How to Make Pages of Everyday Items in Your Illustrated Journal

[@BookandPaperArts]

To see my online course of how to make and keep your own illustrated journal, go to my site here: bookandpaperarts.com/the-book-of-you-how-to-keep-and-make-an-illustrated-journal/

[@tlglock1637]

This was especially helpful for me. I have tried to write journals my whole life, but would not know what to say. A lot of them ended up being complaints about my life. I don't want that to be my legacy. Your prompts are wonderful and your encouragement to draw every day things gives me a boost to move forward. I volunteer at two used bookstores, and I meet people and things are said or happen there that make me laugh or feel good. I have been writing those things out so I won't forget. Sorry so long. I am grateful to have found your channel. Thank you for being.

[@DAYBYDAYCLOSERTOJESUS]

Thank you so much for your video, I have watched quite a few that we’re so called beginners videos, they were making my anxiety worse and I was going to give up!! Your video has inspired me 🙏🏻

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Fina. I hope you get the chance to watch a few more as I really preach a lot about making pages even if you think you can't. Here is one that REALLY leans into the awkwardness we sometimes have about our drawing ability and doing it with bravado. See what you think. And keep on making those pages! Your anxiety won't know what hit it. 😉Kelly kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWSwfpp7gbaWa8U

[@DeAzul7902]

... old woman - & proud of it - so I doodle, draw, scribble & paste to myown beat. Yeee-haah!!!😊

[@BookandPaperArts]

Amen to that. While I hate growing older, I must say my ability to say "no" has grown and it is some consolation for my sagging jowl-line. That and having a far better idea of what I want and how to get it. Thanks for touching base, Dar. Kelly

[@kengagnon5302]

I love how you say you will have more of them in your life!

[@luludesjardins]

I absolutely love your approach to illustrated journaling. I am always at a loss of where to start, what to include… so I get all tied up in a knot. But your approach is very liberating. Thank you❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Faé. I see this often in teaching, a kind of creative stammer. Hope this gets you up and making pages! Kelly

[@leeannsutherland858]

“Glad I started doing it badly” I love that! So very true! Wish I had started earlier and been more consistent!

[@sofialopes9517]

What I most love about this video is the wonderful feeling of allowance to everyone (not just professional artist) to have fun with arts in everyday life. I had some journals a few years ago and I gave up because I was feeling like a "fraud" but i miss having one... and this video is the best inspiration, thank you 🙏💖

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Sofia. In my first journals, my drawings are blobs and sticks with the cheapest pencils possible and I looked at them recently and every page made me smile and brought back memories all the same. Now you just go and un-give up, do you hear me? Have a look at this for more draw even if you can't draw pep-talking: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWSwfpp7gbaWa8U Kelly

[@lynnparise9841]

Hi Kelly, always so great to see you on here! Years ago, I did a fun visual journal, when my hubby was alive. It's still an amazing, fun trip to take when I flip thru it. So....I thank you for this kick in the butt, and need to get one going once again! Thanks so very much for the inspiration...as always!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Lynn. I bet you have a lot to get down in your pages. Let me know how it goes. 🌷🌻🌼

[@DeAzul7902]

Oh my!!! How glad I am that found YOU!! This has been a love of mine for years & years. I wasn't always able to practice my ART... but now I'm an

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi there, Dar. How lovely to hear that. Are you making pages now? Kelly

[@alisonkerr7625]

It really resonated with me, your point regarding those little notebooks. The only piece of my mother's handwriting I have is a shopping list. I keep it in a journal and it is very dear to me. I want my children to have more of me than that. Photos are great but the written (or drawn) record is so much more personal and is a snapshot of your life. Thankyou for your relateable and down to earth tutorials

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Alison, it is my real pleasure, and thank you for touching base. I have a little snippet of my son's handwriting as you do your mum's. He is now grown and this little page reminds me of when he was little and we had so much fun together, and I also keep it in a pocket of a special journal. Drawing, even imperfect drawing, has an immediacy missed by photos and it is way I encourage (nag!) everyone to give it a try. I hope you have a creative weekend! Kelly

[@alisonkerr7625]

