Mixed Media Journal with Fabrics and Laces for Eileen Hull Designs

 The theme for Eileen's  March creations is fibers, fabrics and felt.  It's been a while since I created a shabby chic journal so I just dove right in to this project using fabrics and laces and lots of fun mixed media techniques!

I have lots of photos and a tutorial for the cover to share with you so get comfy and let's go!

Tutorial

This journal is a great size at 6.25" x 8.75"; plenty of room for notes and lots of photos.  I used Eileen Hull by Sizzix Full Size Journal to cut the cover.  You do need a BIG machine to cut the cover and I just got Sizzix's new Switch Machine.  Woo-hoo!!  I confess, I made this particular journal because I wanted to see how my Switch worked.

Okay, okay, 😄😄let's get to the tutorial part!  

Step 1:  First thing I did was adhere sticky back canvas to 2 pieces of chipboard and diecut the two covers. 

Step 2:  I used thin chip board for the covers and the score lines were about to come apart so I reinforced the area where the scorelines are with fabric washi tape to keep the chipboard from separating at the scorelines. 

Step 3:  Now we get to the fun part!  I prepared a Gel-Press plate with white, beige and peach acrylic paints and the outsides of the front and back covers.  Sorry, I didn't photo this process but you can learn more about Gel-Press in this blog post.

Step 4:  After allowing the paint to dry, it's time to do some stenciling.  On the front cover I used a stenciling brush to dab paint instead of using molding paste.

Step 5:  On the back cover, I used white molding paste and after stenciling on the pattern, I went over it with white paint (before removing the stencil) so that the stenciled image would be bright white.  

Step 6:  Here are the two covers together.  You can see that I did some additional stenciling on the back cover with a different stencil.

Step 7:  Add some corrugated cardboard near the edge and dry brush with white paint to add to the shabby chic look.

Step 8:  Add a strip of lace over the cardboard using mat medium to adhere it.

Step 9:  Then I layered the vintage corset image over a scrap of fabric and and some distressed cheesecloth.

Step 10:  Of course the final step is to add flowers and leaves, along with a vintage cameo and a couple of stick pins.

I added a ribbon closure by gluing ribbon on the inside of the covers.  I used design paper overtop the ribbons as you can see in this photo.  The chipboard sentiment on the right is heat embossed with Aged Ivory embossing enamel.  

I embossed a piece of black cardstock with Eileen's Vintage Buttons folder and then went over the embossed images with Sizzix wax in rose gold.  I love the effect of the wax on black cardstock.  I added fussy cuts from the paper collections and bits and pieces of lace and trim from my stash.

The page on the left has a little page that opens up to reveal a journaling spot and another place for photos.

I made a pocket on the left by covering a piece of cardstock with lace.  On the right is a tuck spot and more of the Vintage Buttons embossed cardstock.

On the right is a pocket for tags, notes, etc.

On the right is an envelope that is one of the images in the design papers. I just cut it out and folded it into an envelope. Its a perfect spot for notes and photos!

The left side has a page that lifts up and the right side has two pockets.  Making the lace pocket was fun.  I adhered the lace onto a piece of vellum and then glued it onto the brown paper which is also a pocket.  Iliked the torn edge on the brown scrap and decided to just leave it au naturel!

All of the pages in this book are made from covered thin chipboard, so I guess it's technically a "board" book right?

To make the spine stronger, I covered a piece of chipboard with design paper and glued it to the spine.

If you've managed to stay with me through this entire post, thank you!!  It's a long one.  This was a really fun journal to make, I enjoyed working with vintage images and laces!  Thanks for stopping by.

Maggi xoxo

Supplies

Sizzix ScoreBoards Plus Die - Full Size Journal by Eileen Hull

Sizzix Thinlits Die Set - Card, Waterfall & Tags by Eileen HullSizzix 3-D Textured Impressions Embossing Folder - Vintage Buttons by Eileen Hull

Sizzix Effectz - Luster Wax, Rose Gold

Kaisercraft - 12 x 12 Corrugated Cardboard Sheets

Stamperia Atelier Paper Collection

Stamperia Old Lace Paper Collection

Creative Embellishments Chipboard Quotes

Stampendous Aged Ivory

Ranger Sticky Back Canvas

Assorted Flowers, Laces, Fabric from my stash