Make your own circular art journal: it is as easy as pie

Ashli Oliver

I love all things pie-charts. Well, maybe not ALL things... I have never been into math. But, I love the visual of a good pie chart and it's an image that I consistently go back to in my art. Having never worked in a circular shaped art journal, I thought it would be super fun to try, and what better way to get that going than to create a mixed media pie chart for the front cover?

Lots of sticker, plenty of stamping, and some lovely watercolor started me off. Then, I cut it all up, like a pie, and pieced it back together again to create a fun, unexpected cover.

The Mixed Media Artist Papers by Roben-Marie were perfect for the interior and gave me the chance to really add some fun elements before I even begin my spreads. I just love the way this turned out! It makes me smile and I can't wait to start on my first spread!

Using the Art Pops™ Cards for the body was perfect because this way I could leave part of the Art Pops™ Card uncovered. I really wanted to keep some of the card exposed because I think they are so beautiful. Now I had a plan and that made me happy. :-)

So, if pie charts aren't your thing, maybe you can take one of your favorite images and turn it into the cover for your next art journal.

happy creating!

Going Deeper...

What creative tool or supply are you obsessed with right now? 

Watercolors. I seem to have to use them on every project

Is there an aspect of mixed media art that you always avoid? Why? 

Colored stamping. I seriously can't remember the last time I reached for something other than brown, black, or navy in my stamping.... maybe sometimes orange or pink. But, I rarely grab for colors... why? Most of my color inks aren't waterproof and that just gets annoying...HAHA. 

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100 days of inspiration through collage

Today kicks off the fifth year of The 100 Day Project.  Last year was my first to participate in this free, global project.  

This year my "action" is to create 100 small collage piece with bits of paper.  I am calling it #100daysoflayeredpieces.

“The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.”

— Tony Robbins

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>>> Want to explore my project from 2017 - 100 Days of Anthropologie Stories?  Click Here! <<<

Mini mixed media journals perfect for on the go

Jenni Zmuda

I absolutely love making journals. I also love using what I have on hand. Combine those two and I'm in heaven. To make your own journal (of any size) just grab what's available. For me that is scraps of paper from other projects. Old book papers. You can even use an old book as a ready-made journal. File folders and scrapbook paper are good, too.

For this project's cover in particular I used an Art Pops™ card. I simply folded it in half and added some Scotch brand washi tape to reinforce the fold. Scotch brand is a bit thicker and stickier than regular washi tape. I then cut the assorted papers to size. The pages don't have to be exactly the same size. Different sizes add dimension and variety to the journal.

To attach the pages to the cover, I used a simple book binding technique called a pamphlet stitch. It's probably one of the least complicated and only requires three holes. Perfect for a smaller journal.

I finish the journal with a flap I made from Roben-Marie's sticker shapes. To hold the journal closed, I tore a long piece of fabric and tied it to a hole punched in the back of the sticker shape flap and wound the fabric around the journal.

There are many different ways to make your own journal. I like to keep things simple and uncomplicated. There is nothing wrong with larger journal's, but smaller journals are easier to tackle.

If you have ten minutes you can almost, if not completely, finish a page or two.

have fun creating your own mini!

Going Deeper...

Is there an aspect of mixed-media art that you always avoid? 

Hmm...I'm not sure there is anything I explicitly avoid. If it appeals to me and is within my budget I give it a go. Mixed-media is a chance to be totally free of the rules that are sometimes imposed on art (and life). Tweet That! 

There's not much I won't try.

What creative tool/supply are you obsessed with? 

 Currently I'm obsessed with acrylic inks. They're so versatile and seep down into the cracks and crevices of previously laid layers. You can use them lightly or heavily depending on desired color and can be mixed with acrylic paints or other mediums as well.

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Simple steps to creating your own mixed media art doll

Laurie Haley

When I received my design team package in the mail I fell in love with Roben-Marie Smiths Art Pops™ Cards. I would lie awake at night for a while after going to bed thinking of all the ways I could use them in my first project. My mind was whirling so I made a list of the ideas I had so I could think about them over the next week or so.

About two weeks went by and I wanted to decide on what I would be making so I could start focusing on how I would go about making it. I sat down at my desk and spread out all the Art Pops™ Cards, Stickers and Stamps and stared at them. lol I kept noticing how the stamps looked like faces instead of flowers. And when I looked at the arrow stickers I saw arms and legs instead of arrows. This is just how my mind works.  I love to create whimsical characters from small boxes and chipboard and when I kept seeing faces in the stamps I knew I had to create a cute little art doll.

Using the Art Pops™ Cards for the body was perfect because this way I could leave part of the Art Pops™ Card uncovered. I really wanted to keep some of the card exposed because I think they are so beautiful. Now I had a plan and that made me happy. :-)

The inspiration for my art doll came from seeing the stamps in a different way. To me, they were faces, not flowers. I encourage you to look at your supplies and use them in ways other than they are intended. tweet that!

I love how a beautiful card turned into a body and arrow stickers turned into arms and legs. I had so much fun creating these dolls. I hope you will be inspired to give it a try too. Think outside of the box. In fact, I think you should just paint that “box”, cut it up and make something with it. lol

have fun with your supplies!

Going Deeper...

What's your top tip for dealing with blank page paralysis? 

I find adding something like a few splashes of paint or gluing some scraps to the page or canvas helps me. I might do some journaling with my thoughts that I will cover up.  Anything that "un blanks" the page usually gets my mind flowing and from there who knows what will happen. It's a lot of fun finding out though. :-)

What do you do with your art once you've finished it? 

 Years ago when I made cloth dolls I sold them but I always kept the first one I made from each design and they sit on shelves in my studio.  Now I do a lot of mixed media art but I have not sold any of it. I either give it away or it finds a spot to sit in my art room. The journal pages I create stay in their journals so I can flip through them when I am in the mood to.  

Canvases I usually hang on the wall or stack in an old wood sewing machine lid that I flipped upside down to hold things. I like to keep tags I make hung on wire dress forms or sitting in old wood sewing machine drawers. I also like to hang clay or bead charms I have made on wire dress forms.  Other items might be in a cabinet or on a shelf. I never worry about where it will go. I'll find a spot. 

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Listening to your heart can lead to amazing discoveries

A few months ago, I committed to taking more time off from work. I filled it with rest, reflection and times of listening. Listening to my heart, my body and what God wanted me to hear. 

I have been reworking the "pieces" of my life in a way that is more in line with where I am in this season of my life. I am still figuring it out, but the journey is leading me somewhere new in my art and it is very exciting!

My word for the year is LISTEN, and I am increasingly aware that refilling with rest and quiet is one of the most motivating gifts you can give yourself.

Blessings,