Tuesday 18 December 2012

New Journal

I sold my last journal on Etsy and have been busy putting another one together. 
How my Journals evolve
It almost becomes an obsession, snipping fabric patches, matching colours, hand stitching and then finding papers with colours to compliment the fabrics. I usually spend a day just decorating the papers, this usually gives me enough pages for around four journals. I also make other pages from recycled books, hand made papers, cartridge or water colour papers that I've decorated, anything that might add interest. The journals seem to take on a mind of their own as I sew scraps shaped into trees or flowers. Old envelopes become backgrounds for my hand drawn graphics. Paint swatch names match colours and themes. Buttons adorn the pages, old dyed doilies become pages in their own right. Prints of my art are often stitched to fabric, broken jewellery may also find a place on a page, the layers just keep building up until they finally scream STOP .
The whole thing is then bound into a cover which I've also created from fabric or my hand made felt, they are then ready to go out into the world and take on someone else's creative process. 

Gosh I've rabbited on a bit.


this page is all hand stitched


hand dyed fabric, lace and doily.


decorated papers, hand drawn graphics on recycled envelopes


the cover in progress, the poppy seed head is sun printed and hand and machine stitched


the pages ready to be sewn into the cover when it's finished.
this journal will be a smaller one with a single signature

Again thanks for visiting and for your lovely comments. 
I now have a special Facebook page that shows my work HERE. I would really appreciate it
if you might check it out and tick 'like', it helps promote my work.
A big THANK YOU in anticipation. 

Wishing you all a
Wonderful Festive Season
and please take care.



21 comments:

Maggi said...

Another lovely journal and so nice to read about the construction process. Happy Christmas.

ArtPropelled said...

Ohhhhhh ... the page with the house and stitching in earthy colours is just my most favourite Ro Bruhn piece ever! Beautiful, beautiful work!

Heather said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous and I love that handstitched page with the house. The cover with the poppy seedhead is gorgeous too. What fun you must have in making and collecting all the papers and fabrics which go into making your journals.

Lins Artyblobs said...

Another lovely book. When I clicked on the facebook link something strange happened. I'm assuming it was something at my end but I thought I would mention it just in case it's not.

Emma said...

I've enjoyed your 'rabbiting on'! I guess it's an obsession for all of us lucky enough to have it. I want to make a house too, they're all nestled around the bay here & the bay may well be my next 'theme' - how can it not be? Happy Christmas & a creative new year!

Lynette (NZ) said...

Beautiful - your pages look so tactile. I always enjoy your work and have 'liked' you on FB too.

PaulineC said...

Another stunning journal. I just love your ideas. Glad to see that I can now also enjoy your work via Facebook.

Jen xo said...

I think it would be hard to know when to stop ro.... another stunner
:)

sharon young said...

Simply beautiful Ro

Jacky said...

Do I spot some of your eco-dyed fabrics there Ro....beautiful! Looove that page.

Jacky xox

Clare Wassermann said...

All I can say is yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy. Sorry!x

Julie said...

Your journals are just magical and it's interesting to read about the process. I only wish you could come to the UK and teach :-) or even just to play!

Have a very Happy Festive Season too. x

Elizabeth said...

Luscious and glorious!! It always helps to let people know just exactly what goes into the creation of something like this!!This is a great challenge for many artists and it is often hard to convey on a tag!! You can Rabbit on all you wish!! BRAVA!! happy Christmas and HAppy 2013 to you dear Ro!!!!

Samantha Marshall said...

Beautiful journal Ro and I love how you explained how your journals evolve.x

Judy said...

Hi! Ro, Another beautiful journal in the making, I do so love your journals. Wishing and your a Happy Festive Season.

sue said...

lovely work Ro - that first page reminds me of Janet Boltons textile pictures!
x
sue

Dot said...

I think this is one of my most favorite journals of yours yet Ro! Loved reading about the creative process too.
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New year.
Dot xx

Heartwideopen said...

So when is this little beauty going into your shop?? I keep checking each day but alas, it's still not there... Have you decided to give it as a gift???

HuGGs!
Debi

suziqu's thread works said...

Hi Ro
You know that your journals are so unique with so many different mediums employed to shape the pages.
I love the hand stitching on the fabrics as it adds so much texture and the way you combine the painted pages with the fabric and felt pages.
You always do such a brilliant job showing a true artist at work!
Have a wonderful, safe and joyful Christmas Ro,
Sending warm hugs,
Suzy

Francien said...

Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year to you too Ro....what a great album is this and thank you for sharing about how its made....its stunning...and i have learned so much from you this last year...so i hope that you will continue to make your great creations....thank you......greetings from the Netherlands.......Francien.

Judy said...

Gorgeous as always Ro Ro, loved the hand stitched page.