The stamps I have used are four Botanical plates, unmounted, and I have had them for a few years, and long since forgot where I got them from, sorry. A few months ago I made up some crackled background paper to use with stamping, and I thought the botanicals would work well. I used watercolour paper, I bought an A3 pad from The Works (Yes, I know I shop there a lot!). The first coat of acrylic was a pale yellow/ brown, which I got by mixing white and Wheat. This was coated with a layer of crackle medium, then an off-white top coat. I stamped in a mix of inks, Versafine Sepia & Olympia Green, Adirondack Espresso, and Memento Tuxedo Black.Just staring the painting process now, using H2O's, will be trying Promarkers, and maybe watercolours on some of them.As I haven't got any finished projects, and haven't been shopping anywhere to find any bargains, I thought I would share one of my absolute favourite craft books with you this week.I'm sure I'm not the only one who has occasionally ordered a book, only to get it & open it and think, hmmm is that it? Wish I hadn't bothered.
Well this book definitely does NOT fall into that category.
The title is Paper Transformed, A Handbook of Surface Design, Recipes & Creative Paper Projects, By Julia Andrus. The link will take you to it on Amazon.It contains an amazing number of techniques for ways to transform paper with paint, ink, pearls, glosses, glazes- you name it, its here.
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| A page on overstamping, gilding and crackle effect. |
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| Batik effect |
The last half of the book has projects using the effects & techniques shown in the first half of the book..
The book is 174 pages long, and every page is a delight.
There is something for everyone, and all the techniques are explained clearly in at most half a dozen steps, so they are not difficult, but they ARE all stunning. Even the cover is full of scrumptious looking projects, and unlike some, they are not just showing the best from the book on the cover!
This is one book that comes off the shelf regularly, and I guarantee it is an investment you will not regret.( You could always put it on your Birthday wish list, lol.)It costs just under a tenner on Amazon,which seems the average price. By the way, Julia Andrus has her own website,which I found earlier, and it looks stuffed to the gills with wonderful ideas.
40 comments:
Lovely flowers! I've got to get out my H2o's! And thanks for the tip on the book, investigation must proceed apace...
Becky 150
I so need some h2o's the images are gorgeous.
laura 83
Gorgeous projects and a fabulous looking book, thanks for the recommendation :)
Have a great WOYWW,
Karen #73
thanks Shaz for lovely comments hand hep on the bug I am going over there to take a look am going to email your reply to yourself to remind myself to do it.. or actually come think of it prob is in my email have been on work desks not email.. just wrote this reply to Jude:
"by the bye, Jude, your comment on loose screw may not be entirely off the mark looks up pdf manual on assembling the bug and still had the Allen key used for assembly and tightened up the handle and awful lot and seems better time will tell would you believe it is one year and 4 day sold! just out of warranty!"
re your desk..love Botanicals (of course!! we have similar taste in stamps it seems) and methods of that book had me drooling have copied and pasted the suspended mica method to put in my loose leaf ideas book.. does get taken out but not enough am pretty organised sometimes in things but not in others, weird! huh?
love Shaz in oz.x
That book looks a good investment !Happy Wednesday
Hugs judex9
Your projects look beautiful as always - and thanks for the tip on that book! Never heard of it before which is surprising if you saw the amount of papercrafting books i have on my shelf. Will go to Amazon. Thanks again for the tip.
Happy WOYWW
Rebecca (45)
An interesting looking book - I might just have to increase my massive book pile by one.
I once did two workshops with Julia - she is quite an amazing woman.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi thanks for sharing about the book -it looks fab - off to check it out ! Enjoy your crafty week ! Ali #51
I like all those flower images on your desk, Shaz. What paper have you used for them, and are those your mica paints or something else entirely? I want to know where this year is going. I had such good resolutions to get everything done in good time, and I am now back to normal, chasing myself to get each card done in time.
Your botanical pages all look great, especially as they're on watercolour paper with your beautiful background effects.
I have that book too, it is great.
Sherry (158)
I'm always up for a good craft book! I'll have to take a closer look based on your recommendation. H20 work is purdy!
