{collage journal} red + black + cream

An abundance of art supplies is a wonderful thing, but it can also be overwhelming. Sometimes I have so many ideas and choices whirling around in my head that I end up doing nothing! I decided to make it easier for myself by working in a journal with a handpicked selection of supplies and a limited color palette of red, black, and cream. The strategy worked! I happily snipped, pasted, and stitched bits of fabric, paper, and thread into my journal with nary an ink pad or pencil in sight!

This page was inspired by a Citra-Solv transfer that didn't quite work.The sweet little bird image is from The Graphics Fairy. I tossed it in to my pile of scraps, and when I discovered it again, I loved the blurred, worn, wintry feeling of it. I think the bird looks like it's been dusted with snow. Transparent Ice Resin papers from Michael's and a bit of washi tape created a background in a cinch!

Here's a simple page with burlap, a velvet flower, and rolled up tubes of paper stitched on with red burlap string. A tiny staple holds a fluttery bit of red string on the right side.

A vintage receipt, old dictionary paper, and some pretty patterned papers from Jenni Bowlin topped with washi tape and more Ice Resin paper fill this double-page spread. I love the packet of Ice Resin papers I bought, but I'm anxious to make my own! I found a wonderful video tutorial on the product website here.

This is the cover of the journal I'm using for my collages. I purchased it a few months at Barnes and Noble, and I love the nubby fabric cover! I was saving it for a special project, and now it's dedicated to red, black, and cream collages.

The journal is filled with this beautiful, handmade lokta paper. I love the creamy hue and the thick, luscious texture of the pages. I can't wait to work in it again!