Hi Vicki-Ann here I have been joining in the Art Marks 30 Day Challenge with Rae Missigman. Rae announced during the week that she is doing the challenge again in March. It will be a whole new set of 30 prompts. So I needed a new art journal for the new challenge. I thought I would recycle the packaging of the paper I use to make my art journal.

List of items you will need
- Helmar Tacky Craft Glue
- Helmar Decoupage and Craft Paste
- Paint and glue spreader
- Cardboard
- Decoart Americana paints and Gesso
- Pallet knife
- Stamps
- Ranger Archival Black ink
- Hole punch/ Crop a dile
- Ruler
- Book, music paper
- Scrapbook paper/painted scrap papers for inside lining
- Plasterers tape
- Sewing Machine
- Pens, pencils for details and mark making
- Stencil
- Craft knife and Cutting Mat
- Paper for pages (I use Monte Marte watercolour 190lb)
- 2 rings
First I grabbed my craft knife and cutting mat and cut my cardboard.
So my cover ended up being 8 1/2 inches ( 21.5 cm) by 5 1/5 inches (13.97 cm).


I used the cardboard backing that was with my paper. The cardboard is quite sturdy and I cut it in half. So that meant it was the perfect size for my book. The paper I use is Monte Marte Watercolour paper and has 30 sheets so I will get 2 books of 30 pages so it works out so well and the paper holds up to sewing really well. I punched holes 4 cm in from each inside edge. I spread Gesso over the cardboard and then painted with my palette knife. I used a stencil to add some details and interest.
I then placed some book and dictionary papers together with a bit of plasterers tape and tacked it together with some Helmar Tacky Craft Glue to hold. I added a little paint over the paper, so it matched in to the background. I added some stamping just to bring it together and I like the look. Let that dry a bit, then I sewed with my sewing machine in a zig zag motion. Add this to the cardboard cover on the background with the Helmar Tacky Craft Glue.

On the inside I thought I would add some interest with some painted underpapers that I use on my desk when I paint.

So I drew around it and cut it to size.
Then I spread the inside cover with the Helmar Decoupage and Craft Glue with the paint and glue spreader. I also added the Helmar Decoupage and Craft Glue to the back of the painted underpapers and used the paint and glue spreader to remove any excess glue and bubbles so I get a nice smooth finish.

I used some Payne's grey Decoart paint on the edges.

I then cut my watercolour papers to size and using the cover as a guide I punched the holes to suit and added the rings
I could not resist adding a bit more stamping to the cover with my favourite honeycomb Prima stamp and some black ink.
So I am all ready for March and I am looking forward to filling this new art journal with 30 pages of art, from the daily prompts!