Thursday, October 21, 2010

White is right!

I have been looking forward to making these pages for a Six player swap I'm in since I learned Gina's theme, which was white. Even though I was all "True Colored" out, I loved the idea of revisiting white with its many shades and nuances. Gina sent the pages she wanted us to use for her book, so the cutting and measuring was all done for us. How easy was that?

Since I was the first to work in Gina's white book, I wanted her pages to be special. But, since I have been in a slump, my art has not been the best. Fortunately, I am very pleased with most of the pages I made for her, which I will show part of today and the rest on Saturday. Gina has now received her pages and I'm relieved to know she likes them. Remember to click the pictures to get the entire page.

I started Gina's first page (which was blank) by masking the edges on both sides. I didn't want gesso, which I lathered on quite thick in several layers to get in the holes. After each layer was dry, I flattened the page under a heavy book, but it still buckled. I lightly outlined an arch on the textured page, which I was hoping would remind her of an old church or building.


Next, I drew an outline of the arch on a middle sheet of a decorative 3-ply napkin. By using the middle ply, I got a ghost image, but nothing that would compete with the image I stamped. The image is shown above, on my craft sheet, which makes it look brown. I used Linen Distress Ink because the color is so pale.


Next, I attached the napkin to the gessoed page using more gesso, then trimmed.


From there I added an image Terri at Pringle Hill Studio offered one Friday. Originally, I planned for the girl's hand to be behind the arch, but I couldn't make the position work. Although I planned to add something to make her hand not seem to float in air, I ended up leaving it unadorned. I used molding paste to make the arch, which I think has dried up, since I had trouble getting it to spread. Now I wish I'd masked off the molding paste area, too, but I never expected to have so many problems with the molding paste, which I remember being so easy to spread in the past.


Although the "Innocence" side was the first side I made (and probably my least favorite because of the molding paste problems), this side was the last. It turned out to be one of my favorites, too. Gina's pages are so small, I had to make these squares 1" each so I would have some variation. I used book pages mixed with paint chips (and their names) in various shades of white. To get the thin and rather fragile book pages the same thickness as the paint chips, I glued them to thin cardboard. I then adhered everything to a piece of thin cardboard because I was trying to lessen the buckle on the other side. After the two sides were assembled, I decorated the page using a few "white" embellishments from my stash.

I also made this tag as my sign-in entry. Although it's hard to read, I stencilled the word "White" on a purchased tag I first covered with German text sheet music. Next, I added a stamped image I got in a swap, cheesecloth, and some glittery decorative ribbon. I told Gina and the other swappers that I threw any and everything on the tag that would stick, because I was really stuck when it came to this tag.

Today's blog is one I found recently from a comment left on my blog and I immediately fell in love! There is so much to see at Dandelion Lady's blog. Melissa, or Dandelion Lady to most, lives in Michigan in the US. She is fearless in her art and the various media in which she works. I was really drawn to her posts because of the tutorial she shared on making a super easy envelope for cards using recycled materials and doesn't require a lot of fancy cutting or measuring. I stayed to look at her aprons, her hand carved rubber, her paintings, her block prints, her fabric dyeing using non-toxic chemicals, her recipes, and her photography. And if all that isn't enough to whet your appetite, check out her assemblages and the rusty found objects she uses in them. I hope you like Dandelion Lady's blog as much as I do.

30 thoughtful remarks:

Unknown said...

I'm SO glad the dry spell is over! These pages are wonderful and truthfully, I can't decide which one I like better. I LOVE the "Innocence" page but your checkerboard of paint chips and book pages is wonderful too....I guess I'll just have to leave it at, I LOVE them both- gorgeous!

Zue said...

I love your white creations...you have inspired me to have a go with this colour and the infinite number of shades of it.

I don't think there is such a thing as a mistake..often mistakes look like they were part of the design especially if they are 'distressed'.

I really love all three of the pieces you have shown here. Can't say I have a favourite.

I often use the middle layer of a napkin, with as you say a 'ghost' of an image; sometimes can be really beautiful.

Sue xx

Halle said...

I don't think I've ever done a white on white page! Very nice!!

elle said...

These are wonderful pages, Elizabeth. I luv your process. The whites are so spiritual. I'm inspired!

Unknown said...

Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much for stopping by my creative space on WOYWW! It is addictive, and I hope to do it every week. Just wanted to tell you, though, I'm completely inspired by that tag! I adore using tags in scrapbooking, and even making tag books--thank you for sharing your beautiful work.

