31 Art Journals No:21 - Recycled Directories Journal - Grace

Here is another Art journal that has been created from a phone directory

For some reason our local council had a large amount delivered and they were just piled up so I thought it would be great to make something that would be useful.

I had always wanted to make a book with an insert that you could store things in without it being obvious on the outside.

After sticking the pages together I cut out a section that would serve to hold the letters - a series of encouraging notes to self.

There was quite a bit of journaling done in the figures, and the journaling can be done in ways that you prefer.  I didn't create a lot of pages in this journal for this point that I would be using areas in the figures drawn to journal in.  You would be able to get a better view from the video below.

31 Art Journals - No 20 - Miracles, Recycled Directory

Welcome to today's Art Journal.  It is amazing what can be done with a bit of imagination.

This journal has been made from recycled material - a telephone directory, and is part of a series of 3.  You can see how they were made HERE

There is lots to see in this journal, I have added quotes and tags that messages, or journaling can be done

Check out the video below and get a better look at each page.  I hope you enjoy, and are inspired.

The Video

31 Art Journals - No 19 - Directories Journal

Welcome, today's Art Journal was made from an old A5 telephone directory, and there are three that you will see made in slightly different ways over the next few days. 

Art Journals as I have said can take many shapes and forms and the only thing that will stop you is your imagination.  You can go from really complete to ultra simple

The pages to this directory were stuck together, gesso was added and then the pages were embellished with textures and lots of other vintage materials.

This is a great way to experiment with ideas and take it as far as you wish.  You can see further how they were made HERE

See if you have got any directories laying around and use them to create an art journal.  You can always if you wish practice with the different materials in the journal, and you can try and manipulate the pages.

Thank you for checking out this journal, check out the video and let me know what you think. 

The Video

31 Art Journal - No 18 - Fabric Journal

Welcome to today's Art Journal.  

This particular Art Journal has been created from recycled fabric combined with paper to give you a firm surface to work on.  Some of the fabric is recycled school uniform, so those who have lots of fabric around you can create an art journal.

I experimented with stitching.  Usually the pages were stitched on one side and then I created an image on the other side.  

I do a lot of faces in my journals and their surroundings, and expression often says so much more than you can say with words.

Working with fabric Journals you can use a variety of material, and they each have different properties and take paint differently so it is worth playing around and experimenting.

Using recycled materials definitely helps the environment and gives the fabric and new lease of life!

Check out the video to see the flip through of this Art Journal.

Remember the Art Journal is for you to do with as you choose and is a great way to work through things that you cannot put into words.  I hope you enjoyed looking at some of the pages in this journal.

The Video

31 Art Journals - No 17 - Soul Restoration

Welcome to today's Art Journal, part of the 31 Art Journal Series.

This Journal is made from an altered children's book, and has you can see the hard back books come in all shapes and sizes and are great for altering.  It has a lovely chunky feel and was a great surface to work with.

I did this Art Jounal as part of the Soul Restoration course with Melody Ross and Brave Girls.

Another great course that really got you reflecting on your life and direction and helped you to see what were not only the limiting believes that you held but also how we stopped ourselves from doing those things which edified and nourished.

what was then called for was a total overhaul and restoration.

The pages were sanded down and gesso added prior to completing the exercises that we were given.

You are responsible for the things you allow to remain in your life and you have a choice in the decisions you need to make no matter how small - each step leads to growth.

Do check out the video where I give you a flip through and more in-depth look at the pages.

The Video

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

I'm Teaching on Hacking the Color Wheel - Art Journaling for Creative Rebels!

Well it is nearly that time guys, another 2 weeks before Session 2 starts for the course Hacking the Color Wheel - Art Journaling for Creative Rebels, it kicks off on 5th November 2017!

Amazing Teachers on the Course

Have you put the date down in your diary because it is going to be a great course.  Session 1 was amazing and there were so many hints and tips to put into practice in your art journal.  Kiala taught you how to create several art journals as well.

In Session 2 you are in for another great treat from the guest teachers that will be showing you some fabulous lessons, and I am also excited to share with you my lesson.

Here is a sneak peak at what you will make

I will be sharing 3 parts to my lesson and giving you lots of hints and tips that you will be able to use in other creative or art journaling work.

• You will be creating a surface test swatch, to see how your supplies react to different surfaces

• You will also create a color breakdown swatch taking your favorite papers, fabric and seeing what colors are used to make up each one.

• You will also create a set of A6 cards using a fun technique that produces a unique work of art every time and you don't need to able to draw!!!

If you have been following my 31 Art Journals Series you will have been seeing many of the journals that I have made over the years, and once you have learnt the basic techniques you can make your own Art Journal to suit your particular tastes.  I have been doing a video flip through on my YouTube channel so you can get a better look at each Art Journal.  They are all very different in style and make.

I have one space to give away on the Hacking the Color Wheel Course, so to be in for a chance hop on over to my Youtube channel and make a comment on one of the 31 Art Journals.  For each comment that you make your name will go into the hat and you will increase your chances to possibly win the spot.

Over the next week I will be sharing a bit more about my class and what you can expect to learn.  I also have some great Art Journaling bonuses that will be yours to keep when you sign up for the class using my unique link so do come back tomorrow to see what they will be!

SIGN UP HERE

Art Journal Page - Background Bonus No 3

Blessings for you and yours this Sunday, this post is slightly later than I had hoped, but welcome to the 31 Art Journal Series backgrounds bonus.

If you didn't catch the background bonus from last week you can see it HERE and HERE

Here is a reminder of yesterdays tips, see which ones you already incorporate into your journal practice and which ones you can start if you need to.

Check out today's background video to see how you can create those backgrounds using a few simple materials, and so there will be no excuse not to start!

The Video

Here is an easy way in which you can create your own background pages. Just add color and play with your supplies on the page and before you know it you have a great surface to work on further.  Enjoy!

31 Art Journals - Weekly Tips No:3 - Recaps and More

Welcome to the third recap for the month.  Where has all the time gone well we know that it passes quickly, I hope that you have managed to make the most of your time and to incorporate some art journaling for yourself.  If you have been watching the Background videos that come out on Sundays you will see that you can find even the shortest moments to spend some time creating a background.  

Today we will recap on the videos for the week, think about what might have been your favorite style of journal.  If you haven't had time to check them out during the week you can make yourself a cup of something and catch up below. 

First lets look at some Art Journal Tips that you can put into practice, how many of them do you already do?

Art Journal Tips

1. Do not be afraid to work in more than one Art Journal, you might decide to have a different journal for a different project, course or theme that you want to work with
2. Don’t compare your journal to others
3. Give yourself time to play in your journal, you’ll appreciate it more
4. Think about making/buying a travel journal for when you move around, with a few supplies that you can take out and use wherever you are.
5. See your journal as an extension that you can take anywhere, this takes the fear about using it
6. Do not be afraid to make a mistake in your journal, in fact there are no mistakes that you can make in your journal.

Here are this weeks Art Journal videos

It would be lovely to hear how you have been working in your own art journal and any insights or Ah-ha moments that may have surprised you.  Remember to check in tomorrow for the Art Journal background video to inspire you to create backgrounds for your art journal

31 Art Journals No: 16

Welcome to today's Art Journal as part of the 31 Art Journal Series.  I really like this journal and the idea of making it from a recycled children's book.  You can get some lovely designs that they just don't seem to make when you get to a certain age. 

This book was made as part of a course I did on Willowing Check out some of her courses, and when you sign up for her newsletter you get access to here free 4 week course

This Mini Art Journal was all about us, our friendships, and more.  We had to include an image of ourselves when we were small and write out encouraging words.  What would you liked to have said to your 5 year old self?  What encouragement would you give, what would you have liked to have known.

What would you say about your friendships, we did a whimsical page of and example of our friendships.  Its funny when you think you usually have a small core of people that you really connect with, as opposed to the hundreds/thousands of friends you may have on Facebook

Take a look at the video and see what else I put in the Art Journal, let me know what you think.

Tomorrow I will be doing a recap and sharing some tips for your Art Journal, and on Sunday I will be sharing a video with you to get your creative juices flowing.

The Video

31 Art Journals - No: 15 -

Today's Art Journal sees us half way through the 31 Art Journal Series, and I have double news to tell you today!

This Art Journal has been made entirely out of recycled materials, from envelopes, magazines, cereal box and was something I wanted to create to experiment with what I had to hand.

I also used it as a way to practice particular techniques, like the one below layering foil with foam letters beneath to create a message.  This page is still to be completed.

Check out the video of the Art Journal below to get a better look

The Video

NEWS JUST IN!!!

I am one of the guest teachers in the online class Hacking the Color Wheel Art Journaling for Creative Rebels!  I have a great class to share with you and I am really excited to be part of the guest teachers for the 2nd session

For more information check out the link, I will share more about the course tomorrow!

31 Art Journals No: 14

Welcome to today's Art Journal which I call my Healing Journal and is part of the 31 Art Journals Series.

This as with all my Art Journals are always fun to create, and each one has its own purpose as a journal.  For this one I wanted a fabric and paper journal.  The signatures inside are paper, and contain a mixed size which then impacts on the message on each page

The front page has modeling past over a stencil and it gives a great texture once it was all painted.  I put a tassel border on the edge of the journal and I really like the way the journal feels in my hands.

This Art Journal is about sharing truths and being clear about what is important.  When you write these things down it helps to reinforce the message.

Some pages are waiting for their final message, or layer and that is the great thing that you can still dip into the art journal and say what is on your mind.

Check out the video below to get a closer look at the Healing Art Journal

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

31 Art Journals No: 13 - Cereal Bag Journal

Welcome to Art Journal No 13, which is part of the 31 Art Journal Series.  This Art Journal started off as an experiment, but I really enjoyed putting it together and the final result that was achieved.  If you don't experiment then you don't know how things can work together and in some of those accidents amazing results were achieved.

You can see the inspiration for the journal HERE.  I started out with a collection of images, background papers, embellishments that were going to be added in between the cereal bag and heated to seal them in.

When you know what you want to put in between the layers which is a different way of working as you are creating the journal pretty much in one sitting before sealing, so the though processes are slightly different.

I had a lot of vintage images and small postcard samples and I wanted to give the feel of  a vintage journal.  I added embellishments, stitching on some pages and created some tags.

I really enjoyed how this one turned out, and I would in the next one include more stitching as after time and use some of the embellishments come loose.

The Video

Check out the video to see the Journal close up