Dwell in Possibility - Kraft Journal Spread by Laura Dame (LauraMixedMedia)

If you're anything like me, you are in love with kraft paper, and this kraft journal from Dina Wakley is no exception. To me, kraft paper is so awesome because it's basically a built in background, but I have heard so many people say they don't know what to do with it, so I decided to share this process with you!

StencilGirl Products Used:

Words to Live By Stencil

Protea Mask with Stencil Outline

Supplies:

Dina Wakley Media Kraft Journal

Dina Wakely Media Collage Tissue

Liquitex Fluid Matte Medium

Liquitex Basics Gesso

Matisse Fluid Acrylic - Australian Salmon Gum, Unbleached Titanium

Charvin Acrylic - Caribbean Pink

Stabilo Pencil - Black

UmWow Studio Chipboard - Layered Chevrons

Liquitex Spray Paint - Black, Viridian Hue Permanent 7

YES! Paste

Cheesecloth

Tim Holtz Quote Chips

Step One: I used Liquitex Matte Fluid Medium to glue down some Dina Wakley Media Collage Tissue papers. I just love these floral prints! Don't worry that you can see a discoloration where the matte medium is - you won't see it when we're done!

Step Two: Using gesso, stencil wherever you'd like over the background. I stenciled along the sides and a little across as I didn't want everything to be covered - I wanted to leave a little blank space. I used gesso instead of white paint because, in my opinion, it's easier to layer over. 

 

Step Three: I used three different colors to layer a floral stencil over the background. This time I stenciled along the bottom portion of the spread. I used three colors as I didn't want the stenciling to look "flat" - adding more colors (and not necessarily mixing them) gives some values to your stenciled image. 

Step Four: Using a Stabilo pencil, I drew some botanical stems. I then used water to activate the pencil and added gesso to fill in the leaves. 

Step Five: Spray paint your chipboard shapes in a contrasting color. I used this turquoise-green color as I loved the pop against the pink. And you of course don't have to use spray paint, you can use whatever you'd like!

Step Six: Next, I spray painted some splatters in black. You could also use watered down paint or gloss sprays

 Step Seven: Now it's time to glue things down! I like to use YES! Paste for gluing down "heavy" items such as chipboard. I feel it gives a stronger hold than a glue stick or fluid matte medium. A gel medium would work well, also. I glued the chipboard shapes along the sides, then added some painted cheesecloth and a Tim Holtz quote chip. 

And that's it! 

I hope you enjoy the tutorial, and that you feel inspired to start playing with your kraft papers! 

Laura Dame (LauraMixedMedia)