creating an intention in my journals

Before I begin a new project inside one of my journals, I usually take some time to create a blessing or intention on one of the first pages. Sometimes this is a quote, maybe art from someone else, or my own words. I might add a photo that captures the season or a self-portrait or make a collage. I listen to what calls to me, which usually means looking at my studio table and gathering a few things that catch my eye.

Most of all though, this intention reminds me to show up as me in my journals. Whether I am teaching a round of Five Things or writing in a journal I’ll share at a workshop or creating just for me, I repeatedly remind myself, even push myself, to set down what a journal, what art, what writing and poetry are “supposed to look like” and let the pages fill up with pieces of me.

what if this uncertainty is a pause inviting you to notice

I sat at my typewriter and wrote these words. Maybe they are for you. Maybe they are for me. Most of all I want you to know that if you’re in a space of uncertainty, we are side by side. And we will still find the goodness, the beauty, the hope, and the miracles. Yes. Yes. Yes.

my current art journal

During our recent trip to the coast, I started a new art journal and I’m loving it. It’s a little bit of collage, a little bit of watercolor, some photos, some words, and lots of current stories I want to capture on the page. I’m also opening up Pinterest and looking at the quotes I’ve gathered there and giving them a place to land in this journal.

I’ve been sharing peeks in a new series of IGTV videos that you can watch right here.

Lots of the prompts and techniques I’m using in this journal are ones I share in Tell It: Collage. And you can use COLLAGEFUN to take 20% off right now.

My biggest hope is to make journaling feel accessible, doable, and fun for you. Remember, you don’t need much. Just start.

current favorite journaling supplies

Because I get this question a lot on Instagram, here’s a list of my current favorite journaling supplies*. These are the supplies I use in the journals I share on Instagram plus in the journals I share in my ecourses like Tell It: Collage, Tell It: Color, and Here.

First up, the main supplies I’m using with the journal I’m creating for my HERE ecourse:

1. Journal: Travelogue watercolor book

2. Watercolors: Travel set from 1Canoe2 that I can’t find online. Here’s something close.

3. Pen: Le Pen permanent fine point

4. Favorite glue stick for thick photos

5. Tiny photos: Social Print Studio (Use code 5ZFZDWLWP9 for $5 off and I get $5, too)

Second, here are some other supplies you might have seen me using over on Instagram:

Journals: Along with the one above, I like the drawing books series from Travelogue and the Stillman and Birn softcover sketchbook. And here’s a quick link to a post with few other journals I like.

Pens: My biggest suggestion is to head to your local art store where you can try pens to see which ones you like. Here are a few of my favorites: Staedtler, Flair Pens, thin Sharpies, and Le Pen. I also use the Uni-Ball Signo white pen and metallics.

Washi tape: I like paper tape most of all because it comes up easily and tends NOT to rip the paper. I love this Etsy shop and the brand mt, which you can find here on Amazon.

Photos: I love journaling with my photos and get most of them printed at Social Print Studio, locally at Walgreens, and use Instax printers and a Canon Selphy at home.

Paints:
Watercolors: I have tried a lot of different sets, and honestly, Crayola is awesome for simple projects. I also like a big palette like these from Target or this set. But if you really want to splurge, the Sennelier half pans (that come in a variety of sets or you can order individual colors) are luxurious.
Acrylic: I love the inexpensive craft paints you can get at just about any big box art store. I like the Hand Made Modern line at Target. I also love these colors from Golden that are a splurge: Iridescent Gold, Green Gold, Quinacridone Magenta, and Prussian Blue Hue.

Brushes: I usually just get the inexpensive “all purpose” brush sets at my local art supply store. Online, I would get something like these that come in a great case or these. I also love water brushes (like these and these) and keep them with me for travel.

And here’s a post about my favorite collage journaling supplies that I use in Tell It: Collage.

*Several of these links are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you purchase through my link. Thank you for supporting my business so I can keep creating and sharing with you.

a gatherer of sunsets

Perhaps she will be a gatherer of sunsets, and my job will be to slow us both down so she can fill the cracks with the beauty and the quiet and the wonder and the glorious shades of orange, pink, and purple.

(Amen.)

Because writing the words, the prayers, the hopes stuck inside me onto the page help me make sense of things. Always.

it's time.

I’m working on a new journaling course, and I’m revisiting some of my favorite pages. Hoping to share more details very very soon.