by Mischelle Smith

When it comes to journaling, I’m a beginner. It’s been a fun transition going from die-hard stamper to the mixed media world and now into journaling. I’ve been able to bring many of my skills with me and I’m learning new skills daily. I wanted to do a spread in my journal that used Imagine’s color of the month Greenery and the artist challenge “You Feeling Me?” If you happen to be new to journaling, like me, then I’d recommend starting with a simple spread like this. I’ve discovered that my Memento Markers are the best journaling pens I have and they coordinate with the ink pads what I’ve used on my pages … LOVE that!

Directions

Step 1

Stamp Pear Tart onto Imagine’s mat several times. Using a palette knife, add shimmer Creative Medium to the ink and mix gently. Do not mix the entire color so several shades of Pear Tart show through the Creative Medium.

Step 2

Stamp Bahama Blue onto the craft mat and add into the Creative Medium mix. Again, don’t over work the mix.

Step 3

Adhere stencil to journal page with washi tape. Use a palette knife to apply the Creative Medium mixture. Apply the mixture onto the left page at the bottom and top. Set aside and let dry completely. Adhere Travel Notes stencil to page and color with Bahama Blue Memento. Repeat using a mottled circle stencil. Stamp randomly on the pages using VersaFine with travel theme stamps.

Step 4

Sketch a boat onto kraft paper and cut out. Wade pieces up and then flatten out. Distress boat with VersaMark ink. Set aside. Place a hard craft mat behind the right-hand page. Cut along the edges of the waves to create a niche for the boat. Place the boat in between the waves. Attach with On Point Glue. Use Tear It Tape to attach the right-hand page to the page behind it. Hiding the cut in the page and the back of the boat. Use Memento Markers to doodle and journal around the pages. Use Memento Markers to doodle and journal around the pages. Flick New Sprout and Bahama Blue Fireworks on pages. Spray pages with Frost Shimmer Spray.

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The steps above can serve as dozens of variations on the inside pages of a journal. One could stay busy with these ideas for days! To transition to thinking of the front cover, I thought I’d break it up a bit. I love green and as soon as I sprayed a touch of New Sprout Fireworks on leftover canvas I knew I wanted to make a journal. The combination of green with aqua blue’s is a favorite of mine so adding Bahama Blue Fireworks with the New Sprout worked perfectly. Creating this cover was super easy … filling up the pages is what takes time and thought.

Directions

Step 1

Spray canvas scraps with New Sprout and Bahama Blue Fireworks. Let dry. Tear pages from old books, hymnals and dictionaries to add as pages. Modpodge the front and back of each page. Let dry.

Step 2

Lay canvas and pages in the order you like. Secure the center with a pin. Stitch the album together with a needle and thread. Draw a line down the center with a ruler and stitch on this line. Decorate the cover with washi tape, stamped sentiments, and hand-drawn elements. Personalize with your favorite quotes and phrases. Add any additional items. In the photo above, I included a butterfly stencil. Finish by flicking Fireworks onto canvas to match the base.

Supplies

Imagine

Memento Luxe – Pear Tart, Bahama Blue
Creative Medium – Shimmer
VersaFine – Tuxedo Black
Memento Marker – Tuxedo Black, Sky Blue, Rich Cocoa, Bahama Blue, Teal Zeal, Nautical Blue, Pear Tart, Danube Blue
VersaMark 
Fireworks! – New Sprout, Bahama Blue
Sheer Shimmer Spray – Frost
Daubers – Sponge and Jumbo
On Point Glue
Tear It! Tape
Palette Knives
Craft Mat

Other

Stencil Girl – Whimsical Waves, Travel Notes Mini
Close To My Heart – Stamps
Cardstock
Mottled Circle Stencil
Craft knife
Washi tape
Journal
Canvas Scraps
Old book pages
Modpodge
Foam Brush
Adhesive
Scissors
Needle
Thread
Ruler
Pencil