How did that happen?!

Today I titled my blog post 'How did that happen?' because this journal page started out blue! I am often asked how I journal but it's very difficult to say because each time it seems to be different. Sometimes I put a wash of colour down just to get started and cover up the scary blank white page, that way I feel as if I have at least made a start. Here I did a quick wash with neocolor II.:

Then I added some pieces of music manuscript torn from an old music encyclopedia. Music has played a very big part in my life (I am a music teacher!) so it often features somewhere on my pages even if I do paint over it! I know it's there even if it doesn't show and that's what counts.... (You can see it very faintly in the finished page).

Now I add some acrylic paints. This is the point where I want to give up because now it looks DISGUSTING. If it was a removable page I would probably bin it right now.

Ahh, that's better! Some colour. I'm starting to like it again :-)  I added the colour using a Paper Artsy Splodger but an old credit card would work just the same. I haven't done this in my journal before but I like it, I do!

At this point I lay some collage images on and move them around a little until I'm happy with the look. Here I use some odds and ends left over from Teesha Moore collage sheets and re-collaged them!

Now I'm starting to enjoy myself because this is where I get to doodle on the page with anything that I have to hand. On this page I have added a touch of charcoal, some more neocolor II, white gel pen, and black marker:

Ta-da! Finally I add the journaling. I always always write straight onto the page, mistakes and all, without thinking about it too much. If I think about it or plan what I am going to write, it loses its honesty and starts to sound pretentious. Here I added a little felt tip as well, just for good measure.

If you do choose to read the small print (although I can't say I blame you if you don't ha ha!) you will see I have had yet another hectic weekend. My daughter's birthday, a sleepover, a meal out, a family party, my Mum coming to stay, a trip to the Great Northern Papercraft Exhibition - all in the space of 3 days. My writing seems to reflect this as my words have come out as a bit of a jumble.

And if you look at the top of the page you will also see that I'm getting irritated by my eyesight grrrrrrrrrrr. If I wear my contact lenses I can see far away but I can't see to read. If I wear my glasses I can take them off to read but then I can't see far away. What's a girl to do?!

Does a journal always have to be deep and meaningful? I don't think it always has to be so, it's whatever you want it to be. I quite like to ramble about my day, or my weekend or whatever. It empties my very busy head and I sleep better at night for doing so  :-)

Byeeeeeee for now.