I've recently been able to take my first few days off work since Christmas and it's left me brimming with energy and new ideas. In amongst all of the deadlines and projects that I was working on, the opportunities to rest became almost non-existent and I became trapped in the routine of working every day and most evenings to keep on top of things.
Whilst I love to be busy and have plenty of things on the go, I could definitely feel that my workload was starting to take it's toll on me. My energy levels were dipping, I had all sorts of aches and pains and even the smallest of tasks were starting to feel like a monumental challenge.
I finally saw a small gap in my schedule and decided to make the most of it. During those days off, I took new Skillshare classes, read books and sometimes just stared into space. I couldn't believe how different I felt within just 48 hours. It felt incredibly luxurious to just relax, create and ignore my emails. I feel so much fresher and it's been a really big reminder for me of just how important it is to rest and take care of ourselves.
Anyway, it was those thoughts that I documented in these journal pages and I will share my process down below.
The journal I am using is a standard size Travelers Notebook insert, with Tomoe River paper, which I keep inside a Vintage Lite Travelers Notebook cover. These are both from Start Bay Notebooks and Journal With Purpose followers can use the code JWP10 for a 10% discount if you're on the look out for a new journal.
Step 1: I used watercolour paint from London Gifties to create the look of a washi tape strip running down my page. I used a pale brown colour first to create the strip and then dropped two other colours of paint along the wet colour to allow them to mix together. The brush I use is an Escoda Travel brush, size 8.
Step 2: I used some dies from my own product range with a Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine to cut out a pocket and tag.
Step 3: I popped the cut shapes out of the dies. The card stock I used was from the Tim Holtz idea-ology range.
Step 4: I used a Tim Holtz stencil, with Distress inks in Antique Linen and Vintage Photo colours. An ink blending tool was used to push the ink through the stencil.
Step 5: I added some clear PVA glue to stick the pocket to my page.
Step 6: For extra decoration, I glued some gold flakes on top of the pocket.
Step 7: I dripped some Distress Spray Stain in Tarnished Brass colour across both pages.
Step 8: I then looked through the images that I had printed on my PoooliPrint pocket printer. Journal With Purpose followers can get a 15% discount on this printer by using the code HELEN15.
Step 9: I stuck the printed image just inside my pocket, with it popping out of the top. I also wrote on the tag and tucked that inside too.
Step 10: I used some transfer stickers from London Gifties for some additional pretty decoration on both pages.
Step 11: To add the date I used a Midori brass stencil and Staedtler pigment liner.
Step 12: I decided to add a quote that represented what my journal pages were about. For this I used a Brause Nib Holder, a Nikko G nib and Pilot Iroshizuku ink in Take-Sumi colour.
With the decoration complete, I added my journal writing using a black Muji gel pen.
*Some of the links in this blog post are affiiate links. This means that I earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
You can also watch me creating these pages on my YouTube channel.
I really hope that you enjoyed this blog post and that you're taking some time to look after yourself. Helen xx