Experiments in Journaling - Part 7

(Originally posted on October 6, 2017)

What do you do when you think you're on to something, but you're not quite there yet? What do you do with ideas that you're pretty sure you want to pursue, but that aren't yet fully formed? You put those ideas in your journal, of course -- where you can hold onto them for later, where you can evaluate them now that they're words on the page, where you can think a little on paper.

And when the ideas are difficult and still a bit uncomfortable to sort through, you can always add lighten the mood and brighten things up with tissue paper stripes and white gel pens.

Prompt: Ideas I'm working through.

Experiments in Journaling - Part 6

(Originally posted on October 5, 2017)

It just felt like a tissue-paper-polka-dot type of day.

Prompt: Coming up.

Experiments in Journaling - Part 5

(Originally posted on October 2, 2017)

Today's experiment: colour clouds. One colour per set of thoughts, with staggered margins. Kind of like actual thoughts, one bumping into the next. (It also felt a lot like putting a puzzle together. Which is one thing I love about journaling -- it often feels that way.)

Prompt: Making the most of ... family time, work time, night time, alone time, everyday routines/activities, and my journal.

Experiments in Journaling - Part 4

(Originally posted on September 29, 2017)

Remember those lift-the-flap books for toddlers? I see no reason why we can't incorporate that sense of playfulness and surprise into our journals.

This one starts as a list of fall things. But underneath each flap, I've jotted down a few thoughts about the list items and my adventures so far this fall. I can't wait to look back later at those memories -- hidden under the flaps.

Up next: Something crafty, I think...

Experiments in Journaling - Part 3

(Originally posted on September 28, 2017)

I'm always looking for ways to divide up journal pages and prompts, it seems, before I can jump in. Lists and categories and boxes with borders. Somehow the restrictions give me a place to start and then, once I get going, a way to spot the finish line.

This time, I sliced up a 5.5" square of cardstock and put it back together while working on a listy prompt. One thought per grid space. I really enjoyed this one and had a bit of an a-ha moment, too.

Up next: Something seasonal, I think.

Experiments in Journaling - Part 2

(Originally posted on September 27, 2016)

It took me a while to figure out where to start today, but once I did, I couldn't stop. Writing in snippets rather than paragraphs helped to get the ideas flowing and it felt quite freeing to write unconnected thoughts as they came to mind.

Perfect for days when your thoughts are all jumbled up or disjointed, like mine are today.

Up next: Not sure. I'm thinking flyer cutouts. Hmm.

Experiments in Journaling - Part 1

(Originally posted on September 26, 2017)

These days, I feel like experimenting, so I've decided to follow the impulse and see where it leads.

This one took a little too long to be a practical option on any sort of regular basis, but it just might be perfect for those days when I'm feeling impractical and craving a tactile experience. I loved playing with stitches and seeing the words come together slowly, letter by letter.

Up next: sticky notes!