Sherry said...

I love hearing about the processes involved in making your pages Elizabeth which I think are great by the way. I love the patchwork one in particular, so effective! Off to check Dandelion Lady's blog now - thanks!

~*~Patty S said...

LOVE what you've done for Gina's white pages! A lot of the things I enjoy, arches and paper weaving. Your tag looks great too! What fun and pretty pages!
oxo

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth you are so clever! I think both of the pages turned out fantastic and your techniques are brilliant. I must admit I like your second page best. I would have never thought to use the paint chips but they work so well with the vintage texts. Where do you find such wonderful texts anyway? The German Sheet Music would be a prize to me! Thanks for sharing and can't wait until Sunday to see more!
~Shari

Tracy Evans said...

What a great idea working in differing shades of white, I love it. I really like the arch and all the texture. Great pages, Tracy Evans x

Zue said...

Hi Elizabeth
Just to say thanks for your sweet comment. I have put the 'Sad Lady' back on.
I was so inspired by your work today, that I have made six pages, not white, but with a white theme and I have linked the inspiration back to your blog...I hope you don't mind.

Have a great day
Sue xx

Louise said...

Gorgeous dreamy tag!

Karen said...

White can be really beautiful as it has so many shades, I bet the end results look fabulous!!!

Awe...just been looking at all your rocking horses...adorable X

Healing Woman said...

Looks like to me that your creative juices are definitely coming back! Tag is great and I love the arched piece you created with Terri Kahr's charming little girl. Will check out your link to Dandelion Woman now.

Thanks so much Elizabeth

Sarah said...

Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for your visit and birthday wishes! I love your white pages-especially the first one-I think it worked really well! YOur blog is lovely and I am now off to visit Dandelion Lady's! What a great name!
Sarah :)

dandelionlady said...

Thanks so much for mentioning me! I just love the white on white theme!

artangel said...

All amazing work, the paint chips/books page is my fave though :)

I think it's fabulous how you have created such variety with just one colour too; it's curious how sometimes our creativity expands more when given limitations!

Lynn Cohen said...

I love all the things you make, especially that quilted paper page...you inspire me.

Lori Saul said...

I love to switch to whites, neutrals and creams to give my color frenzy a rest. The subtlety and calming visual impact is lovely. All of your pieces are superb in particular the (Innocence) page - very striking and elegant! Love your creativity in this post.

Caterina Giglio said...

looks like the mojo is back and love white and the monochroma going on here! lovely!!

Debrina said...

I love doing white on white! And that tag is just flippin' gorgeous, Elizabeth! Also, I'm going to get those round clothes pegs listed on Etsy for real cheap...like $2 US for 5 or something like that. we have a great source of them here in NZ, so I'm going to spread the love!

Cindy McMath said...

Elizabeth, these are all fantastic! I love all of the texture, and of course I like the grid on (kind of bingo-ish).

So glad we get to see your gorgeous art again!

Cindy :)

Tuire Flemming said...

Love how you have used all those white tones! Fantastic pages!

Anonymous said...

I like the tag - lots. Me and white don't really see eye to eye, so I'd be fearful of this undertaking. You did a lovely job.
Did I mention I like the tag?
A

Create With Joy said...

Love white; love today's art! Also enjoyed the WOYWW rocking horse story. I am that way with books.

Thanks for your comments this week; they made me smile. Have a wonderful weekend!

Ramona :-)

Dianne said...

You rock! these turned out great! I really like the little squares...great textural interest and cool objects...and the tag turned out terrific.

Steph said...

aaah lovely, E!!! love the textures!!!

Terri Kahrs said...

Beautiful whites, Elizabeth!!! And just look at how wonderful the image of the little girl is in your fab arch!!! I always love seeing how other artists use my images!!! Thanks for the honorable mention!!! Hugs, Terri xoxox

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Hi Elizabeth, I think the molding paste looks great, love the texture and love your pages, the tag is beautiful :-)
Anne xx

Marfi-topia said...

wow! you are certainly catching up on your creativity...were you the same lady whose muse had fled???;)
this is all astonishingly beautiful!wonderful wonderful job at everything you have created here!

Mollye said...

white on white the simplicity is so powerful. Glad to see your muse in ful bloom these days. A joy visiting. Hugs, Mollye