Capturing moments in time

using a homemade visual journal.

** This is my first time filming something to share with you. Nothing fancy, just me!

This December, I am working in a visual journal to keep track of the memories, moments and reflections of the holidays and the dark season. I have several visual journals that I am working in throughout the year. This one is a bit less private since I might be sharing it with my family in the future.

It is a process that is simple to begin, with a limited amount of supplies.

Bring your own ideas, creativity and most importantly yourself to the pages.

There are many ways of putting this together, but these are two of my favorites.

#1 Existing Notebook/Journal

Notebook: Moleskine Cahier XL Notebook Blank craft paper covered, blank paper This notebook has stitched binding and lies flat providing the perfect blank canvas for your writing and images.

Magazines: I sift through my old magazines while listening to podcasts or watching holiday movies. I rip out elements that connect me to the season. Christmas trees, lights, greenery, candles, snow…anything that lights me up as I’m flipping through.

Ephemera: Decorative paper, old cards, or wrapping paper

Stickers: Always a way to connect to your inner child

Sissors or ruler: Remove and trim your images

Adhesive: Stick glue, washi tape or clear tape

Basic art supplies: Colored pencils, markers, gel pens, tempera paint sticks

**These are the best things ever! They are like glue sticks. You can take them with you, they don’t make a mess and you can use them on regular paper. **

#2 Do it Yourself Journal

Last year, I created my own journal with regular copier paper (white and colored) that I folded in half. I added in elements, glued in images and added my writing.

For the second year, the writing is inspired by Meghan Genge at

Write Magic

. The Write Before Christmas offers prompts, inspiration and reflection questions to journal on within the pages of the journal.

I’m including recipes, books, poems, decorating and music ideas from both the book and podcast Calm Christmas by

This is it. (Life, by Beth Kempton)

.

Throughout the holidays, I keep my journal out on the kitchen table to capture the moments that I want to remember.

Some other ideas to include":

wrapping paper or tags

Holiday cards I’ve received

Holiday movies/Podcasts I’ve enjoyed

Books read

Notable recipes

Memories from outings and dates

Simple drawings from nature

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The journal is the container for who I am, at this moment in time. It is something that records and captures all the little things that I won’t remember in the future.

As I age, I notice that I want to preserve these memories and traditions for my boys. I imagine them flipping through it as a reference for what I cooked, watched and enjoyed. It’s an opportunity to preserve my life in a visual way.

Keeping the supplies and materials simple and affordable keep me from making it a precious project. In the past, scrapbooking allowed my perfectionism to take root. I would worry about how it looked and if it was pretty. Now, I keep it informal and even a bit messy.

I hope you are inspired to create something of your own to preserve these moments.

Photo by freestocks on Unsplash

Enjoy the season and remember to make it your own.

Talk to you soon.

Blythe