Oh my sweetums, today I’m going to show you step-by-step how I create a page…no, no, a spread… in my arty life journal.

First, despite the fact that this is a prosperity journal, I’m using a cheap Composition notebook. Made even cheaper with back to school sales. I love these little books, especially now that I don’t have to have them, don’t have to fill them with spelling and penmanship and math.

Look at that. Brings back memories, eh? Can’t you just smell the pencils and eraser dust?

Blank pages just waiting

Okay, before we do anything, got to slap on some gesso. Because the paper has no substance, none at all. In fact, it looks like the page on the left has an owie. Think I closed the journal before it was dry. Whatever. Adds to the texture, don’t you think? Because it’s all about texture here. I love the way the pages feel at this stage. A little more substantial. A little crinkly. Just begging for paint.

Oh! Pretty colors!

In keeping with the cheap theme of the notebook, I used (what else) cheap craft acrylics. But only because they have little binder and a softer, chalkier finish. Better to write on. And besides, I happen to have quite a few on hand for working with plaster. Notice how carefully I apply the paint. Umm…not!

Then I covered the pages with text, in this case a prompt from Michele Morton Bergh’s Prosperity Blooms e-course. Yes, I see the irony…bragging about cheap notebooks, cheap paint while creating the prosperity intention. I used a variety of pens and pencils as I wrote the prompt forty times. Just to keep things interesting, you know.

The text begged for an illustration so I added figures representing my parents and myself.

And then a bunch of arty bling because it’s fun. And it’s ALL about the bling today.

And now, in the words of the great alien philosopher, Mr. Spock…

Live long and prosper!