Say Hello to the Happy Happy Art Journal!

​A few weeks ago, as I was ruminating on all things art, I had an inspired idea:

What if I got one of those Happy Planner punches and made my own little books?

You see, I have a friend who is obsessed with those books. Rather, she’s a planner addict, and I’ve sat many a day doing art while she’s worked on layouts and such. I don’t get it myself, and yes, I’ve tried a few times to get into the planner spirit, but 1. I don’t have that much going on past work, physical therapy, and a few social engagements, and 2. I don’t want to spend time making my layouts look pretty if I’m just scribbling things down so I can look back later. Even when I was in school, I only used the monthly layouts, if anything (just ask my friends from back then; I usually asked them when stuff was due since I had no idea myself).

I did have a Happy Planner notebook that I tried using with the budgeting expansion, but I didn’t pull it out all that often, and it sat ununsed on my sketchbook/journal shelf with all the used-a-few-times-and-then-abanded books.

You see, I LOVE the new Strathmore mixed media toned tan paper. Adore it. It’s the best. I don’t have to work on grocery bags from Trader Joe’s anymore! The paper is thick, takes all kinds of media super well, and the bright colors I use just POP like WOW on it. But! It only comes in pads. Not really conducive to journaling or keeping an art journal. So! Get the punch, cut down the toned tan paper, and BAM! Now I have an art journal of my favorite paper. The Happy Planner pages are close enough to be like spreads, and if I’m working on more than one page, I can take them out to dry and keep working!

But then I thought, why just do ONE kind of paper? Why not add more? How about the toned grey? Or some watercolor paper?

Then, as I was cutting down the paper, there were scraps left over. Why not put them in, too? And then I thought, why not put all the pages down and add random swishes of paint, eliminate the blank page?

I swear, I feel like a mad scientist. I cackle with glee. I snort from laughing too much. I have so many ideas to try. I sit and play almost every night. I take this thing with me out to make art. And I love that I have the carrying case for the Happy Planner so I can put all my supplies in it, AND THE JOURNAL, and just get up and go - everything is self-contained and sooooo conducive to making art anywhere!

And! It has lined paper in it for journaling. For getting ideas out. Because lately, I’ve been keeping a written journal and found that those words are fueling what I draw and paint! And then I write more and paint more and the cycle just feeds itself over and over again!

But I didn’t stop there. Oh, no. Because I needed more room.

So I made a BIG ONE.

Now I have a classic size and a BIG one and I am loving every second and even making some more for friends or just because. I love holding it and playing in mine and thinking up new things and moving pages around and ahhhhhh I am just excited to be art journaling again and inventing again.

So say hi to my Happy Happy Planner! You can keep up with our adventures over on Instagram or subscribe to the blog to read more little stories like this!

Couch Box Revisited 2018

Please forgive the less than polished nature of the video!  

Keeping a Couch Box, for me, is important. My heart yearns to make art, thinks of all the wonderful fun to be had with supplies, and knows it finds happiness when I can look at something I made and smile.  But the reality of daily life - a busy day job and uncertainty with health issues - keeps me from making all the art I’d like to. Being able to easily grab some supplies while in my recliner or bed helps so, so much!

​I also use these supplies when I have the energy to sit on the floor, with the addition of some basic acrylic paints and gesso. I can put them away in the bin and keep things organized - being able to clean up easily is key when you don’t have much energy. Always remember to budget that in when you set out to have some fun!

Here are the supplies that I use the most. I’ve linked to products on Amazon so you have an idea of what each thing is and costs, but you should explore as well and supply as you can budget. I luckily have a day job and no children, so I can afford a little more. Use what you have and challenge yourself to trying new things with what you have on hand. ​

I’ll be posting twice weekly for the next month or two so keep your eyes out for more art and videos, as well as live broadcasts on Instagram. ​

Supplies in the video:

Dina Wakely Scribble Sticks

Prismacolor chalk pastels

Copic markers

Ecoline Brush Pens

 Faber-Castell Polychromos

Holbein Acryla Gouache

Pentel Pocket Brush Pen

Blackwing Pearl pencil

Uni Kuru Toga mechanical pencil

Posca Paint Markers

Faber-Castell Pitt artist pens

Jane Davenport ColorSticks

Journal Girl Review: Hand Book Paper Co Watercolor Sketchbook

Each Thursday I’ll be reviewing a new product or technique to share with YOU! I love trying new materials and sharing my discoveries with others. Many reviews will show how you can adapt supplies to be used outside the studio setting, including for those with disabilities.  

This week we’re reviewing... 

The Hand Book Journal Co watercolor sketchbook! 

This beautiful sketchbook has thick, amazing watercolor pages that can take layers and layers of anything you want to throw at it. It doesn’t buckle and watercolors blend beautifully. Copics also work in here, but do bleed through a bit if you’re doing lots of blending. They blend amazingly in this book! 

I currently have three of these books and loooove them! I can’t make this kind of quality for the price. Go on - you know you want one!