So the past week or so I have been quenching my thirst to make journals, from which I got to thinking about all the journals I have currently sitting in my studio, not able to go in my journal trunks because only those finished may enter that land of journal fiefdom!
I have many more unfinished journals than what I share in this vlog, and it doesn't really bother me having so many semi-complete journals. I know some people feel guilty wanting to start yet another journal but I don't think it's wrong to love variety or being able to dip into other journals when you need to (this is where the 'theme' thing I talk about in the vlog comes into play). I think of it as having a favourite dish (my main art journal - currently my loose leaf journal) but occasionally having a taste or try of other things on the menu...still I'd be interested to hear how anyone else works, or what they would do with half-finished journals?
I have many more unfinished journals than what I share in this vlog, and it doesn't really bother me having so many semi-complete journals. I know some people feel guilty wanting to start yet another journal but I don't think it's wrong to love variety or being able to dip into other journals when you need to (this is where the 'theme' thing I talk about in the vlog comes into play). I think of it as having a favourite dish (my main art journal - currently my loose leaf journal) but occasionally having a taste or try of other things on the menu...still I'd be interested to hear how anyone else works, or what they would do with half-finished journals?
Psst just so you know I cut out about 5 mins of me acting (more) crazy in this....you're welcome ;) I blame the cough syrup!
So any suggestions for these? What about your unfinished journals?? Let me know in the comments below & I'll do a blogpost or video or something if I come up with any grand plans for using them up myself.
Much love
Jennibellie
i have many,many,many unfinished journals lol I love that they all have something different in them. I do sometimes feel guilty starting a new one, but it passes and I get on with the exciting business of a fresh start.
ReplyDeletewhy is it the start and sometimes the finish of any project is exciting, whereas the middle is mind numbingly tedious?
can we see more on the handbag one please i think a art display in a gallery would be good to show use all what we can do with what we have your so good at them it would work out really well
ReplyDeleteI think an encouragement journal would be awesome, you could put quotes, encouragement phrases, verses etc. in it. So when you are feeling down, you pick it up and read through some of them. I am currently working on a recycled Rolodex file, covering all the pages with scrapes of paper then putting my encouragements on each page. Will be very uplifting.
ReplyDeleteI love Gwen's idea of a show. This weekend I was at a small gallery show of art quilts which are part of a 230 some larger traveling show called "Scared Threads." I would love to see a gallery showing of your journals.
ReplyDeleteI had never done an art journal or altered book before I found you a few months ago. I currently have 3 in process. One of which is a gift for a niece and one which strangely enough is a gift for myself (similar to Deby's encouragement journal).
I am thinking about doing an art journal class for women in life transitions (redirection of career, rebuilding after a divorce or death, empty nest, etc.
My suggestion is to turn the journals upside down, make the back the new front, and go with whatever new direction comes to mind. The end result is like two journals in one.
Thanks for inspiring me!
Nancy
Love, the idea of turning upside down making the back the front.
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea, Nancy!
Deletehttp://neonkaleidoscope.blogspot.com
Put them up for sale! hee hee hee! I want one!!!
ReplyDeletexxx
Irene
Take one out each day or week. Which ever you feel inclined. Enjoy it's theme. Then put it up and enjoy the next. Not taking the same one down until you have done a little in each. Start again. Continue until they are finished. Just a suggestion. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHow about a Pinterest theme. I have a Pinterest board for quotes and word art. You could find a bunch of great quotes and fill a journal quite quickly, I would imagine - that is IF you can draw yourself away from Pinterest to actually get some pages done. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have a theme running through most of my journals and work on them as I feel the need I a pain journal a positive journal a course I'm doing journal holiday journal and sometimes don't use them for a while and pick them up when I need to I also leave them empty if a I feel I finish with that theme and that is also ok if there goog paper left to use I take it out and use it in other project I also move journal pages around an glue them in I works for me this way.
