Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Stop Pinning & Make Something! September Link Party


How many pins have you actually made from your Pinterest boards?  Our boards are full of inspirational ideas and projects we want to make "some day".   It’s time to Stop Pinning and Make Something!!

Goal:

To get people creating!  Get out those paint brushes, that saw & sander, open the varnish, unpack your knitting needles or crochet hook!  Let’s make one of those pins sitting idle on your Pinterest boards. It can be as small as learning a new technique for creating ATC's to as big as making a garden shed!  Your pins are your limit.

Project: Altering National Geographics with Citra Solv

My Pinterest Board: Art Journaling Techniques


Because I was working with a solvent I wanted to ensure I was protecting my work surface - the island in my kitchen.  I laid out a sheet of painter's  plastic then covered it with an old bed sheet.  
For my first try at this I wanted to keep it simple and not try any of her more complicated suggestions.  I selected clear plastic wrap and 2 stencils.  

About the Citra Solve: There are several places online to purchase this product but be aware that some stores charge an added fee for shipping because it is a solvent.  I purchased this bottle through Amazon.  Do your research online prior to purchasing.


After ~18 minutes the Cita Solve is working its magic.  Per her directions I rubbed my fingers through the ink to get it mixed.

I laid the papers out on the grass to ensure that both sides of the paper dried.  It took them all afternoon laying in the sun to dry. It was a cloudy day with temperatures in the low 60's (°F).

What I learned

1.  Check to ensure you have the correct date of the magazine.  I had to have 1970 and later because of the ink used in the magazine.
2.  One thing the video did not address was removing the staples.  I had difficulties tearing out the wet papers and tore the sides away on several sheets.  It also disturbed the wet ink on many of the pages creating a wrinkled look:


Next time I will make sure I remove the staples prior to adding the solvent.

3.  It took a lot longer for the solvent to dissolve the ink.  This may be because the temperature was a little cooler the past couple of days because of storms moving in.  She did address this in the video so i was aware of it and ensured I had set aside plenty of time for the project.
4.  The plastic wrap created the best pages because of the marbling effect left in the ink.  When I do this again I will use more of it.

 

I was rather disappointed that my papers did not turn out as well as hers but then I remembered that this was my first time experimenting with this technique while she was a professional instructor.  I plan to try this several more times, hoping to get better results as I practice.  

A note about using the stencils:  those pages did not turn out all  like her's.  I am not sure what I did wrong but I found that the solvent spread across the page rather then settling in the confines of the stencil. I ended up removing the stencils.

More pages: 





Added observation: The smell of the Citra Solv wasn't bad but my nail beds were black with ink for several days afterwards. While I started out wearing the protective gloves I found it difficult to separated the wet pages with them on, got exasperated and took them off thus getting the ink all over them, especially in and around the nails.  

It's Your Turn!

Grab the button, start creating and share your link below.

 It’s easy:
1.       Use the direct URL to your blog post rather than to the blog itself.
           (If using Flickr or Instagram, use the URL to the photo)
2.      Include the link to your Pinterest board and pin you created.
3.      Remember to link back to this direct URL at afocusedjourney.blogspot.com in your posting.

9 comments:

  1. Fascinating. See, unlike you, and because I haven't watched the video, I think the pages have turned out wonderfully well. Love your added observations too!

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  2. I love your pages and quite fancy having a go but haven't done it yet. Wishing you a great woyww and happy crafting, Angela x 20

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  3. I agree with Julia - Will watch video later (as I am getting ready for work) but yours look wonderful! Have a fab week and thanks for stopping by earlier. Soojay x

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  4. Love the effects you've got on the pages and what a good idea to share hints and tips of your own as you went along.
    Thanks for visit me earlier.
    Hugs,
    nnie x # 17

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  5. Citra Solve is something I have been intending to get for years but never got it. You make it sound so easy and I love your results. Might have to think about it and get some national Geographic magazines AGAIN!
    Thanks for sharing and enabling.
    Hugs, Neet 18 xx

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  6. I love the effects you got - I did this technique a couple of times but really didn't like the smell of it - it seemed to permeate the house for days! I especially like the plastic wrap effect. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and I hope you have a great week,
    Diana #26

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  7. Your citrasolve pages are amazing, Diane! It must be fun to do because of the unpredictable nature of it - no two coming out the same. Thank you for your lovely comment and your very kind words, and especially for your prayers. After tomorrow, 3/4 through my chemo!! The end is now firmly in my sights. I'm so glad you like my kitty box - I wish you could have seen the others, too. It will be fun to fill it with little cats! Glad you like my Zentangle too. I am very thrilled to be getting published!

    Happy belated WOYWW,
    Shoshi #29

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  8. Oh that is fascinating! (if a bit messy. you did well protecting your work surface) While reading, I could almost smell the solvent. lol. The effects are amazing.
    Thanks for visiting a few days ago. As you know, I take my time. Besides, we've been away too for a few days and the campsite doesn't have wifi.
    Have a good week,
    Lisca

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  9. blogger just ate my comment .... arrgh!!
    .. fascinating work there, so variable love it!!!!!!!!!!!

    .... and thanks for popping over
    Shaz in Oz.x #27

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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