I took inspiration from a tag book which was featured in Craft Stamper this month, which was created by the very clever artist Jo Capper-Sandon. I am a relative beginner so do not aspire to emulate her - just to get inspiration from her.
I wanted to make a note book - so here's what I did.
This is the back cover.
This is the 'undressed' front of the assembled book.
I inked the card, and shaded it with Ecoline inks - then gradually added more shading to get the depth of colour I wanted. Brushed over some colour through sequin waste at the top. I didn't have the lovely stamps JSC used so had to improvise.
I stamped my interpretation of a 'grass' background in grey so that it was not too bold.
The little flowers were a stamp by Crafty Individuals - which had a block frame around it - so I stamped out the flowers on Japanese newspaper which had tiny calligraphy - then cut them out of the frames. The centres I painted with the same ink which I used at the top of the cover page - and added several layers of embossing powders. I then shaded the petals with the same colour used on the cover too.
The butterfly was improvised with another tiny stamp in a frame - so I cut out the butterfly, painted it the same yellow as above,inked on 'feelers' and embossed its body.
Not having the lovely velvet ribbons shown in the magazine page - I used what I had and found a toning little purple one .
Then I had to punch the holes of the covers and inner note book pages, add the wires - chunkier than I usually do as it is a fat book - and add a few things more.
The final touches were ribbons and threads in co-ordinating colours and a silver charm and a Japanese vintage silver bead above the key.
It took me a few days to make in stages - but I feel it is the very best one I have made - and my friend was very happy to receive it.
