Art Journals, Part 2

Emerson Quote page in my Art Journal

My original art journal project had issues. I have been enjoying the process of resolving them.  The issue I'll mention today is the handwriting problem - I disliked my hand writing, and felt it wrecked the work I put into creating my beautiful papers.

Goethe Quote Mixed Media page

A friend encouraged me to take a class she had taken - a brush lettering course taught by Emily Gail.  A single morning brush lettering class greatly improved my handwriting!  It went from a 2 out of 10 to a 4 out of 10.  That's a 100% improvement!

Emerson Quote page in my Large Art Journal

The teacher's beautiful writing (none shown in this post) is way better than my shaky script, but I was happy with my writing and progress, for a whole bunch of reasons. 

College Student Art Journal messages Set 1

I enjoyed practicing (a bit), so now I now think my writing is better than a 4.  I practiced so much I decided to create mini books for my college students to hopefully inspire them.  I get to create and play with more papers and create an heirloom for my children sharing wisdom I believe in.

College Student Art Journal Messages set 2

If my kids aren't encouraged, I am.  Writing out "Talent is rarely distinguishable, over the long run, 
from perseverance and 
lots of hard work"
over 10 times improves the handwriting, and 
I begin to believe what I am writing.

Talent and Vision Art Journal Pages

The best way to practice lettering using the special "brush" marker is on vellum, which I can cut out and attach to the art journal pages.  
I AM NO LONGER WRECKING ANY PAGES!!!

Done is Better than Good Art Journal pages

As my lettering improves, I can and do replace the vellum with the improved version - I become very happy, because "Done is better than good!", and I am "done" with a lot more pages now.

"Done is better than Good" Quote in my Journal

(By the way, my college kids get the black "comb" binding journals, and my small art journal is the one with the 2 silver rings.)


(The hand lettering class taught by Emily Gail at Village Paper and Ink in Greendale Wisconsin was an great addition to my journal!  Emily is an awesome teacher, and I recommend her classes if you are that lucky, or else there are youtube videos on brush lettering.)

(See my first Art Journal post here) 



Click on the images to see them enlarged.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...

Mixed Media 1

Mixed Media 2

Spring Gift Tags

Eggs of stone

Eggs-travaganza

Spring Tulips

Spring in Chicago

Spring Needlework

I am linking up to these parties:

Gingersnap crafts:Wow me Wed 351 (Entry x)
Girlish Whims: Whims Wednesday 355 (Entry 165)
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 290 (Entry 57)
Delightsome Life: Home and Garden Thurs 325 (Entry 135)
My husband: Beautifully Made 11 (Entry 38b)
Grandmas House: Wed Party 87 (Entry 111b) 
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things (Entry 36 of 216)
Imparting Grace: Grace at Home 299 9:30A Th (Entry 53 of 87)
French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 62 of )
Mythriftstoreaddiction: Vintage Charm 133 (Entry 32)
Richfaithrising: Blog Party (Entry 17)
Designthusiasm: Style Showcase 29 (Entry x)
Chic: Flaunt it Friday 403 (Entry 64 of 85)
Ms Toodygooshoes: Best of the weekend 123 (Entry 16)
Little Farmstead: Sundays Home Sa 7p (Entry 79)
Same as above: Maison de Cinq: Sundays Home (Entry 79)
Darling Diaries: Good Morning Mon 169 (Entry 24)
Silver Pennies: Sundays Party 264 (Entry 65)
Rustic Refined: Dishing it and Diggin it 201 (Entry 37)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 272 (Entry 163)
Marcela Cavaglieri: Frugal Find 215 (Entry 4 of 14)
Jembellish: A-Round-Tuit 415 (Entry 55)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Mon 333 (Entry 105)
Fromgardners: Handmade Hangout Th 5pm 207 (Entry 25)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Mon 329 (Entry 4)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 486 (Entry x)
Good Random Fun: Good Random Fun (Entry 30)
TumbleContessa: Whatd-do-Weekend 273 (Entry 97)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues Mon 5p 424 (Entry 4)
Maria Elena: Tue at Our Home Mon 258 (Entry 42)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 4p 217 (Entry 141)
Cedarhill Farmhouse: The Scoop Mon 5p 327 (Entry 1)
Skip to my Lou: Made by you Mon 109 (Entry 80)
Oh my hearts: Heartsie girls Wonderful Wed 108 (Entry 14)
How to Home: Project Inspired Mon 7p 274 (Entry 4)
Celebrate: Celebrate Story 129 (Entry 75 of 132)
Dedicated House: Make it Pretty Mon 8p 242 (Entry 13 of 81)
Interior frugalista: Talk of the Town Tu 6p 120 (Entry 11 of 111)
My Repurposed Life: Talk of the Town 124 (Entry 11 of 111)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 388 (Entry 241 of 286)
21Rosemarylane: Share Your Style 171 Wed 6p (Entry 5)
* Designthusiasm: Style Showcase 26 (Entry)

321959