Details for Accidental Mermaid and Her Un-Armed Beauty

My videos aren’t meant to instruct as much as they are meant to share, entertain, inspire, and encourage.  I have listed some of them under the label of how-to only because YouTube doesn’t provide me the proper label like "Art" for example.

But, since part of my goals are to share information and to inspire others toward their own creative endeavors, I will do my best to share with you what I understand myself to be doing in the following videos, as requested.



Accidental Mermaid

1- leaf imprints (instructions on this can be found under the tutorial/tips label on the right side)
2- carbon paper used with plastic embossing thingies (that's the technical term) those machines use  *you don't need a machine to use 'em ;)  YAY!!
3- Golden Matte Medium (to protect the carbon layer)
4- spray bottle with water and food color
5- regular ballpoint pen
6- gesso (which turns recently used pen ink purple)
7- Apple Barrel acrylic craft paint in Apricot
8- DecoArt Dazzling Metallics Elegant Finish in Moss Pearl
9- more pen was probably added when I wasn't filming to darken shadows and outlines



Her Un-Armed Beauty (if you can't view this video - hop over to my YouTube channel and watch the other one listed that isn't blocked)

*this video was done longer ago, so the details for me are more fuzzy*

1- charcoal stick
2- gesso
3- pencil
4- acrylic blue probably using a moist brush
5- DecoArt Dazzling Metallics Elegant Finish in Moss Pearl
6- acrylic purple (maybe with a moist brush or dry brushed on, I'm not sure, either will give you a lovely effect though)
7- colored pencil
8- FolkArt acrylic paint in Parchment
9- more moss pearl paint, acrylic rose, acrylic purple, more parchment, more purple
10- gesso
11- stamp using stamp ink pressed onto page, then water brushed on stamp and stamped on page for a wetter, less crisp image
12- pencil
13- gesso
14- pen
15- gesso rolled on
16- more pencil
17- more gesso
*backs of photos:  masking tape, gesso, 2 acrylic purples*
18- clock stencil used with black acrylic paint and gesso

Any further questions, please leave a comment here and I'll do my best to answer.

Now, go do some art journalling - it's ever so much fun!

~magick~
Meliss

Ps:  As always, I send my gratitude out into the Universe for all the love and light that You reflect in my direction.  squeezies

How I got the leaf impressions on the Love makes dogs happy page

I boiled them in Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda and water until they got all soft and smooshy.  Then I carefully pulled some out and laid them flat on my journal page and closed the book, squashing down on the top with my hands.  And wah-lah, when I opened it up, there was a colorful, ghostly picture of a leaf that once was.

These were green leaves I used too btw, but perhaps because it was late in the season a reddish color came out of them.  ??  As soon as the trees get leaves this year, I'm gonna experiment with the spring leaves.  What color do you think they'll leave (ha)?  This one was altered by the watercolor I used.

Try all different kinds of leaves, all different kinds of paper.  Use your art journal or just press it between two sheets.  Use the same leaf multiple times.

Originally I was making leaf skeletons - you boil them in the same stuff and then carefully remove the flesh with a brush in clean water until it 'leaves' just the skeletal structure.  I think there's a link about that on my pinterest board under Art Journalling.  Only certain leaves work for this.

But for the impressions, I think they all worked.  I even got some bamboo leaves from my artist friend, Addison.

~Happy experimenting~
Meliss

Ps:  Ever make scrambled eggs for a raccoon?  Today, I did.  I went outside to feed the birds and heard a noise under the steps I just came from and saw a terrified raccoon.

Poor baby.  I'm glad they get scared and hide their faces thinking we can't see them anymore because I had to walk up those steps it was hiding right under to get back inside to call Deb Raccoon, as we call her, and ask her what to do.  She said it's probably just disoriented from hibernating and to make it a scrambled egg trail back to the woods.  I did.  I'm still waiting to see what happens.  It looks drunk the poor thing.  Deb Raccoon will take care of it if it needs help.  Thank you God for people like Deb Raccoon who care enough to help wild animals and people like me who are surrounded by them.  :)  It's hour 4 of raccoon watch........

In a papered pocket or How to create a fold-out signature and pocket

Oh, so sorry art journal lovers!  All these Fridays just kept getting away from me.
But, I finally wrangled this one in
and I’m here to tell you

How to create a quadruple fold-out signature for an art journal using file folders

with two bonus Peek-a-boo pockets!

