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Posts Tagged ‘journal’

Currently… An Exploration In Micro Journaling And A Free Download

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Currently - Micro Journaling

I am revisiting the idea of micro journaling, not because I didn’t keep up – but because I filled up every single page of my last journal.

Micro journaling is so easy. Nothing profound needs to be written (although some great revelations have occurred). The prompts are provided and are repetitive so you don’t have to think much before documenting a day in your life. Thanks to the ease of keeping up, I now have a treasury of micro memories to leaf through.

Here’s how you can make one for yourself:

Supply

how-To

  1. Cut the cardstock to size. First cut the cardstock in half, to 6″ by 12″ then cut each strip at 8″ and 4″, to make 6 pieces, measured 4″ by 6″ each.
  2. Feed the stack of cut cardstock through your printer, the same way you would put photo paper to print photos at home. I found that using the software that came with the printer is better then using the default printer driver. Start by printing the front page on all pages, then flip the pages (back-side-front) but keep the same orientation they had when you printed the fronts (up-side-up). You might want to try it on a demo page before printing on all your pre-cut cardstock.

    In case you cannot use 4″ by 6″ paper with your printer, or if you simply don’t want the hassle, you can just send the 4″ by 6″ files you downloaded to your favorite printing-service.

  3. Punch the holes, as marked on the printable. I use the bigger setting in my Crop-a-Dile and align the bottom of the punch with the bottom of the marked circle, to stay farther from the edge.
  4. Cut the chipboard to size. The best tool for it is a plain box-cutter… But any sharp knife will do.
  5. Cut the patterned paper to size and adhere to the exposed chipboard.
  6. Adhere the letter stickers to the cover. I put a dab of liquid glue on each letter, despite using self-adhesive letter stickers, to secure it in place. After all, it is a journal that is meant to be used – often.
  7. Bind all the pages together with the book binding rings and start recording.

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What are you currently doing?

Make Your Own Planner Workshop
Check out Creativity Prompt’s self paced workshop: “Capture Your Dream”. In this workshop you will capture, follow and make your dream come true as well as document your journey in a fabulous mixed media mini album.

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The Bare Bones Of A Travel Journal

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Today I just wanted to share my on-the-go travel journal for my next vacation in Hawaii.

The idea and the reason it came about were easier for me to explain on video, so here it is:

[Go here to watch on YouTube and while there, please rate, comment and subscribe.]

Feel free to download the travel journal page as well as the back page for your own personal use and enjoyment. [To download right-click on each link and opt for the “save target as” option.]

[P.S. You can find the flat package of mini glue dots here]

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Are you planing on going somewhere special soon? Do you travel for the holidays? How do you collect your travel memories?

Make Your Own Planner 2012
Check out Creativity Prompt’s new and unique self paced workshop: “Make Your Own Planner”.
This workshop will show you how to make a beautiful handmade planner for the year 2012. Not only are you going to get the entire meticulously designed planner kit for instant download, but you will also get a high resolution video tutorial as well as step-by-step instructions to guide you on each step of the way. Either treat yourself with a fresh and creative start for the coming new year, or get it to create wonderful gifts for your family and friends.
Join now

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Posted in creativity prompt, Video Tutorial | 6 Comments »

Micro Journaling – Current Journal

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Current Journal

I saw this idea first on Elise Blaha’s blog and I fell in love immediately. Apparently, the first to start the awesome “Currents” movement is talented Tina Aszmus – kudos to her.

The idea of micro journaling is just perfect for someone who likes to record everyday life but feels overwhelmed about it [Me. Me. Me].

One of my favorite things is going over old journals and reliving the days I took the time to record.

One of my deepest regrets is getting rid of the journal I’ve had all through high school and through law school. I mostly wrote bad things in it. Bad experiences. I think most of it was filled with teen unrequited love (I believe that goes hand in hand with being a teenager).

At the time I got rid of it I thought it will be therapeutic to get rid of all the harsh memories and concentrate on all the happiness and loveliness I have in my life. But in retrospective, I do regret throwing it away, because it seems like I have thrown away parts of my life. Not to mention that some of my best writing was manifested there.

Anyhow, let bygones be bygones. [and it’s not like I can unearth it from the dumpster in Dublin]

This mini journal was so easy to make and I printed it on the back side of some OLD [even ancient] patterned papers. I got hooked on the idea of printing on patterned paper after I saw one of my workshop’s member, Mandy do that – amazingly! The only difference is that I printed mine on the back side of the pages and Mandy used double sided papers and printed her pages on the pattern.

