Saturday, August 20, 2016

Heading to the Amazon


We're heading to the Amazon thanks to Art Journal Journey where this month the theme, Nature's Wonders, was chosen by our host Gill of Gibby Frogett Craftations.

It's been awhile since I worked in my 7 Continents altered book, so it was time to pick it up again.  When I left off, I was creating art in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Before that, however, I was making art that related to Brazil, much of it in Rio, but also up the coast, as well as Brazilia. 

Today we are bypassing Manaus

and heading directly to "Meeting of the Waters."

I first learned about this natural phenomenon a few years ago when I started researching Brazil and the Amazon.   I was always quite amazed at how these two bodies of water never mix, but flow side by side

until they form the amazing Amazon.  I can only imagine it's a wonder to behold.

I'm so glad Gill chose this theme, because I can think of many, many natural wonders we can find in the Amazon, which I hope to visit in the next couple of days.  For this entry, I began with a used file folder, my substrate of choice for this altered book.  I added images from two different travel magazines, a very dimensional bat that one would find in the Amazon, and computer generated words.

Some who visited my Thursday tutorial may not have understood that I was planning to make a cover for one of my scrappy journals.  Although the journals themselves contain only decorated pages made of paper and detritus, the covers are all fabric.

Be aware the cover size is 10 1/2 inches by 17 1/2 inches (26,67 cm by 44,45 cm), which is much larger than my scanner bed.  This side hasn't changed at all, and about all you can see is where I have sewn the front to the inside.

You can see a lot more on the inside (although I should have tried to scan more of the keys at the top than I did).  I added the pens/pencil holder to the front inside and the detritus/minutia pocket to the right side which will be the back inside once pages have been sewn into the center.

Thanks as always for visiting.  And please don't forget to visit Art Journal Journey and Gill to see many, many nature's wonders.

14 thoughtful remarks:

peggy gatto said...

Oh my, love your design!!

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful page, it is really a wonder that those waters don't mix, very fascinating. The journal cover looks great, well done. I didn't realise it was so big, either! Have a wonderful day, hugs, Valerie

Gibby Frogett said...

Wow that really is a wonder of nature - I never knew that about the rivers - thanks so much for sharing that and for the beautiful AJJ piece.
I love your journal cover too - but I'm not sure the weather here in the UK would be sunny/hot? enough to do that... might have to add that to my 'to do' list to try oneday to see if it would :)
Thanks for the lovely comments on my digital piece yesterday - I have several digital software programmes which all get used, although not all mastered yet - but one gets used more as its easy peasy and still does a lot. (made all 3 blog banners with it, have designed stencils and all sorts with it)
Have a wonderful weekend.... Gill x

chrissie said...

Wonderful Amazon page- I never imagine it had places where it was open and bright.

Stunning design on the fabric and it will make a great journal cover. I did see it yesterday and meant to revisit as I didn't quite take in how it was done.

Love Chrissie xx

froebelsternchen said...

Oh yes - this phenomenon is fascinating - indeed! You made a wonderful page to it -
thank you so very much for joining Art Journal Journey again dear Elizabeth!
Fabulous - and this cover starts to become something wonderful!
Happy Saturday !
oxo Susi

Meggymay said...

A really interesting read, I never knew about the rivers side by side. Its a wonderful page and super photos.
I think your journal cover will look fabulous.
Yvonne xx

My name is Erika. said...

I did not know that about the Amazon and River Negro. How cool would that be to see? Can't wait to see the other wonders that will show up in the next few days. Loving what you did with the sun printing too. They are going to make excellent covers. And thanks for the Ken Burns/Roosevelts link. I haven't seen this Ken Burns film and so I am going to watch it. Get my hubby to watch too. He does such good work. What a cool job he has. I just want to know more about them right now. Have a great weekend! Hugs-Erika

Nancy said...

Interesting info along with your art page- thanks! Love the bat you added. Isn't it amazing how the things we keep suddenly have the perfect page or project to become part of. I was impressed with your planning when you did the sun printing in that you had the cover plus pages and pockets identified when you painted and arranged the keys. It's fun to see how you've put it together and it works beautifully!

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

How fun! Have you finished completely with your St Petersburg pages? Because I could send you some Russian book pages etc if you need some....I love these. I always make altered book pages with ephemera from countries I travel to....love seeing what you are up to.

~*~Patty S said...

Fascinating and lovely page you created E.
Nature often times defies explanation.
Can't imagine how/why that could be about the waters flowing side by side.
Beautiful cover you made and great use of the keys !
Hope you're having a really nice weekend.
oxo

Let's Art Journal said...

Such an interesting and wonderful page! The different coloured waters meeting is amazing and the quote sums it up perfectly! The fabric cover is fabulous, I love how you used the different keys and adding the pens/pencil holder to the front inside and the detritus/minutia pocket is genius! Thanks for sharing and have a lovely weekend! J :-)

Rita said...

I didn't know that, either. Informative and pretty art, too. :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

I love this Amazon page and am fascinated by the two tone river! Your cover looks fantastic - I am using my (now uncovered) sewing machine this week!! Hugs, Chrisx

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

I love the Seven Continents idea -- so cool. I travel a lot so why didn't I think of doing that? I do make altered books pages or the places I visit. If you want Basque Country (Spain), Portugal or Paris I will be going soon and can send you ephemera when i get back.......taking my travel journal along, of course.....thanks for the great idea and fun post.