@@BookandPaperArts I actually have a little comic my son drew as a child and a little diary with drawings he did about me and him when he was about 6. I often look at it when I'm sad and it makes me so happy. Have a good weekend

[@cassiegreene9528]

Yes! I've been doing this for decades and find that I fill up about one book a year. I use the medium black sketch book blank ones. I now have a chest full of them and can go back and see what I was doing, say, in 2004 etc. It's addicting and fun. I write, I put poetry in them, I place fruit stickers and labels on pages, I sketch my breakfast, draw the sleeping dog, paint what's blooming - you name it. And I also fill up art journals made from old books. Also, I make special homemade ones for trips and make it a point to write every night in them during the adventure, adding tickets, photos, schedules, ephemera etc. I find my life will get away from me if I don't. Thanks, I like your approach.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Cassie, I agree with all of this. I, too, keep commonplace books out of my journals, as well as art journals and altered books. I don't understand how anyone lives without one, or a bunch. For me, if it doesn't get on the page it didn't happen. Thanks for touching base! Kelly

[@MissDaisyParsley]

Awesome ideas! I like your loose bound journal! I also like how you took away all my excuses of why I haven’t started yet! Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Susan. Quite right, no excuses but I hope it is less of nagging and more of a pep talk. (Or is it both?) 😁

[@keeperofwords2348]

I so enjoyed this - glad you started journaling “badly” years ago. You are a wonderful drawer now. I’m listening and making a journal right now … thanks for keeping me company :)

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Margaret. I have improved but time was I was literally laughed at when I drew. The important thing is to get stuff done on the page and make notes, and the visual will follow and find you and your words. And well done with keeping a visual journal. It is sometimes weirdly intimidating. Do you keep a written diary?

[@fifidubois708]

I love that.. thank you for sharing 💕

[@BookandPaperArts]

It is my real pleasure. Do you keep a journal, my dear?

[@plan4life]

This video is brilliant. Subscribed immediately. I want to get into art journalling and you are doing a great job of easing me into it. There is something very homely and soothing in the way you talk and explain things, not at all self-centred like a lot of KZbinrs. Can’t wait to watch more! 💖

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Celia. What a lovely message. And for someone who aspires to be un-self-centred, I do enjoy seeing the word "brilliant" in a sentence referring to me. 😎I do enjoy teaching and cheerleading; it breaks my heart to see someone limit themselves creatively because of an internal editor (blergh) or childhood voices telling us we don't deserve it, and on and on. (I see all of this in teaching otherwise confident would-be crafters and artist!) so I tend to preach and say that if you can't do it, do it anyway. It's only paper! Thank you for touching base! Kelly

[@an_eg_creation]

I love the art you made here and in your altered books. You provide great inspiration along with your soothing voice.TFS

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Ellen. You have really made my night. 🌼🌻🌷

[@dianelevy2855]

This is so inspiring! I would love to maintain an illustrated journal but get discouraged by the elaborate and much too time consuming examples--way beyond my artistic ability-- that I find on other channels. I love your reminder that I just need to get something down on paper. It need only be a simple rendering, a quick drawing with just a paragraph. I can add color or write about it a few days later. Needn't be a perfect layout requiring an hour each day. And labeling to clarify what I have draw in the abstract instead of with painstaking realism (is it a fig or an eggplant?) is a genius tip. Using a pasted in magazine phrase as a page prompt is also a great idea. Even if it doesn't inspire drawn images, I could just write some thoughts that come to mind and decorate the page with colorful borders and patterns. I'm excited and motivated to make this happen. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Diane. I woke up a little blue and wondered if there was any point in preaching about all this - the importance of creating, making, EXPRESSING - and the right and the in turn the duty we all have to express at whatever level and not be sleepwalking into the reinforced idea that we can't do this until we get to a certain level of ability - and then I read this! Our everyday life is our journey and a blob on a page can be a rock or egg or fig or eggplant or heart and each one is a different story. Keep on making, Diane, and thank you for the support. Kelly

[@BookandPaperArts]

And here is another video about drawing even if you "can't" draw (hint - you can very much draw). kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWSwfpp7gbaWa8U

[@nicolaj3294]

