I resisted Art Journaling for several years. I suppose it was because I basically didn’t understand the concept. I’m still not sure I understand it but I’m hooked now so it doesn’t really matter.

I’ve followed Margie Kemper for several years and have always enjoyed her colorful art journals. I also really enjoy following along with France Papillon and her Journal on Monday. Another favorite is Roben-Marie Smith. If you visit their blogs you’ll notice they all have very different styles – and I love them all!

Even though I have followed these designers for quite some time and read their blogs I just wasn’t getting the big attraction to art journaling. Then we were talking about art journals at Cracker Jack Stampers one night and my friend Robin stated that it was basically a place where you could experiment with design, technique, style. There was no right or wrong – it was a place to play freely. At least that’s the explanation I walked away with.

So, this year I decided I would try my hand at art journaling. I’ve decided to scrap in my journal. So as soon as I figure out which theme I want to scrap I’ll begin adding photos to my background pages. We’ve turned this into a monthly workshop at Green Door Studio and so far we’re loving it!

Sometime during the month I peruse Pinterest in search of inspiration for an art journal spread. I pull out a few products and my journal paper and sit and play. I create my art journal spread and share those products and techniques later in the month during the workshop, giving the students total freedom in how they interpret what I share. It’s been so much fun, especially to see how differently the techniques and products are used by the students. No two pages look alike.

This month during my research I kept seeing cute little houses being used on art journal and scrapbook pages so I opted to cut some cute little houses of our own using my Tim Holtz Artful Dwelling die by Sizzix. I’ve had the die for at least two years and never used it. Fell in love!

Look what we did with them:

Join us for our next Art Journal workshop slated for Saturday, April 26. Sessions begin at 10:30 a.m. and run for four hours that just seem to fly by! Call us at Green Door Studio (810) 225-9190 to reserve your space.