by Linda | Nov 28, 2015 | my creative journal
Awhile back I jumped on the midori traveler’s sketchbook bandwagon and started making my own fauxdori covers. It’s pretty easy to accumulate way more covers than you can use at once. So why not retire some of them by transforming a fauxdori into a bona fide sewn and handbound journal?
I still love the idea of being able to refill travelers type sketchbooks and keep one in my purse, so when I’m out and about, I have a place to jot notes and keep papers organized. I think of it as a mish mash notebook that I would NOT necessary keep forever.
However, I like the permanency of bound journals and we can retire some of our extra fauxdori covers into permanent sewn journals pretty easily. For the purposes of art journaling, memory keeping and just creatively play, I like finishing up a journal to add to my shelf. Perhaps because I like binding books, perhaps because I have leather at my disposal – either way, I decided to transform this blue leather fauxdori into a bound journal.
First thing to do is to cut off all the elastic – my super thick elastic, because that was what I had to work with. I did decide to keep the wrap around part though, so I could close up my journal, just like the midori.
After snipping off the elastic, I folded up regular paper to make the pages of my journal. By measuring it up with the holes already in the fauxdori cover, I marked off where I had to punch holes to sew it together.
I basically eyeball everything and use a pencil to mark up where I have to punch holes. It’s good enough to use just 3 holes as it will be enough to secure the book together. But if you like the look of more holes seen in the spine, you can punch more holes as well.
I use an awl to punch through all the pages of the paper. The better you punch the holes, the easier it will be to sew things up in the end!
Also, I usually do not trim the right edge of my papers when they are bound together, because I think it’s a waste of paper. I don’t really mind the fact that the folded pages create a zig zag edge. However, in this case my fauxdori cover doesn’t have a lot of extra space, so I thought it would be better to trim it all off.
After all the elements are ready – cover, signature of pages, holes punched – I just went on and bound the journal together. It’s super simple since it’s only one signature of papers folded. You can check out my longstitch bookbinding tutorial if you are interested. Super easy!
Since my fauxdori has extra holes on the edges, I just looped the thread around a few times for decoration. It’s still a super simple longstitch with extra loops, no knots, nothing fancy. Just make sure your thread is tight.
The fauxdori cover really converts well to be a stitched up journal. I kept the elastic to close it up and it all works quite nicely.
I’m happy to have converted my cover into a bound journal, which will hold all of my creative experiments from The Creative Life: Documented class with Amy Tan and Jamie Waters.
Do you have a lot of extra midori or fauxdori covers and thinking of turning them into something more sturdy and permanent for safekeeping? Try transforming it to a sewn bound journal to add to your collection!
by Linda | Nov 7, 2015 | my creative journal
I’m participating in a Getting-to-Know-You game of 20 Questions with Kris (With a K) from the With a K Writing Academy. I’m excited to get to know my own blog-readers better & to find other bloggers to play with too. You know – friends who just get it. If you want to participate, you can too! Just go to check out Kris’s post about it here, & get started.
1 – What’s a ridiculous nickname you’ve had?
Not sure about ridiculous but my brother Vo, deemed me Linx as my animal name – we all had an animal name, so the thought brings back fond memories from childhood!
2 – Why do you write a blog? Have your reasons changed over time?
I started blogging way back in the livejournal days and have started many different ones focused on my many diverse interests, but here on tortagialla it’s my homebase for all things creative. I’ve consolidated here at this point in life to keep it simple. Blogging is fun brcause I enjoy sharing creative projects and ultimately it’s about feeling alive through creativity!
3 – Where do you like to be when you are writing?
Usually just at my desk on my computer on a nice bright day because the light is so pretty here in my studio and it’s just a happy situation for me.
4 – Peanut butter & __________.
Jelly. Classic all the way!
5. What does your Writing Process look like?
It’s a run-on sentence as usually I have so much chitter chatter that just pours out. I type away and attempt to edit afterwards. I really want to get better at expressing myself articulately and succinctly though.
6 – What keeps you up at night?
Dreaming about so many projects I want to work on. Worries about work and moving forward towards my goals. Missing family in the USA and every little thing regarding my kids. Just so many thoughts on my mind… it can be very unsettling and overwhelming.
7 – What was your last online purchase? Did you hide it from anyone? (I see you, impulse buyers & shame shoppers)
A gumball machine for my son and a creative ecourse for me. I love to get fun trinkets for my kids and I’m a total learning online junkie!
