Instructions

Step 1: For this tutorial I am using two pages in my Large Dylusions journal. Choose pages with nothing currently on the back as you will be making a cut in the left page.

For my background I am going with shades of blue; Calypso Teal, London Blue and After Midnight. I started with the lightest color on top and the darkest on bottom, trying my best to blend them between colors.
I applied the paint to my pages using an Ink Blending Tool with a foam applicator.

Step 2: To create the look of waves I went with Dina Wakley’s stencil called Mighty Wave with London Blue paint. I think it’s just perfect for this art journal spread.

Step 3: For some plant life in the ocean I am using Dyan Reaveley’s Dylusions Border Stamp and Stencil set, Leaf. I did a back layer of leaves in After Midnight so they appear like shadows.

Step 4: I then took the same stencil and did some leaves in Dirty Martini to appear as if its closer. I stamped the leaves in Leaf Green Archival Ink.

Step 5: On this art journal spread we are going to have fish and they are going to move! To do this we will need to make sliders. I have provided PDF files for you to print out. All you have to do is cut along the solid lines, and score and fold on the dotted lines. Easy Peasy.

Slider 1

Slider 2

Step 6: For the first slider you will need the pieces pictured above. This slider will be going on the right side of your journal spread.

Step 7: Fold along the dotted lines as you see in the picture above.
I also stamped “we’re all a little dylusional” with the Jet Black Archival Ink straight onto the planner. It didn’t show up very well so I went over the letters with the Dylusions Paint Pens in Black Marble and then used the White Linen for some highlights.

Step 8: You will place some foam tape where the arrow indicates in the picture above.

You will also fold the long side of the L-shaped piece of paper and glue closed. I used Ranger Multi Medium Matte to do this. This L-shaped piece I will refer to as the arm. The short end is what your fish will attach to and the long side is what you will push/pull to slide it back and forth.

Step 9: I also added some foam tape along the bottom of the same piece and I applied the foam tape under the folds.
To put this slider together we will add some Wonder Tape on the folds shown in the picture above. Notice how there’s a gap where there’s no Wonder Tape. This is where the arm will be sliding back and forth. So make that gap the width of your arm plus a tiny bit extra.
With the notched piece of paper laid down you will insert the arm through the slot/notch so it comes up behind as shown above. Move the arm up as far as it will go and all the way over to the left. Now take the piece with the Wonder Tape and adhere it to that piece. Make sure the arm is in the right spot and does not get stuck down with the tape. Have a good look at where everything is going before placing it down.

Step 10: This is what the first slider will look like from the back.

And this is what it looks like from the front. If you wish you can snip the arm off below the front piece and attach clear plastic (from some packaging) so you can’t see it on your finished layout. Or you can just paint it blue so it blends in with the background. Totally up to you. I ended up replacing mine with some clear packaging.

Step 11: For slider two you have the pieces pictured above.

Step 12: You will fold the long strip along the dotted line and glue it closed completely.

The other piece with the score lines will be folded as shown above. Put some Ranger Multi Medium Matte as shown in red in the picture above and glue down. It will look like an upside-down T.

Step 13: Now attach that upside-down T to the top of the long strip.

Step 14: This is how it will be placed in your journal. You will cut a slot in your journal and place the arms of the T through the slot. The arms will then fold down and you will attach your Jelly Fish to this.

Step 15: On the back of the page you can put a strip over the arm, only gluing on each end of the strip. This will stop the arm from moving side to side too much. Be careful not to place it too high.

Step 16: Cut a notch in the left side of your journal spread. I made mine 5 inches long and about 1/8th thick. I started the notch 2 1/2“ down from the top.

Step 17: Put your slider through the slot as shown in Step 14. Also glue down your other slider to the right page. I painted mine the after midnight blue, just in case any peeped through the plants when assembled.

Step 18: Now its time to choose all the images you want in your scenery. I chose a lot of plant life from Dylusions Oodles of Foliage, the fish from Plenty of Fish in the Sea and a border from Further Around the Edge. I stamped these images on Dylusions Mixed Media cardstock with Ranger Archival ink in Jet Black and colored them in using Dylusions Ink Spray.

Step 19: Here they are all colored, cut and ready to play!

Step 20: I first put my fish and jelly fish in place so I can test the movement as I play with the plants location.

Step 21: Then I play with the placement of all the fish and plants. Always testing to see if any get in the way of the sliders. I also put the border along the bottom covering the base of the plants. With the middle border piece, I snipped it where it would cover the spine. This allows for easy opening and closing of the pages.

Step 22: This was so much fun! I do hope you try it. It may feel like a bit of work but it is so worth it. I love how this turn out and it brings me joy whenever I look at it! I hope it does the same for you.