Mini Happy Planner Tutorial

I decided to do a quick little tutorial about 

decorating a Mini Happy Planner.  Figured we

could all use a little something to take our minds

off recent serious events. Arts and crafts to 

reduce anxiety and have some fun!  A special

welcome to anyone visiting from the 

"Harry Potter And The Order of the Planners"

Facebook group. Yes, that's a thing!  We love

the Harry Potter books and it's a friendly,

welcoming group. Click on any image

to enlarge for a closer look.

The planner that I'm using has pink accents in the

gutter and for dividing the days of the week.

We will change the color combinations as

we decorate.  The pages are about 7 inches

high by 4 5/8 inches wide.

Collect your supplies. I'll be using Washi tape in

both 3/16 inch width, and 1/2 inch width, Mildliner

markers, and Harry Potter themed stickers.

For the month of March, the Harry Potter group

has been celebrating each Hogwarts House. This 

week I decided to go with a Ravenclaw theme. 

(Even though I'm in Gryffindor, I like to change

things up) Ravenclaw's House colors are blue and

bronze.  The first thing I did was use the wide tip of

my blue Mildliner marker to color in the outside

edges of the pages. 

 I also wanted to cover the pink center of the

 page with Washi.  The tape was a bit wider 

than I would like, so I lined up the edge

of the tape with the end of the daily box, and the 

other edge of the tape ran off the edge of the page.

Then I just trimmed it with scissors.  Do this for both

pages. 

Since the page holes are now covered, I used a hole

punch to punch holes in the tape. (If you have a Happy

Planner punch, that's even easier!) Punch the holes from

the back side so you can see the spacing. Then also 

trim the tiny strip from the hole to the edge of the 

page with your scissors.

Next, I used the narrow (brownish colored) tape to 

cover the pink lines between the days of the week.

I numbered the days of the week with the blue Mildliner.

Then I outlined the numbers with an extra fine point

pen. ( .01 Pigma Micron)  You wouldn't need to 

outline them, I just like the look better.

Probably my favorite part is adding the stickers!

I used symbols and objects that suggest the 

Ravenclaw House.  In the upper right corner 

is the raven (or eagle depending on which you

 prefer) that is my own hand-drawn

illustration. I try to vary the placement of the 

stickers for interest, keeping in mind I need to 

leave space to add my "to do" lists.  I also covered

the 'weekly  highlights' and 'notes' with 

stickers and Washi tape.

Here I've used the wide tip of the Mildliner to 

make small check-boxes for each day.  You could

certainly use sticker check-boxes if you

have them on hand.  In the

Facebook group we have daily challenges

that we can choose to participate in, so these

are the events that I want to make sure 

I complete!

You may have noticed that I added another strip

of narrow tape at the bottom of the page.  I thought 

the page needed it to look complete. Since I had 

already put down stickers, I used the tip of an x-acto

knife to lift the tiny legs of the telescope so I 

could apply tape underneath. You may even have

the specific tool that is used for that. 

Write in your lists for each day, and you're done!

Well, ok. I thought it still needed something more,

so I added diagonal stripes at the top of the 

pages in a different color of blue Mildliner.  Blue

and Bronze Ravenclaw pages...did you spot 

Luna Lovegood  and the radish earrings?!

There are many ways to decorate a planner, and

this is just one. You can obviously get a totally

different look with the use of different colors,

designs, and themes. 

Happy Planning!

Scrap Border Journal Page Tutorial

Every tiny scrap of scrapbook paper, painted paper, lined paper, junk mail and doodled paper is fodder for a scrap border art journal page.  An artist tends to see the potential in unlikely sources and materials...even the grocery list.

This is a technique that beginning journalers can use, but  also appeals to veteran journalers as well. The scraps, colors, patterns and textures you choose make it your own.

THE PROCESS:

1.)  Apply a light watercolor wash to your page.  I just use Prang watercolors. Artist grade watercolors would be even better. (I don't recommend Crayola brand watercolors for this, as they seem to have a more waxy content, and it's difficult to get a pen to write over them.)

Light watercolor wash-didn't show up on my scan very well...
Yellow, red, blue, and a bit of orange. Green created by overlap of yellow & blue.

2.)  Collect your paper scraps. I sort through them picking scraps which have colors that coordinate, but also include scraps for contrast as well.

3.)  Some scraps of painted papers (from when I am cleaning my brushes off) may have just a few strokes of paint on them. (below) Add some highlighter to them to make the colors on the page really pop.

