Norma Anne is the humble princess of her own domain. Many thanks to all who help and apologies for my mistakes. All artwork and articles copyright Norma Anne Chattin 2000-present. Please do not reproduce with permission. Contact Norma Anne at NAChattin@NAChattin.com
Renew this book!
Create an artful journal from an outdated or otherwise “lonely” book.
Journals open a world of discovery. They are not just for “real” writers or artists; they are for everyone that has thoughts--everyone that desires more meaning and creativity in their lives.
Alter a book into your own artful journal and stretch your creative boundaries. The Renew this book! series guides you with videos, photographs, and written tutorials through the theory and process of creating your own visual journal.
Page Prep Process--Prepare your pages for daily journaling
Page Prep Process written instructions below video
Page Prep Process
Having your book ready to journal in will motivate you to begin the process and make the habit of journaling easier for you. Prep the book itself and about a dozen pages before you begin your entries.
Process:
Cuts--
Use the cutting blade to remove selected pages from the book. This will allow you to comfortable layer media on the remaining pages.
Page removal process:
*Start about 4 pages in and group 2-3 pages together with cutting mat underneath.
*Slice through the 2-3 pages as close as possible to the binding
*Skip several pages and remove 2.3 more until you reach the end of the book.
*After removing pages go back to the beginning of the book and use your knife and cutting mat to make “windows” in the middle of some pages, slice a curving edge, or cut some pages in half horizontally.
Color Backgrounds—
Making a new background every day can seem daunting. Add some backgrounds before you start to ease yourself into the process. Starting this way allows you use color mediums you might not want to drag out every time you make an entry—plus they are already dry.
Use your selected color tools on the first dozen or so pages.
Layer colors until you are pleased.
Use a light hand and think of a color wash or stain as opposed to goopy wet paint.
Switch up color combinations as you go along.
There is no need to put an opaque cover on every inch of the page, work around photos that appeal to your or words and titles.
When you complete two facing pages insert a piece of the plastic grocery bag or wax paper between the pages to prevent them from sticking together.
Continue adding color to the first ten or so pages before moving to the mid-section of the book and doing a few more for good measure.
Paste in Page Accents—
Page accents will help start your entries when you begin journaling. They are not meant to cover an entire page, just add some interest. You will build on these when you start your process. Add pictures and places where you can write.
Suggested Suplies
Xacto™ knife or other very sharp cutting blade to remove pages from binding
Thin cutting mat
Background color materials (there are a lot that work but start with just one medium to prevent overwhelming yourself)
Ink pad refills
Ink pads
Pastels
Acrylic paint (the craft store bottles are great)
Large tip markers
Paint pens
Application tools for these such as felt pieces, pompons, paint brushes, sponge brushes, pieces of kitchen sponges or make-up sponges
Plastic grocery bags, or wax paper, or other non-stick paper
Media scraps (again, there are tons of options but start with just one or two while keeping the others in mind for future sessions—seek renewable resources when possible)
Magazine that you can tear items from
Scrapbook or card making supplies you have on hand
Pages from old notebooks or journals that need recycling
Drawings from your sketch book or from your kids
Rubber stamps
Old greeting cards
Stickers
Wrapping paper scraps
Old brochures, post cards, junk mail
Adhesive and other attachment helpers
Dry glue like double stick tape, glue dots, tape runner
Wet glue like tacky glue, school glue, collage medium
The covers
