Art of Layers: Simple Techniques, Inventive Scrapbook Pages, Imaginative Papercrafts [Paperback]

Ronda Palazzari (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 22, 2012

Layer, Stitch, Scrunch, Pull & Flick

• 50 fabulous and simple step-by-step techniques that will be valuable for all crafters, from beginner mixed-media artists to advanced papercrafters and scrapbookers.
• 75+ imaginative layouts and projects using innovative techniques, that can be applied to any medium, whether papercrafter, fiber artist, or messy artist.
• A mixed-media crossover for all crafters or scrapbookers that will teach you how to make paper resemble lace, to flicking acrylic paint off of a toothbrush, or using household items to create your own stencil!

Layer with Ronda Palazzari as she teaches you just how easy it is to get that desired layered look in any project. With five chapters, Art of Layers will help you build your skills, from various paper techniques, to working with fabric and adding embellishing, stamping, and experimenting with paints, mists and gesso. Accompanying projects show each technique in action and illustrate how they can be used in combination, to develop endless possibilities for an even grander project.

Layer, play and have fun with Art of Layers!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ronda Palazzari is a 2009 Memory Makers Master and an active member of the scrapbooking community. From September 2009 to September 2010, she has had 43 pieces of her works published in magazines or idea books. She is the Design Team Coordinator for Cocoa Daisy kits and is on the design team of several manufacturers, including Maya Road, Lily Bee and Purple Onion, as well as being an active instructor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Memory Makers (March 22, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599632845
• ISBN-13: 978-1599632841
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.4 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #279,032 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Art has always been my voice since I was a little kid finger painting and drawing. I started off as an art major and thought "what am I going to do with art degree?" so I switched to Elementary Education. Who knew that later in life I would be abble to marry both career goals?

I am a mixed media artist, author, and avid scrapbooker who enjoys all kinds of mediums, documenting stories, taking photographs, and compiling it all together into cohesive art pieces. I like to call my style "Uptown Antique Brie"--a little class, a little vintage, and a lot of good cheese. I am a color junkie, using bold colors and combining colors in ways that surprise people. All kinds of materials show up in my creations: paper, paint, spray inks, stamps, vintage items, fabric, etc. Playing it safe has never been my style so you will find me pushing the envelope and using products in unexpected ways.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Tame your inspirations with whimsical yet coherent layers March 2, 2012

By S. L. Smith TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought Art of Layers by Ronda Palazzari because, well, basically I like to look at other people's craft stuff. A lot. And the more layers of it, the more enthralled I become. As you might tell from the front cover, Ms. Palazzari literally frames her layers in ways that will appeal to scrappers, sewers, journalers, memory artists, and anyone whose spirit soars when multiple media are blended together.

This book is cleverly segmented according to medium: there are separate chapters for paper, fibers, embellishments, and stamps. The final chapter revels in punches, stencils, and liquids, including resists, mists, spray ink, gesso, embossing agents, and matte medium. Brand names are included in the very thorough lists of materials and all the instructions for a given project fit nicely on one set of left/right pages.

The author's personal and crafty vibrancy is evident throughout the book via comments, inspirations, and tips. (She likes Harry Potter, was hugely influenced by her grandmother, and uses the word "plethora" when describing her adoration of embellishments.) As an indication of this artist's warm nature - and the limitlessness of this layered craft - Ms. Palazzari captures the gist of a loved one's ADHD in a strikingly sublime project.

(And it is here at this point that I wanted to describe my favorite project, but it is just not fair to all the other ones!)

To close, I'd like to comment on the wording in the copyright text, since I am a huge advocate for artists' ownership rights, especially in this digital age. This is the first craft book I have purchased that clearly states "It is permissible for the purchaser to create the designs herein and sell them at fairs, bazaars and craft shows." Now, how giving is that?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for new and advanced Scrapbookers November 29, 2012

By Scrap2day

Format:Paperback

I consider myself an advanced scrapper. I have been scrapbooking for over 10 years and keep current on the latest techniques. Being a scrapbooker who's seen most techniques out there I find that buying books to learn new things can sometimes be a challenge. I rely a lot on craft book reviews.

Nothing aggravates me more than to buy a book and find that there is nothing new that I learned. Well, that did not happen with this book! It is not only current and loaded with the latest technique trends it is also loaded with step by step photos and stories about her thought process in creating. I learned new techniques, new design ideas, and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

It is not limited to only scrapbooking. It includes mixed media techniques,paper crafts, tags, etc...

I follow Ronda's blog regularly and her talent is amazing. She gives you step by step tutorials on the projects she creates for her blog. Check out her blog and you will see what you will see in the book..Amazing talent, great story telling, and an excellent instructor..I can't wait for her next book..I will be the first in line!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars add depth and texture to layouts by layering April 22, 2012

By liberal sprinkles

Format:Paperback

Art of Layers is pages and pages of pretty scrapbook layouts. Author Ronda Palazzari goes beyond merely adding photos and sentiments to patterned papers, sharing many ideas for adding depth by layering. In addition to the usual embossed cardstock, edged borders, paper flowers, banners and chipboard collages, she also explains techniques for quilting paper cutouts, pleating paper, stitching patterns and words, as well as using textiles and paper appliques to add details, or stamps to create 2D and 3D embellishments.

The result is a range of designs that are full of interesting layers. The colors and textures of the works featured are also lovely. I especially like the butterfly "beauty" piece in the stamping section and the altered sewing trinket box with all that wonderful ephemera and vintage bits and pieces.

The book is well written and illustrated, the instructions clear and Palazzari's personal and friendly personality makes this a pleasant read. It is divided into chapters on paper, fibers, embellishments, stamping and "the art of messy". Mixed media artists and crafters may recognize some of the techniques featured, like using stencils or punches as masks, misting and splattering.

I think Art of Layers is an attractive book for scrapbookers who'd like to add depth to their layouts and experiment with other creative art techniques. But if you read a lot of blogs or dabble in mixed media, many of the layering ideas here will probably not be new to you. In that case, check out the book first. There IS a lot of eye candy.