Tuesday 20 January 2015

Too Early for LOVE???

Hello crafters..
Welcome to my page today…I have a ”New Technique” to share with you and am really excited about it  …well, when am I not???
Before that, I would like to thank you all for the lovely comments you all left on my altered Iron! That was so encouraging. So after a creative exhaust I thought I will try a new technique which I accidentally hit upon on You Tube!
It may a little too early for valentine projects, but somehow I thought a bold, romantic theme would suit this “Faux Leather Technique” that I am totally addicted to. I tried one and then the second and then ended up doing 6 projects with this technique!!

I am going to share 2 with you today…thank your stars for that now, Lol!
I have always loved vintage stuff and faux leather looks good on Kraft Card stock and I was more than happy to cut my CS to small pieces to suit my project.

I had a lot of coffee stained papers from my earlier project, another addiction and thought I needed to do something to preserve this beautiful papers and give them a grand cover…and so I made “faux leather junk journal” !

It is amazing how the Kraft CS takes a good amount of “treatment” to look like leather. sprit zing with water and glycerin about 3 times, squeezing and scrunching to break the fibers, drying it and then running it thru en embossing folder!
Yes, once the wet CS is out of the folder, it has to be dried and then starts the layers and layers of inking! I have experimented with different colors of DI and for this I have tried Fired brick and black soot (valentine, you see) !
For the journal cover, I used a damask embossing folder and once I achieved the desired color, I sealed it with 2 layers of spray varnish. This is what finally gives it the shine and sheen of leather! It is unbelievable how after the entire process, a crisp Kraft CS becomes so flexible and pliable like leather and most importantly, tough!
Do you see a faint image of a vintage romantic couple on the cover???I experimented with printing on tissue paper at home! Another new technique that I learnt!

For the closure, I have used some stretch lace and used Velcro to fasten it. To cover the joint, I made a romantic badge! I have Paper Artsy mini stamps here. Stamped it on CS, colored it and sealed it with 3 coating of Clear UTEE. Pierce a hole and have a little hearty cherub in metal hanging! LOVE….
I have stitched the coffee stained signature to the cover and have attached a beaded dangle with some glass beads and baubles and hold it…a lovely metal cupid charm, all of this hanging from the spine!
The extra twine that hangs after stitching, I brought it to the book center and have looped a small book mark to it!  This time it’s a die cut with the same PP and layers of UTEE…a glitter heart!

You have to touch the faux leather to believe it! I will be back a tutorial on this soon. Bless your souls for a short post from me! Lol…
Next I did a romantic mini using a single piece of 12 X 12 PP from DCWV ,French  Country stack and did a cover for it using the same technique but using another embossing folder.
 I reversed the colors this time, black being more dominant, then red and finally rubbed on some  Inka Gold with my fingers and then sealing it. 
This mini can hold up to 15 pics and also has pockets, tags and inserts.
For the closure here, I have used some silk threads in black and red and the spine here too has some glass baubles and a metal charm..a love letter in an envelope! How romantic is that???

To make it even more romantic, I took this cute Pooh quote from 613 Avenue Create and have made it the focal point in the album cover.
I thought I will make a set for the “romantic hearts” and so the coffee journal and the mini. I think they make a cute pair, what say?

Would love to hear your feedback on this and for those of you who want see my addiction with this technique here are the other 4 journals in different colors.
Have a good look and tell me which color looks the best. I am really looking forward to hearing from you on this.
I would like to enter this twin project in the following challenges…
DreamValley Challenges – Anything Goes
LTSCB – Anything Goes
Loves toCreate Challenge Challenge – Color inspired ( red, browns and black)
Craft Yourpassion – Anything Goes
That CraftPlace – Love / Valentine
613 AvenueCreate – Anything Goes with the option of Winnie quote
CraftingMusketeers- Valentine
WinterWonderland- show us your metal
FrostedDesigns – A New… technique( have tried 2)

Until my next creative journey,
Happy Crafting and Re cycling.

Big hugs.