Supplies:

2 previously made signatures (see previous post)
1 file folder
ruler
scissors
sewing machine, glue, or (maybe) double sided tape (I cannot vouch for double sided tape holding up though over time)
masking tape

*if you have not sewed your signature on a sewing machine, work only with the bottom file folder of your signature, follow these directions, and when complete, then re-compile your signature and bind following previous directions*

Take two signatures created using the previous directions.
Open them up to reveal the bottom right page of one
and the bottom left page of the other.

Trim 2 - 2 ½ inches off the bottom left page of the signature opened to the bottom left page.
Take the single file folder and open it up.
Trim 2 - 2 ½ inches off the left page of that.

Working with one at a time,
the signature open to the bottom right page for example,
take the singular file folder and slide the trimmed left page on top of the bottom right page of your signature.
(In this photo, the file folder isn’t trimmed, but lets pretend the one on the right is.)

You want the side edge of the bottom page just shy of the fold of the single file folder, so that it will be able to open and close easily.
That means, on the inside, in my book, the trimmed edge is about 2 - 2 1/4 inches away from the fold of the signature you’re sewing onto.  (Although I do have one that is 1 1/4 inches away and it opens and closes fine.)
Try taping it first to make sure it works.

Optional if sewing:

You can place a few strips of tape horizontally the top and bottom to hold the two pages together as you sew them.
These can be removed afterwards or remain, whichever is your preference.

This photo shows how to sew, glue, or tape to create the fold-out signature and pocket.
(if using glue or tape, follow pattern in between the two papers)

Working with the second signature opened to the bottom left page (which you previously trimmed).
The trimmed page will again be on top.
Slide it on top of the right page of the single file folder (which is now attached to the other signature), again being aware of the folds and leaving appropriate space.
Sew, glue, or tape in the same pattern
and now you’ve created a quadruple fold-out spread
AND two pockets to hide stuff in!

Alternate:

Instead of using the bottom page,
in this section, I used the fourth page in the signature,
which is the middle right page.

Here, it opens up a tri-fold-out section

and on the other side,
another quadruple fold-out with two pockets.

** Preparing these fold-out signatures to be bound into an art journal**

Because these signatures will be bound using the fold of the single file folder
(typically it’s at least 3 file folders thick),
I wanted to add some strength to it.
I added 1 layer of masking tape along the middle fold on the front and back sides before binding it.
(in these photos my journal has already been bound with waxed thread)
You simply go through the tape as you would the paper.

Happy Journal making!

~magick~
Meliss

Making a File Folder Art Journal

As requested, here's how I made my File Folder Art Journal.  I used some signatures already in art-progress that have been hanging around just waiting to become part of something special.

Supplies:

file folders
other papers optional
sewing machine optional
ruler
thick metal needle
waxed linen thread
masking tape
duct tape optional
scissors

Gather three file folders - this will be a signature.

For these particular art journals, I like to use at least 6 signatures so that the spine is squared like a book (less will give you a more rounded look - like a magazine).  You can also add in other papers - for example: I put two pieces of white construction paper in between the three file folders in some of the journals I’ve made.

optional: sew down the center of each signature on a sewing machine using a straight stitch
Although the sewing machine stitches add more over-all strength to the journal, AND more importantly for me, the stitching is like a seal that keeps the pages separate and stops paint from bleeding through, the down-side is, it also can weaken some paper by making it tear more easily. 

Strengthen any tears with masking tape.

Measuring out the waxed linen thread:  You’ll need one continuous thread the height of the signature times by the amount of signatures plus one.  Holding the circle of thread at the bottom of the signature, grab the end of the thread and pull it up to the top of the signature.  Now grab the thread again at the bottom of the signature and pull out a new section of thread.  Repeat for as many signatures as you have plus one.

Pile your signatures in the order you want your journal.  In pencil, lightly write Top on the tops of each signature. 

Open the LAST signature to the center.  With a pencil, mark the center with a dot.  Mark an inch from each end.  Then mark the center between the center dot and each end.  You’ll end up with 5 dots.  Use this signature for your template instead of marking all your signatures.

Making holes: thread your needle with the wax thread.  This will help you to make the holes.  Instead of trying to push the needle through with your fingers, pull down on both sides of the thread.

Starting with your last/template signature, poke holes from the inside to the outside everywhere there is a pencil mark.  When that signature is done, place the next signature behind your template signature (make sure both tops are facing up).  Put the needle through the pre-made holes and pierce the signature behind in all 5 places.  Do this with all signatures.

