way to go!! xo

elle said...

These white pages are just stunning! Thanks for detailing your process. I luv 'em!

Diane said...

I LOVE these pages--it's amazing how much depth you can get from just one color (is white a color?) plus all the possibilities. I just discovered rub ons this year too, and I agree--they come in very handy! Just love these pages!!!

Zue said...

Wonderful...love them all. You have used so many different techniques. I like the dried flower stuck to book text. (I did that one a while ago, I will find it and post it up.)

I also love the slide frames you have painted in...so creative...in fact I lov ethem all. Well done you !

Sue xx

Lynn Cohen said...

I really like these "white" pages! so many clever techniques used here, thanks for sharing. I hope you plant lavender again. My yard florishes in it front and back. I love it too.

Marlynn said...

Elizabeth -- your pages have left me speechless, literally, I applaud each and everyone of your creations. I have to admit that i am addicted to rubons! Once you use them, you are hooked. Much applause to your beautful white pages.

Unknown said...

These pages are beautiful. The dimension and character you added all using white as the base color is amazing. Every pages is so creative and then explaining your process is wonderful. The swap recipient of these is very fortunate!!

Healing Woman said...

You really used Lynn's technique in a creative way. I never thought of using a page of words under the tissue paper and glue. It looks super and I love that you placed scented lavender beneath.

All the pages are unique. Wonderful.

artangel said...

I love the simplicity of white combined with all the varied techniques you've used. I especially love the lavender page - how lovely to bring in scent to your work!

Dianne said...

These pages are beautiful... nostalgic... romantic... wonderful work...

Cindy McMath said...

Elizabeth, these are all gorgeous - seems you have really enjoyed the white theme and made some beautiful art in the process!

Cindy :)

Vicki said...

These are absolutely beautiful.

Unknown said...

These are wonderful- what a prize your friend is getting! Love the way you used Lyn's technique!

Steph said...

nice pages..love how you've kept the color white together and used beautiful contrasting images/embellishments.

Darla said...

Your white pages are great. You used so many different techniques. I'm inspired by the stitching and the slide frames - something I haven't used.

Darla

Mary S. Hunt said...

i think all the pages are just stunning! creative inventive and downright perfect for the swap!

Terri Kahrs said...

Once again, I'm late to the party but I'm soooo happy that I've had an opportunity to see these lovely pages, Elizabeth!!!! I'm particularly drawn to the pages with sewing. Gorgeous!!!! Hugs, Terri xoxoxo

Tammy Freiborg said...

Amazing what you've created with white!!

~*~Patty S said...

these are great photos Elizabeth, so nice and clear with your lovely white creations!
I can almost smell the lavender :)

I was so frustrated this weekend, your blog would not let me in, it just kept loading (transferring), but no blogblogblog posts showed up...no matter how long I waited

glad I can get in today!
oxo

Halle said...

These white pages are beautiful!

Margaret said...

Elizabeth, I've missed so much on your Blog! I love your pages in white! superb!