8 – What do you honestly think of elastic waistbands?
Why not?!
9 – What blogs or magazines do you love to read? Why?
I love anything creative, designy and pretty. I don’t discount anything really because any subject can be inspirational and educational.
10 – What is your favourite way to express your creativity?
I draw and design… and pretty much explore in many different ways. I think creativity can be expressed in all parts of our lives, from organizing the pantry to creating a beautiful piece of artwork to hang on the wall (or wear). There is no limit. I’m very much a paper and pixels nerdy mix – the old and the new – the traditional and the techy. I contradict the norms! Hah!
11 – DSLR or iPhone?
I lost my iPhone and went android way back, but I’m really for everything. Whatever floats your boat, dear! Currently I actually use my mirrorless camera the most – yeah, I’m sort of nerdy techy like that… it’s the future!!!
12 – How do you feel about the semicolon? Do you have any feelings about punctuation marks, in general? (it’s ok if you don’t)
I suppose I don’t have any strong emotions either way for the semicolon – but I do use dashes and ellipses way to much… and probably incorrectly – hmm…
13 – What is a skill you really want to learn?
To drive stick shift? But sort of afraid because I don’t want to put people’s lives in danger if I freak out while trying to drive… so… one day!
14 – Do you use a planner or journal to keep your life from derailing? What kind?
Both planner and art journaling are necessary. I make my own since I also love bookbinding and customizations… not to mention it’s just crafty fun. I also love spreadsheets…
15 – What does your dream Sunday look like?
To wake up late and the kids waking up late as well?!?! (I know, dream on!) and have the whole day to do absolutely nothing but chill with family. Good food and fun times with family… good weather… really that is the ultimate.
16 – Do you have a full-time business or a side hustle?
Full-time freelancing graphic and web design for clients, full-time mom to two young kids and full-time creative entrepreneur experimenting with all things here on tortagialla.com!
17 – Coffee or tea?
Coffee first, but sometimes a spot of tea as well!
18 – What is your favourite outfit?
Jeggings with my favorite black boots and a maxi type shirt/sweater depending on the temperature. Comfort!
19 – What scares you?
A whole lot of things, but definitely worries of what could be bad for my kids – so many mom-related worries… eek!
20 – Cats or Dogs?
Definitely dogs because my first baby is a furbaby Westie named Vash, but I still love you Kris with a K, even if your branding is all kitties 😛
by Linda | Oct 5, 2015 | my creative journal
Working from home often results in feeling isolated and downright lonely at times – and I mean lonely in my business work life which is completely different from the fact that I have a wonderful family around me 24/7. I’m grateful for the love and unconditional support I receive from my close ones…
But I’m talking about online business and social media – geeking over things that my family doesn’t totally “get.” We all need community and peers when it comes to career and worklife. My problem was finding the right people to connect with. I can be really shy at first… but when I connect with cool, like-minded people, I turn into a chatter box!
Recently I joined Tara Swiger‘s starship program and besides using all the tools and courses for my business, I’m looking forward to the community aspect as well. Connecting with people who will “get” what I do. I suppose it’s all about acceptance and the feeling of belonging. I listened to a talk from Tara and Kim Werker and totally connected to their thoughts about finding our right people.
Clarity in our frame of mind can do wonders… because I’m feeling good about what I do and looking forward optimistically more than ever. Isn’t that the point of all that we do? To be happy and wake up feeling great every day of our lives?!
Finally, I realized that my blog readers and past customers have always been there for me as well. Perhaps, I haven’t been paying enough attention to y’all – just in realizing that I already have a lot of supporters and I’m not alone. Have I taken you for granted?!
So this post is for all of you out there, cheering me onward by reading posts, commenting, responding to my newsletter and using your purchasing power to invest in my work. That is so darn wonderful and I totally appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. I’m going to keep at it and just wanted to send out acknowledgement and love today.
by Linda | Oct 3, 2015 | my creative journal
I must admit that I have never really understood marketing. Because I didn’t know how to approach it, I simply avoided it altogether. I often fell into the trap of thinking, hey, if I create great stuff, people will just find me naturally, right? I never want to be a pushy sleezy salesman and marketing seemed to just be about advertising your life away.
Boy, was I wrong! What a mistake and incorrect perspective on marketing.
