Journal Making

Video: Making a Word of the Year Art Journal

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I am sitting cozy under a blanket watching one of my favorite movies of late, “Jungle Cruise.”  I absolutely love Emily Blunt and how she portrays such a confident woman in Lilly. This is the second time I am watching this when struggling with feelings of anxiety and there is something about this movie that just makes me feel cozy and calm.

That and writing to you.

I hope your year is off to a wonderful start and that you are moving at exactly the right pace for you.

I had planned to get more work done last week but it looks like this week will be the start for my new creative schedule.  I am excited to share more creative inspiration with you and on a bit more of a regular schedule.

I am kicking off with the Making an Art Journal for our Word of the Year video I promised in last week’s video. If you would like to watch me make a colorful, textured art journal then you may enjoy the video below.


I am committing this year to a regular check-in with my word of the year. I created enough pages in the journal to do a double page spread each week but I have also created the grace inside the journal that if I don’t check in as often as I would like-that’s alright too.

Our journals are meant to be places where we can show up as we are when we need. I am not looking at this as a”have-to” item but rather a “get-to.” Something that deeply nourishes me and the dreams I have for 2023.

And they are some big ones!

I would love for you to join me. Whatever you are feeling for this year. Whatever you are hoping to experience or achieve this year I would love for you to join me. You can subscribe to my weekly newsletter-where I will share all the latest videos and content by clicking the link here. I cannot wait to hear what some of your big dreams are for this year. Please share them in the comments below.

If you would like to purchase my Word of the Year Workbook you click here to go to my shop.

 

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Video: Making Our Popcorn Journals: No Sew/No Special Tools

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Happy Monday!

As you read that we are officially back to home school. Right now I am probably picking up pencils off the floor and trying to keep my now 4 year-old occupied without going through all the special homeschool items I purchased for this purpose. With any luck I was able to get some nice photos of the first day and the kids are excited about some new surprise goodies that the moaning and groaning is at a minimum.

The Michele who writes this is full of hope 🙂

If you remember a few weeks back I shared the idea of a “popcorn journal.” (If not you can read and watch the video here).

The idea was that on those nights when we want to crash on the couch and binge watch our favorite show that we could make a tiny bit of art in the 2 minutes it takes to pop our popcorn.

At the time I had planned to use an actual popcorn box for this purpose but I seemed to misplace it when it came to make the video.

I also realized that I had brought all my book binding tools back home to the Creative Corner and had very limited items here at the studio.

My first instinct was to just do it another time but I had no idea what to film for today. So I took a moment and was guided to just make what I could make with what I had on hand.

Years ago I used to make some “Use What You’ve Got” videos on my YT channel. As much as I love an art supply and I love it even more when creators share links to what they are using I really want to be mindful of what I share. I never want anyone to think you need a specific tool or a specific paint color to create. I think it’s so important to encourage everyone to create where they are at with what they have.

And that’s just what I did in this video.

The journal is no sew, uses a box from the recycling bin and printer paper to construct the cover. You just need some PVA glue or Mod Podge, printer paper and then whatever you want to create with to decorate the cover.

It’s that easy.

You can add a little reinforcement with some painters tape or masking tape but it’s definitely not necessary. You could do the same with some paper bag, magazine pages or more printer paper. You could even leave it as is.

As I was making (and figuring out) this journal what really stood out what how much fun I was having making it. I wasn’t worried about it looking perfect but rather I was just enjoying making a journal.

This isn’t the best way to make an art journal. It’s not going to give you a polished look but it will be an expression of your creativity. It will give you some time with your materials to have fun. I also think that when the journal isn’t picture perfect and pristine, it’s easier to just dig in and start putting some color on the pages. It doesn’t feel so precious this way.

I really hope you have fun and even make yourself a “popcorn journal.” If you do please comment below or on the video I would love to hear!

I am thinking that my journal is going to hold pages for the zines that are bouncing around in my head. I have really wanted to make a zine for a long time now and I just seem to get blocked each time. I am hoping this journal will spark the creative spirit and get me going.

Are you ready to make your journal? You can watch the video below.

