Monday 19 July 2010

Journal -The first signature

Well I have almost finished the first signature - and have sewn it in, which fits in very nicely with this weeks Lots to Do Challenge, which is 'stitches' - take your pick they are all stitched!

I have never spent so long making something arty crafty!
Inside cover/first page
 A scrap of old curtain material from a charity shop years ago, bits of torn paper, and material sewn on top - note not a straight line in sight and lots of scraggly bits.
There is a transferred french postcard image onto a bit of old pillowcase (ripped) all held together with some buttons.
Next page - there is lace between the two


A bit of old net curtain cut around the shapes to make a pattern
Lucinda's embroiderd vintage handkerchief from Kate in France

Its tucked into a pocket at the start of the story - which it typed onto paper, and I have painted and stamped on it, the sewn it onto cardboard to make a pocket for the hankie.

You can see that the next page of Lucinda's thatched cottage has changed somewhat!
The ghost is still there!

These pages look a bit more severe , with Lucinda staring out into the distance as Kate's ship sails off to France.  The pouch for the vintage map on the right is flamboyant
As  you would expect from France at the time.
The first page of this signature centre is in a posting below (the ornate letter from Kate) together with some previous pages made.
And the above is the other - where she spent a weekend with French aristocracy in one of their Chateaux

Sadly the story is too long to make a page for each part of it, so I am going to type that up when I have finished and include it in the journal as a little booklet.
More scraps of pages salvaged from a fire - one of Lucinda's this time, and one of her paintings for Kate, together with a painting of where she sat to write her letters
She loves to illustrate her writing paper too - just as I used to years ago when we used to write letters!

Phew only 28 pages to go, plus the cover.

But I have other more pressing things to do unfortunately

All the fabulous lace came from Very Mary the wonder Mary's Etsy shops has to be seen to be believed!
 
Scissors were banned, so too any other colour than black thread - and no measuring with a ruler either - you should try it - it's liberating!





I have been using all my 'skills' new and old, improvising, inking, painting, experimenting, transferring, printing, lots of tearing, sploshing, gluing, and a fair bit of head scratching - and it's amazing what you make with a stash of 'junk'.  And I got to rediscover my old sewing machine - and once I worked out how to thread it and use it again - we have become quite good friends.  I doubt I could sew a straight line - but those were banned too - so it suited me down to the ground.

The leaf print above on the watercolour page - that was a bit of fern that was hanging in the way of my craft shed door - so I snapped it off and laid it on my desk.  The next day I picked it up to throw away and there was a perfect layer of brown dust - must have been from the seeds - so I dabbed ink on the fern, and just lay it on the page overnight -and hey presto - an perfect print!

I am taking a break from this for a week or so - I also need to get some supplies of French 'pretties' to go in it!  And I want to track down some paper serviettes to use in it too.

28 pages and the front cover yet to do - that's 2 signatures.  Lots of adventures to 'travel' on - great places to visit, and there's going to be a bit of romance too of course - and a tragedy - every good story needs a bit of both - not quite sure about a happy ending - who knows - I don't!

Thank you so much for looking
Earlier pages in the posts below.

28 comments:

Cath Wilson said...

Oh Lottie - it really is absolutely stunningly beautiful. What a labour of love - and so worthwhile. I love every bit of it.

sam21ski said...

OMG Lottie - it's just stunning xxxx

Hearts Turned said...

SO beautifully inspiring, Lottie--I love every stitch...

Julie

Unknown said...

Thank you so very much - lots of hours of work - but I am really enjoying the challenge

Anonymous said...

you must be pretty chuffed with the outcome so far - looks gorgeous!

themessycraftroom said...

It really looks beautuful Lottie. Love everything about it. You've worked so hard on it. Hugs ChrisB

Ati said...

Lottie !! This is fantastic!! Worth all the hours you have spent to create it.
Look forward to part 2 and 3 :-))

Anonymous said...

This is just so beautiful and I really like the idea of the little booklet being added.

Angelnorth said...

Absolutely gorgeous Lottie, this is going to be such a treasure to look back over once you're done - beautiful work!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely piece of art! x

Lynne K said...

This is so beautiful, Lottie. A wonderful work of art. x

Pearl said...

Such detail I can't believe it, this really is the nicest journal I have ever seen. Hugs, Pearl

carole brungar said...

Lottie! I don't think I can bear for you to take a break!! I want to know how this all ends!!

I think your journal is so amazing, a treasure. Thank you for sharing it with me :)
Carole

Shairon said...

Wish I had a tenth of your wonderful imagination and skill Lottie. Quite the most gorgeous journal ever! xx

Deborah said...

oh my goodness, that is stunning!

Zoechaos said...

Wonderful magical piece simply beautiful, thank you for sharing this with us at LTD. Hilda will be around later in the week to see your breathtaking piece. xx Zoe

Neet said...

I am totally in awe of this piece of artwork. it is stunningly beautiful. This is something I know I will have to keep going back to over and over again to look at. Fantasticly magically beautiful.

Von said...

I'm blown away by the amout of work you have put into this wonderful piece a real labour of love :)

Chris said...

Oh my Lottie. How absolutely fabulous. I can see just how much work, time and effort you have put into this.

I would love to create something like this. Can I come round to yours for lessons?

LazyKay said...

A MAY zing!!!! I just love all this. Esp the burnt/scorched ripped page salvaged - it's intriquing.(?sp)

xxxxxxxxx

Createology said...

Dear Lottie this is clearly a labor of love. You are creating an heirloom that will stand the test of time. This is over the moon breathtaking! Happy creating...

Anonymous said...

Well first I ought to say a BIG THANK YOU to Neet for putting me onto this and secondly WOWOWOWOWOW!
This is soooo beautiful Lottie words fail me (and that's never happened before, lol). Such a lot of inspiration. Can't wait to see the next instalment. xxx

Lindart said...

Wow! What a labor of love! This is awesome. I love how durable it is (as well as beautiful!), it will last several lifetimes and be family treasure for generations!

Lynne Moncrieff said...

I am utterly speechless at the depths of your creativity and imagination - stunning. Lynne M x

crafty creations said...

Stunning artwork absolutley amazing there is so much to see - love it

Thanks for sharing with the Lotstodo Challenge - sorry I'm late in visiting - I've been away visiting with family xx Hilda

Zuzu's Blog said...

WOW Lottie.. where have I been??? this is stunning...

Joy said...

Oh my word, this is a dream piece xx

Anonymous said...

Well! i am totally lost for words. You have truly inspired me; love all your gorgeous work with fabric.