Tools & Supply

  • Word processing software (I’m not providing a printable, because it isn’t an original idea of mine)
  • Old patterned paper
  • Recycled cardboard
  • Crop-a-dile
  • Binding rings
  • Chipboard letter stickers [mine are from Making Memories “5th Avenue” collection that I bought a while back]

How To

  1. Create a 4″ by 6″ page with your regular word processing software (make sure the page settings are set to the right size for easy printing) where you make a list of the categories you want to record
  2. Cut all your extra paper to 4″ by 6″ pieces (6 pieces out of each 12 by 12 sheet, unless you discard parts that have the company’s logo on it)
  3. Feed your cut paper through your printer, the same way you put a 4″ by 6″ photo paper in it to print photos.
  4. Cut 2 thicker 4″ by 6″ pieces for the cover. I used corrugated cardboard.
  5. Punch hols for the binding (or use any binding system that you love using).
  6. Bind all the pages together with binding rings or ribbon.
  7. Write. Write. Write. [Just put it on your desk, nightstand or purse and fill in a page whenever you have a minute – that’s all it takes].

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What do you think about the idea of micro journaling? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Make Your Own Planner 2012
Check out Creativity Prompt’s new and unique self paced workshop: “Make Your Own Planner”.
This workshop will show you how to make a beautiful handmade planner for the year 2012. Not only are you going to get the entire meticulously designed planner kit for instant download, but you will also get a high resolution video tutorial as well as step-by-step instructions to guide you on each step of the way. Either treat yourself with a fresh and creative start for the coming new year, or get it to create wonderful gifts for your family and friends.
Join now

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Posted in creativity prompt | 14 Comments »

Make A Simple Notebook With Ribbon Binding – Creativity Prompt

Friday, December 25th, 2009

Notebook With Ribbon Binding

This project is also an easy one you can whip up in under 10 minutes. I love those type of projects and I can never have enough notebooks to sketch, doodle and write in. Can you?

I used the ribbon for the binding, as an alternative to the linen thread or embroidery floss I normally use for binding and as an added bonus, the ends of the ribbon also provide a nifty closure for the notebook.

If you are interested in making this sweet and simple notebook, then keep on reading for the supply, video how to and step-by-step instructions. Enjoy!

Tools & Supply

How To

[Watch on YouTube. While you’re there, please comment, rate & subscribe]

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cut your papers 8″ wide and 5½” tall. Fold in half to 5½” by 4″.
  2. Straighten the edges of the paper stack with a grid ruler, aligned with the edge of the paper and a craft knife.
  3. Cut your cardstock 8½” wide and 5½” tall and wrap around the paper stack to adjust the spine.
  4. Lay the paper stack over the cardstock cover and mark the piercing holes: one at the center and one to each side – 1″ apart.
  5. Pierce the papers and cardstock following the marks you created before.
  6. Thread the ribbon through the needle so both ends would meet and start the binding stitching from the inside out, through one of the outer holes.
  7. Then go in through the opposite hole.
  8. Tie the ends together in a double knot and thread the needle out through the center hole and in again through the same hole.
  9. Thread the needle through the loop the tied ends create and then underneath the first stitch.
  10. Thread the needle out through the center hole again.
  11. Cut the ribbon off the needle and use the ends to close the notebook.
  12. To embellish the notebook I adhered 3 buttons with a dab of Diamond Glaze to the center of the notebook’s cover and adhered three punched out circles of patterned paper to the button. I then secured the patterned paper with another layer of Diamond Glaze.

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If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

Make Your Own Planner Workshop
 “Capture Your Dream” workshop is relaunching as a self-paced workshop. Isn’t this the perfect time for you to capture your dream and make it happen?

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial, Video Tutorial | 11 Comments »

Creativity Prompt – Make A Hardbound Journal From Packaging Material

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Hardbound Journal From Packaging Material
I love recycling and every time I manage to turn trash into treasure, I am happy. Maybe too happy, but that’s for the professionals to judge 🙂

If you are as jubilant about recycling as I am and would like to make a fat journal out of cardboard and packaging paper used for padding – then keep on scrolling.

I’ve got a video tutorial just for you.

Tools & Supply

How To


[Music by Josh Woodward, with permission]

Watch on You Tube.

