Art Journaling

**Warning--LONG post ahead**
Who knew that two words could gather so many emotions in me! On the one hand I’m TERRIFIED to try this but on the other hand, I’m so intrigued that I can’t stop thinking about it and researching it and looking at it.
So I finally took a first step--hehe, a very baby first step, and asked about it on Facebook, because you know you can find out about everything on Facebook. LOL! I was so pleased at the discussion that ensued and also happy to hear that there were others who were like me, scared to start but scared not to start!!
Here’s a few places that got that spark going for me~

• The Greeting Farm- HeART Journaling
• Dana’s Inspirations
• Oh Bumble is Me
• Deconstructing Jen
• Yeah She Stamps
• Stamping Bella

I think this appeals to me so much because there really are no rules! It allows you to let your inner self out, to do what you want with those hoarded awesome supplies.
As a child I would doodle, nothing that I felt was art worthy but it was fun. I also use to take magazine after magazine and cut out pictures and make collage after collage! My Great-Grandmother was always so supportive of this, always telling me how nice they were, LOL! Ohh, and I just remembered mosaics..I would spend hours cutting out little squares and gluing them down to make pictures..hehe!
After much thought and then throwing caution to the wind, I decided to just jump in and get wet with this art journaling!
I truly hope it is a “no rules” kinda thing as I am going to use the supplies I have at home to start as <gasp> I’m trying to watch my spending. I gave away all my paint when we moved and really don’t even want to spend $$ on a journal so I’m just going to get creative with what I can find in this craft room!
So without more babble, here’s my first art journal page--be gentle-- I am using just plain old cardstock and then will put the pages together with rings or a binder or something after I have a few more. I decided to go with an 8x8 size. I chose cardstock as most of what I will be working with are copics, inks, sparkly goodies and maybe a few other mediums but it should work out for now.
This page actually was sparked in my brain when I saw the uber cute digi, Searching, from Whimsy and Stars Studio-Mabelle RO. Thought it would be the perfect cover/intro to my art journal as I seem to always be searching for who I am and what I mean to the universe!

  

 
I have to say, the hardest part for me is the randomness of it all. I am such an order freak that it was so hard to be random..but I can see that I might start to like it..hehe!
I really had fun with this and can see an addiction forming as I have tons of ideas rolling around in my head. If I continue, I can see an actual journal would be beneficial along with some other supplies--maybe that will be one of my birthday wishes!
Thanks for sticking with me through this marathon post!! Why not go create something for YOU!!
The little details~ digi-Searching, copics, copic multi-liner, SU markers, Crafter’s Workshop mini flutterby template, SU pretty in pink ink, SU beautiful wings die, Martha Stewart punches, TAC retired Sentimental Shapes and Well Defined Backgrounds, Taffy Smooch, DecoArt Ultrafine Glamour Dust Celebration Pink paint,