{ Hand Lettering : To Commit to an Art Form }

I have been hand lettering in my art journals for years. Like most people, I was intimidated by exploring my own handwriting and avoided it. I used stencils and stamps but never my own writing.

Several years ago, I was working a program of recovery and was journaling daily.

I was listening to a lot of music in my studio and way too many self help podcasts.

I abandoned both the recovery and the self help. I decided to accept myself for who I am...flaws and all.

I still journal regularly. I continue to explore my own handwriting as artistic expression and my a form of therapy and self acceptance.

How about you? Are you scared to hand letter in your art journals?

Do you use stamps, stencils, stickers or cut outs?

Care to join me in a hand lettering challenge?

I want to challenge myself to practice hand lettering and illustration daily...

...and share my daily progress as a commitment to the art of journaling...

...to grow, to heal, to become the best parent, friend and partner to all in my life.

{ Art Journal * Spread : 'Accept' }

It is long overdue for me to start sharing my art journal spreads. They have evolved over the past 15 years. I went from using journals I purchased at a local bookstore (when I was still learning that paper weight and binding were important details when adding wet paint and ephemera) to binding my own journals.

Watercolor backgrounds with lots of drips is where I have typically started...

...to finding an 'anchor image.' I typically build my pages around this particular image.

I have more paper than anyone could you in a lifetime...especially when I started making my own. That is an evolutionary process within itself...more on that later.

I love to practice hand lettering. I used to be petrified to use my own writing. I thought it would ruin the pages. I have learned over the years that my handwriting is an art form within itself and needs to celebrated. I use my art journals to practice my letter forms and feel that it enhances the pages since I can express my thoughts and feelings.

I have started adding more details to my spreads these days such as paint splatters and scribbles. I love art journaling since there is no wrong way to do something.

I have a separate journal for my Morning Pages. Another journal where I practice letter forms and yet another for sketching. I began using an altered book in my last post and continue to work in those. I have been super inspired by the journals of Dan Eldon lately and am looking forward to incorporating the massive amount of personal photos in my upcoming spreads.

My evolution continues...

{ Creative Girls' Tribe : A Summer Camp for Young Crafty Entrepreneurs }

I repackaged and will launch my 'Creative Girls' Tribe' on Tuesday, April 12 with confidence that both sessions will fill this summer. Here is the flier that I made to market the program in person and on social media.

Here is the Welcome Letter I crafted for the Artist Camper. I wanted to have a 'Welcome Packet' this year. Something that was delivered to each girl in the mail that would get them excited about coming to camp.

I crafted a brief bio about myself. I wanted the parents and the camper to fill comfortable about my art and summer camp programming experience.

I am just so very excited about my 'Artist Stack Pack!' I created this pack of cards so that each camper could fill them out and send them back to me. I have included a SASE in the packet to make this easy. I wanted each camper to connect with the experience prior to coming to the program. There are (10) cards in all. This allows me to get to know each girl individually so that I can custom design each campers' experience.

There are a couple more things I am going to include in each packet. Primarily, the 'Parent Welcome Packet' including a 'Social Media Connect' card. I want the parents to be able to check out my presence and validity prior to sending their daughter to me. Since social media is a HUGE part of my marketing, I want to make sure I can include this as a part of this camp experience.

I cannot express my excitement about launching and implementing this camp experience for young women. I can only imagine what my creative path my have looked like if I would have had some one-on-one guidance from a working artist.

What are your thoughts? Can you let me know what you think about mentor and entrepreneurship in regards to young artists?

{ New Works from the * Bimbur Books * Studio }

'Intention' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Spine View)

'Intention' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Back Cover View)

'Intention' : 5 x 8 1/4" (End Cover View)

'Intention' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Front Cover Detail View)

'Laurel's Book' : 6 x 8" (Spine View)

'Laurel's Book' : 6 x 8" (Back Cover View)

'Laurel's Book' : 6 x 8" (End Cover View)

'Laurel's Book' : 6 x 8" (Front Cover Detail View)

'Enlightenment' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Spine View)

'Enlightenment' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Back Cover View)

'Enlightenment' : 5 x 8 1/4" (End Cover View)

'Enlightenment' : 5 x 8 1/4" (Front Cover Detail View)

{ DIY Bookmaking Kits : Flower Fold }

I started making these bookmaking kits several years ago and let them gather dust in my inventory. While packing for an art show this past summer, my friend suggested that I bring them along to add to my booth. I did not see how it could hurt. I lovingly placed them alongside my other books and was surprised to see it become my number one seller at that particular show. These kits are now a staple in my inventory and I am pleased to let you know they are also available in my Etsy shop.

Each kit comes complete with (6) sheets of blank text paper and (2) sheets of decorative paper.

There is a detailed instruction sheet that comes in every kit. Yes...it includes images! A friend (who had never made a book before but was able to work well with his hands) offered to sit down with me and make a book so that we could provide you with a complete set of instructions that make building this book a breeze! There were a few tears but I am very proud of the outcome.

Here is what the books looks like when it is complete! The top view is the book when it is closed while the final image is the book when it is open and the covers are joined together to make the 'flower.'

I also have a little secret...I have another boookmaking kit in the works! I have a few more quirks to work out in the instruction sheet but I am pleased to announce that I will be showcasing that book on my Facebook Page next week!