How Do You Smash Book?

I have a Smash Book that I started a couple of years ago and gave up. I actually tore it apart it frustrated me so much!
At the beginning of this year I found another one that I had bought and hadn't done anything w/. So I challenged myself to start fresh w/ it. I made a created a couple of pages and then got stuck. I like to create the pages but the reason I am having so much trouble w/ it is I am not good at carrying on a continuous theme. I have never completed an album...preferring instead to create pages and after I get a few together grouping similar themed and then placing those pages into an album. Now that all my albums are full I've stopped w/ albums altogether and just place my completed pages, with no rhyme or reason into plastic 12x12 containers.
Also I am not a chronological scrapper, which is okay when you're making individual pages, but not good for a Smash Book in which the pages are bound inside a spiral book. With individual pages you can eventually place them in the correct order.
Even if I wanted to scrap chronologically, sometimes the next available page in my book has a pattern/color that would not go w/ the page I want to create.
I really don't think I can get passed the whole...lack of chronological order in a finished album.

So my questions are:
Do you Smash by theme?
Do you smash chronologically?

I hope what I am asking makes sense.
And for lack of better questions, I would just love it if you could explain your process to me.

TIA!

Hey! Ok, I own 3 smash books and 1 recollections smash binder.
I don't smash chronilogicaly or by theme. I just work in it every few days usually at night anyways I put receipts, clothing tags, write about how I feel that day, tickets, etc. just whatever is around you. I have two of my 3/4 books completed- hope that makes sense??
I like to smash but I have not been into it lately.
GOOD LUCK!!!
mg

I have a smash book, but I'm tearing it up and starting over. I watched a bunch of youtube videos and that inspired me. I think I will just go along chronologically and see how it goes.

I put things in it randomly. Just whatever I have on my desk or want to work with at the time. I had a ton of smaller photos on my bulletin board for a while, and the smash book made it easy to get them all scrapped. No theme... no plan... just smashed in there. LOL

I didn't know they were meant to matchy matchy. I just put in what makes me happy. Since i'm the only one I need to please. lol

Just put in what makes ya happy. No rhyme or reason needed.

I have an entire 2 page spread dedicated to tv shows I like. That showed me I watch too much tv and it may be dumb but it makes me happy. lol

Don't tear it up, have fun with it even if what you put in it now doesn't match the old stuff it's still stuff you cared about in the past.

I just stick things in under tabs I have made. To do, Cards, Layouts, Ideas...etc. Basically it is just for me to organize my ideas.

Hi, I use mine as a sort of storage space, where I take ads, tags, business cards, ticket stuIbs, brochures, and other stuff that I don't have a place for, and glue it down. Then I use the pen to say why I kept it or something else it reminds me not to forget. No chronological or sometimes any other order. A smashbook is basically a way for me to display what would otherwise become "junk" and catalogue random thoughts and experiences. This way I can save my real resources (effort, time, supplies) for scrabooking and art.

Thanks for the responses ladies!

Well Doreena, I think its "cool beans" that you are trying this and hopefully you will find some "pics" and "embellies" that will inspire you. (sorry couldn't resist, that thread still makes me laugh)

In all seriousness, I would take a look at Dnurse Gallery. She does some wonderful smash books, mini albums as well as pages. I really enjoy her style. If you can't find her in search, go to either my gallery or on my public comments page. She does a variety of things in her Smash books.

Oh, Doreena, I wanted to add that in addition to not aiming for chronological order, I try not to worry too much about design rules either. To me, the directions on the inside cover just really say it all, "no rules, no order, just "smash" it". Otherwise my smashbooks start looking like scrapbook, and I start going why am I using a predesigned book for photos instead of my favorite scrapbook papers and the freedom of choosing my own order to the page designs? Smashbooks either start turning into scrapbooks and art journals (which is fine if that's what you want to do with them) if you spend too much time on them. To me that seems to counter the whole idea of a "smashbook", but that's just me. If you enjoy everything looking neat and artsy and organized, you're obviously a different type of "smasher" than me. And I've seen some really artsy ones that are fabulous. But if you're going to do that, why bother to buy or make a smashbook? Why not a regular scrapbook?

my issue is covering up the designs that are already on the pages. what's the point of the design if you're going cover it with something i may have to get over that

I use a Smash book to put misc items found in magazines that I cut out to keep. Example: I have a short haircut that I really like, makeup that I love on a model, different types of planters along with how to plant them, an article on whatever piques my interest. Its just a mish mash of stuff that would otherwise be stuffed in a drawer to later be thrown away. I guess I don't really use it to scrapbook at all.

Ahhh.."pique" just became my new favorite word!

I know, right? Here's where the artsy part of smashbooking comes in it for me. Sometimes, (when the design is just too cute) I try to take some of my ephemera and work it around the design. For example, if there is a word on a page, I'll use it as a prompt to put items that actually go with that word. For example, if theree is the word "up" then I'll find all the ephemera that has to do with the sky like imaes of balloons tickets to a movie about heaven or something and smash around the word. Or if there is a cool color or image, I'll find the ephemera in my drawer that look good with it. Other times, I'm with you, I just have to get over the fact that my stuff is covering up something cool. But I guess that's where the fun is at, deciding when to let the smash book guide how your junk journallig looks and when to let your junk guide the smashbook.

i was just thinking if i have a sticker or embellishment that i like i should keep it in my smak book good idea

you can do ANYTHING you want with your smash book!!! I have 3 and love them. Did I pique your interest??? Great word - yep!!!! Moving on,.. I put receipts, ideas, clothing tags I like the look of, etc whatever, and yes I have done that same idea where you work around the page bc some things in there are just too cute to cover!!!!
good Luck!
mg

I just figured out the problem! I want an art journal...
The smash book feels too much like scrapbooking w/ its patterned BGs!
I already scrapbook so I don't need another place to do it! Plus because the pages are patterned I feel like I need to adhere to the theme of those pages and some of those pages I will never be able to use!
W/ art journals there are blank pages and more room for creativity!
Sorry Smash Books but I am saying "Buh-Bye" to you and looking for an Art Journal instead.

