here we have the last spread in a visual journal that I started working in back in 2009…
as finishing this journal this month has been a challenge I set for myself I am entering it in Susi’s Art Journal Journey May challenge…
lots of my painted pages began because of inspiration from a Julie Prichard online class that taught me so much (she is a wonderful teacher!)…
the first spread I completed above in this 1958 Funk & Wagnalls Encyclopedia was inspired by a Pretty Paper Hearts challenge blog that no longer exists …
links to several other spreads can be found here…
below you will find a bit of my creative process for the last pages which got quite thick…
strips of my citra solv paper and torn vintage map (thank you Carmen ♥) blended in with some white gesso…
using some of my unmounted rubber stamps on pattern tissue paper…
and lots and lots of layers of Distress Stains (one of my favorite Ranger products!!!)…
using my hand to blend and smear the stains and YES it DOES stain your hands :)…
to finish off the gutter of the book I wet my hand a little and used a small paintbrush to gather enough color to finish off the center of the pages…
above you can see my pages before I found my tiny seashells and starfish from a trip to Florida…
I did try and not make the pages too bulky but you know how it is once you get going…
I am a big mermaid fan…
twenty-eight spreads (double pages) in the recycled encyclopedia that originally covered French Literature — Gothic Architecture and now all it needs is a cover…
“Enough is abundance to the wise.” ~Euripides
and a bit of extra fun with my mermaid and free Photofunia…
Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz 
Gorgeous pages Patty!!! The mermaid is beautiful. I love the seahorse and starfish. The colors are perfect!!! Congrats on finishing! ~Sophia
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Yessss! Congratulations on finishing! What an accomplishment! It is sooooo wonderful, Patty. I really DO love that mermaid spread, too!
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Congrats on the completion of your wonderful Journal. You must feel elated.
TFS.
Hugz Tonniece
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oh this is gorgeous! Don’t you just love the feeling of accomplishment on finishing something though? 🙂
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Your mermaid page is so gorgeous! I love the colors. It looks like she is in water… Such lovely texture.
Kate
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Oh the shells in her hair are fabulous! Just love this page and your whole journal. I so enjoyed looking back at your older entries and look forward to your seeing your cover!
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Congratulations on such a brilliant full journal – really a wonderful Journal in all. It´s AMAZING ! I love your mermaid page and the quote is awesome to this spread… I adore the colors !
Thank you for joining us once more over on Art Journal Journey this month Patty!
xxx
Susi
catched a caught..
I have to pause in my bed ….
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oh patty so wonderful it must be for you to see it finished after working on it for so long…its juts beautiful…you must be very pleased…loved seeing your process too…..
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So beautiful pages, with your wonderful mermaid- I love the feeling of being under the water, when looking at her, and her home ! So amazing effects dear Patty, with the tulle, and painting-and the white air-bubble dots- Gorgeous!!!
Have a wonderful weekend friend- still having sunshine today ,also 🙂
hugs,Dorthe
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Your pages are like dreams…there’s a spell on them!
Happy weekend Patty!
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I’m in love with your beautiful mermaid Patty, she is stunning! Thanks for sharing the processes of your fabulous page, you always inspire me, & congratulations on completing this wonderful book.
Alison xxx
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You wonderful background and a beautiful mermaid make a fantastic bookspread – love it!!
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Love your gorgeous mermaid. And…..those citra solv inclusions are fantastic! You’ve inspired me to get mine out. Thank you and have a joyous day you so deserve! xxoo
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Love your mermaid spread. And now I don’t feel so guilty I have many unfinished Journals hanging around whilst I start others 🙂 Dxx
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What a fantastic achievement….it’s very special. I adore the mermaid…..and what photofunia did with the image 😄xx
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This is beautiful! Thanks for the little step-by-step, too. I’m in awe of the intricacy of your work. It’s absolutely breathtaking.
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The layers are fantastic. It always amazes me how much the background layering and texture add to a page. The Mermaid is beautiful…the shells on her headdress add a lot. LOVE!!
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So beautiful Patty. I love the texture and color and layering, the subject matter – all of it!
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Beautiful way to end a journal, congrats Patty! I look forward to see your next project 🙂
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How wonderful to ave a completely filled journal. Your final pages are fab!
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Love the layers, the colors (my palette!), your use of the printed page. It is simply beautiful and indeed, should be entered in the challenge! Bravo, Patty.
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Dear Patty, just have to come back- as I see I lost some of the comment yesterday!! ??
Your journal has become a most wonderful book of art, with all the different and so beautiful pages you have created- using both paint, fabric and papers.I love the ones you painted and stamped,- and the gorgeous colours you used.
So beautiful pages, with your wonderful mermaid- I love the feeling of being under the water, when looking at her, and her home ! So amazing effects dear Patty, with the tulle, and painting-and the white air-bubble dots- Gorgeous!!!
Have a wonderful weekend friend- still having sunshine today ,also
hugs,Dorthe
Here it is all- almost as written yesterday 🙂 love, Dorthe
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What a gorgeous spread! I love the photo at the end. And what a great quote – life is so much more peaceful when you are content with what you have. Have fun starting a brand new journal 🙂
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Wow Patty! I love this, seeing your process, reading about it and then seeing your finished pages… all so gorgeous.
roxanne
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Your mermaid is a beauty. Great textures and colors.
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A lovely journal and thank you for sharing some of the processes
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Enough is never enough when it comes to seeing your art. I can NEVER get enough of it.
Those star fish and shells are the perfect completion to the spread.
I like how you finished off the gutter. Many times that little bit gets overlooked. You did a super job of paying attention to the details.
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Gorgeous spreads. I absolutely love the mermaid, and what you did with it. What a fantastic journal.
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The mermaid page is gorgeous!
Rinda
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Wow Patty, that’s really a treasure.
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Gorgeous your mermaid pages, I love the colours 😉 xox
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Oh Wow, when I have a minute I will be looking at the whole book:)..
From your first page is very lovely, to that last page, the process is amazing. You have soared so high in your art work, I’m glad I’ve gotten to watch it grow, I can’t stop looking at your underwater page, I have it up in another tab, its is a work of mixed media ART., I love, love, love it..
Thanks for all your inspiration and have a wonderful week,,,,,
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wow gorgeous spread, fabulous colors and love all the details on it!
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Wow those pages are beautiful! love every little thing especially the colours.
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What a lovely altered book! I am currently making my very first altered book, though I have had some experience with altered and mixed media art. My main creative venture has been jewelry making (using a combination of antique, vintage and modern day supplies) the last several years. I do adore making my one of a kind pieces, but my creative soul has yearned for getting messy with mixed media again. I felt this way sometime last year and started the altered book, but put it away after a few pages to get back to jewelry (which is what sells best for me). I’ve been having a ball since I’ve decided to take a vacation from making jewelry and began on my altered book again. I am blogging about it on my blog, thecreativesoulsara.wordpress.com. I am always looking for inspiration and new techniques from folks who have been doing this longer than I. You certainly have been and I have been enjoying viewing your work. Thanks so much for sharing it! Peace to your heart, Sara
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wow – this is an absolutely unusual and creative side – I have no words to describe how awesome and amazing I find them!!
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Oh My Gosh,this is sooo beautiful,wonderful colors and texture ,and i love the mermaid,faboulus.
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Your book is quite amazing, how I would love to have a real-life look at it, it’s outstanding artwork.
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