Transforming Tetra Pak Cartons into Art Journals: Embracing Recycling and Creativity

In today's art journal video, I am thrilled to share with you a unique and eco-friendly approach to creating art journals using recycled materials, specifically Tetra Pak cartons. These cartons, commonly used for packaging beverages, pose a recycling challenge in many areas. However, instead of letting them go to waste, we can repurpose them into beautiful and functional art journals that provide endless creative fun.

The Need for Recycling and Repurposing

Recycling has become increasingly important in our efforts to protect the environment and preserve valuable resources. By recycling and repurposing, we can reduce waste, conserve energy, and reduce the harmful effects of pollution. Tetra Pak cartons, due to their complex composition, often present a challenge for local recycling centers, and this led me to explore alternative ways to reuse these cartons and turn them into something meaningful.

Creating Art Journals

Art journals are a great way to express our creativity, capture our thoughts, and document our experiences. They serve as a personal sanctuary for self-expression and reflection. By repurposing Tetra Pak cartons into art journals, we not only divert them from landfills but also breathe new life into these everyday objects.

The Creative Process:

In future videos, I will be sharing the step-by-step process of creating these art journals with my patrons. From preparing the cartons to binding the pages, each stage offers opportunities for customization and personalization. You can choose to leave the carton's original design intact or transform it with paints, collages, or other mixed-media techniques. I have also reused the cartons as temporary plant pots in the garden and there are a range of other creative projects that you can use them for.

I would love to know how you use yours, and whether you have tried using them for a creative project, by transforming Tetra Pak cartons into art journals it provides a unique way to express your creativity while making a positive impact on the environment.

Join us on Patreon if you would like to see how I put the art journal together, and remember you can sign up for a 7 day FREE trial and view over 90 Patron only posts.

Creating a Recycled Art Journal - Use those Catalogues!

Welcome to my latest art project where we will be creating a recycled art journal using an old catalog. 

This project is quick, easy and affordable, and the best part is that nothing will be wasted!  You get to use some of those store catalogues that you have been collecting and create some wonderful projects.

To start, find yourself an old catalog, like this Tesco's home catalog that I'm using. The first thing you need to do is rip out about half of the pages. This is because we'll be adding collage and texture to the pages, so you want to make sure you have enough space to work with. Go through the catalog and rip out every 2-3 pages.  I save the ripped out pages to use later.

Once you have removed the pages, stick together sets of 2 or 3 pages depending on where you ripped them out. Allow the pages to dry and then reinforce the spine with some masking tape on the inside.  If you are going to be adding paint it stops any bleed through on the other pages.

I also add masking tape to the edge of the pages that I have stuck together This will also make it easy to turn the pages.

With the pages left over, look through them and cut out images or words that speak to you. I select colorful patterns and shapes and these will form part of your collage. This is a great way to still create something without having to have a lot of art supplies or anything fancy. All you need is a catalog, glue, and some basic tools.

Come and join me in the next video, I'll show you how to work on some of your pages, and ideas from other recycled journals that I have created. This art journal will be a space for you to fill up over time, write down your thoughts, and enjoy the creative process. It's all about play, so have fun with it!

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If you would like to take it a step further and make your own stamps and stencils, then check out my FREE online course Recycled Stamps and Stencils where I show you how you can take items that you may have around the home and turn it into something that you can use in your art journals. 

You get a video on how to create the stamps and stencils, a digital download of the stamps and stencils that I created, background papers and more!  Check it out HERE

Mixed Media Art Projects - Recycled Phone Case

Recycled Phone Case Art Journal

I love using recycled materials and had gone to my charity store and picked up a phone case.  It was slightly too big for my phone so I thought I would make use of it and create a mini art journal.

I talk about the journal in the video below, and I have included some close up images of the pages as well.

On the front of the art journal I used some of my favorite handmade paper infused with gold, looks lovely doesn't it, one of my favorite colors which I use a lot when painting too.  

One of the motivations for the journal was to use the elements that I had been holding on to for what we call 'best' or 'one day' but that day never comes.  It is important to use your supplies rather than holding onto them for that one special day.  Allow yourself to be included in the special day and use it on yourself.

The journal is made up of handmade paper and I have included making use of space where I can add additional elements If I were travelling with the journal - a water brush and some water colors always travel well and have minimum cleanup.

I added sentiments that are reminders 'You are beautiful - Shine your Light' reminds us that we all have something to offer and that we need to not only shine our light for ourselves, but for others who you are impacting and helping them to be brave or step out and shine their own light.

How many times have you been self conscious about what you are doing, not because you can't do it, but you are listening to the negative talk of others.  Sometimes it is that throw away statement that can do the most damage - but you have to 'Dance like no one is watching' again, your being who you want to be will encourage others to keep going.

Each page has either an encouraging word or scripture, and also space for adding doodles or mark making.

Every page is a constant reminder to dream big, follow your heart and do the things that bring you closer to your goals.

Some of the sentiments I use especially when working on a challenge and I am working on two at the same time, the 100 Days of Handmade Foam and the Ultimate Blog challenge.  There are some days that I have not felt like posting, and sometimes you don't, and you find a way of dealing with it and then getting back on course.  I take the necessary breaks that I need, all the time reminding myself of my overall goal.

Explore, Imagine, Dream is the title of this page.  I recommitted myself to share as part of the blog challenge, to not only encourage myself but others as well - I am sharing what I love, creativity and the process.

This pages sentiments - You are unique, a miracle, don't ever compare yourself with anyone else.  Take a look back, you have come a long way, this is not your destination.

I hope you find the things that motivate and encourage you and that you take one step in front of the other to reach the goals you desire.

Blessings!

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100 Days of Handmade Foam Stamps

If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE

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I am also taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out the posts HERE

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Mixed Media Art Courses to Check out

SALE - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.

Use the Code at the checkout - create2

Creating an Art Journal - December Journal

Art Journal Creating for December - with Amanda Trought

I decided to step it up a bit and create more Art Journals.  I love creating them and have so much paper, and other materials that it makes sense to bring them together and start using them for the work that I want to do in them. 

Part 1 of the Art Journal Process

Creating an Art Journal page is something I do as part of my morning routine and I wondered if others did the same.  I decided to use up the materials and try not to purchase them as you can customize them to your own suiting and use the Art Journals you want to use.  You might be one of those people who want to purchase them but I guarantee that once you have really got into making your own journals, choosing your paper, binding them in a particular way then you won't be the same.

The video this month is far longer than I had anticipated but it gives you over two hours of tutorial that you can watch at your leisure, see what tips you can get from the videos and pull them together in the Art Journal of your own creating.  You can use all the tips or just a few, the main thing is that you have fun along the way.  Let me know how you get on, if you need additional information do not hesitate to let me know.

Part 2 of the Art Journal Process

Each month you will get to see a new art journal in the making.  I use simple techniques and have fun in the process.  You can also join me on my Patreon Blog where I give a few behind the scene tips to my process.