ReplyDeleteyour journals are, in themselves, pieces of art! I find that I still look over at my shelf of unfinished journals and feel absolutely no guilt because I can either remove pages from one journal and paste them into another or I can finish them when I get around to it. your looseleaf journal inspired me so much that it's the only style of journaling I do anymore and I absolutely love the freedom of not being bound in a book or to a particular order! I hope you can find a way to fill your amazing journals, lady…
ReplyDeleteI like the show idea. But it could be interactive and the viewers could work on a page as they pass by. Too much work ot organize. You need an agent! I too am making a quote jurnal. It is on going as I find quotes to put in it. So, no guilt. I would like to know where one might purchase the sari thread? Can you tell me? Thanks
ReplyDeleteI found some on ebay. they quite a bit actually. They are beautiful.
Deletehttp://zanzibartrading.com/RecycledSilkYarn.htm
Deletehere is another spot you may want to look at.
I love Gwen's idea of a gallery showing, however, that means a lot of fingers on your work. On the other hand it would be an inspiration for people. I was at a showing of part of a traveling exhibit of art quilts called "Scared Threads" last weekend. They had a guide to lead tours explaining the symbolism and techniques. She wore gloves and no one else was allowed to touch them.
ReplyDeleteMy idea is more about how to finish the journals. I think I would be tempted to turn the journals over, make the back a second front and work like it was a new journal until I reached the original works.
Thank you, Jennibellie (I think...lol!). I am a recycle artist who has spent most of my time creating to sell. After watching you a few months I purchased an art journal and started playing just for me. I love it...okay I am obsessed! That journal has just few pages left and I have started using discarded library books that someone gave me.
I did one for a dear friend (young) who was deeply spiritual and having trouble praying after a bad cancer diagnosis. A few days after her memorial her mother sent a note asking if the family could hold on to the journal for a while because it was a source of comfort to them. I, of course, called her and told her it was theirs to keep.
All of that is my way of saying, "You rock!"
Nancy Gillett, USA
Each journal you started had a purpose. As you change, the purpose of the journal changes. Some of your journals can be "retired," as they have served their purpose. Let go of the feeling that you "have to" complete each journal in order for it to have served its purpose. It's your choice! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteoh, yes, I'm still working on making some journals or altered... whatevers, but I know about being wedded to a theme.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'd suggest for you and for me and others like us, is to just try to broaden the theme a tiny bit. Either broaden the category a bit, or if there's just a little bit of stuff in the journal, take some aspect of what's in there - even just a letter of the alphabet, or a time of year and see if making that the "new theme" helps make it a more inclusive volume... but whatever you do, PLEASE SHARE - your ideas are so inspiring, you know...
wow deep thought and I am sorry you have that awful cold.
ReplyDeleteTake them to a cancer center one day and talk to people about what you do and leave one with who touches your heart..or a children's ward
hugs
susan s
For your unfinished journals, have you thought about using them as a gratitude journal or for putting quotes in? I have one journal that is just for quotes I find interesting or that touch me and that I feel I might use on one of my journal pages. Donating one that does not have anything personal written in it would also be an option. I have some journals that are just for neat ideas I find that I want to try, like
ReplyDeletethe kewl recycled buttons from on your blog. I also have one that I dedicate to song lyrics with art work. Hopefully you will find a purpose for all of your beautiful journals! Thank you for sharing.
~Gin K.~
Tuff dilema Jenny. I have the same problem , altho not soooo many yet as you have. I can think of absolutely no solution - sorry! Do let us know what you decide to do- I need an answer to this question too. much love.
ReplyDeleteThis is priceless - I too need this. Let's see 25 and counting, and I plan to start a new one today. I like the idea of turning the journal over and starting from the back; also the exhibition idea. I can't wait to hear what you come up with!
ReplyDeleteFinished Journals? Maybe view an unfinished journal as still holding opportunity and creativity yet to come. Like open days ahead on a calendar.
ReplyDelete