The Art of the Page

Exploring layers, textures, collage and creative play

So far, we've discovered what journalling can be, explored how it can give our minds a little breathing space and thought about finding a journalling rhythm that works for us.

Now it's time to play!

Creative journalling isn't about being an artist or producing perfectly coordinated pages. It's about experimenting with paper, colour, texture, words and all those lovely little things you've been saving because they're too nice to throw away.

A blank journal page can become almost anything.

It might hold a photograph and a memory, layers of beautiful papers, a favourite quote, a collection of tickets and keepsakes, or simply colours and images that make you happy.

And you don't always have to begin with words.

Sometimes choosing a beautiful piece of paper, tearing an interesting edge or adding a strip of washi tape is enough to get you started.

One thing leads to another and, before you know it, your blank page has begun to tell its own little story.

Give Yourself Permission to Play

Try not to begin with an idea of what your finished page should look like.

Move things around. Layer them. Tear something. Change your mind. Add another colour. Doodle in a gap.

There are no mistakes here.

Don't create for perfection. Create for pleasure.

Building Your Page

If a completely blank page feels a little intimidating, start by creating a background.

Layer It Up

Layering simply means placing different papers, colours and materials over one another to create depth and interest.

Try scrapbook or journalling paper, tissue paper, old book pages, music sheets, maps, paper doilies, packaging or even an envelope.

Edges don't need to be straight either. Torn paper creates a lovely soft, informal effect and allows the layer underneath to peek through.

You don't need to cover the whole page. Leaving some blank space can be just as effective.

Create a Collage

Collage is wonderfully forgiving because anything goes.

Combine decorative papers with photographs, postcards, tickets, labels, magazine cuttings, quotes, stamps or little pieces of ephemera.

Choose things because they have meaning – or simply because you like the colour or image.

Before sticking anything down, move your pieces around until the arrangement feels right. Overlap some elements and tuck others underneath.

Then add a few decorative touches to bring everything together.

Try This – The Three-Layer Page

Keep it really simple:

1. A background
Choose a piece of paper, colour or pattern.

2. Something meaningful
Add a photograph, quote, ticket, word or image.

3. Something beautiful
Finish with a sticker, piece of washi, flower, doodle or embellishment.

That's it… You've created a journal page.

Add Texture & Personality

Once you've created your basic page, this is where you can really make it your own.

Add a Little Texture

Texture makes a journal interesting to both look at and touch.

Try ribbon, lace, fabric, twine, handmade papers, paper flowers, pressed botanicals or dimensional embellishments.

Not everything needs to be glued completely flat. A little folded corner, ribbon end or layered flower can bring a page to life.

Just remember that lots of dimensional pieces will make your journal beautifully chunky over time – which you may absolutely love!

Make Your Mark

Mark-making sounds artistic, but it's simply adding marks to your page.

Dots. Lines. Circles. Crosses. Squiggles. Little borders.

Use pens, pencils, highlighters or stamps. Draw around something. Add tiny dots around a photograph or create a simple border around your page.

Doodle Without Judgement

You really don't need to be able to draw.

Try tiny flowers, leaves, hearts, stars, swirls or whatever comes naturally.

If your flower has six petals instead of five, nobody is coming to inspect it!

Doodling can be wonderfully relaxing because you're concentrating on the movement of your hand rather than worrying about the finished result.

The Finishing Touches

Now reach for the fun little things.

Stickers, washi tape, paper clips, decorative clips and embellishments can add those final pops of colour and personality.

This is where the treasures in your Polly's Paper Garden collection really come into their own.

Use the lovely things. That's what they're there for.

Let Go of Perfect

One of the hardest parts of creative journalling can be learning not to worry about getting it right.

Paper tears, handwriting wobbles and sometimes colours don't quite work together. That's okay.

Your journal is handmade, and those little imperfections are part of its charm.

Try This – The Five-Treasure Challenge

Choose five things from your journalling supplies without thinking too much:

• a piece of paper
  🌿 a sticker
  🌿 some washi tape
  🌿 an embellishment
  🌿 a favourite pen

Now use them to create a page.

Add words if you want to – or don't. The aim isn't perfection; it's simply to play and see where your creativity takes you.

Make It Yours

Over time, you'll discover the colours, materials and techniques you enjoy most. Your style might be colourful and busy, soft and simple, vintage, botanical – or something completely different every time.

Don't compare your pages with anyone else's.

Their journal tells their story. Yours should tell yours.

And remember:

A beautiful journal isn't made from perfect pages. It's made from pages that feel like you.

Jules & Polly x

Plant thoughts with kindness, nurture them with reflection and watch yourself bloom.