31 Days- Words of Me - a challenge

Leslie Ackman has started the 31 days- Words of me project. The first task we were asked to complete is to make or  buy a journal. I chose to make mine from scratch. I have tons of paper so this is a great way to use it up. Since I don't know what we will be asked to do in this journal I decided to use plain cardstock for the pages. I used Claudine Hellmuth's Sticky Back Canvas to cover the first and last pages to make covers that will hold up to a month of heavy duty use.

Here are the steps taken to make this journal

 I love this binding system so much I bought it twice. Now I think twice before I sell any of my supplies. Even if you don't need it now you never know when you will need it.

The Rubi-coil will punch through sticky back canvas like buttah.

The next few steps were just playing with an old spatula and some paint.

 I love how the white tones it down

I used Golden Heavy Body acrylics.

 Then I layered on some sheer musical note paper.

 and some batik fabric  leaves

 a few more snippets of fabric

 Then because I know this journal is going to be used a lot and I really don't feel like sewing the leaves on,

I layered Rice Paper over the whole thing using varnish to glue it down. the varnish bleeds through the rice paper and creates a wonderful layer of protection.

 You can see where the varnish is on the leaves

 I use a cheepo brush for this because I tend to forget to clean my brushes.

 I bake it in the oven....yes oven....yes there are fumes....

 but I like the bubbles that form

200 degrees for five to ten minutes

Leave the oven door open

and

DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM THE OVEN

 I used a Tim Holtz distress ink to highlight the bubbles and wrinkles.

We were also asked to come up with a word or two to sum up what we want to accomplish with this month long challenge.     My word is GROW or maybe BRANCH OUT,   But I am not yet sure how I want to add it to my journal. I need to look at it for a few days....

Pop over to Leslie's 31 Days  project. The link is in my sidebar.

Come back tomorrow to see the next challenge

Thanks for visiting,