Turns out, marketing is not about tactics to trick people into spending money. It’s not about manipulation. It’s really about getting your offering in front of the people who actually want it!
Marketing is the conversation and relationship between you and your right people.
So ultimately, you can make it what fits for your personality. That sounds nice and non-slimey, right? In fact, it sound pretty cool and something I definitely want to cultivate.
After the first week of April Bowles-Olin’s class on CreativeLive: Double Your Followers with Creative Marketing my entire perspective on marketing has shifted dramatically.
I’m learning what it really means to market yourself and clear steps on how to approach it. I have a feeling that marketing will be a part of my everyday creative life and I’m not dreading it! Amazingness!
I purchased April’s course after seeing a coupon code elisejoycreativelive to save 35% from Elise Joy’s podcast. Amazing discount and either way the course is an great value and totally worth the price. It’s 5 weeks of marketing bootcamp that is easy to understand and to take action on. That aspect is really important to me, because we can intake all we want, but if action is not taken, the results don’t come!
I wanted to share my excitement regarding my shift in thinking about marketing and this super affordable opportunity for all of us to learn from April. Yay! You can purchase Double Your Followers with Creative Marketing via this link which gives me a slight commission kick-back, but of course I only talk about things I love, so it’s a win-win! You can also watch the course for free during the live broadcast, so definitely tune in and listen up.
I hope you enjoy, learn and change your perspective on marketing as well, because now, finally, marketing totally makes sense to me.
by Linda | Jul 27, 2015 | my creative journal
These past couple of weeks I have been creating a visual moodboard each week to participate in Decor8’s moodboard instagram challenge.
It’s actually been a very relaxing and fun process to go through my collection of magazines. Not only am I finally using my magazines and destashing in a sense (still cleaning out my studio space), it’s also a bit of creative funtime to quickly collage and put pretty things together.
The more I learn about visual inspiration and how it transforms and affects a piece of work, the more I understand and agree that it is essential for the design process. I watched the fabric design course on creativebug and it really clicked for me when listening and seeing how Denyse Schmidt puts a name to her collection and the story she creates to support it. Very cool! BTW, the amazing thing is that you can try creativebug premium free for 14 days… like an ecourse binge watching session even if you don’t plan to continue. But honestly at less than $5 a month, it’s a steal for creatives!
I suppose it is a pinterest board the old fashioned way. Do you create moodboards to start a project off?
by Linda | Jul 23, 2015 | my creative journal
Working from home means I often feel disconnected from the rest of the world… the real world. So of course I think it’s amazing to be able to connect with others in real-time as if I was a social butterfly, chatting it up in a cool coffee shop.
Enter Periscope! It’s the latest social media platform by Twitter allowing you to broadcast live anytime, anywhere. People can tune in and comment live, so it’s a community thing that can’t be contrived since it’s LIVE broadcasting.
I’m really a shy person and have never felt comfortable doing video, even though I love watching videos of others who share their art. But the ease of using Periscope made me dive in, not to mention the buzz!
I decided to join in on the fun and put myself out there – finally. Although I’m busy caring for my newborn and toddler, I know that my business has been in a slump because I refrain from putting myself out there fully. There are a lot of fears around my hesitations… but for a variety of reasons – RIGHT NOW – I really need to step up. This is a first step in that direction. Join me? My handle is @tortagialla
Are you on Periscope? Would love to follow and chat up!
by Linda | Jun 11, 2015 | my creative journal
What is Art Journaling?
Art journaling is difficult to define because it can be so many different things. Although there might be trends and popular ways to approach art journaling, I believe there truly aren’t any rules at all.
In fact, the more I think about it, the more I broaden my definition. Art journaling is a record of your thoughts, emotions and experimentations over time in a book-ish form. There are those who have illustrated diaries, sketchbooks, travel journals, diet diaries, dream journals or simply to-do lists… but really they are all a type of art journal for that particular person.
Perhaps it is the word “art” that throws us all off. We think of “Art” with the capital A and suddenly a whole lot of expectations are thrown into the mix. Shouldn’t an art journal be beautiful? Don’t you need artistic skill to art journal? Well, I think our lives are most definitely our “Art” – so anything you create and record in your journal is valid. Perhaps we can think of it as the “Art of our lives.” It is different for everyone and the ultimately it is the process not the end result that is important.
