Sunday 23 February 2014

PaperArtsy Blog Challenge ... Jo Firth-Young Inspiration

Hello Everyone,

Blimey, my good intentions soon fizzled out didn't they! It's nearly a month since my last post (lol, sounds like Bloggers Anonymous) but to be fair to myself, family life has been a bit hectic again these past few weeks with emergency surgery for one of my granddaughters (scary) and a few problems to sort out for Mum. On top of that I've not been firing on all cylinders myself but enough of that, hopefully we'll have a little bit of calm now.

Anyway, all week we have been wowed with more wonderful projects from the PaperArtsy DT several of which I would love to have had a go at but as I had lovely little visitors nearly all week there was no time.  However, on Friday after everyone had gone home I found a little old spiral bound notebook under the TV cupboard in my craftroom .........along with a million cobwebs......... mucky madam!  Jo Firth-Young had shared a project the previous evening HERE where she had decorated some of these little books so I thought finding mine was a sign to get my posterior in gear and MAKE SOMETHING!!!  For once I remembered to take photos as I went along but some were taken by artificial light (last night) or early this morning and it's very dull here again today so I apologise if the quality is not brilliant.

This is the book I found and you can tell at one stage it had been left in the sun as the front and back are totally different colours, lol!


Because of the indented gold lettering I switched the covers round so that it would be on the back cover if it still showed.  I more or less did exactly what Jo did and used the same colours too as it was the first opportunity I've had to get messy with my fab new set of Jo's Limited Edition Fresco paints for PaperArtsy. (The colours are delicious!)



I don't have any of Jo's new stencils.....yet!  Whoohoo, can't wait for Ally Pally in April but choosing which PaperArtsy goodies to buy will be so difficult as I want nearly all the new products.  Anyway, I used a Wendy Vecchi stencil from my collection instead.


I don't have any of Jo's new stamps yet either so used ones I already have in my collection


And here is are the finished covers.  I was positive I had some PaperArtsy Matte Glaze (I have all the others) but can't find it anywhere so I had to go with Studio Matte Multi Medium which I really don't like. For a start it is not 'matte' and it leaves very visible brush strokes.  I also found it has taken some of the Frescos off the covers where the gold lettering is underneath. If you look at all the previous pics the Frescos have covered the lettering beautifully but if you click to enlarge the one below you will be able to see the lettering has been exposed again in the top left corner :-(


Oh well, a blind man would be glad to see it (as they say) and it is on the back (and upside down, lol) as for once I considered this possibility in advance!

That's it from me for today and I hope it's not another month before I'm back with my next post, lol!  Enjoy what is left of your weekend folks and for now .......

Hugs
Lesley  Xx

31 comments:

Helen said...

Oh wow, this looks fabulous!! I love the stamps you've used and the colours too. Well done - and good luck in the draw, maybe you'll win some stamps to keep you going before April!

Linda Jones said...

Fantastic Lesley! Love the stamps, stencils & colours. I will have to get my PaperArtsy fix online as I wont't be at a show they are attending until Stamp Magic :-(
Hugs to you xxx

margaret said...

That is really lovely Lesley, I just love JOFY 's stamps. Have done a couple of workshops with Jo as well.

Julie Lee said...

What a gorgeous piece of work, Lesley! I love the colour and the contrast and those little scallops are so pretty - I have to have them! I was very interested in what you say about the Matte Glaze, as I nearly bought some by PA at Stevenage. Wish I had now, as all their other glazes are so fab! You've had quite a time lately; I do hope all the worry and your pain will soon be a thing of the past and that the coming weeks present you with nothing but joy - and an abundance of mushrooms! Julie Ann xxx

Sally H said...

Absolutely stunning, Lesley! I LOVE it! Just in case you don't manage to buy everything you want at Ally Pally, I am sure we will bump into each other at Doncaster by Paper Artsy! I love those colours - might just have to order them now as they are limited edition!

sam21ski said...

