If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here. All of the previous posts can be found archived here. There is a flickr group for sharing right here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week and you've blogged about it, or put it on flickr, please leave a link in the linky list at the end of this post. Thanks!
In the middle of October I started a new journal. (And yes, I will be offering an online class in 2014 that shows you exactly how I make these junque journals, as well as one on exactly how I work in my journals – yay!)
For some reason, I always have trouble with the first few pages of a new journal. I'm not sure why, but I do. Is it the new-ness? Is it the lack of accumulated stuff? Is it some kind of weird internal pressure? I don't know. I wish I could figure it out and fix it, but for now it's a reality. So that said, here are the first few (awkward) pages in my journal:
Fancy lettering makes me happy!
This big word was cut using the ScanNCut (I scanned in my handwriting and then cut it out) and then pasted into my journal. I added the orange stripes with a marker.
I'm a fan of creating patterns with very simple shapes. This is one of my standard go-to patterns — circles and diamonds.
I tried out a new pen in my journal called a Fude Ball 1.5 and I used it to create the lettering you see.
This journal was created with several pages that are smaller than the regular sized ones in the rest of the journal.
Inside the face is some a sample I created for a video — using stencils with watercolor — but it found a happy home in my art journal!
I used hand carved banner stamps with the month, the day, and the year on them.
I like to bring together disparate parts of my journal by using pattern. I tried to use the white crosses to bring together the two halves of the journal spread.
I added some color and a white shadow to my Happy Halloween stamp!
So there you have it — a peek at the first few tough going pages. It can only get better from here, right?!
Here is this week's linky list:
Thanks for stopping by!
Maybe you feel awkward doing those first pages in a new journal but they don’t look awkward! (We seem to be harder on ourselves than on anyone else).
Maybe you feel awkward doing those first pages in a new journal but they don’t look awkward! (We seem to be harder on ourselves than on anyone else).
Maybe you feel awkward doing those first pages in a new journal but they don’t look awkward! (We seem to be harder on ourselves than on anyone else).
Maybe you feel awkward doing those first pages in a new journal but they don’t look awkward! (We seem to be harder on ourselves than on anyone else).
Maybe you feel awkward doing those first pages in a new journal but they don’t look awkward! (We seem to be harder on ourselves than on anyone else).
Sooooooo excited for your online workshop about making the journals!! Can’t wait…YAY! Still hoping one day to be able to come to the Ink Pad when you do that workshop! Love love loved being in your class when you were in Charlotte! Merry Christmas Julie and thanks for inspiring me this year, looking forward to an awesome 2014 with some awesome new workshops!
Sooooooo excited for your online workshop about making the journals!! Can’t wait…YAY! Still hoping one day to be able to come to the Ink Pad when you do that workshop! Love love loved being in your class when you were in Charlotte! Merry Christmas Julie and thanks for inspiring me this year, looking forward to an awesome 2014 with some awesome new workshops!
Sooooooo excited for your online workshop about making the journals!! Can’t wait…YAY! Still hoping one day to be able to come to the Ink Pad when you do that workshop! Love love loved being in your class when you were in Charlotte! Merry Christmas Julie and thanks for inspiring me this year, looking forward to an awesome 2014 with some awesome new workshops!
Sooooooo excited for your online workshop about making the journals!! Can’t wait…YAY! Still hoping one day to be able to come to the Ink Pad when you do that workshop! Love love loved being in your class when you were in Charlotte! Merry Christmas Julie and thanks for inspiring me this year, looking forward to an awesome 2014 with some awesome new workshops!
Sooooooo excited for your online workshop about making the journals!! Can’t wait…YAY! Still hoping one day to be able to come to the Ink Pad when you do that workshop! Love love loved being in your class when you were in Charlotte! Merry Christmas Julie and thanks for inspiring me this year, looking forward to an awesome 2014 with some awesome new workshops!
Interesting that I have not trouble with the first few pages but all those thereafter. The first few are new and wonderful and I have a sense that THIS journal will be the one that I fill til the end. I usually don’t and start a new one before that happens.
