Journal With Me "In the Garden"

In this video I show you how I created a journal page about my garden. I used my "In the Garden" collection which is available here: https://www.mrsbrimbles.co.uk/product-tag/an-english-garden/

Watercolour Journal Spots and Journal Cards

This month as part of the Mrs Brimbles Creative Team I have been playing with watercolours and drawing gum again, but in a completely different way to last time. In Anna's latest Patreon tutorials, she has been showing us how to create something called 'Journal Spots', journaling cards that use drawing gum to create a resist area that we can then use to write or journal on. I love them!

I have created 4 different cards, each with a different purpose in mind. The one above is for my Happiness and Bloom Journals (both of which are junk journals). I have used the cards as prompts for further journaling. The one below is one of my long term goals: To move to Spain, it is something that I WILL be doing, even if takes until retirement to get there.

The Growth and Happy journaling cards are my Words of the Year, so something I have been holding dear and trying to live up to. Happy seems to be working for me at the minute. I have been much happier in my work and this has had a knock on effect in all areas of my life. I have used the card to document my weekend at Cambs Planner Con last week and you can see this in my journal below. It was such a lovely event and great to finally get to meet some of the lovely people I have spoken to online and to see friends that I have already met through the planner and journaling community. The page also uses stickers from Anna from both the ones that were sent with our ticket and ones from the latest Brimbles Box (Planner Nerds Bright's).

I've loved creating and using the Journal Spots and it is something I will be creating and making again. Do check out Anna's Patreon Page, she has updated it to include lots of new goodies and rewards including a tier where you can get the Brimbles Box included.

Take Care and I will see you soon,
​Kerry xx

Catch me on my blog - kerrymaymakes.com
​
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It's like greeting an old friend: Getting back into Creative Journalling

Hey guys!

I've been on a bit of a creative spurt since coming back from Cambs Planner Con. I'm not sure whether it is being in a room full of creative people or having spent time with amazing friends surrounded by like minded individuals on a mini holiday from normality. Once the post planner con blues have passed I'm left feeling rejuvenated and inspired!

For some time I've been in a creative lull, my journals both my art ones and my documenting ones have been left pretty much untouched since mid December (I've still not finished my Dec Daily!!). I've been creating, in the sense of dying leather and creating beautiful (if I do say so myself) planners for other people, but I've not created anything just for me.

Now the rush of stock making and creating for Cambs has finished I've had time to sit down and just create, and create, and create! Not only have I been involving myself in new areas of creativity (Mermay & Kerry's Monthly Challenges) I've also had a breakthrough. I've started working my way through alllll the pretty ephemera and papers I've hoarded for years. It is a turning point for sure!

I've two creative journal spreads to share with you today. The first documenting my trip with J to the cake baker for our wedding.....a rather tasty trip!! I thought this spread would perfectly suit Anna's 'We go together' Collection. The second documenting my time away for Cambs Planner Con 2018.

We go together like...

Often when the vellums (this one is from Filofabulousss) I use in my actual planning planner become too tatty or torn from use I'll include them in my creative journals. This insert is one I made especially for this entry as I thought the gorgeous teacups suited the theme perfectly, although I didn't have tea at the tasting, boo! Tea and cake, mmmm!

I began with a gentle water colour wash, I tried to pick out colours which complimented the teacups. I didn't want anything too bold or strong that it would overshadow the rest of the page. I then tentatively used my heatgun to quickly dry the wash....the thing still scares me!

Whilst I deliberated which pieces from the 'We go together' Collection I wanted to include, I used my  Canon Slephy to print off the photos. I will often print more than I use, so a) I have more choices available and b) I'll print other photos from other days so as not to waste the paper.

Space can be a bit of a premium for me at times, I like to leave a lot of white space, for my writing, which often navigates around the photographs and any bits of ephemera I've included. So using a journal card washi'd (is that even a word?) down as a flip out window really helps free up some of this real estate. I've also recently adopted Anna's style of adding a tab, which I came across in one of her DecDaily Youtube Videos. The tabs really do add that little bit extra to the window, gives it a bit more purpose, I think. 

Next played around with some 12x12 paper scraps I had left over from making this insert. I had a bit of mishap with the double sided tape and ended up ripping up some of the paper underneath. I need to  be a little more brave about just going with where I've stuck something down. In the end though I managed to cover it up with another sticker. When we travelled that morning the air was incredibly misty or foggy? Either way, it was pearly white and it always made me feel so nostalgic. Like I'm a kid again embarking on a new adventure.

I'm quite pleased with how the pages turned out. I decided to put the date on the vellum, I wasn't sure at first but I felt it needed to be tied in to the spread a little more as initially it felt like it was kinda just plonked there. A bit of layering and more washi and I'm a happy bunny. I'm really drawn to layering at the minute which you'll see in the next few pages I did documenting my trip to Cambridge for Cambs Planner Con 2018.

Cambridge Planner Con 2018

Whilst I was creating the above spread I decided to watch Anna's latest Patreon videos where Anna explores and demonstrates how to create your own ephemera. It got me thinking about how I would document Cambscon. The colour scheme Anna chose for this year was spot on! So bright and colourful, it sparked so many creative ideas for me. 

It has been an awful long time since I've made my own ephemera and journal cards, I tend to stick to scrapbook collections, and honestly I'd forgotten just how fun it was to make them myself. I didn't have to search through all the little bags of ephemera looking for the right colour or theme. I could just make them to fit exactly what I was after. 

I wanted to follow the bold and bright colours Anna chose for the event. So I grabbed out some of my acrylic paints and set to work. I tried to mix the colour palette in a way I wouldn't usually, for instance I tend to shy away from putting pink and green hues together. But here I decided to just have fun and try something different. Pushing away my usual creative lines. 

I really love how this page turned out. At first I wasn't sure how I was going to tie all the aspects together as  I just wasn't feeling it. Once I had added a few more layers and some phrases to the photos it began to feel more cohesive. I love the contrast of the black washi against the bright green and yellow acrylics!

Here I totally stole this idea from Anna's patreon video! Shameless but it is such an effective way of adding lettering to your page as well as creating interesting visuals. I had some left over bits from the ephemera pages I made, so I used a paper punch to punch the circles and then used a Sharpie Fineliner to add the letters. I'm definitely going to use this more often in my pages!

I'm not too keen on the black border on the yellow piece of ephemera I made, so I decided to hide it as much of it as I could...haha. A couple of stickers added and it softened the harsh edge a little more. I've also left quite a of white space as I have one or two more photographs to add, but, unfortunately I ran out of paper, so I'll stick them in when my new batch arrives. I have just clipped in the photo at the top for now until I can work out how I want to place them. 

I got a little carried away with the alpha stickers and realised I'd left very little space for me to add my writing, however, I love how this page turned out. To me it represents perfectly the excitement and buzz I felt just before everyone came through the doors. I did catch the 'Awesome' sticker as I was peeling it off the backing and the white layer underneath was showing. So I covered the worst parts with the gold stars and actually I think it looks even better for it. A happy little accident! 

Another flip out window tab thing (I'm still not sure what I want or should call it!). Initially I was going to add this to the acetate but I didn't like the way the sticky tape showed on the reverse so I opted for the good ol' washi trick. I've left it a fairly blank so I have some space to write! I get so carried away I often forget this part, haha. 

Here I've included some of the journal spots/ephemera pieces I created with my Dylusions acrylics, layering it behind the group photo. I then went with some contrasting alpha stickers, I love the way the word stands out. I even love how the word 'family' looks, as after I'd stuck down the F and A I realised I'd run out of M's and I's, so had to revert back to the silver alphas. I also really love, love, love all the bright colours and layers I have going on in this part of the spread! I'm all about the layers!!

Lastly here is a picture of my desk, just because, and also Anna has several desk avalanches in her video! A common occurrence for me too, haha. This, for me, is tidy! 

So that is all from me this time. After a rather brief time of short and sweet posts from me we are back to the long essays!....Sorry!

I would love to see everyone's desks mid creating, and to know if there is anyone who doesn't create mess as they create beauty?

In a bit x

You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook. 

Raindrops & Rainbows

Hello!

 I’m a little late posting this but I’ve been working with Anna Brim’s Patreon artwork from April. I loved this selection of work because it’s so colourful! I decided to order the April Brimbles box and have included a few bits from there with my pages. In the first spread I’ve experimented with colour. Anna has taken raindrops and instead of having only blue, she has used a full spectrum of colours. I have created tip-ins on this page with journal cards as I love added decoration and layers. When I looked for writing to have on the page, I found a poem named ‘The Rainbow Witch’ by Amy Ludwig Vanderwater. It’s a short poem that doesn’t take itself seriously, a playful prose for the page.

 

The second spread in contrast to the bright rainbow page is much darker. I’ve used purples and greens on this page. Purple a very spiritual, powerful colour so it felt right for the page. I decided to work with a journal prompt on this page with a bit of self exploration. Using a the book ‘The Year of You’ by Hannah Braime, I chose the prompt, “What is one quality you embody today that you hope to keep for the rest of your life?”. I then did a bit of soul searching and answered this prompt across the page.
 

The third spread wasn’t actually planned and came by playing with the artwork. I knew I wanted to use these elements but wasn’t sure how. So in true style for me I arranged them on the pages and allowed my creative nature to run free. These pages had already had some blue paint spillages on the edge so I decided to work with it and I quite like how it’s turned out.

 

That’s all from me for now,
 Kelly xxx

 Where else you can find me: The Scrapbook Girl Instagram Pinterest Youtube

Journal with me - Everyday life even if it is boring!

Today I am sharing with you a 'journal with me' - an in process video of a couple of journal pages. In this video I talk about journalling the every day even when you think it is boring or not journal worthy! I have discussed this topic before on my channel and you might also want to check out these videos out. I will post them below after this video.




If you would like some inspiration on keeping a journal then why not check out this playlist I have compiled. It consists of my videos and my favourites I have found on my journey. I have embedded the playlist below for you to start watching or you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3wWM4Ekc9k7cPNCgW5UXTJ_yZOJUIEt0




Thank you to my current Patreons who are supporting me as this helps me to be able to create more content for you free on my YouTube channel. Big, Big love xx I hope you enjoy!

Here are my videos I mentioned above...

Journal With Me - Official Planner Nerd!

Today I am sharing with you a creative journal process. I have used the April 2018 Planner Nerd Brights Brimbles Box to journal about my use of planners and what they mean to me. I hope you enjoy!

The Brimbles Box is my monthly planner / journal box. It is now a pay and go rather than a subscription so if you like what you see you will find the box for sale on the website and you can just order it and we will despatch it. No subscriptions and no pre order. They are in stock and ready to go! (if you would prefer to sign up to a subscription this option is also available via https://www.patreon.com/mrsbrimbles)

The cost of the box is £15 (+ P&P). To find out what the shipping is for your Country, just add the product to your cart and it will tell you at the current exchange rate before you have to enter any payment details so you can decide if this is right for you. Current and past boxes are available to purchase here: https://www.mrsbrimbles.co.uk/product-category/brands/mrsbrimbles/brimblesbox/
and this collection is available to purchase individually here: https://www.mrsbrimbles.co.uk/product-category/brands/mrsbrimbles/?orderby=date

Pages in my December Journal

Happy Christmas folks! It's the most wonderful time of the year... mostly because I am joining in with much of the creative community who are documenting daily during the festive season. And even better, I get access to Anna Brim's fantastic printable collage elements to help decorate and embellish my journal pages!

 

Some days I fail to take any meaningful pictures, but I am not sad about it because I am keeping up with journaling every day, which is the most important thing, and I have beautiful seasonal resources from Anna's Patreon such as these at my fingertips:

 

I was lucky enough to attend the Mrs Brimbles Christmas Jingle & Mingle event on 2nd December where Anna delivered an inspiring workshop where I began making my junk style December Journal. It's not a traveller's notebook insert but the pages are standard size because it suits me so much. It has four signatures of mixed papers and card and has been bound with a long stitch. I finished stitching it together at home the next day.

One of the collage sheets depicts an array of snuggly Christmas hygge essentials. On day eight I worked a ten hour shift and came home to a home cooked meal that we ate on the sofa while we watched a favourite TV show by the light of the twinkling Christmas tree. It doesn't get more hygge than that so, with a lack of photographs, I picked out my favourites to remember the snuggly feelings of that evening. I might colour them in, I might not. I like the way they look with the poinsettia pattern in the background and with the little spot of journaling on the ticket shaped die cut (to tie in with the cinema entry on day seven) I am happy with the page.

