Gratitude Journal - For The Love of Paper

As many of you know I have a true love of paper.  Texture, weight, colour, finish, pattern there are so many papers for so many uses..  It seems I am always on the hunt for just the right paper for the task at hand.

Today I'm talking about the paper I use for dividers in my Gratitude Journals...it actually is more of a cover stock weight as opposed to paper...60lb give or take.  You want something heavy enough but not too thick as to take up much room.

Just like fabric or wool, patterned paper is just as endless.  There are themes upon themes of co-ordinating collections to droole over.  I equate choosing these lovelies to choosing fabric for quilting...you have to remember, you're not wearing it...go wild!

'The Gardener" has a Spring feel to it with butterflies and leaves but any of the papers may be changed out for a colour of your choice.  I like to combine different collections though the co-ordinating papers are wonderfully complimentary. 

You can keep to a particular colour theme such as 'The Fashionista' (my word description)

But if you're anything like me your colour pallet changes throughout the year, depending what you're working on and the season.  'The Romantic' is perfect for an Engagement, Wedding, Love or Romantic Journal.

The other fabulous thing about these papers is that they are double sided which means you actually are getting a whole new set of dividers to switch to…just flip them over.

These are just a minute sampling of the vast collection of papers available.  You may have a favourite colour scheme or theme…I can try to find it for you and create a unique look special to you.  

I hand pick, cut and fashion these dividers myself. . . no machines, just little ol' me trimming with scissors.  The punched cut outs are done with my Levenger Leverage Punch. . . a great tool.  The dividers can also be fashioned for a three-hole binder and in the Spring I will offer a larger version of the Journal. . . make sure you stop back in.

That's all for now,  take care and we'll talk soon.

Sheila

Gratitude Journal - Now What Do I Do?

So now you have your journal, you're wondering 'where do you start'. . . that's always the hard part, a blank page staring at you but here, there is no wrong way to do this, it's all about playing and having fun.  You'll see, it will be so easy by the time you're finished, you'll laugh.

I start with the blank Gratitude page, get familiar. . . and the best way to do this is doodle.  Get out whatever pen you love the most and put down some patterns.  I love my Copic multiliner 01size but the Sakura Micron pen 01 or 02 is just as fantastic, I switch back and forth between these two.

Then choose some colour, I use my Verithin coloured pencils 'cause that's what I have.  Copic markers work not bad but will bleed through to the other side so you actually can use the colour for both sides.  (If you're using markers try them out on a single sheet first to see what they do.)

Stick on some tissue tape, glue on some words, stamp on a date. . . whatever your little heart desires.

Now get in there and have fun!  That's an order!

Message me and let me know how you're getting along. . . I would love to hear.

Talk to you soon,

Sheila

Journaling Your Gratitude - Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

These are a few pages from my Gratitude Journal.

We have been hearing a great deal about Gratitude over the last 10 years or so and I agree, it is very important and brings an abundance of positive into our lives. . . that is how I began my journal journey.

A few months ago a dear friend of mine, Michelle Casey at Collage Your World, wrote about the importance of Gratitude and it hit me (well more like slapped me), wake up, this is something you need in your life and it has changed my attitude ten fold.

I kept it simple, for me it has to be do-able, I write five short sentences each day listing things I am grateful for.  I keep my book (I call it a book as it houses many other lists for my life) handy. . . where I drink my first coffee by the front window and reflect.

I'm a list keeper, it helps keep it all in perspective as my mind tends to jump everywhere all the time.

I started with this 3-ring binder format as I wanted to be able to take my papers out to doodle, colour and stick but the binder isn't always the most user friendly.

After doing a great deal of research I have found a better system . . . the Levenger or Arc system.  With these rings you can fold your paper right to the back and work on your page or even better these pages are removable and reposition-able. . . I like that a lot.

I find beautiful papers to make unique dividers and I have created insert pages just for your daily Gratitude.

I will be talking about pens, paper, new inserts in future posts so pop back to check or even better join the e-mail list

I have a real passion for paper . . . really nice paper and pens, drawing and fountain. . . I'll let you know what I find.

Talk to you soon,

S.

Art Journals

Once a month a few artsy gal pals of mine get together and do a book swap. Wendy from Dragonfly Dreams created the beautiful books for our group. We get to paint, draw, stamp, sew, glue or what ever grabs us at the moment. It's a lot of fun because you never know what you're going to get. I have Maggie's this month and I used a favourite photo I took a couple of years ago when I first got my Nikon. I trimmed it, and wrote inspiring text all around, something I love. Next month someone else may paint over some of it or add to it. It`s a wonderful way to connect with like minds and spend time with friends. Start your own group today.

Love to Journal

I don't know if anyone else is burdened with this affliction, when the weather is changing (pressure wise) terrible headaches ensue. They don't come very often, thank goodness, but it sure puts a kink in production. On the upside the days following are filled with flowing inspiration, so much so I've had to start a new journal just for new drawing ideas and techniques I want to try. I normally keep a journal to store 'reminders' of things I've seen, interesting facts and feelings that pop in, funky places I want to visit, supplies I need to replace...well you know how it goes, but this new journal is growing very fast. Journaling is a wonderful, fulfilling way to remind oneself of important content but also a creative way to stir the soul awake. The more you do the easier it becomes. Challenge yourself to journal...it may surprise you.