I also plan to share some quick videos of my 2 minute art making both here on the blog and my YT channel so you can do the whole subscribe to the newsletter channel thing if you want. Or just stop in and look around from time to time.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Summer Solitude, Art & Flowers

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I am sitting with freshly painting nails writing to you. It’s late evening-a moment shy of 11pm-and the house is silent.

My family has gone on a little adventure with extended family and I am left home with the furry kids and a silent house.
This is my second time at home alone for several days in just 2 months. Before May I think it was a good 6 or 7 years since I had the house to myself and then it had only been for the day.

I have lots to share of my current creative projects along with some book club updates but I will save that for another day.

Over the 4th of July long weekend I picked some rhubarb from the garden and along with some purchased strawberries made my husband’s favorite rhubarb and strawberry crumble. I halved the sugar recommended and I believe even the butter and it was still absolutely delicious. My oldest was expressing an interest in photography so I asked her to snap a photo for the blog. She agreed as long as I gave her credit 🙂 I am also sharing a few of my favorite photos she took around the garden.

Photo Credit Abbie

I have a fun story about these Day Lillies. When I was young there was a spot in down we used to drive by and these flowers grew in a large number there and I just loved them. I didn’t know their name but anytime I saw them I just knew I wanted to have them someday.

They appeared in my yard-and I don’t remember how-and now they grow everywhere! I have since learned they are known as “Ditch Lillies” and it would seem that I have attracted them in an abundance! Still they are beautiful.

Photo Credit Abbie

And another favorite are the Elderberries. Last year was my first year growing them and they did so well. I made Elderberry syrup from them and am looking forward to doing the same this year. They have taken over their little corner of the garden so they will be pruned back in the fall otherwise I fear they may take over 🙂 They are so pretty (and useful!)

Photo Credit Abbie

I also cut some flowers to bring indoors. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the summer-to cut flowers and place them in repurposed glass jars all over the house. The snapdragons were purchased (although I did start some from seed) and while their flowers are beautiful the purchased ones are short and stocky and didn’t last in the vases at all.

The rest of the garden is starting to come into flower though and I was able to cut my first sunflower of the year today (you can see it in the photo below). This particular sunflower is one of 2 volunteers that somehow grew in the pathway of my flower garden. If I am honest they are in less than an idea spot but I just couldn’t bring myself to uproot them so they will enjoy the summer just where they are.

I also decided to really embrace decorating my home. I have been letting that go a bit and it’s something I love. I decided to start with seasonal decor for my mantel and have 2 more items I am waiting on but they all looked so pretty with the sunflower, bachelor buttons, zinnia and celosia.

And then of course there is art making. It began with a nice clean out of my creative corner. DH moved his desk out and we moved our rabbit Frank in. The best part is Frank’s cage sits under a large desk and with the purchase of shelving I now have a lot more storage for my supplies along with a drying area which was something I really needed.

I cleaned out my rolling carts too. I didn’t have them set up very practically and so I made sure I moved out anything I wasn’t using and put my most used (and loved) items on the top shelves and they are so much more functional-not to mention they look so much better.

I have started sewing a t-shirt but am procrastinating on attempting the v-neck so it’s been sitting aside for me to be in the right frame of mind to learn this new technique. I have been taking part in Carla Sonheim’s collage class and really enjoying it. You can still sign up for the course for lifetime access I believe.

I’m working on embroidering a few pieces of clothing and cannot wait to share them with you. I really want to make more of my own clothes but as I am still working on the sewing skills I felt it would just as fun to make some of my clothing my own. I love embroidery and love that I can sit in the evening with it while we watch a little TV before bed.

I’ve started making some journals and some sticker sheets. I would love to open up a little shop but have been procrastinating there as well. I love making things and I especially love the idea of making stickers since I use them so much but I always seem to determine they aren’t good enough and that’s where it ends. Do you find it hard to make things for others? My eye is always so much more critical that way.

Lastly I have started a collage painting of our home. I am trying out a combination of a class I am taking on Skillshare (this is an affiliate link and you make a purchase using this link I earn a small commission) along with some of my own ideas and of course I will share with you when it’s done.

What have you been working on this summer? I would love to hear! You can always comment down below or message me directly.

Wishing you a lovely day.

Until next time…

-Michele aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Little Books of Words: Writing Words Part 1

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The house has a chill to it. Spring has turned cold again reminding me that nature is forever changing and shifting and moving forward. Spring reminds me that we need to be present in the now and not take for granted that because something has been labeled one way it will act in a certain way.

