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Monday, November 4, 2013

Part 1 . . . 12 Days of Christmas mixed media Journal

 Hi everyone, Tracy here today to share my love of old books and Christmas . . . oops there`s that C word again,lol!
My parcel from the lovely Kim arrived with so much goodness, want to see?
Simply deeelish isn`t it . . .
For the last few years I have joined in with the December Daily Journal, recording each day of December in the run up to that special day
but 
this year I thought that I would only do the 12 days before Christmas
why I hear you ask . . .
 Well, I do love to see a big fat squishy book brimming with memories at the end of it all
but
seriously, it`s hard to fit in the time to create each day plus the 12 days before Christmas is when the magic starts to happen here . . . 
traditions, baking, bustling around the shops, wrapping presents, Christmas Choirs, family time!
I even journal putting up the tree and the chaos that involves tree lights!
I want  my journal to have an old worldly feel to it, so this year I am journaling it all in this old book above and making it more mixed media.
I started by taking a lot of pages out first . . . I love working with book pages and now have a tidy little stack to hand!
A quick coat of Gesso to prime the book ready for a mixture of Pan Pastels and Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads along with some of those beeeautiful Graphic 45 Papers.
Now yet again more apologies from me . . . this is the only picture I managed to take of the process.
But I do promise it is easy peasy, just grab some supplies and get messy!!
When it`s done you`ll get that tingle in your tummy,lol.
I used 1 sheet of the paper to make the tree and can you see, it starts from the bottom with
 on the first day of Christmas right up to 
the twelth day at the top.
I added a little homespun feel with some stitching and I didn`t cut of the threads, just left them hanging loose.
 I haven`t done much to the back except apply Gesso, Pan pastels, Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pads and one of the Graphic 45 Stickers . . . it may all change so watch this space!
 A little door knob was added and some ribbon to finish the cover.
I hope you have enjoyed looking and that I might even have inspired you to have a go yourself, I promise when you get to the end and it`s stuffed to bursting with pictures, notes, treasured memories and family recipes you will have created a keepsake for years to come!
Next time I am going to show you how I created the inside pages step by step . . .
 oh you had a fainting spell there didn`t you . . . 
go on you can admit it, lol . . .
but yep I have already started the step by steps, woohoohoo and I am can`t wait to share them with you all next time.
Till then
Happy Crafting
xoxox
List of materials and links -

21 comments:

Sue Lelli said...

This is Wonderful! LOVE how you created that tree with the twelve days of Christmas!

toni said...

Stunning work! I love the way you have treated your book cover and can't wait to see more ,more, more !x

Deborah said...

Absolutely gorgeous!

joy said...

Great idea to do just the 12 days of Christmas! I don't know how anyone has the time to journal or create anything every single day. My life is way to busy and I'm RETIRED!!!

Kim said...

Oh so fabulous, Tracy!! LOVE this!

Bonnie Irvine said...

Tracy, this is just gorgeous. I love how you have altered this lovely old book. What a fabulous way to document Christmas. The cover is lovely with the beautiful papers, sweet design, and stitching. It's aged so well it looks like it could be original to the old book. Very inspiring, indeed.

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Tracy,

It's nice to see you using an old book - gives me incentive! I go to my local library and they have a "free" section of books. I always choose the old ones thinking "one day" I will be doing something with them.....

Hugs,
Kay

Unknown said...

Love.Love.Love! This is just gorgeous!! I can't wait to see what you put inside!!

toni said...

Just back for another look! Love it ! I'd really like to try this great work Tracy in your own gorgeous style x

Clare Lloyd said...

Fab festive book cover, love it!

Tracy said...

Thank you sweet ladies..soo excited to share the inside with you all!! xxxx

Words and Pictures said...

Gorgeous tree - with such subtle colours and shading.
Alison x

Andiepants said...

This is wonderful! I love your description of house around Christmas time too. Kind of gets one in the spirit.

Dame Jeanne Marie said...

This is so cool...I can hardly wait to see the rest of your project!

Cindy Coutts @ Cindy B Designs said...

I will be intently following you and what's sure to be a beautiful journal! I can't wait to see the rest! Very exciting.

JulesinParadise said...

What a lovely project to help you remember the joys of the season.

KAT said...

Okay I am intrigued - can't wait to see what the inside of this will look like...

Mickie said...

Can't wait to see what you do on the inside!!

Mary-Ann Maldonado said...

This is truly amazing! I love love love it:o)

Micki said...

PanPastels...... love how you use and incorporate them into your art journal. Love this...... as it's right up my alley. Awesome.

Glitzzynews blogspot said...

wowwwww love your tree love how u have aged book cover can't wait to see what u do next.beautiful muted colours just make it all come together such a good idea might pinch it lol A fantastic piece of art. xx