On the evening of the ninth day my Dad and I had a wonderful time at a local carol concert. Anna's artwork is prevalent on this spread as the background on the left page is made up of her stamped mixed media work that I have gessoed lightly so allow her lovely robin to stand out and to allow me to journal over the top. The 'Yule Blessings' wreath is Anna's as is the plate of mince pies from her hygge inspired page. I have also cut out one of the trees from an excess piece of the stamped mixed media. Once stuck down, I outlined the tree with green ink from a Jane Davenport mermaid marker and smudged it to add to the mixed media effect. I will be adding my journaling and my ticket for the carol concert too. The few other elements used on these pages are from collections by Paperchase, Prima, American Crafts and Carta Bella.

 

 I awoke to the sight of snow falling and settling on day ten. I was particularly happy because I knew I was going to spend the day crafting and journaling and not going outside. Here you can see a few of my photos but I was inspired to use Anna's antlered wintery woman and another of her wreaths, to frame the number ten, along side them. As you can see, I am obsessed with using tags and making them stick out from the edge of the page. I made this blue one with die cut snowflakes at a workshop last Christmas. 

 

 I also amused myself by merging two college elements to form a framed santa selfie to add a bit of silliness and tie in with Tom's snow selfie on the right.

Thanks for reading folks. I hope you will join me on Instagram to see more pages from my December journal and other creative projects. 

 I hope you have a magical Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year. 

Bye for now, Steph x x x 

 https://stephaniehaze.wordpress.com

Art Journals: A lesson in patience and resistance!

Last month's Patreon saw Anna demonstrating the use of masking fluids and wax crayons to create resist art. Now, I haven't created anything using these techniques since I was in primary school, and only then it was with kid eat proof paint and crayons. So I was super keen to get going, so much so that I forgot to follow one of crafting's golden rules namely that of washing your paintbrush after use. So in this case washing it after using the masking fluid....something Anna also mentions in the video!

So after a few hiccups and a new brush or two - I did eventually purchase a Molotow Pen which I found a lot easier to use - I kind of got the hang of it. Then I thought I'd be a little more adventurous with it. My initial experiments saw me working mostly with watercolour paints on watercolour paper, so I wanted to try using some other mediums to see what results I could achieve.

Here I've used the Molotow Pen to create a couple of quick doodles of Christmassy symbols....I've been trying to keep the festive mood in the house by listening to Christmas Jingles, my festive vibe is ebbing and flowing at the minute...bah! 

I dug out my Cosmic Shimmer Pixie Powders, at this point I must admit I have no idea how this will turn out or whether the masking fluid will react with the mica powder, but what the heck. I'm having fun and that's what's important here!

So now I'm going to fail to follow another golden rule....that of patience. Something I'm never going to master, haha. So I should have left the paper longer to dry....but I didn't and in my rush to see the results I ripped it.

Interestingly the reverse of the page has some rather cool markings and you can just about make out where the resist fluid was...I'll take that as a win!

Christmas Pud...because who doesn't love Christmas pud! So I figured after my not so successful trial with the shimmer powders and whilst waiting for the rest of the page to dry I'd add another little doodle to the bottom. 

The blending kinda came about by mistake. I wasn't paying a great deal of attention (I was busy wailing away to tunes) and I dropped a huge green dollop so I turned it around by blobbing and sploshing on more paint. I had intended to do some nice shading and shaping, so let's call it an organic development!

In most of my sketchbook/art journaling inserts I tend to slip black and coloured card between my watercolour and mixed media papers as I like to do a lot of work with chalks and pastels. Alongside my pud and snowflakes page was black card. Again I really wasn't sure how this was going to turn out as a) I hadn't tried the resist fluid on the card b) I wasn't entirely sure how well the pearlescent paints were going to perform on such a dark backdrop and c) I couldn't really tell where I was going or where I had already drawn with the pen. It was a sort of stab in the dark. 

I decided to literally cover the page with blues, whites and grey in the hopes of creating enough contrast with the black lines created by the resist pen. This time I let it dry whilst I wrote this blog post....so currently I don't know whether I'll be writing a success story or another mishap!

....ta da!!

I think it turned out rather well considering :)

I feel like I should have learnt some lessons here, about patience and intuition in regards to creating artwork, and to some extent it is probably true for the latter part, but I don't think patience will ever be my thing haha. I'm off to relive my childhood and dig out my crayons!

Till next time people :) x 

You can also find me on Instagram