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

My First Magazine Article is HERE! (Strawberry Moon Magazine Issue #5)

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I am so excited for this week’s Museum of Me share!

If I were to pick a theme for this installment of Museum of Me it would be “Dreams Realized.”  It’s easy to think that if something hasn’t happened in a pre-imagined time frame that it will never happen. To think that we need to realize a goal by a certain age or a certain life phase can in some cases cause us to give up. It is my deepest hope that I will keep dreaming and keeping working towards new goals until the last breath leaves me.

I was 8 years old when I decided I wanted to be a writer. As a child I was so committed to this that I felt I was a writer. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I started to believe I wasn’t a writer because I hadn’t checked certain boxes that I had for myself.  It’s taken me a few decades to realize that we don’t need anything external of us to define us. For me, having my words published is a dream come true and I hope, if you have a long-held dream, you won’t give up hope or stop working towards your goal.

You may remember I mentioned that I have an article coming out-it’s my first published work and I am just so over the moon! I wrote a bit about my journey as a writer in this post but to say that this is the realization of a life-long dream is no exaggeration.

If you aren’t familiar with Strawberry Moon it’s a wonderful new, independent publication. Each issue is jammed full of creative inspiration and beautiful photos from talented artists from all over. If you are an art journaler or mixed media artist I really think you will enjoy it.

Issue #5 is all about Self-care, a subject I am passionate (and always learning) about. I was so honored to be included among other talented artists and writers to offer our take on Self-Care as a creative practice. I hope you enjoy my contribution as much as I enjoyed creating it.

If you are interested in pre-ordering this issue you can do that here.

I will have lots more to share in the upcoming month-including a new class launch that will be available over on Teachable in April. (If you are a newsletter subscriber you will also receive a special discount code for the class). It’s going to be lots of mixed-media, textured filled, paint covered hands fun and I do hope you will join me!

Another announcement is that I am back on Instagram. If you remember I left social media about 3 years ago and while I don’t miss it I thought that Instagram would be a nice way to connect with other creatives and to share some of the projects I’m working on. I don’t plan to dedicate tons of time to each but if you would like to follow me you can find me here.

Well that’s it for today’s installment of Museum of Me. I have been so excited to share this with you all and I will be sure to let you know when I have the issue in my hands. I think a special Vlog on Dilettante TV will be in order 🙂

Wishing you a lovely day!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Sharing this post as part of Kym’s Museum of Me Blog Series.
You can read Kym’s blog here.

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