Hi friends! I wanted to share some photos and details about the process behind my spring art journal. This year I am making an effort to start a new art journal each season. Art journaling is one of the healthiest creative habits that I've found. I hope this post inspires some of you to start one too!
Here are a few details behind my creative process... 1. Supplies I used... An old used journal (I went through it beforehand and ripped out any pages with ideas or lists I needed to keep) this is a great way to recycle a purse journal after it's filled with random lists and notes you don't need anymore... I would have normally tossed an old journal like this! I also used washi tape + colored masking tape from the art supply store, a pack of colored origami paper (best colors ever! i purchased this a Hobby Lobby), scissors plus some found paper and view master slides. 2. Paint the outside of the old journal to give it a new life. 3. Recover the front of the journal with a large photo, trim to size and add a new binding to the book with masking tape. I also added letter stickers to the front (see the photo below) for a bold title. 4. Choose your favorite colors from the origami paper pack. I loved this step because I got to create a palette that totally reflects my color instincts for this season. I cut it up and am carrying the scraps in an envelope for future art journal pages.
Next, spend some time prepping the inside pages. I like to prep a lot of pages (at least 10) at one time and then carry it with me and write on the pages over time. Above are a few examples, but the possibilities are endless! Play with color, texture and photos you love to make pretty backgrounds for your journal entries. And here are a few photos of my finished journal. I'll be carrying this around this season recording little bits of life! I have tons of art journals from the past ten years and they are truly one of my favorite keepsakes.
That was fun! Are you in the mood to make your own art journal now? Start one today with random supplies you find in your home. xoxo, elsie
i love art journaling! how fun!
Posted by: ashley | March 25, 2012 at 02:09 PM
I used to keep an art journal when I was younger, sketched in it, taped images in it that I wanted to recreate. Sometimes I feel like my own blog and pinterest serve that purpose now. But nothing beats leafing through a book of your inspiring ideas. :)
xoxo
www.natashafatah.blogspot.com
Posted by: Natasha Fatah | March 25, 2012 at 02:11 PM
Wow! love love it...
I have thousand of papers, photos from magazines, labels, stikers... all of them waiting for ...
I need days of 34 hours!
http://mykitschworld.blogspot.com.es/
Posted by: Itziar | March 25, 2012 at 02:13 PM
Great, great idea. I love scrapbooking, journaling, and everything of the like mostly to look back on what your made, said, painted, drew years later
Posted by: Maddie | March 25, 2012 at 02:16 PM
I really LOVE this idea! This will be my next project =)Thank you for the inspiration!
Posted by: Alejandra | March 25, 2012 at 02:17 PM
What a wonderful idea! So cute, and a great way to recycle old paint chips and such :)
http://thejoyfulfox.blogspot.com
Posted by: Laura @ The Joyful Fox | March 25, 2012 at 02:17 PM
I love this! I have trouble justifying huge creative projects when I'm busy with school work, but miss the creative outlet. Something like this could be the perfect way to balance it all out! Thanks for the inspiration. :)
Posted by: Erica @ Acire Adventures | March 25, 2012 at 02:21 PM
Looks SO good! Thanks for sharing :)
http://somehowlovely.blogspot.com
xO, Vicky
Posted by: Vicky | March 25, 2012 at 02:24 PM
journals are such a great way to reflect on the past and get inspired for the future - yours looks great!
http://hitherandthitherblog.blogspot.co.uk/
Posted by: jillian&hannah | March 25, 2012 at 02:26 PM
Perfect timing that I saw this! I am making my Spring/Summer Wish To Do List. I am so inspired by this post!
Posted by: Leminh | March 25, 2012 at 02:29 PM
i love this!! i totally have to make one for myself :)
http://saramadebeth.wordpress.com
Posted by: Sara | March 25, 2012 at 02:56 PM
So great. I just love watching your endless creativity. the view master slide is my favorite part.
Posted by: Allie | March 25, 2012 at 03:01 PM
I love this idea. I am so doing this. I love collecting journals. It would be nice to add a couple of my own creations to the mix :D
Posted by: Melinda | March 25, 2012 at 03:01 PM
Handmade journals are so fun! It's bittersweet that blogging is so popular because people don't keep real journals as much but it does make it that much easier to write down things and connect with other people's ideas.
Thanks for the reminder to journal.
Posted by: Laura | March 25, 2012 at 03:12 PM
Lovely Elsie! The colours are beautiful.
xx
http://www.thrifted.ca
Posted by: Allison | March 25, 2012 at 03:31 PM
Awesome...where do you usually find your journals at?
Posted by: Ashley Martinez | March 25, 2012 at 03:33 PM
It seems that you worked hard on this, but it must deserve all the time and efford! It seems great!!
(New blog needing some love: http://inwhirlofinspiration.blogspot.com)
Posted by: call me debbie | March 25, 2012 at 03:36 PM
cute!
http://girlielittlethings.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Burcu | March 25, 2012 at 03:38 PM
So much love for this!
xoxo - http://cachecloset.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Katrina | March 25, 2012 at 03:46 PM
I LOVE journals! I have so many of them and their especially great for when I have ideas that I have to get out. My favourite journals are my travel ones though. I keep every ticket stub, every leaf that blows across my way and every photo so that at the end of my trip I can turn it into a book. I've been doing it for over ten years now... so I have a few of them!
Posted by: Dashfield Vintage | March 25, 2012 at 03:51 PM