Tag:mixed media
If you love colour, texture, and a bit of laid-back style, a mixed-media boho journal is a super fun project. It’s part art piece, part personal keepsake—and unique. Here’s a simple guide to creating your own.
Gather Your Goodies
Gather a variety of papers, including old book pages, scrapbook scraps, watercolour sheets, and coffee or tea-dyed papers. You can also use brown paper bags if you like their appearance. For the spine of your project, select some decorative beads—these can be wood, glass, or ceramic. Additionally, make sure to have some waxed linen thread or a strong cord on hand.
Play with the Pages
Boho style is all about mix and match, so don’t worry about perfect edges or matching colours. You can also tear your paper instead of cutting it for a more relaxed vibe. Stitching little fabric scraps right onto the pages adds a lovely handmade touch.
Craft the Cover
Use thick chipboard, recycled cardboard, or an old book cover for the base. My go-to is 2-3mm bookboard. I also save all the hardboard backings from watercolour or sketch pads I buy. These are great for book covers. Wrap it in fabric or patterned paper and rough it up a bit if you like a worn-in look. You can add lace, dried flowers, or a few charms for personality, then seal it with a matte medium if you used paper, or Scotchgard if using fabric to protect your work without losing the texture.
Bead That Spine
The beaded spine on the boho journal is the real showstopper. Punch holes along the spine edge of your cover and folded page sets (called signatures). Sew them together with pamphlet stitch, slipping beads onto the thread as you go. Mix big and small beads for a cool, eclectic feel. Add charms with bulb pins for boho flair.
Finishing Touches
Slide in pockets or envelopes to hold tags or journal cards. Wrap a ribbon or leather strip around the whole thing to keep it closed and add to the free-spirited look. The best part of a boho journal is that nothing has to be perfect. Every bead, brushstroke, and scrap is a piece of your own creative story—making a journal that’s as individual as you are.
This winter, I’ve been in full hibernation mode – not in the “hibernate and binge-watch every TV series known to humankind” kind of way (though, let’s be honest, there may have been a few cosy movie nights curled up with the dog in there), but in the creative, cocooning kind of way with mixed media art.
Paint and Paper
While the world outside shivered, I curled up in my creative cave with paint, paper and glue. Winter became my excuse to slow down, layer textures, splash colours, and get delightfully messy with mixed media. My little corner became my happy place. Jars of brushes ready to go, scraps of paper waiting to be collaged, paint-splattered pages drying in uneven piles. Once I sat down, the rest of the world faded away.
Diving into Mixed Media Magic
This season was all about mixed media magic – layering paints, tearing and gluing papers, stamping, stencilling, and letting a bit of vintage charm creep in with old book pages, lace trims, and coffee-dyed paper. Every so often, a bead or button would sneak in for a surprise sparkle.
There’s something about winter that seems to make creativity feel deeper. The slower pace gives me permission to linger over a piece without rushing to finish. I can build up layers over days, letting paint dry naturally, watching colours shift as they settle. Some projects have been full of bold, bright energy – little rebellions against grey skies – while others have been softer and moodier, reflecting the quiet, introspective nature of the season.
Playing with New Techniques and Happy Accidents
Hibernating has also given me time to explore new techniques. I’ve tried gel prints, playing with texture pastes, and creating layered backgrounds. I’ve rediscovered the joy of making “happy accidents” – those unplanned moments where paint runs in the wrong direction, or glue leaves an unexpected mark, but somehow it makes the piece even better.
Ready to Emerge: Spring is on Its Way
Now spring is tiptoeing in. Tiny buds on branches, a little warmth in the breeze – and I’m ready to step out of my creative cave. I’ve got a stack of finished work, including three new journals and a head full of ideas, and (let’s be real) paint permanently under my nails.
The best part? I’m carrying that slow, easy creative rhythm into the new season. Winter wasn’t just about keeping warm – it gave me the space to play, experiment, and let my art grow naturally. Here’s to winter for the quiet magic, and to spring for the chance to share it all.
MixedMediaArt #ArtJournaling #CreativeLife #HandmadeArt #CollageArt #ArtOfTheDay #CreateEveryday #ArtIsTherapy