Interesting that I have not trouble with the first few pages but all those thereafter. The first few are new and wonderful and I have a sense that THIS journal will be the one that I fill til the end. I usually don’t and start a new one before that happens.
Interesting that I have not trouble with the first few pages but all those thereafter. The first few are new and wonderful and I have a sense that THIS journal will be the one that I fill til the end. I usually don’t and start a new one before that happens.
Interesting that I have not trouble with the first few pages but all those thereafter. The first few are new and wonderful and I have a sense that THIS journal will be the one that I fill til the end. I usually don’t and start a new one before that happens.
Interesting that I have not trouble with the first few pages but all those thereafter. The first few are new and wonderful and I have a sense that THIS journal will be the one that I fill til the end. I usually don’t and start a new one before that happens.
Julie, I love your pages! I think we put undue pressure on ourselves.. wanting to do something amazing. For me, I call it BBP… Blank Page Phobia. To my eye, I think you overcame it nicely!
Julie, I love your pages! I think we put undue pressure on ourselves.. wanting to do something amazing. For me, I call it BBP… Blank Page Phobia. To my eye, I think you overcame it nicely!
Julie, I love your pages! I think we put undue pressure on ourselves.. wanting to do something amazing. For me, I call it BBP… Blank Page Phobia. To my eye, I think you overcame it nicely!
Julie, I love your pages! I think we put undue pressure on ourselves.. wanting to do something amazing. For me, I call it BBP… Blank Page Phobia. To my eye, I think you overcame it nicely!
Julie, I love your pages! I think we put undue pressure on ourselves.. wanting to do something amazing. For me, I call it BBP… Blank Page Phobia. To my eye, I think you overcame it nicely!
LOVE your “journal” word with the marker stripes. So cool! I saw the Fude Ball 1.5 on Dina Wakley’s list of favorites the other day. Now I need one of those along with the tar gel you convinced me that I needed the other day –
LOVE your “journal” word with the marker stripes. So cool! I saw the Fude Ball 1.5 on Dina Wakley’s list of favorites the other day. Now I need one of those along with the tar gel you convinced me that I needed the other day –
LOVE your “journal” word with the marker stripes. So cool! I saw the Fude Ball 1.5 on Dina Wakley’s list of favorites the other day. Now I need one of those along with the tar gel you convinced me that I needed the other day –
LOVE your “journal” word with the marker stripes. So cool! I saw the Fude Ball 1.5 on Dina Wakley’s list of favorites the other day. Now I need one of those along with the tar gel you convinced me that I needed the other day –
LOVE your “journal” word with the marker stripes. So cool! I saw the Fude Ball 1.5 on Dina Wakley’s list of favorites the other day. Now I need one of those along with the tar gel you convinced me that I needed the other day –
Looks like a fine start to me! I love the different sized pages within the journal. Really looking forward to the online junque journal class. Fun! My problem is in finishing the last few pages of a journal. Especially like now, as we are transitioning to a new year and I have 4 blank pages at the end of my book. What. To. Do…..
Looks like a fine start to me! I love the different sized pages within the journal. Really looking forward to the online junque journal class. Fun! My problem is in finishing the last few pages of a journal. Especially like now, as we are transitioning to a new year and I have 4 blank pages at the end of my book. What. To. Do…..
Looks like a fine start to me! I love the different sized pages within the journal. Really looking forward to the online junque journal class. Fun! My problem is in finishing the last few pages of a journal. Especially like now, as we are transitioning to a new year and I have 4 blank pages at the end of my book. What. To. Do…..
Looks like a fine start to me! I love the different sized pages within the journal. Really looking forward to the online junque journal class. Fun! My problem is in finishing the last few pages of a journal. Especially like now, as we are transitioning to a new year and I have 4 blank pages at the end of my book. What. To. Do…..