For those that are into the planner craze, decorating their notebooks and filofaxes… I sort of think that is a form of art journaling as well. It’s creative playtime after all!
Art Journaling Is For Everyone
I think art journals are for everyone because it is a safe place to express yourself – in whatever way and with whatever medium you wish. The details of how don’t matter. It’s the process of creating that is magical, not the end result.
You might art journal to let it all out, writing out your emotions in raw form. You might art journal as a way to experiment and play with new ideas, techniques or supplies. You might want to document your life and your thoughts. You might just enjoy the creative fun and process of playing in your journal, creating something on the blank page. All of the above perhaps?
So really, anyone can art journal, there is no skill involved. You can have a whole journal filled with ink splatters and criss crossed lines. Or you can just collage magazine clippings. The process and motion of making marks… putting imagery together… that means something. The creative action helps you let out some energy, expressing your emotions in a different form. It’s healing and soothing and hopefully, really fun and enjoyable as well.
The action of creating feeds your soul and I think it makes us better and healthier in the end. That is why art journaling is for everyone. I think we all really need it as a part of our lives.
When I give myself some art journaling time, I’m usually in need of letting something out of my heart and soul. It might be serious and deep or it might be light and happy. Either way, my art journal is a safe haven for me to mull things over. I definitely need that space and time in my life.
Sharing Your Art Journal
These days we see a lot of folks sharing their art journals online for all the world to see. But I don’t think you ever have to share and more often than not, your art journal is more of a personal workbook than a finished piece for exhibition. We can easily be disillusioned by all that we see online, but remember that is only one facet of the person posting. It’s rarely ever the whole truth.
Don’t think you have to reproduce and mimic what you see. It can be fun to join in on the community, but I don’t think that is the core of what art journaling can do for you. It’s so personal and raw that it’s totally okay to keep it to yourself… at least most of it to yourself.
I often share the light and happy parts of my art journaling, not all the other stuff that is deeper, darker, too personal for a public audience. It’s an individual choice really.
Why Not?
I often wonder what stops people from joining in on the wonderful world of art journaling. Notions about what it has to be? There are no rules, just go for it. Fear of being judged? Don’t share. Don’t know how to get started? The easiest way is to use pen and paper and just write your stream of consciousness. Let it flow and slowly go from there. You’ll be surprised how easy it really is. No time? Don’t tell me you don’t spend countless minutes and hours waiting in line, shuffling from one thing to another or zoning out in front of the TV. Instead of letting those little bits of time slip through your fingers wasted, think of how you can take that time for yourself. It will only do your soul good.
Let’s Art Journal
If you would like to get started art journaling, I highly encourage you to do so with simple pen and paper. You don’t really need fancy supplies or an expensive journal. Once you get into it, you’ll naturally expand and explore all that it has to offer and perhaps the fun of getting more supplies as well.
If you want more guidance to start out, consider my Pensieri zine #1 – Art Journaling. It’s my most popular issue and guides you through while being a starter art journal itself!
Are you an art journaler? Want to join in on the creative fun?
by Linda | May 27, 2015 | my creative journal
While surfing the web last month, I came across Umbrella Prints and their 2015 trimmings challenge. They are an Australian textile company specializing in organic printed fabrics and the patterns were so darn cute, I couldn’t resist ordering a packet of fabric trimmings.
Although I’m not a quilter or sewer (I use my sewing machine for paper more than anything) I decided to give it a try anyway. There’s something about rolling up your sleeves and trying out a new crafty technique that brings excitement and creative energy!
My initial thought was to use the patterned fabric to create an illustrated scene, but I sort of wanted to sew rather than just cut and glue… so thought perhaps I could quilt pieces together randomly to use as a journal cover. It didn’t seem like that exciting of an idea however, so I thought a shape could be created by using cut paper to sort of frame over all the quilted pieces of fabric.
I had everything laid out on my table, but it took me a long while to actually get to sewing. I was sort of afraid to dive in, for fear of making a mistake. The days flew by and suddenly I found myself at the end of the line. Not only that, our second baby is arriving soon, so there’s no time like NOW to get going. So I dove in and just did my best. Even if it’s all a bit lumpy and imperfect, I love the mix of patterns and colors… so happy, cozy, cute and lovely.
