Fabulous Surfaces Linda Monk

The first in a series of workshop style publications for the publisher d4daisy, Lynda Monk uses inexpensive abaca, teabag, dressmaking and gift wrap tissue paper to create surfaces that are rich with texture, color and depth. The book is broken into three primary sections: basic techniques, beyond the basics and magnificent metallic surfaces.

The basic techniques section covers everything from materials, bonding agents, colouring the surface using a variety of methods including painting, rusting and printing. It also covers using painted tissue as a background for stitching, stenciling, screening and foiling. Included are the directions to make a pocket book which is a perfect project to showcase the surface you create using the techniques in this section.

In the Beyond the Basics section Lynda covers using laser prints for foiling, heat distressable/polyester tissue and a technique that combines fusible webbing and dissolvable vilene called scrumpling to create a textured surface.

The last section, Magnificent Metallic Surfaces covers several methods for adding foils to the tissue surfaces as well as different options for colouring the surface before the foils are added. You'll also find ideas for working with metallic tissue paper as well as die cuts and how to use white spirit to create a metallic surface.

There's so much more information in this book than what I've given you a glimpse of in this short review. Each page is not only filled with techniques to explore and experiment with but with some gorgeous eye candy as well. Beautifully photographed samples of the surfaces Lynda creates with these techniques as well as her artwork grace the pages of this book making it a feast for the eyes with each turn of the pages. And if all that isn't enough also included with this book are free online classes with Lynda. Once you've purchased the book you'll have access to the online class which includes three lessons that cover rusting, distressing, zapping and much more. Participants can share their work in the books flickr site.