4.)  Arrange some of your scraps along the outside edge of the page. I don't usually put collage in the 'gutter' side, as this makes the journal more difficult to close with the addition of extra thicknesses of papers.  Choose different sizes and shapes, coordinating and contrasting colors. Try a variety of 

arrangements before gluing down.

Cut and tear an assortment of colorful papers and arrange
them into a border. Try different arrangements before gluing.

Hint: If you accidentally disarrange the scraps and can't remember how you had them placed, (as I invariably do) take a picture with your phone when you find an arrangement you like.  Refer back to the photo for the original placement of the scraps!

5.  Glue down scraps. Add more highlighter if you like bright colors!  You can add highlighter to the background or the scraps, or both.

6.)  Then doodle and shade the border arrangement.  You can add all types of swirls, patterns, dots and shading. I use a Sharpie pen (not a Sharpie permanent marker-- it will bleed through the paper. A Sharpie pen will not) As I was gluing the scraps down, I came across some leaves that I had drawn and painted; so I cut them out and added those to the border also.

7.)   The result is a lovely decorated page that you can journal on.  Add text in your own handwriting, with stamping, or computer generated text.  Journal your thoughts, a quote, or whatever you did that day. 

script added in the top border; hand-drawn text on the page
is a quote from Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne

When my grandson was little, an "adventure" was when we would put a few toys in his wagon, along with a blanket, and some snacks. Then we would go outside for a walk, stop to play on the swings, and find a nice tree to play under. We would read books and play with his little cars. We still like to have adventures, but they have to be a bit more exciting the older he gets! This page makes me think of those times with my own children, and with my grandchildren.  Memories captured in a journal...

Please let me know if you try this technique, I would love to see the results!  You can also see other tutorials in the side bar~ click on the tea cup.

Linking to the Art Journal Journey Challenge for March 2016:

"If You Go Down to the Woods." 

Halloween Sketches and Tutorial

Sketches for Halloween

from vintage images.  These

are in my art journal from 2008,

pencil, pen, and colored pencil.

I plan to celebrate Halloween on

this blog for the whole month, so

stay tuned for Halloween fun,

both old and new!

Sketches for Art Dolls, also 2008.

The paper doll on the right

is the one I ended up making

from cardboard. You will get to

see 'Pumpkin Jack' later on in

the month of October...

Above, a sketch for an ATC

that I was planning. I don't remember

if the final card ended up looking exactly

like this, but I really liked the way this

sketch turned out. Look out Blues Brothers...

Above, is the art journal page

that I made for a TUTORIAL

this week. It's over on my 

weight-loss blog, Healthy Momentum.

You can also find it on the Tutorials Page

of this blog in the side bar. (look for the tea cup)

 The Tutorial was designed to be easy,

 for people who are just getting started in

journaling, or aren't confident in

their drawing skills. Try it!

Linking up with 

Bleubeard and Elizabeth for the

T Tuesday blog hop.  Above, a 

cute Rooster Tea Pot and matching

cups that I saw at Sauder Village.

Join us for a beverage and

creative pursuits.

Tutorial: Art Journal Page

Last week I shared an art journal page. 

I had originally planned to post a tutorial

for making that page, but when I got the 

paintbrush in my hand and started 

creating, I completely forgot to take

 scans of the steps to complete the page!

I also realized that not everyone likes 

their own handwriting, or wants to take

the time to draw fancy letter styles.

So here's an Art Journal Page Tutorial

  with a variety of ways to add text, 

other than writing in your own handwriting...

"GOOD DAY" Art Journal Page Tutorial~

Supplies:

• Art Journal of your choice; mixed media or watercolor paper is good, but not essential
• Permanent (waterproof) marker or pen, in medium and fine point sizes
• Watercolors and water
• Paintbrush: 3/4" flat
• Highlighters
• Your choice of text - words/phrases
• Scraps of a variety of papers: scrapbook, book text, painted scraps
• Scissors and adhesive (I used Aleene's Tacky Glue)
• Ideas for wording to be added to the page

•  •  •

My first step was to think about what

words or phrases would be included on 

the page, and determine the number of 

sections into which I would divide the page. 

I drew a border around the page: a

variety of wiggly lines, curlicues, 

marks and dots. I didn't try to be

necessarily balanced or 'even.'

I used a medium point permanent marker,

 over which I can use water media

 without smearing the ink.

