Art Journaling

Video: Gelli Print Art Journaling

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Today I decided to play with my gelli plate.

I admit to seeing some amazing things done with gelli plates but haven’t quite fallen in love with using them myself. I decided today to have a play in my journal with my small gelli plate and see what came from it.

I started off using a stamp pad that I then sprayed with a bit of water. Then I used acryllic paint and brayer with some stamped images and followed that all up with some Tombow markers. I really love the look the Tombow gave  to the page with the gelli plate.

The fun thing about the size I am using is that it can easily be used like a stamp and it’s the perfect size for my journal. I am going to try and have some more gelli plate journal spreads to share with you soon.

While I worked on this page I was listening to an audio book-“The Mysterious Affair at Styles” by Agatha Christie. The version I am listening to is a free one that was available with my audible subscription and it’s really well narrated. What do you listen to, if anything when you are being creative?

I hope you enjoy today’s video! Until next time!

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Music by Eli Lev – Dancin’ on the Lawn – https://thmatc.co/?l=9EA04504

Music by Little Boots – Silver Balloons – https://thmatc.co/?l=54B37541

Video: Peaceful Art Journaling Session

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I spent an hour just playing in my art journal. It was so wonderful that I found myself once again saying, “why don’t I do this every day?”

I was art journaling daily for a while but I fell out of the habit when we all were sick in February. I was reminded today just how much I love playing in my journal and I have some fun ideas on how to make it a practice each day. I shared a bit in this week’s podcast and I hope to make and share more videos with you over the next few weeks.

For today I would love to invite you for some peaceful creative time. Maybe grab a cup of something warm, your favorite journaling supplies and let’s have a play together.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Video: Making Pockets for Our Teeny Mini Journals

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Today I made some teeny pockets to go with my teeny mini journals.

I have to say that these are so much fun to make and not just because I am delving down the world of miniatures. I love using up my scraps as I have said on here a lot and I really love making bits and pieces to add to my journals.

These pockets are really easy to make! I used some book pages I have on hand to make mine but regular copy paper or scrapbook paper would work just as well. I think using our DIY collage papers would be a fun element to add as well. You could use brown paper packaging or bags, old greetings cards, spent wrapping paper, junk mail-really there is no limit.

The construction of these is simple and the fun really comes in when you start decorating. I hope you have fun making these and be sure to comment and let me know if you make some! If you share photos you can tag me on Instagram as well!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Video: Making Teeny Mini Journals/Hidden Journaling/Ephemera

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I have minis on the mind.

If you read Thursdays blog post you know that I am delving into the world of miniatures. I think on some level my new dollhouse project has inspired these mini journals I am sharing with you today.

If you are an art journaler you may at times want to have a place where you can journal out some feelings or thoughts but hide them so they aren’t at the front and center of your page. It could be to keep these thoughts private or just to offer another place for the viewer to peak around in.

Regardless, tags and flip outs are great way to do this but I was inspired to try something different-enter the teeny mini journal.

If you have scraps and bits you would like to use up this is a great project for that! The size of the journals can be completely customized to the scraps you have on hand and if you just made a journal, all those little bits on your desk can find a home. Whether you make a tiny mini journal to go with your brand new larger journal or some tags or paper clips I just love creative ways to use up all my little bits and pieces.

I made my journals by sewing the pages together but you definitely can use a stapler to attach them. Old magazine pages, book pages, bits of trim and a button here and there were the main supplies I used to add some interest. The first book I decorated all the pages and the second two I left open for some secret journaling.

I hope you enjoy the video and if you make some teeny mini books-please do comment below and let me know!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

VIDEO: Altered Paper Clips & Paper Tabs: Using up Scraps and Making Simple Ephemera

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Hi everyone! I hope your week is going well. For me? I am playing on a very messy desk with lots of little bits of paper and string and I have a glue stick.

In short-my week is going great 🙂

Have I mentioned recently how much I love collage? (Yes, I know, I say it almost every time I visit with you!) The truth is though, I really love it! I also love using up my scraps, my collection of old magazines, book pages and all the other little bits and pieces us creative types can gather up.

In today’s play session I am sharing my version of making paper tabs and altered paper clips. These are such a fun and unique way to add elements to your journals and they are so customizable you can pretty much use anything you have.

I started off with some colorful magazine images but you could use junk mail, construction paper-whatever you have. That was my base and then I started adding some bits here and bits there of scraps, stamped words, book pages and ribbon. It’s similar to the way I made the paper clusters I shared with you on Monday.

The altered paper clips work pretty much the same way but I glued a paper clip in the middle and then glued the flaps together to hold it all in place. The altered paper clips are a fun way to make the page you are working on, a favorite image or just to add a little something to your art journals.

I always encourage you to use whatever you have on hand and never feel like you need to buy anything you see me using so if you don’t have a supply I’m using I offer options in the video but please feel free to comment and if you are stuck and I’ll see if I can offer some options.

I would love to see what you make too! If you have a creative type blog please do share the link below when you comment-I am always looking for more creative blogs to follow 🙂

Well that’s all I have for today! I’ll be back tomorrow with another Museum of Me blog post!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

VIDEO: Use up Your Scraps & Make Paper Clusters/Ephemera

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Today I am cleaning my desk.

Well, sort of.

Today I wanted to make some ephemera to add to my journal pages and I wanted to use up all the bits on my desk.

I thought it would be fun to make some ephemera to keep on hand for adding to my journal pages.

I didn’t give much thought to the process. I opened up my scrap drawer and pulled out some papers that were similar in color, then grabbed some other bits from my scrap box along with some stamped words I made.

A glue stick, some handmade buttons, lace and trim later and I have a nice little collection of paper clusters in blue, beige and pink.

I started with some decorative paper and cut it into rough squares and rectangles.

Next, I added some torn paper or book page (or both) followed by some trim. I used a bit of lace and a bit of embroidery floss a few stamped words and a button or two.

I rounded the corners on some and others I left square. If you don’t have a corner rounder you can always cut rounded corners with scissors.  On one I decided to punch a hole and add some lace to form a tag.

These are so simple (and fun) to make. Of course, in the end I used up scraps for sure but I also have a lot more on my desk now too. No worries-I have another post and video planned for Wednesday where we will make some paper tabs.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Music by Little Boots – Silver Balloons – https://thmatc.co/?l=54B37541