Holiday Art Journal: Joy to the World

Charles Dickens said this season is "a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time, when men and women seem by one consent to open their hearts freely!" Truly there does seem to be something magical about this time of year. Perhaps because we want there to be.

For your journal today, I invite you to think about a greater cause that moves you. Toys for Tots, raising awareness about and fighting disease, taking care of animals and the environment--there is no shortage of charities to support.

My favorite organizations have always been ones that help animals. I found some images that make me think of nature and my animal friends, and I started with a quote that moves me.

On my second page, I journaled a bit about why service to animals is important to me. Feel free to write down your thoughts, what motivates you and inspires you, what moves you and touches you.

This holiday season, whether you are able to volunteer, donate, or just spread the word, make a little time to be involved with your favorite charity. Pay it forward, and I believe you'll see a little more joy in your world.

Please feel free to leave links to your favorite organizations in the comments below.

My favorite favorite favorite organization is the Beagle Freedom Project, which rescues beagles from animal experimentation labs and helps raise awareness about cruelty free products!

♥ Shannon

Holiday Art Journal: Your Wish List

Now that you've listed out the gifts you're giving others, have a little fun coming up with what you would like. Your loved ones are going to ask, anyway--you might as well be prepared!

I always reuse wrapping paper and gift bags, so I started out with some left over paper and taped it down as my back drop. On a separate sheet of paper, I journaled about what I want for the holidays.

Now it's time to make your own list. This is for you, so you can dream big or small. Maybe put some items on there that you've been wanting for awhile, but just haven't splurged on for yourself (paper straws!). Maybe put items on you've been dreaming of for awhile (vintage fan!).

I've found that if you know exactly what you want, you'll probably get it. It isn't necessary to be modest or humble when your spouse asks what you want for Christmas--he's going to get you something! Make it easy for him! If you just want a clean house and a romantic evening, say it! If you want an iTunes gift card, say it!

And if right now you want something that isn't quite feasible (like, say, a phone call from Steven Spielberg), list it anyway as a dream, and you can begin to manifest it for yourself.

I'm adding the phone call to my list....

Don't forget to add your pages to the Holiday Art Journal Flickr Group!

♥ Shannon

Holiday Art Journal: The List!

I know some people who give fantastic, heart-warming, special, perfect gifts. I am not one of those people. But I'm working on it!

For today's prompt, write down a list of the gifts you want to give. Place the list in an envelope and tape the envelope into your journal. Make sure you can still get access to your list and make changes as needed.

Keep peepers out! You can either make it clear that surprises are kept inside, or you might have to employ deception! Label it with something boring like "random to do list" or "bills".  

I like to play with paper construction--today I cut out the shape of a ribbon-wrapped package. You can try any simple holiday shapes: triangle pine trees, candles, snow flakes. Have some fun!

When you're done, you'll have both a pretty page and a place for organizing your lists!

♥ Shannon

Holiday Art Journal: Favorite Traditions

When Matt and I started sharing the holidays together, it was fun to learn the different traditions he celebrates. Sometimes they conflict with mine ("Scrooged" versus "A Muppet's Christmas Carol"!) but mostly we've just added on to our holiday celebrations.

Today I invite you to think about your favorite traditions. I pulled some images that make me think of mine from a holiday magazine. Feel free to write directly on the pages.

If you respond to a lot of images, try making a collage. You can tape or glue pictures on top of each other. I used my pen to create borders to help the different images pop.

Just thinking about my holiday traditions made me smile! I hope it does the same for you!

♥ Shannon

Holiday Art Journal: Winter Playlist

What is your favorite music during the holiday season? I know for me, the Christmas Season becomes official when I hear Mannheim Steamroller.

Today is an exercise in layering for your art journal pages. I tore out images I liked from a few winter catalogs (Free People and Anthropologie, naturally!). I taped them down with double-sided tape, then topped with masking tape for a vintage scrapbook look.

Practice different fonts: type fonts and handwriting go well together. You can also play with all capitals and lowercase. Since I started art journaling, my handwriting has started to become more free.

Keep adding on notes and images--the different textures of lined paper, catalog images, and your notebook will give a cool dimension to your pages.

Don't be afraid to write directly on your images. Allow the eyes to roam around the page and list your thoughts--your favorite music, or maybe a memory the music conjures. If you make a mistake, simply cross it out and keep going--mistakes add character to your pages!

♥ Shannon

Holiday Art Journal: Winter Dreams

For today, think about what your goals and dreams are for this winter. On a sheet of lined or gridded paper, write your dreams, then give each one a border. Cut out each dreams separately.

For the background of your page, you can use a piece of scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, or a magazine or newspaper. Arrange your goals on your page and tape or glue them down as you like.

Whether your goals are small or grand, let them inspire you. Reach out to them all season long! I've listed a few things that I have been wanted to get done, but mostly I listed activities that I have been wanting to do with loved ones.

♥ Shannon

Holiday Art Journal: Bonus!

I'll be posting every day in December for my Holiday Art Journal series, but today you get a bonus entry: the cover!

I have tried many different ways to decorate the cover of my art journals: paper, mod podge, stickers, ribbon, etc. What I find works the best is to keep it simple. Modpodge will stick to other books on a shelf, and loose ends will catch and fall off. I like to use a few layers of paper firmly taped down.

For my Holiday Art Journal, I taped down a piece of holiday scrapbook paper, then gave it a border with another piece. Try writing out your own title on a separate piece of paper and frame it with a complimentary piece of paper. 

To add a little dimension, I wrote a favorite holiday quote (from "A Christmas Carol") right on front. I think using your own hand writing makes journals extra special, especially if someone who loves you will be reading it. They'll recognize your writing and it will remind them of any cards or letters you've written them!

Like I said, I keep it nice and simple because this is the least protected page. But it's still pretty, and it makes me happy to carry it around!

For information on what kind of notebook and materials I use, check out my info page!

Come back later today for your first entry!

♥ Shannon