Life Lessons art journal page by Lynne

Hey crafty folks! Happy November! I've got some Christmas themed projects underway but thought I'd get one more regular project up before I start bombarding you with Jingle Bells and Joy to the World stuff!

This art journal page uses lyrics from a George Michael song that came out when I was just barely out of my teens (yeah, I know I'm dating myself here!) It came to mind recently when I was pondering how difficult some life lessons can be and how I'd really rather not have to go through the experiences necessary to learn them. I think most people can relate to that sentiment at one time or another, and creating this was a form of therapy for me.

I used papers from the Authentique "Curiosity" collection, tearing and collaging them to form the basic background. The collection has the feel of an old-time classroom, so I thought it was perfect for the "Teacher" theme and lyrics...




I painted all the chipboard pieces with red acrylic paint first, using pieces from the Vintage School Set, the Eyeglasses Shape Set and the Scribbled Frames and Lines set.

I then rubbed them with the black ink and silver wax, the apple with much less and the eyeglasses with quite a bit more. Those two pieces were heat-embossed with UTEE, and all the others were brushed with the matte medium to keep the product from rubbing onto the facing page in my art journal.

These two after UTEE was added:

I stencilled with the clear paste then rubbed over the stenciling with the black soot ink when it was dry; the letters and numbers are a Tim Holtz stencil.

I found this word on one of the papers and tore it out separately to use as art of the journaling. Circling it with red pen makes it stand out and adds to the classroom feel.

I added some misting with a couple shades of yellow and some tan and white sprays, then attached the journaling strips which were cut from some of the coordinating paper.

 I did some hand journaling around the edges after this photo was taken, printing in block letters to stay with the theme. Thanks for checking out my page, and may all your visits to the School of Life be happy ones!

GYPSY SOUL ITEMS USED

Vintage School Set (contact store)
Eyeglasses Shape Set
Scribbled Frames and Lines

OTHER ITEMS USED

Authentique Curiosity collection
Ranger Black Soot Ink
Red acrylic paint
Prima Art Alchemy Metallique Wax-Aged Iron
UTEE (Ultra thick embossing powder)
Ranger transparent gloss texture paste
Ranger Multi Medium Matte
Tim Holtz stencil-Schoolhouse

Vintage School Desk by Gloria

Hello, it is Gloria with you and it is my turn again on the blog! I had a blast creating the Vintage School Desk and matching mini album! THE VINTAGE DESK AND MINI ARE NOW AVAILABLE! CLICK HERE.

The desk is an adorable representation of the desks used in one-room school houses all across America! I used Graphic 45 vintage school papers to cover the desk and the mini album. The mini sits on the seat in the front of the desk.

The desk is approximately 6" tall and 6" deep, and 5" wide across the seat. The mini is 4 3/4" x 5 1/4" with rounded corners.

The back of the desk shows the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts attention to detail! Check out the pencil holder and the ink well. The desk also has some storage inside! Simply adorable!

Here is how you make one for yourself!

1. Prepare the desk pieces by wiping them with a cloth and sponging the edges with brown ink.

2. Cover the inside surfaces of the desk side and seat pieces with decorative paper.

3. Cover the outside surfaces of the desk and seat pieces with contrasting paper. I did not cover the bottom slats or the desk top as I wanted them to look like wood. I sponged brown ink onto those pieces.

4. Use a strong glue to assemble the desk. Sponge the edges with brown ink. Cut a ruler image from the G45 Place in Time paper and glue it to the top of the desk.

5. Select the pieces desired from the Vintage School Shape Set (coming soon).

6. Use various inks to color your shapes.

7. Sponge the frame and five pages of the mini album with brown ink.

8. Choose vintage school papers to cover each of the five pages of the album, front and back.  Glue the frame to the front of the first page. Decorate as desired. (See each page below.)

Page 1: Cover the front of this page with Graphic 45 ABC Primer (1, 2, Buckle My Shoe) paper. Glue the frame to the top of the page. Decorate with the Vintage School Shape Set and images cut from the paper.

Page 2:  Cover this page with Graphic 45 ABC Primer Jumping Joan paper. Add a belly band (G45 Place in Time September) and flash card image.

Page 3: Cover this page with Graphic 45 Children's Hour September Montage paper.

Page 4: Cover this page with G45 ABC Primer The Three R's paper. Add a tag cut from  Children's Hour September Collective paper.

Page 5: Cover this page with ABC Primer Bedtime Stories paper. Glue a scrap of  G45 Place in Time September paper to the chipboard book. Add the quill.

Page 6: Cover this page with Graphic 45 Children's Hour September Collective reverse paper. Add a belly band cut from the same paper.

Page 7: Cover this page with ABC Primer Happy Go Lucky paper. Add a belly band cut from Place in Time paper.

Page 8: Cover this page with ABC Primer The Three R's paper. Add a tag and postage image cut from Place in Time paper. Add the ink pot and quill.

Page 9: Cover this page with ABC Primer Alphabet Soup paper. Add the 1-2-3 chipboard element and a postage image cut from Children's Hour September Collective.

Page 10: Cover this page with ABC Primer Games and Playtime paper.

Thanks for looking!

~ Gloria:Scraps of Life

Supplies Used:

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts:
Vintage Desk and Mini Album
Vintage School Shape Set (coming soon)

Partner Products:
Graphic 45:
ABC Primer Deluxe Collector's Edition
Children' Hour
Place in Time (retired)

Other: ink (white, silver, green, brown, black, yellow, red), gel medium, glue, foam tape, tape runner