Videos

Video: Pretty Pink Journal Page

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(Please note this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using these links you don’t pay anything more but I earn a small commission)

I wanted to create something pretty, soft and pink today.

Originally I hadn’t planned on filming but decided to hit record just in case and I’m glad I did. I don’t often sit down to my art journal with an particular idea in mind. I hardly ever know what I am going to create before hand but today I had a theme in mind.

I wanted to create something to go on the flyer for my new in-person art journaling class. I wanted it to be bright and soft and really convey a feeling of peace and calm so I turned to my favorite color-soft pink.

I began by adding gesso to the pages and then dried it with my heat tool Once it was dry I added some old book pages I had in my scraps drawer with matte Mod Podge (affiliate link). I then wen through some old magazines and chose a pretty pink photo of some dahlias to add along the bottom. The rest of the images I struggled with but in the end I think it’s the addition of lace and pink sari silk that really pulled the page together.

I hope you enjoy the video and that you maybe even create alongside me. If you do be sure to comment below and let me know what you made!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

 

Music by Saint Stephen – 50’s Milkshake – https://thmatc.co/?l=352EAE2D
Music by Eli Lev – Dancin’ on the Lawn – https://thmatc.co/?l=9EA04504

Video: Interactive Journal Page: Create a Door with a Secret Message

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I thought it would be fun to break in my new handmade journal with an interactive page at the back. It’s really a simple process and you can place pretty much anything in your little secret door. I am thinking of writing an inspirational message on the back of my heart but you could put a photo, a focal image-anything!

I kept my image loose but you could glue it in if you want.

I began by cutting out my heart shape twice from a piece of chipboard and gluing them together. Then I began gluing several pages together. I added gesso to the heart since I wasn’t sure if I was going to paint and collage or just collage. Then I added gesso to the journal pages, some paint and some stamped images for a background. I also added a focal image from a book I have on birds and flowers. I glued all my images down with mod podge and then used mod podge to add some dictionary pages and tissue paper to the heart. I then used the heart to get an idea of how big to make the door and cut through all the layers on three sides. I put a cutting mat behind them to protect my journal cover.

I ended up adding a bit of ribbon to the door with a button for decoration. I am so happy with how it turned out and it was really fun to make! I can’t wait to get some more done in this journal.

You can watch the video below and maybe make an interactive page in your own journal.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Music by Julia Pauletti – You Are Mine – https://thmatc.co/?l=63BE6B37
Music by Eli Lev – Dancin’ on the Lawn – https://thmatc.co/?l=9EA04504
Music by Saint Stephen – 50’s Milkshake – https://thmatc.co/?l=352EAE2D

Making a Mini Journal

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I might be addicted to making mini journals. If you saw my post on teeny mini journals you may know what I am talking about. Today’s journal making fun is larger than the teeny journals but so much fun to make. I used Bristol paper and it only took 3 small sheets. You could use any paper really depending on how you want to create in your journal. I am thinking of using these to house some inspirational quotes but I might be adding some images to the pages as well.

I cut eat piece of Bristol paper to about 4″x6″ and then I added acrylic paint with my finger to create a natural background. I have some ideas for how I am going to add the quotes to the pages and I will add some embellishments but I liked the idea of having the pages prepped for when I have my quotes all gathered.

I am also planning on adding some beads or decorative elements to the strings which is why I bound it so that the strings where on the outside. This is such an easy and fun project and the idea of filling a journal in just one art journal session feels really satisfying.

I hope you enjoy the video and please let me know if you make some I would love to hear how you plan on filling your journal.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Video: Secret Door Jumbo Journal Tag

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It was a beautiful spring day yesterday. And today, in full spring fashion-it rained. Still, the beautiful weather yesterday, my daffodils and hyacinths being in bloom all inspired me to make some spring themed tags. Initially I was going to share how I made some of my small tags but I made them in a similar fashion to all my collage pieces. Then I had an idea of making a secret door in a tag. And not just any tag-a Jumbo Journal Tag.

The tags are so fun to make and you don’t need any special tools or punches. You can cut up paper to whatever size you want, cut an angle on one side and use that piece as a template to cut the other angle and then decorate however you like. My tag was traced from a tag I had printed from the Illustrated Faith Armor of God Mini Book Kit but it’s approximately 7.5″ x 4.5″ I am using items from my stash to decorate-namely my Lollipop Box Club kits which are always so bright and happy-perfect for spring!

The door can be any shape you like but I chose to add some of my smaller tags to make the door a bit more secret. I hope you enjoy this video and if you decide to make some Jumbo Journal Tags please let me know!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

 

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

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: Using DIY Collage Pages in Your Art Journal

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Today I am sharing one of my favorite practices with you-collage.

I say it all the time but there is just something I love about tearing and gluing down bits of paper. Sometimes I will clean up my desk after a project by picking up all the little bits of paper and gluing them down in my journal. I love using a wet glue for this like matte Mod Podge or regular white glue diluted with a little water.

Today I am sharing a process art journal page from start to finish using the DIY collage pages we made yesterday.

I started off by going through my pages and choosing several that I felt like playing with. I didn’t over think this process and just chose ones I liked.

Then I started tearing some pieces from the pages and gluing them into my journal. Again I didn’t really think too much about this and just had fun.

Once the pieces were glued down I dried them with my heat tool and decided to add a drawing as my main image. I had been sketching faces in a new journal I received at Christmas and I used one of them as my inspiration. I took just a piece of printer page that was on my desk and began sketching with a water soluble pencil. Once I was happy with my sketch I added some color with my watercolor pencils. Originally I thought I would activate them but I decided I really liked the sketchy look so I left them.

I used a glue stick to apply the image to the page and then took some green craft paint to paint around her and the opposite page, pulling all the elements together. Then I took another of the collage pages and cut a heart out of the page to add to my left side page. Before gluing down I added some book page behind the heart and cut out the word “love” from the dictionary to add.

I am really happy with this page. I am always hesitant about my drawing skills but that’s exactly why we should draw! Adding as many handmade elements to our journals personalizes them in a really unique way and helps to build our confidence in our own creativity.

I hope you enjoy watching the video below. If you have any questions please let me know!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Music by Ben Camden – Take Me Away – https://thmatc.co/?l=8E9D24E7