Not seasons, not people. We are all forever changing and shifting and growing.  Perhaps meeting ourselves (and those around us) new each time might open the door for magic.

I was inspired today to write a poem. I pulled out my little planner that is more journal than planner and jotted down a few small words. It was clear that this little poem of mine was perfect for my Little Book of Words so I jotted it down-my first entry. I would love to share it with you.

“As the Garden Grows…”
As the garden grows
some plants wither some plants bloom
some birds arrive some fly away
sun shines
rain falls
snow blankets the earth
all as
the garden grows.

What is in your little book of words? Please feel free to share below.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

 

Music by Joystock – https://www.joystock.org

 

 

 

Little Books of Words: Making Your Book

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I love making books.

I especially love making books out of upcycled materials-namely cardboard boxes. I first learned to this from watching one of Jennibellie’s YouTube videos and I couldn’t believe that I could make a book using a cereal box. (I link to her channel in my resource section in the sidebar if you want to check it out-she has some amazing tutorials!

Over the years I have tried lots of ways. Some fancy, some simple. In fact I have gotten to a point where I can’t look at a box and think about weather or not it would make a great journal or not.

Yesterday I was looking at a box I had saved and thought it would be a perfect journal to make for my Little Books of Words series. If you aren’t familiar with that-check out the original post here.

Now I am not sure what this book will hold but I am thinking a bit of collage combined with some words. Maybe even collaged words? I don’t know but I had fun making it whether it’s going to hold poetry, collage or photos your journal can be totally unique to you.

Making the journal isn’t hard and you can use materials you already have on hand-especially ones you have rescued from your recycling bin. In this video I am showing you how to use a regular box as is for the journal but if you would like to see some options-if perhaps you don’t have a box ready to go-please comment below I would be happy to make a video for you.

If you make your own “Little Book of Words” please share it with me I would love to see it! Your book can hold anything-favorite quotes, fun things people said, lists of places you would like to go or things you would like to do-there are no limits. I hope you enjoy the video!


Until Next Time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Music by Joystock – https://www.joystock.org

Little Books of Words Part 1

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This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is love-story-g080aef9a6_1920-1024x768.jpg I am in love with poetry.

I have always loved poetry. I began writing poetry at the age of 8. My first poem was about my Cabbage Patch Kids and was co-written with a loving family friend. The same woman who first introduced me to poetry. I have piles and piles of poems and find that my writing tends to come and go through out my life.

I rekindled my love of poetry watching the TV Show “Dickinson” on Apple TV and I found it really inspiring. It has reconnected me not only to my love of writing and reading poetry but my love for Emily Dickinson‘s poetry. I was introduced to her poetry at a young age when I purchased a small collection that was called “love poems.” She moves me like no other.

All of this has brought me to my latest project. Emily Dickinson collected some of her poems in hand bound books she made herself. She wrote on recycled envelopes and I just love the idea of making some miniature books of my own.

So I decided to create a little project making similar books of poetry. I don’t plan to stop with poetry either. I am planning on making lots of little books. Some with little pieces of art-think ATC cards in book form. A collection of quotes or song lyrics. Random images from magazines-the possibilities are endless! The past week I have been having lots of fun dying copy paper fun colors. I did a batch with Rit Dye and they came out beautiful. I was interested in finding a way that didn’t use dye so I tried Kool-aid mix which came out just as great! I love the crinkly texture of dyed paper but I am less interested in the vintage look you get from coffee or tea dying so this a great alternative! I have made pink so far (it’s my favorite color) and I have some orange mixed up for my son since orange is his favorite color and a pack of purple to try out later. I think this paper would be wonderful for my first little book of poetry.

I hope you are having a wonderful start to your week. We had plumbing issues at the start of the week which landed us in a hotel room for the night. It was a fun little adventure for the kids and I and actually rekindled my spark for some solo adventuring that I hope to be sharing with you soon. So that is all I have for today. Please comment below if you plan to make some of your own little books or if you have ideas for little book themes-I would love to hear them! I also would like to leave you with a few lines from Ms. Emily Dickinson:

“Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all”

-Emily Dickinson

 

Until next time,

-Michele