Journaling with Heart

My latest journal keeping my attention

I have been Art Journaling for eight years or more

and I totally love the process!

It is where I can be myself,

record my thoughts and dreams and experiences,

it is mine and no one else's!

I do see that my techniques have changed over the years,

and my journals are becoming

even more personal, refined and fine-tuned.

I purchased the sweetest journal (pictured above) 

from Anthropologie (my favorite store ever!) last year,

and I have been working in it recently like crazy!

When I was at Squam 2015, two years ago, I had the pleasure

of taking an all day journal class with the amazing

Colleen Attara,

it was entitled "Turn the Page"

and my journaling changed from there on out!

We were to bring a book, any book and we would learn

that day to transform it into a magical place of the heart.

I warn you ... it is a truly addictive art!

I completed that book recently,

carried it back to Squam 2016

to show it to Colleen and let her know

how much her guidance meant to me.

 It is filled with moments, ideas, love and so much more.

I was truly saddened when I filled the last page!

What a treasure I now have!

It is filled with my life's journey!

My completed journal

I began working in my Anthropologie journal last year

when I traveled to Providence, RI

and spent sweet time with an amazing group

of creative sisters.

I have been working in that journal ever since.

These journals take time to fill and work within,

I am in no rush to fill them, I want them to

grow and grow.

Each day I write a poem, an idea, personal thoughts

and so much more.

In fact just today, my little Grandson Grayson

drew a page of art for me to cherish forever!

My little artist Grayson's addition

With each page, my heart is attached to the journal

even more.

The pages begin to fill with all kinds of wonderfulness!

I sew, glue, use washi tape, draw, watercolor,

tear magazine images, transform pages, build pockets, Zentangle® borders,

draw Mandalas, record my hopes and dreams  ...

How this one looks today!

When someone sends me a love note in the mail,

I save it.

If someone quotes something amazing I don't want to forget,

I save it

If I attend an amazing workshop or retreat, 

I always bring it with me,

filling the pages with ideas and notes I never want to forget.

I've learned to play with my art, collect pictures,

change the pages,

add "stuff"

making the pages a wonderland of my own little world.

Here are a few pages I would like to share with you ...

So if you haven't had the pleasure of working on a personal journal,

I encourage you to just begin.

Go find a journal that speaks to you ...

literally jumps into your hands,

or buy an old book and convert the pages,

just find one and begin.

Make it personal, make it yours ...

don't forget to write things that are important to you!

Moments you don't want to forget,

Record your heart feelings,

do some sketching,

save special mementos,

just begin!!!!

I promise you it will be worth it

and as the years pass you will have recorded

your life ... your amazing life.

What a treasure it will become, I promise you!

Donna Lee