Layered Ephemera Gothic Arch Collage

Today I thought I'd share a fun project which incorporates all sorts of fun ephemera...from book and ledger pages, map pieces, tissue from clothing patterns, vintage sheet music, etc... Just about any paper you can get your hands on!

If desired, before you begin on your collage you can dye your paper(s). I used a bit of Distress Ink re-inker and water.... You could always add a bit of shimmer by adding a small amount of Perfect Pearls to the mix.

After your paper is dry, begin adhering them to your gothic arch using your favorite collage type glue. I used PPA for this collage ;) For this particular collage I applied each consecutive layer at an angle on the opposite side as shown.

This just gives you an idea on what your gothic arch might look like. You'll need to let it dry completely. I like to let it dry over night as humid as it is right now.

Now that the collage has dried, trim away the excess papers.

Don't throw the excess away though! Use the scraps to cut out flowers to add to the arch design. You may need to peel apart some of the layers if you are cutting the flowers with paper punches. Color these flowers in the same fashion as suggested above.

Begin decorating your arch with a layer of stamped images. This leafy branch is from Just For Fun Rubber Stamps.

I also added a bit of texture by stamping with bubble wrap...

(Note the very special "stamp holder" I'm using ;) LOL!! Yes, I just added a bit of double stick tape to the back and used my hand!)

Finish your collage off with a main image, a bit of text and layered flowers which were cut from the extra bits of paper!

How'd you like all those layers?!?!

It is so much fun to use paper ephemera in your stamping projects, they really do add so much depth and interest to the final collage.

AND it's usually free or very cheap!!

Now it's your turn!

Try using a bit of ephemera in your next project!

Tomorrow I'll be sharing something I get asked about quite often....

collage stamping!

Be sure to pop back in and see what I come up with!