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: 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: DIY Journal Charms

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Another happy Monday to you.

I had planned on sharing this video last week for my Wednesday video but I just couldn’t seem to get it done. I worked on the charms and tried to record the video but I kept running out of time. Rather than fret about it I just let it go and planned on sharing it with you today. I hope it’s worth the wait!

I have to say that these charms were so much fun to make. You know I love using materials I can find in my recycling bin or floating around on my desk and this project uses both. You can use some fancy punches to cut out your shapes or, if you don’t have any, you can make them how I do in the video and just trace and cut.

I started out tracing a circle using a cap from my tempera paint stick. I traced 3 circles, cut them out then glued them together. I painted the front and back, added a few collage elements from a magazine and some tissue paper and finished up with a tiny focal image. I repeated the same steps to make a rectangle and heart shaped charm.

I used Mod Podge Glossy to attach my elements and it also works as a sealer but you could add an additional sealer over top once all your elements dry if you wanted to.

Then I just punched a small hole and added thread and some charm pins. I think these would look really cute dangling in bunches from the end of a handmade journal. If you don’t have a hole punch you could also punch a hole using your pokey tool. I would punch each layer of cardboard prior to gluing them together and then just line up the holes when you glue it all down.

I hope you enjoy today’s video. If you make any of these charms please do let me know-you know how I love to see what you make!

That’s all for today-wishing you a lovely start to your week!

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

Book Club Thursdays-Care to Join Me?

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Happy Thursday everyone!

(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 mentioned last week that I want to use my Thursday posts to keep things here on the blog-well bloggy. (My daughter says if you use a word it’s a word so there we go).  I also think Thursdays would be a great time to give you a book club update. I have been a bit slow on my reading goals the past 2 months having only finished 4 books this year. As I was finalizing today’s post I had the idea to make Thursdays our official book club night. It would be a great way to keep me reading and sharing and also give me something to talk with you about each week.

You can join in on your own blog (You can use the image I have above if you like) or on Instagram (I have an Instagram friendly image below) and tag #bookclubwiththedreamingdilettante. Feel free to share what you are reading, would like to read or some new reading goals you have. I really think it would be fun to share blogs we love to read too-maybe feature one blog a week on your site along with your books. It’s completely open to your own interpretation and if you would like to join in the linky part the details are at the end of this post. Also if you do share on your blog please comment below with a link so I can stop by and say “hi!”

And now…on to book club!

I just finished a book called “No One Noticed the Cat” by Anne McCaffrey. (affiliate link)  I was at the library checking out some books on hold (more on those later) and I saw this book and decided to give it a try. It was only about 120 pages and so I liked the idea of a quick read to get my count up and it turned out to be a really interesting book. I had never heard of it before but apparently the author is the number #1 female science fiction writer of all time. The book is about castles, good princes, true love and an evil queen. I would definitely recommend it.

The other 3 books I picked up are “Orphan Train” by Christina Baker Kline,  (affiliate link) “The Giver of Stars” by JoJo Moyes (affiliate link) and “Eternal Life” by Dara Horn (affiliate link).  The first two came to my attention after reading Slices of Life’s blog post on her favorite historical fiction books. I picked the first two up from the local library along with “Eternal Life” that I also found while browsing the shelves. Am I the only one who can’t walk the shelves of a library without picking up at least 2 extra books?

In an attempt to make some headway on my reading goal and to get back into my reading habit I am reading these in order of pages least to greatest. So I am currently reading “Eternal Life” and only a few pages in and I am really enjoying it. The story grips you from the beginning and I can’t wait to finish.

My reading goal this year was 1 book a week so I am hoping to read 2 per week for a bit to make up for February and March. I do love reading but I find I have fallen out of the habit a bit something I plan to correct.

So that’s all for this week’s book club. I hope you are doing well and getting some time each day for your creativity (and reading!) Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

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