Sunday, November 20, 2016

Embellish, part 2


Continuing with the technique I learned from Seth Apter's tutorial on Make it Artsy,

it was now time to finish my assemblage with a bit of bling.  I added some letter beads and a key from my stash.

The idea is to add anything that has at least one hole in it, then wrap it around the assemblage.   I was so lucky that the fibers were fluffy enough, I didn't have to show the exposed wire, but could hide it in the fibers.  As you can see, I used wire that was color coordinated.

Next it was time to go through my literally HUNDREDS of pages I have completed over the past two years, and sort some I wanted to use.

Once sorted, I used my various key stamps on blank pages.

Next it was time to sort these pages and turn them into two signatures. 

I try to never put two pages of the same color next to each other.

It took several hours to first sort, then stamp these pages.  I will finish the journal tomorrow.

This is a very, very special visual journal.  You might be able to tell it's not as highly embellished with scraps that speak to the journaler, as those I have made in the past.  This is for a dear friend who was in grad school with me.  She has three children, is 39, and has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  She loves to doodle, and I thought she could take this with her to chemotherapy.


This is Day 20 of AEDM.   Once again, I'm super grateful for your support of my art.


16 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

You have put a lot of hard work and time into your work, I am sure your friend will like them. Hugs, Valerie

chrissie said...

All wonderful ideas and I love the art piece now you added the letters and key

Love Chrissie xx

froebelsternchen said...

The art piece looks super now!Great with the coordianting wire!
I am sorry to hear about the cancer of your friend, best wishes for her !
I think she will love your wonderful gift! You put sooo much work and thoughts in it! Hope you will show it to us before you will it hand out to her.

oxo Susi

Gibby Frogett said...

Love your finished assemblage piece Elizabeth - the alpha beads are a nice finishing touch too.
So sorry to hear about your friend - what a lovely and thoughtful gift you have made for her I'm sure she will love this.
Gill x

CJ Kennedy said...

Gorgeous!!! What a wonderful gift!

Sami said...

Sorry to hear about your young friend with cancer! I'm sure she'll enjoy your gift to help pass the time in hospital.

Anonymous said...

You have made a wonderful gift which makes your friend to feel happy by seeing it:)

Krisha said...

What a wonderful, special gift for your friend. I am sure will love and cherish it, and will be very welcome as she goes through therapy.

Helen said...

such a thoughtful gift - love all those pages! your finished embellishment is gorgeous too.

thanks for visiting Kew with me again, I am sure the Thames was cold, luckily I didn't go paddling! You have seen the statue with the boots before yes, he's in the grass garden, I think he's called the sower. the Hive is as it was, but the wildflower meadow round it has died back for sure.

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

Oh!! Oh!! I LOVE that book with those sewn pages....swoon...

Meggymay said...

A lovely thoughtful gift for your friend. I'm sure she will love it.
Your pile of papers looked great and I was so interested in seeing the assemblage with its final decorations...awesome.
Yvonne xx
p.s. I had to smile at the 'turkey'.

My name is Erika. said...

That is a wonderful gift for your friend. Breast cancer is soooo scary. I hope she has a less aggressive kind, not that that is better, but at least is more hopeful. My college roommate and close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer, and when I found out it stopped me in my tracks. I can't imagine being diagnosed. I think you're a goo friend Elizabeth and she is happy to have you. Hugs-Erika

Magic Love Crow said...

Wow, this is a lot of work! I love your cat! I come from Sandra's blog to say hi!!!! Nice to meet you!

Nancy said...

I knew I was going to love this assemblage- and I do!! Well done. How thoughtful to make a journal for your friend. It will be meditative for her to doodle away in it. Of course, I love all the texture and threads that add so much character.

Jeanie said...

This is fascinating -- the assemblage is great and all those pages! I really should learn to sew a bit on paper -- it always looks great and gives such wonderful texture!

Linda Kunsman said...

what a very special heart made journal for your friend. It's a great gift to cheer her up while going through chemo. Sending her prayers and healing.