Mid Challenge Inspiration by Rupa.

             
                MARCH CHALLENGE IS HERE
               *********************************************



                 FAUX LEATHER tutorial and a junk journal.

Hello Crafters,
A big warm welcome to all of you. I have a tutorial to share with you today. If you love junk journals, then this is it…make your own personalized one ! Just follow a few steps here…

I am first starting off by telling you how to make a “FAUX LEATHER” cover for the journal. There are a lot of videos available on you-tube but this is the practical one, that came close to it. It’s simple and I urge you to try it.

I love it and went about making 6 of them in different colors.

Things you will need:

Kraft CS – 5.5 X 9.5 inches

Glycerin

Water spritzer

Embossing folder and your die cutting machine

Distress inks of your choice

Varnish or multi medium

Some patterns papers and old note book pages for the junk journal

Magnetic closures or ribbon

Embellishments of your choice

Note: I have coffee stained all the pages here for my journal.

That’s a simple list and so let’s start…

 Mix glycerin to water in a spritzer. For 3/4th bottle of water, you can add a quarter glycerin. Shake well. Mist the CS well with water and rub gently so that the water is absorbed well. Repeat on the other side too. Repeat this process 2 or 3 times until water is soaked well. This will break the fibers and the glycerin gives a sheen and makes the CS really flexible.

     Place the damp CS in an embossing folder and run thru your machine. Out comes a lovely squeezed out embossed CS.

     Leave to dry or if you are as impatient as me, the heat gun will save you!

      Once dry, it’s hard and flexible too just like leather. Toughie!

       Now take DI of your choice, preferably colors from the same family. Start working on the colors light to dark.

     Rub the inks on to the embossed side of the CS and see the magic happen! Work on it till you get the color that you desire. A little bit of Kraft seen is what makes it look like leather.

       Next apply varnish or multi medium, rub with fingers for an even coat all around. Apply 2 costs making sure each coat is dry.

        Now, this look is unbeatable. Your faux leather cover is ready!

        For the pages inside, I have used coffee stained pages. 

   You  can make a signature that fits this cover and I have used twine to stitch up the journal, leaving a bit of the twine handing on the outside to hang some beads and charms.

      For the closure I have used magnets and embellished it with a resin button.

      Here are the lovely colors that did…pick your favorite one!

     

 Hope you enjoyed this tutorial and try making your own journal soon. Would love to see it.

Until my next creative journey,

Happy Crafting and re cycling

Hugs.

Be sure to pop by Rupa's Blog and see her gorgeous creations...you can find her blog HERE

March Challenge

Please note (as specified in our rules) we are an Altered Art/Mixed Media Challenge Blog Only...so No Cards, Atcs, Scrapbook pages etc....these will be deleted.

 Our February Challenge Winner was chosen by teamie Sammy, she had quite a few favourites and pondered over them for a while before deciding on
                                                No. 20.....Terry   

Congratulations Terry,  a fabulous project. Please take our Winners Badge for your blog.
We would love you to be our guest Designer for March...please email Sandie here at  sandie.w@live.co.uk   and she will give you all the details of what you need to do.

We Welcome Jane as our Guest Designer this month.....

"My name is Jane of Jane's Journal, I live in Surrey in the UK and I have been a "make and take girl" from the time I could hold a pencil or paintbrush.
I kept scrap books as a child long before the term "scrap booking" was used.
I work part time for the NHS as a physiotherapist and I craft in what little spare time I have.
My family is the most important thing in my life and our newest addition is our 14 month old gorgeous granddaughter Daisy Jane.
I am also a silver smith, a jewellery maker, keen photographer and gardener but paper crafting is my real passion at the moment. I love getting inky hands in my garden studio (when it's warm enough to work outside) Recently I have been dabbling in mixed media and I like to learn and explore new products,ideas and techniques.
I have been blogging for over 4 years and I treasure the friendships I have found with fellow crafters the world over. I share my blog space with our great cat Billy, who often features there."

Here is my project, a Mint chocolate Box,that I have altered in to a Pencil Box.

Thank You Jane for being our Guest Designer this month...

I think you will agree, the design team have some pretty amazing projects for your inspiration this month....be sure to pop over to their blogs for more details.

Remember to pop back on the 15th March for Rupa's Mid Month Tutorial.

Rupa

Altered Clock

Elaine

Marilyn Canvas

                                                        Stefanie
                                                   Domino Book

Julie

Mixed Media on Canvas

Sammy

Altered Bottle

Nanette

                                              Altered Birdhouse

Sandie aka Rhedd

Mixed Media Canvas

Please check you have followed the rules before linking up....we look forward to seeing all your wonderful entries.