A Living Journal
Tag: journal
Grateful Moments
My 1st Junk Journal
Over time, I’ve been using and researching different types of Journals and of course (as many have discovered) have found out that there’s no such thing as ‘the perfect bought journal’.
It seems the best way to is to make your own. I’ve been watching plenty of YouTube videos, looking at examples online etc and recently, decided to take the plunge.
I chose a rather simple version to start and purchased Watercolour paper, card stock, different weights of paper plus I already had some Calligraphy paper. I decided to start off with an A5 Journal made up of 20 folded A4 sheets. For the cover I’ve used the promo backing cardboard from a packet of Certificate paper. I intend on pasting images on the cover later.
Instead of glueing the signature in, I chose to attempt to sew it instead. I haven’t had much practice at sewing in my life and I am reasonably happy with the result, though I think I can do better next time.
I am pleased to have finally made one as I had been thinking about doing it for some time.
The next thing was to decide actually what to put in it as I hadn’t really decided what the Journal was for…in terms of a theme. I write Poetry and do Watercolour and Line and Wash, normally so I thought a good place to start was to include some images related to the tools I use for create images.
I’m really enjoying my 1st Junk Journal and I already have plans to make more, including one with two or three signatures. Till next time.
Keep creating!
David Johnson
January 2022
Our ‘Other’ Anniversary!
On the weekend closest to the 19 November we head down to Berrima as it is the anniversary of us ‘going out to dinner for the 1st time.’ We have done this every year since 1994.
Why Berrima (as we actually went out to dinner to the River Canyon restaurant in Parramatta 19.11.94)?
Berrima was the place where Susan & I went on a day trip (as Friends) and she (finally) said ‘Yes’ to going out to dinner with me (having previously said ‘No’ 5 times…).
We did our usual stop at Berkelouw’s Book Barn and came away with some more ‘treasure’; had morning tea at The Courthouse Cafe; browsed some more shops then had lunch at Josh’s Cafe & Restaurant before discovering more shopping treasure at an antique shop.
Here are a few images from another wonderful day spent celebrating our, ‘Other Anniversary!’
Written by David Johnson
22 November 2020
A Fine Writing Instrument
Rebirth
What Is A Poem?
100 Great Wonders Poetry Challenge!
Yesterday, whilst visiting Mum for lunch, I came across a book I didn’t remember seeing there before called ‘100 Great Wonders Of The World’ – A collection of the World’s awe-inspiring places, buildings and landscapes.
As long as I can remember, these sorts of subjects have fascinated me. I love reading and researching them. We have not, at this stage done a huge amount of travelling so until we do get to some more, this has to suffice.
Upon borrowing the book and returning home, an idea came to mind to use the images as reference photos for my Watercolour Sketching practice. I realise I can Google these places anytime and references photos on the Internet are seemingly endless, however, having them all in one book is quite attractive. I still find that, ‘curling up with a real book’ is still far more attractive the scrolling online.
This morning, whilst flipping through the book, another idea came to mind… I have set myself a challenge and that is to write one Poem about each of these ‘Great Wonders of the World.’
I will read about each one, survey the images, go away and think on it and then write a Poem.
The first ‘Wonder’ is ’The Great Fjords of Norway.’ Here is the Poem I wrote:
The Great Fjords of Norway
Where Vikings reigned supreme
Long, narrow gorges
Flooded by the sea
Magnificent waterfalls cascade
Against a backdrop of Green
Majestic mountains rise
Snow-laden figurines
Tiny villages are scattered
Indeed they are so remote
Boats are the optimum way
To keep communication afloat
The Great Fjords of Norway
Where beauty reigns supreme
Long, narrow gorges
Flooded by the sea
I think this will be a very interesting challenge as it will help ’stretch my mind’ Poetry-wise and also further inspire us to do more travel when able.
Only 99 Poems to go!
Written by David Johnson
26 July 2020
Each Book A Symbol
Decision
Communicating Creatively 