I thought the finished piece would be larger, but that’s because I didn’t really think about all the sewing seams… oops! Talk about a newbie, right? I’ve actually taken a sewing class before, but I’m just not very good at it either way! Regardless, I forged ahead and will love my sewing, imperfection and all! I decided to use a classic heart shape for the frame on top. Basically, the idea is to create a wall hanging to put on my studio wallspace. After cutting the heart shape I realized most of the fabric was not showing up and it such a shame. So I got ambitious and starting to cut more areas out of the paper.
As I got into it, I just check going and kept cutting out more areas to reveal the pretty fabric pattern underneath. I got really ambitious, even though the whole time I was so worried that I would make a mistake! Props to all paper cutters out there, for sure. I was just cutting straight lines, but it was nerve wracking regardless. In fact the top and bottom bars were supposed to be multiple lines, but I was too hasty and cut through. However, I’m happy with how it turned out in the end… a very cool geometric kind of cut-out frame.
Here’s are some shots of a few details, imperfections and all. It’s not easy to cut paper precisely and I certain freehanded a lot of lines and corners.
The final product is pretty cute and I love that I have another crafty project to display in my studio. This year is all about making my workspace more happy, motivating and “me.”
Now I just need to decide on how to hang it… using a traditional frame, hanging from a dowel or clip or something else? There are so many creative ways to display work on walls, I want to explore my options…
Do you have any ideas on how to hang pieces on a wall? Did you participate in the Umbrella Prints Trimmings Challenge? Either way, you can always grab some bits of fabric and just play.
In fact, I didn’t want to throw away the tiny pieces of fabric trimmings I had left from the project, so I threw it into a page of my art journal to create a patterned background. Maximum use, no waste! Yay!
If you want to check out all the Umbrella Prints Trimmings Challenge entries, you can follow the Pinterest board here… can’t wait to see everyone’s creative work!
by Linda | May 24, 2015 | my creative journal
If you are new to the Midori Traveler’s Notebook and don’t know what it is… you may want to check out the Midori 101 video by TheResetGirl – it pretty much explains everything!
I should have watched the video myself before experimenting in making my own notebook which I blogged about – Make Your Own Midori (Fauxdori) Traveler’s Notebook – previously.
After fiddling around with my DIY notebook for awhile, I realized that I kept thinking that the elastic bands had to be more than the height of the insert you slip in, but that’s not entirely true. Technically the elastic can stretch out, but the key is to get the tension perfect, otherwise you start wrinkling up stuff.
Anyway, I decided to make another fauxdori from my DIY learnings… and yes, this means I’m building up a collection already, but each one is slightly differently since I’m actively experimenting with the little details.
I decided to reinforce the holes punched with eyelets – duh! Since I’m a scrapbooker I have lots of tools anyway, so why not use them? I also used a decorative one for the center hole, pretty darn cute, huh?
The funny thing is that I’m such a homebody and SAHM nowadays that I’m not really traveling much as compared to my 20s (I toured Europe and backpacked all over!). However, I’m making this fauxdori to be my in-the-purse notebook, so I have a pretty journal for when I am out and about. Waiting for the doctor, appointments and those kind of situations.
So the result is a roughly A5-sized fauxdori notebook cover with the regular midori sized inserts. I also added a paper pocket on the inside front cover and a back area for a quote to attach my pen holder elastic.
Slowly but surely, I’m customizing and getting the details down to create something I really like.
Yay for DIY, right? With just a little bit of effort you can really get crafty and create your own custom planners and notebooks, suited just for your use and taste. Are you getting crafty or into the whole planner world?
by Linda | May 19, 2015 | my creative journal
I’ve been taking it easy this month, waiting for our 2nd baby to arrive (any day now!) but still keeping myself creatively active via Instagram. It’s probably because Instagram is so easy to update on a day-to-day basis. I joined in on the #The100DayProject challenge all about the process of making for 100 days in a row. You pick your own challenge and get to it for a 100 days, posting your progress. I kept it simple by challenging myself to create a simple sketch every single day and it’s working because I’m still going at it 40 days later. Pretty cool!
Even though I know that when the baby arrives, I might run into a time crunch, it’s worth incorporating a creative routine into my day, no matter how small or quick. It’s proof that it doesn’t take a lot of time to inject a bit of creative mojo into our busy schedules. It always seems like such trivial progress, but when you look back you realize how much you have accomplished. It’s never too late to join in or start your own initiative or challenge, so I say go for it!
