Creative Ways to Enhance Your Concertina Art Journal

I’ve been having a bit of fun and working in my concertina art journal also known as an accordion journal. The next four pages burst with layered whimsy and creative reuse. I started with collaged butterflies—each one crafted from stash papers I had previously made. Their wings are full of bright colors and lively movement, bringing a sense of flight across the spread.

To add a bit more charm, I included collaged pieces from an old book page and sketched in snippets of musical notes. They bring just the right touch of vintage whimsy. I also added gold pen accents that catch the light in such a lovely way, tying everything together with a gentle shimmer. One page has a leafy collage that helps ground the butterflies and adds a sweet little nod to nature.

On the far right page, I included a small pocket—just big enough to hold a hand drawn woven paper and a cut-down strip from a loose watercolor painting. It’s a little surprise tucked into the page, inviting interaction and a closer look.

This spread is all about play, texture, and transformation—breathing new life into forgotten bits and well-loved papers. I had so much fun watching it all come together, layer by layer.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my latest concertina journal pages! Do you have favorite treasures hiding in your stash that always inspire you? I’d love to hear what you’ve been making—feel free to share in the comments.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderfully creative weekend ahead!

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Creative Inchies: Transforming Small Art into Big Inspiration

“Inchies” may be small, but they sure pack a big creative punch! Over time, I’ve built up quite a collection of these little abstracts. Recently, I made some leaf impressions with watercolors but wasn’t sure what to do with them—until inspiration struck!

I realized they were the perfect size for my 6×6 inch Bee Paper Mixed Media Journal. So, I dug into my inchie stash, picked out some favorites, cut them out and turned them into vibrant collaged abstracts. I love how dynamic they look!

I’m also thinking these could be part of a larger piece—what do you think? 🌿💚

Hope this sparks a little creativity for you! Wishing you a cheerful and inspired weekend!

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Creative Journal Layouts with ArtFoamies

This holiday season, I treated myself to ArtFoamies—chunky, foam stamps that offer endless creative possibilities! They work beautifully with acrylics, inks, and more. Since each order is custom-made, it took a little time to arrive, but it was worth the wait!

Browsing their website felt like being a kid in a candy store—so many fun designs! 😂 After much debate, I picked a variety of stamps I can’t wait to share in future projects.

First Creation
For my first journal layout, I used a stunning design by Gina Aherns (@ginabahrens) featuring three elegant women, perfect for my 9×12-inch Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal (photos below!).

I started with handwritten text on the background, softened it with acrylic paint, then added a swirl stencil for extra texture. Stamping with watered-down white acrylic paint got a bit messy (oops!), but I love the perfectly imperfect result! Highlights and shading added dimension, bringing the piece to life.

I finished with a handwritten quote that resonates deeply with me:
“Rejoice in your journey! The good & bad have all shaped your character and given you strength. Rejoice!!!”

This page was a joy to create, and I’m already dreaming up new ways to use these stamps. Now, it’s your turn! What new creative tools or techniques have you tried recently? I’d love to hear all about your favorite discoveries—let’s inspire each other to keep creating magic!

Wishing you a weekend full of inspiration, joy, and creative adventure! 🌟💛

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