Thanks for the info on the book. I'm headed over there now to have a look as I have some birthday money to spend at Amazon. Your desk looks very creative. Thanks for stopping by mine. Happy WOYWW #19
Lovely ideas in your magazine! Great inpsiration!
Lovely busy work desk and great looking papers and now I must go and investigate the book because it looks fab!! Annette #5
Your botanical stamps are beautiful and I love how you have crackled the background. Just so beautiful (had to say it again). Thanks for the info on the book I will definitely look it up. Nice to have a few peeks at what is inside, You are so right some books do not live up to the hype.
Thanks for the tip and sharing. Hugs Marjo #10
Thank you for introducing this book, I will look into it, it looks very interesting and inspiring. Thanks also for the link.
Love the images on your desk. I collect twinkling H20/luminart paint. Sorry I am so late getting around this week. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #52
Dear Shaz
That book sounds great - but I had trouble taking my eyes off of those stunning silver wolves at the top of your site!
Have a fabulous weekend!
Ramona
http://create-with-joy.blogspot.com
Hi Shaz,
Thanks for sharing the book. Nice to know which ones are really useful. Love what you've done with the botanical plates and watercolors. You do lovely work.
Hugs, Vicki-A little inkling 171
Great snoop around your craftyness! Have a great weekend, Happy (Late)WOYWW (Lyn) #62
Beautiful stamps. Would match my papers!! Thanks for visiting. I been trying to get round them all but think I am going to have to realise that I can't do them all, hence why I am late. Fancy that book too. But won the office sweep today so bought myself the new Jalopy die out of it!! LOL!! Maybe once I have been paid!
thanks for the book review - going to check it out...
I've seen Julia Andrus demoing and she's brilliant so I bet this book is as good as you say, I will definitely be checking it out.
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs Lisa #126
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I have tested to coloring stamped images with Twinklings... and I have to buy some more colors :) That book looks great!
WOYWW #175.
Your desk pics, when clicked on to enlarge, are fantastic. All that stuff waiting to be played with. It is just how a desk should look.
Lovely to read about a GOOD crafting book. Did you know that if a book does not meet your expectations - as in 'if I'd flicked through it in a bookshop, I would never have bought it' - Amazon will take it back, postage paid? You have to say and be honest about these things. This book does look informative and I've found the fabulous website - thanks!!
Thanks for snooping, and thank you for the inspiring ideas re stamping. I've promised myself to experiment more with stamping and colouring, will try and get housework done asap so I can play!
Oh my.... I've never done any of that before.... looks complicated... but Beautiful!!
Thanks for all the tips and info!
I have the book and love it. Your artwork is lovely. I rather like those botanicals too. Happy snooping.
Sorry I am getting around so late !
Great images and super book. You have inspired me to dig out my h20s. TFS
Happy Crafting
Sam # 172
www.craftychickcards.blogspot.com
Shaz, informative as always. I'm going to look up that book, sounds exciting. See you next week!
I checked out the book on Am... ... and then came back and looked at your pics because you did the BEST review. I read everyone's recommendations and have just ordered the book. So a big thanks Shaz for the tip.
Awesome blog and thanks heaps for being the Guest on Artfull Crafts this week.
That book looks realy good.Thanks for sharing. Will have to go and have a closer peep. Shouldn't buy really as I'm trying to save up for an embellisher machine to felt with instead of by hand.
Your flowers are also stunning. Sorry I'm late this week for getting around but have been away for a for a few days . Hugs Mrs A. #57
Your botanical images are beautiful! Lots of yummy stash on your desk! Love the H20s!!
Thanks for the tip on the book! It's good to know of a craft book that is useful!
Thanks for visiting me!
xoxo Karen
What lovely prints! I'm assuming the H2O's are the watercolor paints in the box. Yummy! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog. I look forward to learning all about my Inktense pencils.
That books looks really interesting thanks for sharing - Happy Belated WOYWW - Nicky
Lovely stamps, lovely work - thanks for the review on the book, will have to keep an eye out for that! Thanks for stopping by, too...
Great paper transforamtions they came out great! Your desk looks fun with all that good stuff to play with it! Thanks for stopping by my desk, sorry I'm late making my rounds!
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