Gelli Printed Grunge Notebook - WOYWW #290

Hi Friends,

Well today is Christmas Eve already! I am guessing either you have completed your master lists of making or...you are too frantic to visit my desk today. Either way, I do want to wish every one of you a blessed holiday. I am so grateful for those I have come to know through this G+ service of communities and blogging. The positive feedback I have received on my art has inspired me to do more and more. It is exactly what I need..an extended group of friendly artists like me. Thank You!

If you are wondering what in the heck WOYWW is. Head on over to Stamping Ground and Julia will explain how this desk (blog) hop works :)

Now on to the desk.... (I mean continue to the story of the desk...not actually climb on to the desk!)


I know it looks like I am in school again and must write an essay...but actually...I am making a covered book for a 16 year old boy to keep his baking recipes in. The book is surrounded by Gelli prints I made on newsprint that came as packing material. For more on Gelli Printing check out this link.


I wanted this project to be...boyish. By that I mean beat up and grungey and just... not to precious. I chose a couple of the prints without any pink or purple and applied them to the front and back of the book using gel matte medium from Liquitex.


Next I folded in the edges of the paper to the inside of the book and then covered the inside flaps in the same way using more piece of the Gelli prints. I really liked this one which is the back inside flap...I wished it was in my art journal!


For the back spine I added..you guessed it...silver grey duck tape...how is that for grunge!

Next I added torn bits of the leftover prints using the gel medium. I wanted organic pieces that didn't look exactly like anything...but reminded one of food. 


I used a black watercolor pencil around the edges of the torn pieces and blended with a waterbrush to make them stand out a bit more from the background



Finally I added a title printed from my computer in a font meant to look like label tape (I would have used actual label tape if I had it) And then some scribbley white highlights with my white gel pen.
I went over everything again with gel medium to make sure it was all sealed in case splatters of butter and flour landed on it.


Here is the finished book. I wrote a title page inside with the definition of the word 'foodie. I also wrote a couple pages of  baking recipes he uses. I hope he will like it! 
<3 Shel


Comments

  1. Brill prints Shel! I like how you altered the existing prints with the white doodles. That can be very effective! A lovely notebook that looks unique. Wishing you a very merry Christmas! Thanks for visiting my blog earlier!

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    1. Thanks for the good reviews and for visiting my blog :)

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  2. Hi Shel, A Happy Christmas to you and yours. Love what you've made and I'm sure he will too. Awesome artwork and fab gift. Happy Christmas Eve WOYWW, Love from us both, Shaz #11 xxxx

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  3. Wonderful Book!
    I will be making a Preggy Journal for my youngest, as yet not quite brave enough to start! Had a look around, very inspirational. Thank you for sharing.
    Have a Christmas full of hugs, Blessings and laughter.
    Bishopsmate #30

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    1. Thanks Christine :) I am sure the journal you make for her will be wonderful and she will love it!

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  4. I'm doing a quick spin round all my favourite blogs to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and to catch up with what you're up to at the last minute.
    I am certain he will love his book....very special.
    Thank you for visiting mine earlier.
    Hugs,
    Annie x #25

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  5. That book is fantastic, Shel...I love the grungy, abstract qualities of the covers you've made. Love the printed tape too and surely all men love a bit of duct tape!!
    Thanks for joining in the desk madness, it's been good to meet you :-)
    Merry Christmas, hope it's a good one!
    Hugs, LLJ 23 xx

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    1. Thanks Jan :) Yes, can't have a guy thing without duct tape :P

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  6. What a great gift. I am sure he will love it. April #36
    Merry Christmas

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  7. He's going to LOVE it, Shel! Wishing you a fabulous Christmas and New Year.

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    1. Thanks Win :) I hope he does love it...or at least use it. Wishing you a blessed holiday and a fun new year!

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  8. oh yes! that's a really cool gift for a boy - looks brilliant Shel! What a great idea. Happy Christmas to you and yours :o) Annie C #31

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  9. Oh that is a great book for recipes! He's gooing to love this! What a fantastic gift. I love the gelli printing and the font that looks like a label print. very clever.
    Thank you for visiting and I wish you and yours a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
    Lisca#29

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  10. wonderful thoughtful gift- and very boyish!
    Merry merry,
    robyn 2

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    1. Thanks Robyn :) He didn't say it was yucky art so that is good lol

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  11. Love the book. Hope you have a great Christmas and thanks for the visit, Angela x 28

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  12. Well, that book is now a treat all of its own! Lovely stuff..and I really like the Gelli printing onto newsprint..fab idea. And hey....I'm ok to clamber onto your desk if there's something to see!!

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    1. Thank you Julia :P I would like to see you crawling around on my desk...it is pretty small! lol

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  13. Really nice prints! Can't quite get the hang of making those gorgeous colors! Have a blessed Christmas from way over here in Manila! patsy

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    1. Thanks for visiting Patsy :) Keep up with the prints..its so fun!

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  14. He will be delighted with that, and the duct tape is a great idea. Hope your Christmas has gone really well. Blessings, Chris # 10

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    1. Thanks Chris :) Duct tape fixes everything so I hear ..from guys of course.lol

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  15. Nice book! I try to keep digital images of any of the prints I use, they come in handy for other things...and you can use them over and over :)

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    1. Thanks Vicki. It is a good idea to keep digital copies of cool prints! I never think of it til they are already gluey.

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