Great ideas thanks Kelly, hope the roasted figs were delicious.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Nicola, they were quite the success. Chewy and full of taste. And so fun to draw! 😺

[@bellap2570]

Thank you so much….you gave me the kick in the a#*%$-@ to start a day-to-day journal! I was just stuck in a creative block for several weeks! I love all of your videos! A million thanks❤️🦋❤️

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Bella. This makes me truly happy to hear. It means more to you than I can say that all of this teaching and coaching and demonstrating and cheerleading made a difference! I sometimes think of my videos as digital messages in virtual bottles and I always like finding that someone "found" one and opened it. Thanks, again. Kelly

[@heleneebenstein9120]

Kelly, I really enjoy your videos and have gotten many good ideas and tips. Today, inspired by you, I began a new handmade journal by drawing fruit which was in a lovely ceramic dish. It came out much better than I imagined it would. I'll try to keep the momentum going. Thank you.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Helene, thank you for letting me know. This is a delight. Sometimes I feel my pep talks/nagging is a digital message in a virtual bottle. It means a lot to know that one was seen and "opened". And it is always a fresh surprise and pleasure to see how fruit and flowers and whatnot make a satisfying page.🌷🌻🌼

[@Lucyverre]

Thank you for your inspiration ♥️

[@BookandPaperArts]

And thank you for watching, Lucy. Hope you are having a creative weekend!

[@nelidasilva7388]

Great ideas! thank you for sharing them!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Nelida. It is meaningful to make a record of the everyday, which is in itself our journey. Hope you make great pages!

[@loisraphael9748]

So inspiring, as usual. Thanks, Kelly!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks bunches, Lois.

[@mariaconti9704]

Thank you for a all the great tips and ideas! Happy holidays🤗❤️

[@BookandPaperArts]

You are so very welcome, Maria. Have a love holiday, too, and a great new year. Kelly

[@papabear2515]

Jut found your channel - really enjoy your work/play! I am just about to begin an illustrated journal. I also love, love, love ephemera and frequently lose myself in making altered books. 😊 Now … on to explore and enjoy your other videos … thanks for your inspiration and for sharing, Kathleen in Idaho, USA

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you and welcome, Kathleen. Altered books are my passion; pretty much everything else I do is to make that possible. But illustrated journal keeping is my happy hobby. If you want, you can look at my illustrated journal playlist and narrow down the videos. Also, I sell ephemera in my online shop AND have free scans of tons of the old on my website so everyone can make stuff. (I got new handwritten papers from 1809 today that I can't stop staring at adoringly.😍) Glad you are here!

[@sandybe11]

So inspirational! Thank you!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thanks bunches, Sandy!

[@mariumortellaro119]

Beautiful 👍👏

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Mariú.

[@CherylsCreativeWorld33]

This was great! One of the best explanations of visual journaling I’ve seen, and achievable, too! Thank you! Subscribing!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Cheryl. That is truly nice to hear. I hope you make pages and get those memories down. The ordinary ones are our journey, too! Just start and believe me, the pages will build. Keep me posted! Kelly

[@CherylsCreativeWorld33]

@@BookandPaperArts I started last night! Thanks for giving us the confidence, regardless of skills:)

[@BookandPaperArts]

@@CherylsCreativeWorld33 That's what I'm here for Cheryl. Not even kidding - I think I have a calling to preach creative boldness as this one thing will make the world a better place so thanks for coming along and doing just that. You are needed. Now go get 'em! Kelly

[@MissJay4258]

TFS good ideas. Many of us are intimidated by a blank book but we should just use it. And I had to laugh when you suggested we could actually read the books we hoard for art.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Jay. Yes, you are quite right. When I teach workshops in my studio, I spent wayyyyy too much time convincing nice people that they really can use that pretty book they brought with them, I don't care how pristine the pages are. Every.Single.Time. Now get started!

