2nd class post....

Hi everyone..Ruth here and I know, I know, it's a terrible play on words, but I couldn't resist. 2nd post of the month, an envelope journal and after all it is Technique School so this is the next class! Well after the wonderful inspirational post by Autumn I didn't want to let the team down.

If you follow the link on my name from the original challenge to my blog, I shared a video of how to make this...and gave a sneaky peek of the front cover by mistake!

I usually share experiments or new products and techniques that I've tried when I do an inspiration post but sometimes teachers need to go back over things to check how much you've learnt and in the process developed.

I've revisited my Gelli plate this month as it's been a while and whilst I'm not going to give the basics (as there are lots of videos covering this already), I thought I'd share some of the things I've tried this time around. Inspiration for me came from a Birgit Koopsen video showing how to make backgrounds (thanks to Sue C for giving me the nod in this direction)

For the front cover, I've used lovely Seth Apter stamps again in creating this, brayering paint on a background of Kraft card before adding the stamped image.  Now for the inside pages.

I'm working with the same colour scheme as the last envelope journal, just love these colours together. I also used a drop of drying retarder to extend the drying time of the chalk paint.

They are a mixture of translucent and opaque colours, the only thing you need to remember is that opaque will cover the colour underneath but translucent will let the colour underneath show through...which can look muddy if you use the green (chartreuse) over the purple tones so I tended to start with the green and use the purple tones as accents on top.

I haven't gelli printed on book text so this was a new one for me and I also 'brayered off' on the book text and then stencilled on top.

And now for the results, warning - photo heavy!

Gold always lifts a piece...it's my go to

Alternating printed white card with book text and there's stitching of course.

The light and the dark and there's plenty of room for journalling.

A few detail photos to finish

This time around I felt good results came more easily and could have carried on pulling prints all day...but I stopped short of the whole floor being covered..I'll certainly be printing on book text again and I think some cards may be in the making soon.

The aim of a teacher is to inspire so now it's over to you and can't wait to see your results! I'm also hoping Mrs Clark at least gives me a mark for effort! Ruth x