Marie 4x4 Book Swap

I recently joined a 4x4 chunky book swap on my Marie Antoinette Mail Art Group site. I must say I have never done anything like this and was a bit unsure about it. I know a lot of people are enjoying 4x4 chunky books right now but, I normally do not join in. It's not that I don't like them, it's just I end up collecting a few pages and never collect enough worth making a book.

This swap is different though. The instructions were you make one page and then copy one page for each member. You then embellish or shall I say "chunk" it up as much as you want. Then the host said she will bind them! Now this sounded good because in the end I have a full book of pages completed. HOWEVER normally I am not one to do well with tedious things and the idea of a lot of pages all the same sounded like it could take some work and a lot of sitting still lol. Well this month I have been in an odd mood and tedious actually sounded good. So I started my project!

I figured the trick to get a good scan would be to not include too much texture on the page before it is copied. And since this would be the foundation and most important part , a good quality image is very important. I liked the idea of the design being something that really stood out. So I knew I wanted whatever I did to take up most the page with just a few images.

1. First I started with the background. I took a piece of watercolor paper and I stamped it with random large text images. I then took a few wet ones and some chalk inks and blended around some color. I found a section of the paper I liked best and cut it out 4x4.

2. Next I picked out my images. I found a frame image I really liked and recolored it. to more of a gold color. I then cut it out using scissors and an craft knife. and inked the cut edges. I put different Marie images up to the frame to see what I liked best. I found one I liked, but I did not like the background. I cut the image out and applied a piece of matching scrapbook paper to the back of the Marie image.

3. Next I embellished the top of Marie's hair (I love to do that) with some Spring Flower German Scraps I recently got from Retro Cafe.

4. I knew I wanted a good scan so I decided to go ahead and stop there to make my copies.

5. After the image was copied and printed I started to layer embellishments.

6. I started off with some sparkles and glitter. I added this to all the cards.

7. Next I wanted text so I printed out the word Marie in brown and glued it to firm watercolor paper and cut it out.

8. I also cut out blue cardstock to go behind the word Marie and applied Stickles glitter glue (thanks to Kitty Kelly ).

9. I glued the Marie text and the cardstock together once the glitter was dry. Then I glued the text to all the cards.

10. Lastly I glued flowers and an adhesive jewel to all the cards and let it dry.

I am so pleased with how they turned out, but I think I am still going to add some vintage seam binding ribbon to the right corner. I have not done it yet though because I am not sure if I want to punch a hole or not, and I am not sure what color ribbon I want to use. I am glad I started early because I have 3 days involved thus far and it diffidently takes me being in a certain mood. I have 16 finished and 4 more almost done if needed (in case more people join). I have had a lot of fun with this, it is surely something new for me. I will have to post a photo when I am completely done.

Thanks for stopping by! :)

Comments

[Le_Vintage]

clever, sweet and lovely. i just love you're creativity oozing out of these. kudos to you, i really think you did a lovely job on these

[Retro Cafe' Art Gallery]

I think I already told you how AWESOME these pages are?! LOVE THEM!xoxo,Kristin

[Patricia]

These 4x4 pages are very beautiful. Thank you for the instruction.

[Deb]

I love all the colours you used so pretty.Hugs Deborah

[Sonia]

Lovely...you are very creative. I have thought about joining the Marie Mail Art group too, looks like fun, but I guess I'm scared of commitment...LOLCome by and sign up for my MA giveaway.Sonia

[Gina2424]

Love your page! So glad Malin told me about this group and this book! Love your ATCs too!

[Rhondamum]

I think your pages are fantastic! And I am so glad that you took on this challenge. These books are going to be fantastic! Thanks for sharing how you put it all together! Rhonda...

[Nan]

I loved hearing how you constructed this it helps me see it better. You are so creative and I love the Marie theme she is the best for pretty colors.