JUST DO IT!!!!!

This past year I decided that I didn't have enough projects on the go

that I didn't have enough 'crafts' to make

and I could always use ONE MORE hobby!

For a long, long, long (!!!) time, I had swooned over beautifully created

art journals that artists wrote about in books and posted online and and deep down,
I wished that I could do it too!

I already had some of the necessary supplies around the house
(why aren't you surprised?!)

but I was afraid to start!!!

I wasn't sure where to begin.

I had begun reading all sorts of blogs posted by journalers

and one day, I emailed a couple of bloggers asking how to start,
thinking it would be a good project for my homeschooling kids.

Well, Dawn graciously answered me (promptly), suggesting I buy an inexpensive sketch book and just start!

And so I did....

and I haven't stopped!

The thing about journaling is that it doesn't seem to take up too much space....

and it is pretty easy to just lay some gesso

or slab some paint on the paper

or press a couple of stamps onto the surface

and walk away.

Okay...

well, some times, supplies tend to spread around the room!!!

Before I left on my quilting cruise,

I prepared a small journal by laying gesso on each spread,

painting it with acrylic paint,

adding some collage and stamps

and as I vacationed...
I doodled, journaled, and even glued in some souvenirs.

When I got home, I had some photos printed and added them.

Now it is fun to leaf through the pages!

My journals have been a place to write about good times...

try out a style that I have seen...

or mull something over...

Journaling has given me another outlet for creative expression.

This month, I have pledged to myself to at least work on my journal every day...



So....
if you have been contemplating trying out a new technique,
a new craft, a new hairstyle,

I say.....

just DO IT!!!!