A Finished Journal...

Finally finished. This journal took a really long time to finish. At over 100 pages, and being on the road we became quite intimate.


I like to ink around my pages to give them some dimension. This was a "diary" type journal with a lot of everyday life thrown in.

I started this journal in the midst of my selling my house and sorting, packing and storing my belongings. It severely limited how much "art" I could do in my journal. I decided to use up old magazines and catalogs. They also make a good surface to glue on. In a hotel or friend's house this is important.

Photographs from home always are welcome. They help to capture a moment or something you were doing. I like to use decorative tape in this type of journal to block off a designated place to capture my thoughts.

I like to include recipes, wine labels, menus, etc. That way when I go to the store to shop I know what to look for. The boys and I enjoy trying out wines from different countries. Over the holidays we pick a country and one night serve food and wine from there. Argentina and Chile are always a big hit. Another one of my boys enjoys beer. I am always amazed at the cool labels they have.

This journal has had a lot of puppy dogs in it. It seemed like I was always finding some cute pup pictures. I figured after about the tenth photo it must be some sort of sign. I have really enjoyed all of the pups I have come in contact with the past few months. Almost every place I have stayed has had at least one or to pups. [Our little guy passed away about 5 years ago.]

More wine labels and a template for an ornament from another December journal page.

I included in this journal things I was attracted to. I figured it was a start on decorating the new house - when I find it. I also found things to remind me of home. I have a clock collection and in this journal I included some images of clocks I have or clocks I am on the look out for. They are also a reminder to enjoy this time. It is a gift.

Here is an example of a page that I just used ideas that appealed to me that I found in several different magazines. I cut them out and put in my journals. I can never find these ideas when I go back through my magazines. This way I have several on a page. Going through a journal is so much easier. I have several journals that I call "idea" journals that have nothing but things I have found in books, magazines, etc... On this page scrabble tiles for name tags for your table, or for the buffet table to name the food you are serving, some rather cool jars to store your fruit and veggies in, and a great recipe for raspberry sparklers.

A good afternoon with friends!

Words can motivate you to do things you might not think was possible. I find that those words of intent can be very important in your life. Remember them. Use them daily.

The end.


I thought I would share this journal with you to show you that your journal can be anything you want it to be. It can be a lovely art journal, a place to jot down lists, decorating ideas, menus, recipes, keep pictures you love, your deepest dreams. A journal can be anything you want it to be, you can have more than one going at a time. Just journal. It will set you free.