When all the holes are made, you’re ready to start sewing it together.

**A word of warning: Be careful how tightly you pull your stitches.  You want them tight enough that the signatures will hold together, but not so tightly that the journal will warp.

**Anytime you have trouble finding a pre-made hole, look inside the signature.  The holes are easier to spot from the inside than the outside.  Re-pierce the hole to make it easier to see.

Again, starting with the LAST signature in your journal, you’ll send the needle and thread through the bottom hole - from the outside in.  Do not pull it all the way through, leave a 2 inch tail.  It is helpful to hold this tail down with some tape so it doesn’t get lost while you’re working.  I used some left over pieces that I left sitting on the rug. 

Now take the needle and thread all the way up to the top hole and go through it from the inside out.  You’ll have a thread going almost the entire length of the signature.

You’ll now add on your next signature (remember to work from the back of the journal to the front).  Put the needle through the top hole from the outside in. 

Now go from the inside top hole to the next hole down, from the inside out.

Now you should be looking at the future spine of your art journal.  Take the needle and go into the 2nd hole (which should be right next to the hole you just came out of) on the LAST signature.

When you pull it through, you’ll see it is on one side of that first long stitch you made.

Go around that long stitch and put the needle back into the same hole it just came out of, from the inside back out.

Working from the spine again, you’ll put the needle back into the 2nd hole of the newly added signature.

inside view (upside down)

This is how these two signatures will be bound to each other.  These steps are only done for joining the last two signatures (we’ll get to how to add on the rest of the signatures later).  Going out the hole of one into the other - wrapping it around the stitch (which will prevent it from being pulled back through) - going back out the hole and then back into the original hole you first came out of.

You should be now working from the inside of the newly added signature. 

Next step, follow the same directions for holes 3 and 4. 

When you reach the bottom hole, instead of going back into the newly added signature, you’ll remove the tape and tie a knot using the tail (do a double knot so it stays).

Here’s where the technique will change.

Working from the spine, add on the next signature.  Put the needle and thread through the bottom hole, from outside in. 

Go up to the next hole (4) and go out.

Instead of going into the hole of the previous signature, you’re going to stitch around the previous signature’s stitch.  Easy Peesy way - simply put the dull end of your needle in between the last two signatures (or the first two you bound together) on one side of the stitch you previously made. 

Now flip through the pages until you find it and pull it through.

Now put the dull end of the needle in between the signatures on the other side of the stitch.  Essentially stitching around the stitch.

Find it on the spine and pull through.

Final step is to go back into the hole you came out of on the newly added signature. 

You should be working from the inside of the newly added signature.

Follow the same steps for holes  3 and 2 (you’re working from the bottom of the signature toward the top this time).  Out, around, back in.

For the top hole, go out, wrap around the stitch, but instead of coming back into the same signature, this is where you’ll add a new one by going into the top hole from the outside in of the new signature.

Then you’ll go down to hole 2 and follow the same steps: Out, around, back in.  Hole 3 and 4, same.

The only change will be when you get to the bottom, instead of going around the stitch, tie into the tail again

and then add on your new signature by going into that bottom hole.  Then it’s just the same:  out, around, back in, adding on new signatures as you go.

If you use an odd number of signatures, you’ll end by tying to the tail.  But, if you use an even number, as I have, you’ll end at the top with no tail to tie to.  Instead of going around the stitch and back into a hole, simply go around the stitch, leaving a loop,

put the needle in it, and tie it off that way.  I did it twice to make sure it was secure.  Cut off any extra and save it for another project.

Going through the journal, you may see space in between signatures.  This is easily covered up with tape.  I use masking tape.

You can leave the stitches on the spine exposed

or use some of that cool duct tape they have out.

Tips for putting on duct tape: Starting at the top of the front cover, stick tape down and hold it in place.  Pull out as much tape to cover the length of the spine, cut.  Then stick tape to front cover the whole length, then wrap it around the spine to the back.

Please email me with any questions. (see sidebar)

Have fun! 

~magick~
Meliss

ps: Noticed some of the insides of my journal look different than yours? Tabs on the inside?? Come back next Friday and see how I made a quadruple opening page using file folders with a bonus pocket! Quadruple opening page.....is that really the best way to explain it?  Whatever, you’ll see what I mean. :)

ps:  The yellow, mesh 'stuff' is from the home improvement store.  I can't remember exactly what it is, but I think it might have something to do with walls.  It doesn't stick very good - I would not use it as tape to hold something together, but it's fun to play with.