making journals

I have been creating journals like a mad woman! Both the kind with sewn signatures to insert into my recently made covers from cracker boxes and the loose leaf type, 6 holes necessary because of the notebook binder things I got from Temu.

It took me awhile to learn how to punch the proper holes to fit but I finally got the hang of it. If you have one of those heavy black contraptions that you have always used as a 3-hole punch, all you have to do is move the punch mechanism to the end — all three next to each other, and then remember that metric sized paper is 8.25″ wide instead of our commonly used 8.5″, you can match the 6 holes perfectly. (Punch one side, turn the page upside down and punch the other end. If you’re not trying to fit a 6-hole mechanism then just forget what I said.)

For some reason I felt a need to make journal after journal this past month. I should plan a mixed media art garage sale. But I love making these little books. I’ve also created some 8×10 collage pieces this past month.

I am having major surgery next week and that means I will be away from my studio for several weeks at a minimum, assuming I survive it. Since I’m 80, that’s always a consideration. So, about that garage sale…

I spent some time organizing papers I’ve saved, trashing some and vowing to use pieces I had forgotten about. I have been inspired to get out the color pencils and acrylic markers and add drawings to some of the pages.

It’s definitely a time to get lost in creating. I have been listening to my music collection instead of the 24/7 news and I can recommend that.

I think there is a reason we are inspired to create. I recommend you do it every chance you get.