72 comments:

  1. Gorgeous books!! It actually looks like leather....hats of to you!!
    And also loved how you have decorated them, my fav is one with fired brick and black soot distress ink.

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    1. So so pleasantly surprised to have you here, Shilpa. Thanks for making it today and for those lovely comments!

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  2. WOw..Your are one Genius Crafter Rupa..Creating some fabulous textures and this one ROCKS completely..looks like real leather !!

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    1. Thank you so much Pooja...I am blushing now, never the less...THANK YOU. Hugs.

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  3. Wwwwaaaauuuu....Rupa! It's not too early for love :)))) My dear friend....I like your beautiful project and textures, colors are amazing!!! Big, big like ;)))
    Hugs, Jana

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    1. Jana! What a pleasant surprise. ..Thank you so much for your sweet comments. Hugs,my friend.

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  4. Hey Rupa. First of all a very Happy Birthday to you :)
    I am totally in love with this leather look and with this technique. I can't choose any one as I like them all . The charms n danglers r too adorable. Printing on tissue is a great idea too. I want to try all of that. Thx to your experiments :)

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    1. Thanks for making my day,Mridula. Glad you liked it and hope to see your version soon.

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  5. This is super Rupa! Love the small little details you add to your projects!

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  6. Wait, is it your birthday??? Love the faux leather technique and you picked perfect embossing patterns to use for this, they are just gorgeous! I love the tissue technique too, how inspiring! Another wonderful set of creations Rupa! hugs :)

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    1. Thanks a bunch Pamellia. I am totally in love with this technique. ..really addictive. Hugs.

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  7. Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Thanks for playing along with Frosted Designs!!!

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  8. Gorgeous ..Love the journals.. :)

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  9. Rupa, these are gorgeous beyond words !!!absolutely love these and would like to try ...so waiting for your tutorial :) loved all your special touches like the heart book mark and the beaded dangles............and I loooove all of them !!

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    1. Thanks you so so sooooo much, Suman. Will def be back with the tutorial soon.

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  10. These are amazing Rupa, beside the technique I love your so personal details! My favourite is the second one, pure perfection!

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  11. Fantastic job! I will have to return to this so I can try it at home. Thanks for joining us at Love to Scrap.

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  12. Gorgeous project. Love the colors and details.Thanks for playing along with us at Frosted Designs!

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  13. WOW!! Amazing project and a great amount of time was spent getting them right. Love the texture and the image that was faintly put on the book. My favorites are the rust, brown and think (at least it looks like it the pic) pink. Thanks for joining us at Love to Scrap! Challenge Blog
    Tina dt

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    1. Tina, my friend...nice to see you here! Glad you listed your faves...I like the dark pink( seedless preserve) one!

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  14. Wonderful Creations. Thanks for sharing at Frosted Designs.

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  15. Wonderful journals!! Thanks for joining us at Frosted Designs!!

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  16. Wow, beautiful!!! Love what you have done with the journals, I like the vintage look of everything. Thank you for joining us at Dream Valley Challenges, good luck!! Amy DT

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  17. Great project you have made, thanks for sharing on WLVC. Hugs Liesbeth

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  18. What a gorgeous creation you made for the challenge of WLVC. Thank you for sharing with us.

    Hugs Jolanda dt

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  19. Rupa, I recently tried this technique myself but was less than impressed with my results so I only managed one cover and didn't even bother to insert pages. Your gorgeous creations have inspired me to try again and perhaps manage a finished project. All of yours are beyond beautiful. I love the first with the printed image on the tissue. That's another technique I've been meaning to try. Love how you've framed the Pooh Quote and the finished insides and wonderful details are amazing. As for which color is my fave? Each is so unique and beautiful, but I'm drawn to the pinky purple one as it's such a lovely color with the feminine floral embossing folder you used. xxD

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    1. Thanks Donna...I am so happy you are going to give this another try! Would love to see your makes too. Thanks for taking the time to appreciate the little details here. I love reading you comments as much as I enjoyed making these intricate projects. Thanks again for being here. Hugs.