Step-By-Step Instructions

  1. Cut cardboard at: 5½” by 4½” | 5½” by 4½” | 5½” by 1″.
  2. Cut 2 pieces of patterned paper for the cover, at: 8″ by 6″.
  3. Adhere the cover pieces to the center of the patterned paper with glue stick.
  4. Cut the corners of the patterned paper and leave a gap from the cardboard corners – a gap as long as the cardboard is thick (between ½” to ¼” depending on the cardboard).
  5. Fold the remaining patterned paper flaps over and adhere to the cardboard with glue stick.
  6. To cover the spine, cut a 6″ by 6″ piece of patterned paper diagonally. Cut it 2″-1½” away from the corner on each side.
  7. Fold and adhere the top patterned paper flaps to the cardboard spine with glue stick.
  8. Apply strong double sided adhesive to both edges of the patterned paper and attach the cover pieces to it. Allow an 1/8″ gap between the spine and each of the cover pieces.
  9. For the inside cover, cut your patterned paper at: 5¼” by 4¼” | 5¼” by 4¼” | 5¼” by 1″.
  10. Adhere the patterned paper to the inside cover with glue stick. Optional – To secure the adhesion go over the cover with a brayer a few times in different directions.
  11. Punch 2 holes in the spine using a Crop-a-Dile.
  12. Cut the insert pages (from the packaging paper, or any other plain paper you have) at 8″ by 5″.
  13. Fold the insert pages in half.
  14. Optional – Use a T-Square ruler to straighten up the inserts (or leave them looking rustic).
  15. Position your folded pages where they should lay inside the journal and mark the placement of the holes, then punch the inserts accordingly.
  16. Thread your string through the inserts, from the inside – out.
  17. Thread the ends of the string through the spine and secure in a knot or a double bow.
  18. Write your secrets and deepest wishes in the pages of your new handmade journal.

Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial, Video Tutorial | 6 Comments »

Creativity Prompt – How To Make An Art Journal

Friday, September 25th, 2009

How To Make An Art Journal

A good quality art journal with sturdy signatures may burn a hole in our pocket. However, by using just 5 high quality cardstock pieces, you can make your own art journal for a fraction of the price – not to mention the cute foam cover you get…

If you are interested in watching how to make one of these cute art journals, than keep on scrolling…

Tools and Supply

How To


[music is by Josh Woodward (with permission)]

Step by Step Instructions

  1. Cut your cardstock to 8″ by 5″ signatures.
  2. Fold the signatures in half. For a sharp crease use a bone folder.
  3. Poke holes along the crease line of each signature. Start at the center and then continue each inch below and above the center.
  4. Sew your signatures together. Start at the top hole and go through each hole with a plain running stitch, after you went through the bottom hole go back through the top hole again.
  5. When attaching the second signature (and the ones after it) secure each stitch by going through the stitches on the spine before threading the needle through the holes.
  6. After you have made the last stitch on the last signature, secure the ends with a few knots.
  7. Cut the fun foam at 9″ by 5¼” for the cover.
  8. Attach the signatures to the fun foam with a generous layer of glue stick. Apply pressure on the journal for an hour or so to ensure good adhesion.
  9. Start painting and sketching in your new art journal…

Share

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial, Video Tutorial | 10 Comments »

Journaling Prompt #32 – A Year In Review

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

Year end
Today, on the year end, just before you are about to embark on achieving your new year’s resolutions, it is the perfect time to review the past year. It is time to look at 2008 under a magnifying glass and take notes.

Leave criticism and self bashing out of this report! Only constructive inspection is allowed and for every fault you can find – add at least two admirable achievements you’ve had during the past year.

This week’s Journaling Prompt is to thoroughly review the year 2008 and to put your little trip down memory lane in writing.

The following questions may offer you some guidance:

  1. If you’d sum up the year 2008 in one sentence – what sentence would it be?
  2. What is your most joyous memory from 2008?
  3. What event has been most remarkable for you in 2008?
  4. Which of your 2008 goals did you meet?
  5. What resolution was the hardest to keep? Why? Which was the easiest resolution?
  6. In which ways have you developed and which were your setbacks?
  7. If you were able to change one thing in the past year, what would it be?
  8. What would you not have changed, had you given the opportunity (Despite some harsh circumstances)? Why?
  9. What decision or decisions you’ve made in 2008 were most influential?
  10. Who were the main players in your life in 2008?
  11. Which new friends have you met in 2008? Have you let a friendship get loose? Why?
  12. What book was your 2008 favorite? What song? Which movie?
  13. What new things have you tried in the past year?
  14. What traditions did you keep in 2008? Which traditions did you miss?
  15. What was the most important lesson you’ve learned in 2008?
  16. What new things have you learned about yourself in 2008?
  17. What were the greatest challenges that ran across you in 2008?
  18. What/who motivated you throughout the year?
  19. What major change has 2008 brought to you or do you feel you’re at a status-quo?
  20. If you’d sum up the year 2008 in a single word – what word would it be?

Hopefully these questions has assisted you in your year end review. You might have a clearer view of what your 2009 is about to be (your BEST ever).