[@beatrizuribe1537]

Estoy feliz viendo sus videos y aprendiendo. Me encantan las imágenes que usa en sus libros.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Beatriz ! 🌷🌼🌻

[@florencebonniel6656]

Your advices are very inspiring ! And what a beautiful journal. Where do you have buy it ?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello Florence, it is by Hahnemuelhle. You can buy them in art supply stores or online. I really like the size and paper! Kelly www.hahnemuehle.com/fr/index.html

[@marcijlo]

Kelly you are such inspiration, thank you and love your visual journal! My drawing is ooops but will give a visual journal a whirl. ♥️🥀♥️

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you, Marci. And listen, when I started I could barely draw a stick-figure cat but I drew anyway. So start a book and scribble, doodle, glue, squint your eyes and be bold. Whatever you do, don't wait until you can draw. Trust this. 😺

[@AMIR-nm7fo]

I ALSO KEEP TRACK OF MY EXPENSES IN ONE CORNER OF THE PAGE, IN CASE I NEED TO GO BAK WHEN IS TIME TO PAY MY CREDIT CARD. VERY USEFULL.

[@WateryStar]

Great video! I bullet journal and sometimes add doodles but its usually just lists. I feel encouraged to use the sketchbook I got for illustrated journaling now.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hey, that is great! It is so satisfying to look back at older journals and see (even the messy) drawings and doodles and collaging. They bring back tons of memories that I had forgotten. Happy journaling!

[@kims4529]

I just discovered you this AM ... I loved this video! I am just starting a nature journal/sketchbook and your video provided very helpful thoughts. I look forward to watching more!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Kim. I hope you check out other journal-keeping videos (there is a playlist). Journals, both visual and written, are really important. A nature journal sounds so interesting. Keep me posted! Kelly

[@gabrieljacobs2]

Usual brilliance! And saying you can't draw reveals unjustified modesty! That maple leaf could have been a photo.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you. But I seem to remember you laughing when I tried to draw a cheese board back in the day.😁😮😁😉😉😉

[@bookworm05234]

This is a cool book

[@BookandPaperArts]

Why thank you! Kelly

[@shirleyhiggins3395]

I add and date a post it note on each page that I can write my notes on, then I can add them later and fit them around my sketch

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Shirley, that is such a good idea. I sometimes add the date but usually forget. 🙄🙄 Happy making!

[@-LoeCa-]

Dear Kelly, thank you so much for this inspiring video. I love keeping an illustrated journal. You share a lot of ideas and useful tips. Your way of explaining and sharing your art is very soothing and motivating. I'm glad I found you ;-)

[@BookandPaperArts]

Thank you, Cathy. That makes me happy to hear. I hope you are making great pages! Kelly

[@marymunro339]

😂kindred spirit. This year, I have started an art journal documenting my development. My project closely resembles your initial effort.

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hi Mary. Well done! We have to start where we are. My early efforts make me smile as they are mighty primitive but they also clearly bring back the memory of making primitive drawings and having a blast and what was going on. Really like that idea of a visual diary of recording your development. Such a sound idea. Keep me posted on the progress! Kelly

[@karmastar06]

Thank you so much for this. Too many videos on KZbin that are visually faultless which is intimidating to the beginner but this is perfect motivation. What is the lovely silver brush you are using!

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello there. Thank you for this. When I started keeping visual diaries I couldn't draw a stick figure cat but I drew anyway, so I try to preach the gospel of start where you are and have fun. when in doubt, label stuff (is it an egg? A fig? A croquet ball? LABEL it). The silver brush is part of a travel watercolour brush set I take on trips. The silver top posts on the back to make handle, then protects the bristles when it is put back so you can just drop it in your bag. Try searching for "portable travel brushes" or something similar and you will find them.

[@pastichehaus]

Love this so much. Thanks for sharing Kelly. 😊New sub.❤

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello and welcome, Lisa. Hope you are making gorgeous and fun pages. From your channel it looks as if you do! Happy making, Kelly

[@temlatepremier113]

Interesting hobby. Do you ever use any Adobe software like Illustrator?

[@BookandPaperArts]

Hello there. Well, it isn't my hobby it is my job. I am a very lucky woman: I love my job.

[@temlatepremier113]

@@BookandPaperArts Awesome!

[@laracraft82]

Sometimes by having everything that is out there you can come too reliant on it and actually forget how to draw, paint which you feel far more of an achievement by doing it yourself instead of simply glueing something pretty in your journal. More drawings etc add more character too your journal as well.