Travel journal

Hi all, Kel here with a travel journal that I've been getting ready for my trip to Barcelona later this month. I used a basic form that I've used many times before and will use for the rest of my life, I'm sure. I love the size (8" x 10") and it is just the right size for a trip or single theme journal - 16 pages, some of which are standard pages and some of which are fold out flaps. It's a design by Teesha Moore (who shows you how to do it, in the first two videos here). The amazing part is that it's made out of one single big sheet of watercolour paper, which, even if you buy the gooooood stuff, still means the journal costs all of about £3.00. 

The fun bit is laying down some colour on the big sheet of paper before you cut it up. After this I added some gesso lines and circles with the edge of a credit card and a couple of lids. I felt I overdid it, so when I painted the other side I didn't add the drips of brown or gesso. That has turned out well in the journal, as there are some nice open spaces for drawing and some interesting pages for little notes.

Here is a close up of the brush strokes. I used gouache this time, but I've also used water colours, craft acrylics and fluid acrylics in the past. You can leave it plain white, or stick to a single colour, or cut it up first and then paint the front and back of the strips. I like to stay loose and abstract because it gives you interesting pages from the start, and gets you over that blank page moment.

The stitched together journal.

Some of the inner pages, including one of the flap pages. You can see what I mean about the plain areas for loads of writing or a whole drawing, and the circles and lines for small notes or doodles. Lots of room everywhere to stick stuff in too, if you like (and I do).

I like to stick a map in my journals before I go. I can scribble addresses on the page when I'm making plans. If I'm heading out and don't want to drag all the guidebooks with me, I can take my journal and still have a map handy.

And here's the cover, ready to go. You can see a line down the middle where I changed my mind about which strip was going to be the cover. Because of all the colour here already (inspired by my previous Barcelona photos) I won't need to take as many supplies with me. Some watercolours maybe, or watersoluble crayons, plus some pens, washi tape, a glue stick, children's scissors - that should do it, for a fairly versatile journal kit. 

Thanks for taking a look - I'll be sure and share when it's all full up!

 

Comments

[Lynne V]

Gorgeous, I love this idea, off to watch the videos.
Have a great time in Barcelona.

[jayne]

Thankyou for the great links.
I really like this messy arty page

[Mandy]

Have a fab time and I'd love to see the finished journal when you get back. I'm really interested in the process of scrapping while you're actually away... never managed it (think I needed to keep it simpler.... got too complicated so didn't keep it up -sigh). tfs
Mandy

[Debbie Roberts]

Beautiful travel journal, would also love to see it when it is finished.

Have a lovely time in Barcelona x