Looks like a fine start to me! I love the different sized pages within the journal. Really looking forward to the online junque journal class. Fun! My problem is in finishing the last few pages of a journal. Especially like now, as we are transitioning to a new year and I have 4 blank pages at the end of my book. What. To. Do…..
do you paint your journal, and journal all in one setting? do you paint a few pages ahead and hen go back and journal.
do you paint your journal, and journal all in one setting? do you paint a few pages ahead and hen go back and journal.
do you paint your journal, and journal all in one setting? do you paint a few pages ahead and hen go back and journal.
do you paint your journal, and journal all in one setting? do you paint a few pages ahead and hen go back and journal.
do you paint your journal, and journal all in one setting? do you paint a few pages ahead and hen go back and journal.
Check out last weeks post for the answer to that question: http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2013/12/art-journal-every-day-how-i-start.html
Check out last weeks post for the answer to that question: http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2013/12/art-journal-every-day-how-i-start.html
Check out last weeks post for the answer to that question: http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2013/12/art-journal-every-day-how-i-start.html
Check out last weeks post for the answer to that question: http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2013/12/art-journal-every-day-how-i-start.html
Check out last weeks post for the answer to that question: http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2013/12/art-journal-every-day-how-i-start.html
Just as we tend to judge a novel by the first few pages, we may feel the same with our journals.
If you skip the first few pages, you can always go back and work on them when you’re feeling a little more confident.
(Unfortunately, my first few pages are still pretty much blank. Well, I did put a little washi tape on a couple of them.)
Happy Holidays
Just as we tend to judge a novel by the first few pages, we may feel the same with our journals.
If you skip the first few pages, you can always go back and work on them when you’re feeling a little more confident.
(Unfortunately, my first few pages are still pretty much blank. Well, I did put a little washi tape on a couple of them.)
Happy Holidays
Just as we tend to judge a novel by the first few pages, we may feel the same with our journals.
If you skip the first few pages, you can always go back and work on them when you’re feeling a little more confident.
(Unfortunately, my first few pages are still pretty much blank. Well, I did put a little washi tape on a couple of them.)
Happy Holidays
Just as we tend to judge a novel by the first few pages, we may feel the same with our journals.
If you skip the first few pages, you can always go back and work on them when you’re feeling a little more confident.
(Unfortunately, my first few pages are still pretty much blank. Well, I did put a little washi tape on a couple of them.)
Happy Holidays
Just as we tend to judge a novel by the first few pages, we may feel the same with our journals.
If you skip the first few pages, you can always go back and work on them when you’re feeling a little more confident.
(Unfortunately, my first few pages are still pretty much blank. Well, I did put a little washi tape on a couple of them.)
Happy Holidays
Great work, as always! So so super excited you’re teaching your journal making class online!!!!
Great work, as always! So so super excited you’re teaching your journal making class online!!!!
Great work, as always! So so super excited you’re teaching your journal making class online!!!!
Great work, as always! So so super excited you’re teaching your journal making class online!!!!
Great work, as always! So so super excited you’re teaching your journal making class online!!!!
One of the painted pages looks like Matthew! Very cool.
One of the painted pages looks like Matthew! Very cool.
One of the painted pages looks like Matthew! Very cool.
One of the painted pages looks like Matthew! Very cool.
One of the painted pages looks like Matthew! Very cool.
Linking up at 7pm here in Ohio…but better late than never! Gorgeous pages that you’ve shared…and I too am for some reason always hesitant on those first few pages of a new journal. but I usually plunge in eventually. Often I will do a collage on a separate piece of paper and then glue it in, so I know I will have a first page that I like…
Linking up at 7pm here in Ohio…but better late than never! Gorgeous pages that you’ve shared…and I too am for some reason always hesitant on those first few pages of a new journal. but I usually plunge in eventually. Often I will do a collage on a separate piece of paper and then glue it in, so I know I will have a first page that I like…
Linking up at 7pm here in Ohio…but better late than never! Gorgeous pages that you’ve shared…and I too am for some reason always hesitant on those first few pages of a new journal. but I usually plunge in eventually. Often I will do a collage on a separate piece of paper and then glue it in, so I know I will have a first page that I like…
Linking up at 7pm here in Ohio…but better late than never! Gorgeous pages that you’ve shared…and I too am for some reason always hesitant on those first few pages of a new journal. but I usually plunge in eventually. Often I will do a collage on a separate piece of paper and then glue it in, so I know I will have a first page that I like…
Linking up at 7pm here in Ohio…but better late than never! Gorgeous pages that you’ve shared…and I too am for some reason always hesitant on those first few pages of a new journal. but I usually plunge in eventually. Often I will do a collage on a separate piece of paper and then glue it in, so I know I will have a first page that I like…
Thank you for great inspiration. Love what you do.
