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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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

Spring, Daffodils and Dollhouses

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I am sharing this week’s “Letters for Creatives” here on the blog. If you have been thinking of subscribing to my no more than weekly newsletter to receive more content like this directly in your inbox you can do that here.

The daffodils have buds.

I noticed today. The front yard is freshly melted, the snowman left behind his hat, gloves and scarf. The crocus in my backyard has shown flowers and spring is slowly trying to emerge.

I don’t feel quite ready for it just yet.

I love spring. Normally January has me pouring over seed catalogs and February is filled with the rearranging of furniture to make room for greenhouses and grow lights.

This year things are feeling different. In some ways I want to fly away rather than set down roots where I am. Like the seasons I am in this state of transition. A long pause where I wait for what I am being called to next.

I am very good with change. I crave it to be honest. Routines are something I admire in others but have never found the beauty of in my own life. In many ways I would be happy for making changes daily. Rearranging furniture, going to different places and just all around randomness is something I love.

Waiting however, I do not love. I love planning and dreaming about next steps and yet for now, I feel that I am just meant to wait. To see what bubbles up and to move when it is time to move and to sit when it’s time to sit.

To simplify. To do things more slowly. To be open and listen to the guidance when it’s ready to reveal itself.

I have decided to embrace some slow projects. Projects that will be on-going for as long as they need to be until they are done. One is a the renovation of my childhood dollhouse. I shared about this new adventure on my blog and have already started the renovation. One of the things I love most about this project is all the time I am spending just thinking about it. I imagine handmade roof shingles and paint colors. Windows that open up to miniature breezes and cozy little chairs waiting for a good book. Tables awaiting flowers and a cup of tea.

I am embracing making little things. Using up bits that have been collected over years and years of papercrafting. Tiny bits that can be added to a journal page or tucked in a book. Paper clusters & altered paper clips tucked in a little cup ready for a new home filled quite a few studio hours this week.

In all my plans and dreaming I do have one that has come true-the dream to be published. My first magazine article is coming out next month in Strawberry Moon and I cannot tell you how exciting it is. This also lead me to rejoin Instagram-something I left behind 3 years ago along with all other social media. Instagram was always my favorite, following poets, and artists of all types and being inspired by their creations. I’m starting off slowly and keeping things intentional, excited to see where this journey might lead.

I recorded this week’s podcast with a young helper in my studio. My son asked to join me this week and he and I spent some quality one-on-one time in the coziness of my studio space. He came over when I was recording my podcast interested in how you can have confidence in yourself as an artist. He told me after that he always judges his own work and thinks it’s not good enough. It was sweet to see him listening intently as I recorded and sad to think that even at just 8 years old he doubts his own validity as an artist. As moments do it gave us a chance to talk where I shared all the things I love about his art and creativity and my own insecurities about my own.

I think in many ways, spring, like me, is testing the waters. Wondering if she’s ready to come into full bloom or maybe she wants just a bit more time to stay cozy indoors. Nap, drink tea and dream of dollhouses and daffodils.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante