Journal Die + Rubber Dance Stamps = Art Journal Fun!

The obsession continues with Eileen Hull's ever so versatile Journal Die. I love making these; they really are addicting! For this art journal I paired the fabulous Rubber Dance stamp set Artist Plate with Ranger products and Paper Artsy Fresco Paint to create a vibrant cover.

Journal front

Journal back

For the inside, I used pre-made Midori inserts I found on Amazon but it's really easy to make your own too (see tutorial in this post).

Sorry I don't have step by step photos but I can give you a rundown on how I made this. The first technique I used on my plain scoreboards die cut covers was 'faux batik', an oldie but goodie.

The white brush stamp is the ''batik" part.

To create the faux batik look, stamp with embossing ink and then emboss with clear powder. It will act as a resist for all the ink layers you put on top. After inking and stenciling the background with Distress inks, I covered the embossed area with plain absorbent newsprint and ironed over the top of it to melt the embossing powder. Don't let the paper sit there or the powder will just solidify again and stick the paper to your project! Peel the paper off as you go as soon as you see the melted powder soaking into it. I did do some more stamping and stenciling over the top.

On the front cover, I used the Luggage Tag die as a frame for the title (and also as an anchor for the elastic strap).

I used a brayer and various blue-hued Fresco paints to add some color and layers of texture to the frame. I popped it up with some foam tape so there would be a little space for the elastic to loop under it.

That's it! =) Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Rubber Dance Stamps and many other hard to find art stamps from all around the world can be found online at Topflight Stamps. Check out their blog too, they are always posting inspiring projects made with super cool stamps! I'm also entering this into the new Mini Album Makers Blog's inaugural challenge. Lots of fun things to see there - check them out as well!

Stamps Used:
Rubber Dance - Artist Plate

Dies Used: 

Sizzix:

Journal    (Sizzix / SSS)

Luggage Tag (Sizzix) 

Stitchy Flowers (Sizzix / SSS)

Stencils Used:

Tim Holtz – Numbered, Bubble, Mini set 9

Wendy Vecchi – WVSFA 034 Borders

Other supplies:
Sizzles Matboard – (SSS / Sizzix)
Distress Ink – Mermaid Lagoon, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Fossilized Amber, Barn Door

Distress Ink Oxides – Fired Brick, Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade

Versamark ink

clear embossing powder

Ranger Archival - Dandelion, Forget Me Not, Orange Blossom, Jet Black

Fresco Finish Paint - China, Capt. Peacock, Caribbean Sea, Antarctic

Tiny Attacher stapler

Simon Says Stamp and Sizzix links in this post are affiliate links which do not affect the price you pay but allow me to earn a small percentage of a sale. Thanks! 

One last thing, if you want more inspiration for making journals and albums using the Journal Die, check this e-book out! I have some projects included in it and it is packed with so many ideas it will keep you busy for months. ;-)

Click on the image to go to the order page!

"After many months of work, you can finally get your hands on this book full inspiration. If you like junk journals, planners, art journals, bullet journals, Traveler’s Notebooks or notebooks of any kind, you will love this book! In this ebook, you will find 85 inspirational projects from top notch industry designers. All have used her Sizzix Journal die to create their projects, yet every one is unique and special. This sought after die has proven exceptionally popular, and when you see the sheer variety of projects made with it you will see why."

Click on the book photo above to purchase the e-book!