I divided the page into the number

of phrases in 'my list' for a Good Day,

again making different little patterns

that are easy to draw. You could 

also just use 'straight' or wavy lines

as dividing borders.  Those who like

to Zentangle could really showcase

their abilities here!

I applied light watercolor washes to

the page,and chose to vary the colors

from section to section.  This is a Canson

sketchbook, so the pages aren't intended

for water media.  Some buckling of the 

paper occurred, but I just tried to use as

little water as I could. After it dried, just

closing the book flattened the pages again.

I used Prang pan watercolors--the kind

you can buy for elementary school kids,

and a 3/4" flat paintbrush to fill in

 the areas quickly.

For the lettering, there are a variety of 

ways to add text on the page:

• --Your own hand-written cursive
• --Your own hand-written printing
• --Letters cut from magazines or newspapers
• --Computer generated words or phrases
• --Stamped text using rubber stamp letters
• --Words cut from a book, or junk mail
• --Lettering from scrapbook paper
• --Letters from sticker sets or rub-ons
• --Stencil lettering
• --Use a typewriter to type words on a separate paper, then cut and paste the paper to your page

I didn't have any stencils small enough

 to fit on this page, but I did have some

 scrapbook letters that I cut out, and 

stickers--used in the last line.

This is a place where you could 

call your art journal page 'done.'

But I find that adding doodles, shading,

and decoration is my favorite part of

the process!

A view of the Bic highlighters I used,

and my morning cup of Mocha coffee.

I added highlighter (above) to some areas

to brighten up the page, add shading

and accents.  I also decided I needed

to clarify what I meant by

"accomplish something,"  so

 there is now another line in parenthesis

below it. Keep in mind that housework is 

the last thing on my daily 'To Do' list...ahem!

 This could be another 

point where you could call it 'done.'

but I want to create some

simple flowers for filling in some

spaces, so let's keep going...

I made some 'flowers' from

a book page. You could also use

ledger paper, scrapbook paper, or

any painted paper scraps.

Draw simple oval shapes with the

medium point permanent marker.

Then add color using watercolors,

or highlighters.  I used highlighters.

Be sure to draw your flowers in

a size that will fit your journal page.

Using highlighters, overlapping colors

can give you additional colors. I didn't

have a purple highlighter, but overlapping

pink and blue gave me purple. You can

add more details with a fine point

marker now, or later when you've 

adhered the flower to the page. 

Cut out the flower heads with scissors.

I cut several 'outside' the outlines, letting

the text create an additional border.

Adhere the flower heads to the page

where you like, draw in stems, and

accent stems with green highlighter.

At this point you could also draw leaves, 

but I drew leaves on the text page

scraps, cut out, and adhered

them also.

Beneath the top flower heads,

I didn't feel there was enough room

for leaves, so I drew in some 

curlicues and dots.

Another option for adding a decorative design is

to add some stamping. Since I am not confident

with my 'stamping abilities,'  I usually just draw

or doodle where I want to add designs.  It's your

Art Journal...do whatever you like best.

 For additional decorative motifs, research symbols in the assorted fonts of the word processing program on your computer. Look for symbols that might be fun to use on your journal pages. If you have any version of 'Wingdings' you can find a wide variety of symbols to use as 'fillers' or design elements. I printed out a page full of assorted motifs on white card stock, so I can have them on hand for future projects.

I chose a leaf design in Wingdings 2. (above)

 I made sure to include the reverse design 

in the motifs I printed out, so there would 

be a mirror image on opposite sides. I chose

to leave these uncolored, as I felt the black

and white went well with the striped scrapbook

paper on which I mounted these words cut

from an old book.

I rather wish I hadn't added the highlighter

to the word 'Art'...but it will do.

When I was looking for words to cut from

an old elementary school Health textbook,

one of the things it mentioned for the children

was being safe.  I rather take that for granted.

But I really shouldn't. Not everyone feels

safe...even in their own homes.  So

I decided it was a good reminder to 

include on this page.

Once I go to bed, I usually sleep fairly

well. But I am notorious for staying up 

late.  I've discovered, though, that 

many people don't feel as though they

get enough sleep. So again, I am fortunate.

Lastly, sign and date your page.

It's a helpful step in seeing 

your art work progress and change

over time.  Also, it's important

to have that signature to signify

your copyright of the work.

It's a good day when I finish

a blog post, and actually create

the tutorial that I had intended! 

Linking up for T Tuesday

with Bleubeard and Elizabeth.

Join us for a beverage...

What makes a "Good Day" for you?