Linda
Thank you for great inspiration. Love what you do.
Linda
Thank you for great inspiration. Love what you do.
Linda
Thank you for great inspiration. Love what you do.
Linda
Thank you for great inspiration. Love what you do.
Linda
Can’t wait for your new classes Julie – belated Christmas present for myself!
Any clue yet on the rlease date? Not that I’m impatient or anything like that 😉
Can’t wait for your new classes Julie – belated Christmas present for myself!
Any clue yet on the rlease date? Not that I’m impatient or anything like that 😉
Can’t wait for your new classes Julie – belated Christmas present for myself!
Any clue yet on the rlease date? Not that I’m impatient or anything like that 😉
Can’t wait for your new classes Julie – belated Christmas present for myself!
Any clue yet on the rlease date? Not that I’m impatient or anything like that 😉
Can’t wait for your new classes Julie – belated Christmas present for myself!
Any clue yet on the rlease date? Not that I’m impatient or anything like that 😉
Can’t wait for your class on how to make your journal!
Can’t wait for your class on how to make your journal!
Can’t wait for your class on how to make your journal!
Can’t wait for your class on how to make your journal!
Can’t wait for your class on how to make your journal!
I bound a new journal for next year’s “Chronicles” and I know all about those first pages feeling ‘too’ fresh and the hesitation to work on them… but – as always – the feeling disappears after two or three pages isn’t it? I guess we all have journals where the first few pages feel ‘awkward’ to us… I’m curious to know if maybe a scientist did some sort of psychological research about this – if not, they can start with us 😉
I bound a new journal for next year’s “Chronicles” and I know all about those first pages feeling ‘too’ fresh and the hesitation to work on them… but – as always – the feeling disappears after two or three pages isn’t it? I guess we all have journals where the first few pages feel ‘awkward’ to us… I’m curious to know if maybe a scientist did some sort of psychological research about this – if not, they can start with us 😉
I bound a new journal for next year’s “Chronicles” and I know all about those first pages feeling ‘too’ fresh and the hesitation to work on them… but – as always – the feeling disappears after two or three pages isn’t it? I guess we all have journals where the first few pages feel ‘awkward’ to us… I’m curious to know if maybe a scientist did some sort of psychological research about this – if not, they can start with us 😉
I bound a new journal for next year’s “Chronicles” and I know all about those first pages feeling ‘too’ fresh and the hesitation to work on them… but – as always – the feeling disappears after two or three pages isn’t it? I guess we all have journals where the first few pages feel ‘awkward’ to us… I’m curious to know if maybe a scientist did some sort of psychological research about this – if not, they can start with us 😉
I bound a new journal for next year’s “Chronicles” and I know all about those first pages feeling ‘too’ fresh and the hesitation to work on them… but – as always – the feeling disappears after two or three pages isn’t it? I guess we all have journals where the first few pages feel ‘awkward’ to us… I’m curious to know if maybe a scientist did some sort of psychological research about this – if not, they can start with us 😉
Your pages definitely don’t look awkward, they’re gorgeous!! I get the same feeling…I think it’s the idea that a blank canvas can turn into anything, but as soon as you put that first mark down the possibilities instantly decrease…of course that’s necessary to turn it into something, but the idea of unlimited possibilities is pretty intimidating.
Your pages definitely don’t look awkward, they’re gorgeous!! I get the same feeling…I think it’s the idea that a blank canvas can turn into anything, but as soon as you put that first mark down the possibilities instantly decrease…of course that’s necessary to turn it into something, but the idea of unlimited possibilities is pretty intimidating.