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  20. What a beautiful project you have made! Thanks for joining WLVC.

    greetings
    Jacqueline

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  21. Oooo...wow....this is lovely...what a great job you did...It's really very inspiring...This is why blogging is so nice to do...al the things you see at other crafters blogs...I love it.
    Thanx for joining us at WLVC and goodluck!
    xxx Plony

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    1. Thank you so much Plony...it's always a pleasure to be part of your challenges and I love all of those vintage images on your blog.

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  22. I have been such a bad blogger lately that I nearly missed this, so glad I caught it now, wow, wow, wow, such an amazing technique (was it Sheena Douglas you saw on Youtube, or are there other ones out there?)
    Amazing mini and your other little booklets looks wonderful too!!

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    1. Thank you so much Astrid, you are right about the tutorial. I found Sheena's the best.

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  23. This is stunning Rupa, such a fabulous technique and so many wonderful details.
    Thank you for joining us at Winter Wonderland for our Metal challenge.
    Pauline
    x
    I have candy on my blog if you would like to take a look - http://craftingwithcotnob.blogspot.co.uk/

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  24. Rupa, my sweet crafty friend! You have really outdone yourself AGAIN! I'm loving your faux leather; I've done it many a times, and it never comes out this beautiful! PLEASE enter this into A Vintage Journey's latest challenge! It would be a perfect fit! As for my favorite color???Wow, now that's a challenge, but my favoriteS are A L L of them! (Sorry, I couldn't choose!) And it's your birthday???? Happy, happy! Mine was Saturday, and I feel younger than ever-don't ask! Hugs, my creative birthday girl!

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    1. You are the sweetest! Thank for all those lovely words, Sara..a great gift on my birthday, though late, no issues at all. Anytime for a gift, lol! Big hugs.

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  25. No, I see it WAS your birthday! I'm always late to the party! Happy belated!

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  26. Beautiful work, Rupa! The faux leather is bang on! Thanks for playing with us here at 613 Avenue Create!
    Hugz,
    Chana, Owner

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  27. Are you having one of them for sales Rupa? I would love to buy it :) What a marvelous job you did! So...... creative dear!! :)

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    1. Thanks Sarah... I have mailed you the details.

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    2. Hi Rupa,
      I don't know which email id you mailed the details. Please if you don't mind, can you send me another mail to blessingartideas@yahoo.com.
      Thanks:)

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  28. Gorgeous project. The faux leather looks awesome! Well done!
    Thanks for joining our Color Inspired Challenge at Love to Create. Good luck!

    Kitty
    LTC DT

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  29. This is an amazing project. It really does look like leather and I love the vintage feel. They're all pretty, but I especially like the pink/lavender one with the embossed flowers. Thank you for joining us at Love to Scrap. Linda dt :)

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    1. Thanks Linda..loks like the floral one is a fav amongst many! Join the gang..

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  30. These are beautiful. I wish I could touch them...the texture is fabulous and they look lovely and worn. What fabulous little journals. I can't pick a favourite...love that this technique looks so good in all of the colour variations. Thanks so much for joining our Anything Goes Challenge at Craft Your Passion. I hope we see you again soon.

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    1. Thank you so much Bonnie..glad you liked them ALL!!!

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  31. How beautiful. I love it. Thanks for joining us at WLVC.

    xx Henriëtte

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  32. Wat een super mooi vintage-creatiemet prachtige kleurtjes en lief plaatje
    Liefs Anneke

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  33. Oh wow Rupa, you did a fabulous job with the faux leather technique, I love the little books that you made, they are fantastic. The tissue technique looks amazing and the way you have used it makes the little book look antique - very clever! Anne xx

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    1. Thank you so much Anne...so happy you liked it.

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  34. Fantastic project Rupa! Love all the texture!

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  35. Lovely , thank you for joining us over at the Crafting Musketeers this month , Fran (DT) x

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  36. Wow - your faux leather is very cool - a fabulous vintage look with bags of character. Another wonderful mini album, Rupa - you're really on a role.
    Alison xx

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  37. Beautiful, thanks for playing along at Love To Scrap Challenge Blog this week.

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