Quick Inspiration for your Creative Journal

In this blog post I will be sharing eight different journal spreads, with guidance for both writing and creative topics. I like to keep my journals varied so that they always hold interest for me, which helps me come back to them time and time again.

Journal Spread 1:

Creative prompt - use a napkin as the main decorative element for your page. I glued mine down on top of an old book page using Mod Podge. For extra decorative elements, I added some washi tape and watercolour flowers I had painted on old book pages. If you would like to watch a video of how I apply napkins to my journal pages, then this would be a good place to start.

Writing prompt - spend some time thinking about and documenting some of the things you are grateful for in life. I have a video all about gratitude journaling here.

Journal Spread 2:

Creative prompt - try altering a copy of a black and white photograph using coloured pencils. I used a Tim Holtz stencil for the numbers and letters in the background and added some botanical stickers to my opposite page. If you are interested in doing more with old photos, then I highly recommend taking a look at the work of Jane Chipp.

Writing prompt - think about what the passing of time means to you. When I think about how quickly time passes by, it makes me really determined to make the most of my days.

Journal Spread 3:

Creative prompt - use some gelli plate prints in your journal. I used a punch to cut some circles out of my gelli prints and glued them to my page, along with an image cut from a magazine. I include a demonstration of gelli plate printing in this video.

Writing prompt - jot down some thoughts about things that excite you. If I ever struggle with this prompt, then it's a reminder that I need to shift my priorities to spend more time on activities that bring me joy.

Journal Spread 4:

Creative prompt - use decorative tiles as inspiration. I created mine using watercolour and have saved a Pinterest board full of beautiful tiles here. I added a hand-lettered quote using a Tombow Fudenosuke brush pen with a firm nib.

Writing prompt - "connecting the steps backwards". I find it really interesting to see how things have come together in unexpected ways across so many areas of my life. Do you have some examples of where this has happened too?

Journal Spread 5:

Creative prompt - Use a natural element such as a fern leaf on your gelli plate. Using natural elements in your journal is a really lovely way of being able to tie your pages into the changing seasons. I filmed a video on printing with ferns for my Patreon community.

Writing prompt - What does the word "gather" mean to you?

Journal Spread 6:

Creative prompt - use some patterned papers and/or printables to create a collage on your page. I always try not to over-think my collages and just go for pieces that I feel work well together.

Writing prompt - in what kind of activities do you enter a state of flow? Are there any routines that help you get there?

Journal Spread 7:

Creative prompt - paint a night sky using watercolour. I always find night skies and galaxies so much fun to paint and they're a really forgiving way to get comfortable with your watercolours. These journal pages are from another video that I filmed for Patreon.

Writing prompt - Reflect on the word "connection" and what it means to you. I often get asked about where I find the quotes that I use in my journal. I have a blog post all about that here.

Journal Spread 8:

Creative prompt - I make no apologies in mentioning collage again :) It's one of my favourite techniques when I'm short on time, but still want to get creative. Plus, with the size of my paper stash, creating collages is a good way of trying to keep the pile just about manageable

Writing prompt - write about the noises you can hear around you. Having just moved into a different environment, I'm keenly aware of the change in noises and the impact this can have on my happiness and mindset.

I really hope you've found this blog post helpful and that it gives you lots of inspiration for your own journal pages too.

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If you would like more journaling inspiration, including weekly videos, livestreams, printables, journal prompts, creative challenges and tutorials, then I would love to welcome you to my journaling club over on Patreon.

It's a wonderful community full of lovely people and it's a great place to learn all about the wonderful world of journaling.

Thank you for being here, Helen x