Your pages definitely don’t look awkward, they’re gorgeous!! I get the same feeling…I think it’s the idea that a blank canvas can turn into anything, but as soon as you put that first mark down the possibilities instantly decrease…of course that’s necessary to turn it into something, but the idea of unlimited possibilities is pretty intimidating.
Your pages definitely don’t look awkward, they’re gorgeous!! I get the same feeling…I think it’s the idea that a blank canvas can turn into anything, but as soon as you put that first mark down the possibilities instantly decrease…of course that’s necessary to turn it into something, but the idea of unlimited possibilities is pretty intimidating.
Your pages definitely don’t look awkward, they’re gorgeous!! I get the same feeling…I think it’s the idea that a blank canvas can turn into anything, but as soon as you put that first mark down the possibilities instantly decrease…of course that’s necessary to turn it into something, but the idea of unlimited possibilities is pretty intimidating.
Love it! So excited about the new class. I have taken almost all your online classes and have LOVED them!! A request for the new class… You showed in another class I took (can’t remember which one–May have been the deli paper class or the gelli plate class) where you inserted the pages in your journal. They look so cool as a semi transparent page—please share how you do that! It was amazing!!
Love it! So excited about the new class. I have taken almost all your online classes and have LOVED them!! A request for the new class… You showed in another class I took (can’t remember which one–May have been the deli paper class or the gelli plate class) where you inserted the pages in your journal. They look so cool as a semi transparent page—please share how you do that! It was amazing!!
Love it! So excited about the new class. I have taken almost all your online classes and have LOVED them!! A request for the new class… You showed in another class I took (can’t remember which one–May have been the deli paper class or the gelli plate class) where you inserted the pages in your journal. They look so cool as a semi transparent page—please share how you do that! It was amazing!!
Love it! So excited about the new class. I have taken almost all your online classes and have LOVED them!! A request for the new class… You showed in another class I took (can’t remember which one–May have been the deli paper class or the gelli plate class) where you inserted the pages in your journal. They look so cool as a semi transparent page—please share how you do that! It was amazing!!
Love it! So excited about the new class. I have taken almost all your online classes and have LOVED them!! A request for the new class… You showed in another class I took (can’t remember which one–May have been the deli paper class or the gelli plate class) where you inserted the pages in your journal. They look so cool as a semi transparent page—please share how you do that! It was amazing!!
I just finished this journal page yesterday! 🙂
http://aikacooncat.blogspot.com/2013/12/art-journal-paint-blob.html
I just finished this journal page yesterday! 🙂
http://aikacooncat.blogspot.com/2013/12/art-journal-paint-blob.html
I just finished this journal page yesterday! 🙂
http://aikacooncat.blogspot.com/2013/12/art-journal-paint-blob.html
I just finished this journal page yesterday! 🙂
http://aikacooncat.blogspot.com/2013/12/art-journal-paint-blob.html
I just finished this journal page yesterday! 🙂
http://aikacooncat.blogspot.com/2013/12/art-journal-paint-blob.html
Great pages! I myself don’t find it so difficult to begin a new journal, but my trouble is more with NOT trying to make it awesome. I tend to be very artistic in my journals, and very not-random. I loosened up a little tonight 🙂
Great pages! I myself don’t find it so difficult to begin a new journal, but my trouble is more with NOT trying to make it awesome. I tend to be very artistic in my journals, and very not-random. I loosened up a little tonight 🙂
Great pages! I myself don’t find it so difficult to begin a new journal, but my trouble is more with NOT trying to make it awesome. I tend to be very artistic in my journals, and very not-random. I loosened up a little tonight 🙂
Great pages! I myself don’t find it so difficult to begin a new journal, but my trouble is more with NOT trying to make it awesome. I tend to be very artistic in my journals, and very not-random. I loosened up a little tonight 🙂
Great pages! I myself don’t find it so difficult to begin a new journal, but my trouble is more with NOT trying to make it awesome. I tend to be very artistic in my journals, and very not-random. I loosened up a little tonight 🙂