Share –

For me 2008 has been blissful albeit challenging. I have lived most of 2008 in Dublin, Ireland – a country I had not been to before. I have come to love the friendliness of the Irish people and to admire the bright green slopes in the Irish country side. Fresh out of my wedding, I moved to a place far away from all my family and friends and have established the strongest relationship with my amazing husband. I have visited beautiful countries, including Iceland – a mesmerizing land. On top of that, I have left a job I was good at (being a lawyer) and started this blog and authored a great book on creativity, with both I am very proud.

2009 has a pretty big pair of shoes to fill…

How about you? How was your 2008? Share bits and pieces from your year end review by leaving a comment to this post.

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Creativity Prompt #15 – Make Your Own Matchbox Journal

Friday, September 5th, 2008

Matchbox Journal

Making handmade journals has become a special hobby of mine. It all started with with the hardbound journal and kind of evolved with the micro version of journal cuteness. In this post I will show you how to make a matchbox journal and I promise you haven’t seen the end of “Journal Mania” yet 😉

Supply –

Instructions –

  1. Trim the cardstock to a 5“ by 12“ strip and score at 5“, 5½“, 10½“, 11“, then fold all the score lines. Use a bone folder to make crisp folds (you can also use the bone folder to create the score lines if you haven’t got a stylus).
  2. Cut 20 pieces of handmade paper, measured: 4¾“ by 4¾“.
  3. Now we have some measuring to do – lazy people style … Collect all the inserts together and position on top of the small 1“ flap. Make sure all the “layers” are aligned and centered and put the ruler on top. Now mark 2 points which are equally separated from each side.
    (I am sure the picture will do the “measuring method” much justice than all the mumble jumble of words)
  4. For marking the punch marks inside, just use the marks on the flap as a guide.
  5. Punch all the marked points with the Crop-A-Dile. As you can see, you can easily punch through all the inserts at once.
  6. Thread a ribbon from the flap, through the inserts, into the back cover and back.
  7. The matchbooks journal is actually done, but I have an extra tip => after tying up a nice knot in the ribbon, apply nail varnish to the tips of the ribbon to prevent fraying.

Enjoy your journal:

Front –


Inside –

What do you think about the matchbox journal? Did you find the instructions comprehensible? Please leave a comment to this post!!!

New Feature –

I have started a Creativity Prompt Flickr Group
 to which you can submit your creativity-prompt inspired projects and you can also initiate a conversation on any relevant subject (including some Q&A or suggestions). You are all welcome to join.

Giveaway –

Do not miss your chance to win a free copy of my new e-book. Leave a comment with some feedback on this blog here to preserve your place at the giveaway.

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Creativity Prompt #14 – Making A Teeny-Tiny Journal

Friday, August 8th, 2008

This prompt is a variation of the hard-cover journal tutorial. This time the journal is teensy-weensy and can easily be carried around in your pocket or your handbag. As an added bonus, the cuteness factor makes you want to actually use it all the time 🙂

Supply –

Instructions –

  1. Cut 3 pieces of chipboard, measured: 3×3, 3×3 & ¼ x 3 inches.
  2. Repeat the same process of making the hard-cover journal tutorial for covering up the covers and the spine and then adhering them together.


    3. The picture features a different micro-journal, but the technique is the same. I made a bunch of these cute minis and didn’t take pictures of each one separately.

  3. Adhere a strip of double sided tape along the middle of the journal’s binding, widthwise, to secure the ribbon on it. Adhere the ribbon and make sure it is long enough to be wrapped around the journal several times, when it’s closed.
  4. Cut the handmade paper to size (10 pieces measured: 2¾x5½ and one piece measured 2¾x6½).
  5. Fold each of the 10 pieces of the handmade paper in half and burnish the fold with the bone folder.
  6. Score the longer strip of handmade paper at 2¾ on each side, to allow an ½ inch spine in the middle. Burnish the folds with the bone folder.
  7. Pierce each of the 10 pieces of the handmade paper at the middle of the score line (fold) and again 1 inch to the top and to the bottom of the middle hole. All together, each piece should be pierced three times along the middle fold.
  8. Pierce the spine of the longer strip of handmade paper, as follows:

                  Ã‚°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°
    « 1 inch »
    middle       Ã‚°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°

    « 1 inch »
                  Ã‚°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°Â°

    Basically what you need to end up with is a corresponding hole to each of the signatures’ holes
  9. Use the needle and thread to sew each separate signature to the spine.
  10. Attach the bound signatures to the cover of the micro journal, using double sided tape



Voilà!
Now, don’t be surprised if the journal starts multiplying …
Consider yourself duly warned 😉



Please share your own micro journal creations with me and don’t hesitate to ask for more information, either by commenting or by using the contact form.

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Posted in creativity prompt, Tutorial | 3 Comments »