Letting go of perfect journal pages

On overcoming first page fears.

I’ve been slowly working in a new journal in response to the first set of Catalysts and Curiosities prompts. I thought the theme of connection was a fitting start. Take a peek at what I’ve been creating this week.

What journal am I using?

So, one thing about me is that I love making a new journal. You can never have too many journals, right? Something about picking out the papers for a fresh start feels incredibly freeing.

Maybe it’s because it doesn’t have any ‘mistakes’ yet.

The journal I've made is a standard Traveler's Notebook size insert with an upcycled paper bag for the cover. I shared the process of binding this journal, which included making patchwork pages from various ephemera and leftover papers. (And if you want to hear me chat about my current line-up of journals, watch this video.)

Building layers

The old postcard made an ideal base and washed away the dreaded fear of the first page. Being able to respond to something on the page, whether it’s a scribble or a book page, makes it a lot easier to get started. One of the many joys of binding my own journals with an eclectic mix of papers - no ‘blank’ pages!

• I used tissue paper, napkins, and white paint as a base layer for translucency and texture.

• In my scrap paper tin, I found an old doodle of a leaf on vellum, which added subtle interest to the collage cluster.

• As a nod to the warm tones in the prompts, I used stamps with earthy colours.

• I had been holding on to this dreamy peony illustration for a while, so what better place for it to shine than the first page?

Connecting with old art

When I sat down to create again later in the week, I did the unthinkable — I tore out pages from a half-finished sketchbook! It had experiments from a Laura Horn class I took years ago and I wanted to give them a new home. They felt a little unloved.

Pages from an old sketchbook.

I ripped the edges of the sketchbook page to size and tipped it into my journal with a mix of washi tape and masking tape. Adding details with slow stitching gave the page a bit of warmth and connected the pages. The second page is definitely a work in progress — it’s pushing me out of my comfort zone a little!

I used my typewriter to add one of the quotes from the prompts onto vellum. After a slight panic about making typos, simply re-writing the words and sticking paper over the top was the solution! Consider it a vintage aesthetic alternative to Wite-Out. Plus, I think it’s the perfect accidental ‘patchwork’ lettering that wouldn’t have happened if I had scrapped it.

A patchwork style quote to cover up my mistake.

A slower start to this art journal with one (and a half?) pages made, but that’s okay.

Let me know how you’re getting on with the first prompts!