Oooh gorgeous xxx

Paula (PEP) said...

I love the way you have integrated the stencil with the lovely funky flowers. The stamped book pages add a lovely touch & isn't that sentiment super? It really fits with the stylised flowers & I can really see fuchsias dangling down from the top.
Do take care of yourself - you're in my thoughts.
Paula (PEP)

Margaret Iddon said...

Brilliant work again Lesley. Love your stuff.

lisa said...

I think i need to join Bloggers Anonymous too, Lesley, you are not on your own!!! Hope your GD is feeling better now..scary times and your Mum too!
I love what you've done to your notebook, it's gorgeous. I think I need to give this a try too.
Hugs Lisax

massofhair said...

Fantastic make over Lesley, shame we can't do this with ourselves lol!

Stunning colours, layers & a mix of stamped images, a bootiful job:-) xxx

veronica said...

this is really lovely Lesley - and I am sure no-one would notice the hint of gold if you didn't tell them! Hope life is calmer for you for a while now
hugs
xxx

Netty said...

oooh I love your gorgeous book cover Lesley, so fab. Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

Elaine said...

What a smashing project Lesley. I love your colours and the way you have layered up your elements. The little book print scallops are really super. The colouring on your stamped fuschias is smashing and the sentiment looks perfect. I am sure you were very fed up about the medium lifting the paint, but it doesn't show to me, and at least you planned for the eventuality. So glad to see you have a bit of time for your own crafting. Elaine xxx

Craftyfield said...

Gorgeous covers, love the layered stamping over the stencilled areas.

Sarah B said...

love the colours and the addition of the fuschias(?) from the top xx

Darcy Marshall said...

Gorgeous, Jo's new colours really are lush.

Carol Q said...

gorgeous Lesley. the colours are fab aren't they? love your ethereal stencilling in the background

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely beautiful covers - the paintwork on the flowers is so gorgeous. And I think the lettering coming through adds a rather nice touch of interest.

Do hope things settle down for you and your family...
Alison xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

This is stunning Lesley, and great that you've shown us step by step. I love the colours and the stamps you've used. I don't have any Jofy stamps yet, but they are on my wish list.

Sue xx

Lin said...

Lesley this is gorgeous!! Lovely colours and stamps..really really pretty and Jo like iykwim xxx

Unknown said...

That is so pretty Lesley, the colours are so subtle and understated!

Rebecca said...

Love this Lesley super colours aren't they
Happy craftin
Rebecca

Redanne said...

You have had a lot on your plate, it is nice to see you back though, hope everything settles soon.

Your pages are wonderful and I would not have noticed the gold lettering, great colours and great stamping. Anne x

Beryl said...

You've made the covers of this little book beautiful. I look forward to seeing what you do with the inside pages when you get the time.
Beryl xx

Brenda Brown said...

You have done a great job with these pages Lesley, they are beautiful. Hope you get some time for you now for a while, take care and have a great week xx

Inkypinkycraft said...

this looks great , do hope things get a bit better for you real soon xx hugsx trace x

Deborah Wainwright said...

Lesley you may not have had an opportunity of late to play but looks like you saved all that crafty talent for this project because it is excellent. I love the stamps you have chose and the colours are so lovely . Xxx

Suzi B said...

This is soo luverly
love it!
I can't wait to be in my new home and to start crafting...
Hope you find more time to produce more inspirational art.
Suzi B xx

Aquarius said...

Good to see you with this lovely book cover design - I need to join Bloggers Anon too!! I love the way you've combined the various elements and good luck with your shopping at Ally Pally - probably won't be able to choose and end up buying loads (just as I do) - already in Crafters Anonymous!!

Unknown said...

Really lovely Lesley. So glad you finally got the chance to craft a bit!!

G Peplow said...

Beautiful project Lesley, I adore the choice of colours and you have transformed the book into a piece of art, stunning! Hope your family is all well now, what a worry it is when they get ill!I hope you've recovered fully too, hugs Gay x