Monday, April 11

April Showers Bring May Flowers

 

 Hello Monday and hello friends!


April Showers bring May Flowers! Just remember, the showers just might be snow, like I had while working on this! I am looking forward to seeing how you interpret this week's challenge.

After a variety of ideas of what I wanted to create, I settled on making a journal from scratch - I was thinking of a garden journal where notes would be jotted down, sketches made, photos inserted...I love the idea, but am not sure if I am organized enough to use it! LOL!

All I started with were two manila folders that I cut and rounded the edges, then gessoed.


Love this organic texture I got when I layered the paint on both sides, fairly generously, then closed the folder and opened it again. It looks like the veins on leaves to me, which is perfect for my garden idea. 


Time to mix a few colors and get some fantastic results.


And here is how I did it...on one side of the folder, I squirted on the colors in a random way.


Then, I took an old credit card and swiped across in a couple of directions. I set up a plastic bag to paint on since I was getting so messy.


Close the folder, smooth over it with your hands, then open, to see your beautiful colors and textures.


I decided to add in some watercolor sheets for notes and sketching, and very lightly stenciled them.  The cover was so much fun! I painted the base layer in the green, white and blue, then stenciled the clouds with distress ink, and the umbrella and flower. Next I stamped the darling image from Stamping Bella, and colored her with distress crayons.


I bound my mini album together with waxed thread and a stick.


Here's the back...


A view showing the pages...


And for the grand finale...here's a little video showing the whole book!


Personally, I can't wait for spring to get here!! I am ready for the green, getting out onto the deck, digging in the dirt, planting the gardens...you get the picture! I will take some rain to get those May flowers!
I hope you join us in this fun challenge, and I am looking forward to seeing how you interpret our theme. 


Simon Says Stamp is offering a generous $50 voucher for this challenge!

SUPPLIES:
Journal stamp by Stampers Anonymous (old one from the stash)

   
   
   

A great place to shop!!


Simon is on Instagram!


How will my awesome teamies interpret this week's challenge? Head on over and soak up their creative twist on this one!








12 comments:

  1. aw this is so cute! I love the image, she is adorable and I love how you made the leafy design and all of the details on the inside, great music to go along with the video too ;-)

    luv
    Lols x x x

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  2. Gorgeous Maura! Love this idea :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

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  3. Hi Maura!
    At first thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog too recently, on my take on Kate Crane's accordion book for Wanderlust!
    And now your mini journal book too here is great, it looks fun and easy to do, but really lovely!!!
    I'm going to have a look at your Wanderlust pages too! :) Hugs
    ~ Corinne xox

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  4. This mini album is adorable! I love all the little details. Cathie

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  5. This is such a beautiful creation, Maura. Love the pretty background. :)

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  6. This is so much spring on your project. I love the green background and I will try this technique for sure, the textures are amazing! Hugs, Marzena

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  7. So cute this stamp Maura!!!! love your minialbum! The technique is fantastic I'll try it!BArbara

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  8. This mini album is absolutely adorable, Maura! I love how you've created it and built up each page and the stamp is the perfect image to complete the whole project! :)

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  9. So lovely project, Maura. The twine as the spine is wonderful! Hugs, Sandra

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  10. Your project just made me want to play with some folders aswell!!!! Lovely mini album hugs xxx

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  11. I really love the sense of whimsicality on your project! And you had me at the word "brolly!" I lived in London for awhile and love how you embraced the rain theme so creatively. It's always a treat to see what you've come up with!

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  12. Such a sweet book Maura! I love the fun scene you created on the cover and the rain.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, it is so appreciated, and I love reading each and every one!

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