Exploring Joy Journal {tutorial}

My Exploring Joy journal is ready to go! Just in time. I made it yesterday and #faithjournaljuly2025 starts tomorrow. I really wanted a clean, colorful look to this journal, so it’s a departure from my usual vintage, sometimes grungy, style eclectic journals and definitely different than my mixed media journals. My own challenge accepted. I found the wildflowers wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby and decided that was a good starting point. Then I started digging through my digital stash for images that would go well with it. These colorful wildflowers were perfect. I altered and resized them to fit in… Continue reading

Fabric Journal Cover Tutorial

Let’s get this out of the way before we start here. No, this isn’t a fabric cover that you put over a pre-made journal you have. This tutorial is for making a fabric cover for your hand-crafted eclectic artisan (or “junk”) journal, you’ll be making inside of it. As someone who loves the feel and patterns of fabric, (even more than of paper,) fabric covered journals are my faves! And, if you know me much, you know purple is my favorite color. Add one of my favorite “mottos” and you’ve got a perfect cover for a hand-crafted eclectic artisan journal!… Continue reading

Tag Pocket w/Hidden Journal

This little fold up pocket houses 2 tags in pockets, and hidden journaling paper. You can use it as a stand alone or add it to a journal page. Glue it to the page, tuck it in a pocket, or glue it down on only 2 or 3 sides to make an additional pocket or tuck spot. Three paper scrap strips and some embellishments are all it takes to make this easy fold up. Supply list: Two 12×3” strips (different) patterned cardstock (double-sided if you have it) 11×2.75” tea-dyed paper Embellishments as desired Paper trimmer Scoring board Envelope Punch Board… Continue reading

TN Journal Folio

Journaling can be a hugely helpful tool in healing and self-care. Having beautiful journals to write in can bring a spot of brightness to our situation, that may be very dark, ugly, and painful. That is why I make journals for myself, and post so much about journal making. Not only is the creative process of making custom, artisan journals an outlet for our creativity, calming, and healing, but the finished, uniquely-made journal is a beautiful place for us to document our journey in life—the good as well as the bad, in our healing process. I love Traveler’s Notebook sized… Continue reading

Distress Envelope Folio with Inserts

This folio is a totally different aesthetic and construct than the one in my last creativity post, but I love it just as much. This one was inspired by the new Tim Holtz Chapter 3 release video. I’ve made many envelope folios before, but the look of this one just begged me to make it—my way. Many repetitive techniques go into this, so it isn’t a quick and easy project. But it is fun, and turns out so amazing. The components are 2 small envelopes, a pocket and a tag. The techniques include stamping, embossing, ink spraying and smooshing, ink… Continue reading

Tri-fold Pocket Folio

Are you in need of a little soul care today? Join me on this creative journey! This beautiful, yet quick, project will be easy and enjoyable to make, and will provide you a useful little folio, for adding notes, memories or other information to. Today’s project, a Tri-fold Pocket Folio, was inspired by Linda Israel. In addition to the 2 front slant pockets and pocket insert that Linda did, I included more pockets and tags, as well as a notepad, inside. This folio can be used inside your artisan/eclectic/ junk journal, or as a stand alone folio. Supplies needed: 2-3… Continue reading