Since I missed your Ink Pad class this fall I am so excited to hear that you will be offering it online in 2014. And, as usual, your pages are filled with inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Since I missed your Ink Pad class this fall I am so excited to hear that you will be offering it online in 2014. And, as usual, your pages are filled with inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Since I missed your Ink Pad class this fall I am so excited to hear that you will be offering it online in 2014. And, as usual, your pages are filled with inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Since I missed your Ink Pad class this fall I am so excited to hear that you will be offering it online in 2014. And, as usual, your pages are filled with inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Since I missed your Ink Pad class this fall I am so excited to hear that you will be offering it online in 2014. And, as usual, your pages are filled with inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Julie, just wondering when your new classes will be going live? I have some Christmas dollars burning a hole in my pocket lol
Hi Julie, just wondering when your new classes will be going live? I have some Christmas dollars burning a hole in my pocket lol
Hi Julie, just wondering when your new classes will be going live? I have some Christmas dollars burning a hole in my pocket lol
Hi Julie, just wondering when your new classes will be going live? I have some Christmas dollars burning a hole in my pocket lol
Hi Julie, just wondering when your new classes will be going live? I have some Christmas dollars burning a hole in my pocket lol
I just discovered your blog, and instagram, etc., and have been enjoying reading posts here and there. I just read about that “first page phobia” and it reminded me of how I addressed it myself recently. When I was in college we had to keep sketchbooks and so I’d always leave the first page empty, so I wouldn’t blow the whole book. At some point I found myself writing the time I was born on the front page, for easy reference and when I started my next sketchbook I just repeated the process. Now every sketchbook starts the same way. I posted about it here http://www.robayre.com/news/2013/11/09/day-9-nablopomo/ but you can skip down to the last picture and paragraph below.
I just discovered your blog, and instagram, etc., and have been enjoying reading posts here and there. I just read about that “first page phobia” and it reminded me of how I addressed it myself recently. When I was in college we had to keep sketchbooks and so I’d always leave the first page empty, so I wouldn’t blow the whole book. At some point I found myself writing the time I was born on the front page, for easy reference and when I started my next sketchbook I just repeated the process. Now every sketchbook starts the same way. I posted about it here http://www.robayre.com/news/2013/11/09/day-9-nablopomo/ but you can skip down to the last picture and paragraph below.
I just discovered your blog, and instagram, etc., and have been enjoying reading posts here and there. I just read about that “first page phobia” and it reminded me of how I addressed it myself recently. When I was in college we had to keep sketchbooks and so I’d always leave the first page empty, so I wouldn’t blow the whole book. At some point I found myself writing the time I was born on the front page, for easy reference and when I started my next sketchbook I just repeated the process. Now every sketchbook starts the same way. I posted about it here http://www.robayre.com/news/2013/11/09/day-9-nablopomo/ but you can skip down to the last picture and paragraph below.
I just discovered your blog, and instagram, etc., and have been enjoying reading posts here and there. I just read about that “first page phobia” and it reminded me of how I addressed it myself recently. When I was in college we had to keep sketchbooks and so I’d always leave the first page empty, so I wouldn’t blow the whole book. At some point I found myself writing the time I was born on the front page, for easy reference and when I started my next sketchbook I just repeated the process. Now every sketchbook starts the same way. I posted about it here http://www.robayre.com/news/2013/11/09/day-9-nablopomo/ but you can skip down to the last picture and paragraph below.
I just discovered your blog, and instagram, etc., and have been enjoying reading posts here and there. I just read about that “first page phobia” and it reminded me of how I addressed it myself recently. When I was in college we had to keep sketchbooks and so I’d always leave the first page empty, so I wouldn’t blow the whole book. At some point I found myself writing the time I was born on the front page, for easy reference and when I started my next sketchbook I just repeated the process. Now every sketchbook starts the same way. I posted about it here http://www.robayre.com/news/2013/11/09/day-9-nablopomo/ but you can skip down to the last picture and paragraph below.