Especially since I found this great website w/ art journaling prompts to help stir my imagination...

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

Do you already have an art journal? I love mine - it has super heavy-weight watercolor paper and takes paints, mists, gels and pastes like a dream. I also just got the Dylusions journal yesterday. The paper in that journal is different than any other paper I've used.

• Vae Said:

Nope!
I've been looking on Amazon though.
And drawing on random scrap paper at work to make sure I can even do it! I can!
LOL!

Actually I drew a lot when I was younger...even got accepted to a Design School... but never went! I think that's when my love of drawing got pushed to the background...
I wanted to be a fashion designer or interior designer...
Would I have made it competitively?
Prob not, so now when I look back on it I'm glad I didn't go...but I really wish I had kept up w/ the drawing...
Sorry, way TMI for your simple question!

YAY! Sounds like an art journal will be great for you to get back to something you love I actually have two, one "real" one and one smaller one for when I want to practice something, but I don't want to mess up my real one. I don't draw though... I'm terrible at it. But I love mixed media art journaling.

What kinds of things do you like to draw?

YEAH I bought my art journal also at amazon and it is great!!! Hope you enjoy it !!
mg-
ps sorry vae

• Vae Said:

I like to draw all kinds of things...I wouldn't say I have a fave thing necessarily.
When I was younger I drew cartoon characters, people out of magazines (never actually looked like the person I was drawing as much as it looked like A person...the picture was just a reference. I'm not good at drawing to actually resemble the person, LOL), inanimate objects, doodles, anything pretty much!
I used to love to just write too, like song lyrics, or quotes, or poems (already created not originals)...I just like the feeling of putting pen to paper.

BTW - any art journals you can recommend? I looked at the dylusions but I'm not to sure about the kraft paper, I want a white BG.

I think it really depends on what you plan on doing in the art journal. I kind of had a bad experience at first because I bought a journal that was very nice, but it wasn't great for what I wanted to do. I ended up hardly using it because it was too much of a pain to work in. I knew I was going to use a lot of paints and sprays/mists, modeling paste, gesso and things like that. So my two recommendations are based on that purpose... if you are going to do more drawing and writing, you might want something different.

The dylusions journal has two colors of papers... they alternate between white and kind of off white. I didn't think I would like it at first but I usually cover up the darker papers. The thing I like about it is that it lays completely flat. I think it will depend on what you plan on doing in it, but to me, having something that would open and lay flat was important because I planned on using paints and sprays and didn't want something that was going to run into the binding or be hard to keep it open while I work and while it dries.

The other one I got was a spiral bound book (again, because I wanted it to lay flat) but the spiral has kind of gotten in my way a little bit. But I love the paper. It's very heavy watercolor paper (140 lb - this is the heaviest I've ever found) and it doesn't warp or curl no matter how much paint/watercolor/etc I use on it. That one is called Strathmore Visual Journal 140# Watercolor. It's 9x12 but they also have a smaller one.

Awesome sauce! The Strathmore Visual Journal is the one I was thinking of buying!

Thanks for the info!

My son is an "artist" too and I have told him what I was going to do and he's interested as well..so I am going to buy 2 of them.

Hopefully we enjoy it!

Oh! Another question...what type of pens do you suggest?
Right now I'm probably just going to be drawing...
I may slowly add misting and painting but the main focus is drawing, oh and lettering.
Any suggestions?

TIA!

The only pens I've ever used are Pitt pens. But I know there are a few people on here who also like to draw and I'm hoping they can make some good recommendations.

pitt by Strathmore are the ones I have they are great very dark and non smudging.
You might be interested in some ink tense or prisma colored or watercolor pencils - they are cool and very useful!!
good luck and really HOPE you have fun creating with your son,
mg

My art journal needs to hurry up!
Hahahaha!

Cute cartoon! In the interim you could always make an art journal. I took an art journal class at a local craft store and they just had us use a regular lined notebook. We then glued to or three of the pages together to make them sturdier to hold inks and paints. It was a cheap one to home make one.

Also, have you played with copic markers yet? They are way addictive and a great way to add color to an art journal.

Good idea but my OCD won't let me, LOL!
If I'm gonna "art journal" it needs to all be in one book...until that book runs out. My picture from yesterday was just a warm-up!
And no on the copics...they're so expensive and I am a cheap-skate so I can not see any way to justify the cost!

Copics are expensive! I took an art class and our professor had us buy some for supplies and I was like "ooh, a way to buy markers and still look like an adult." But I haven't really bought any since.

When you get your art journal or finish it, will you show us? I love seeing other people's art.

Doreena, have you got your art journal yet???? I started playing in mine again after you posted this thread but I haven't finished the pages I started.

I don't do copics either because of the cost. I do like using colored pencils with the gamsol and a blending stump to blend them though, but my technique needs a little practice. Still, much more economical for me.

BTW, Dina Wakeley is a huge art journaler and she swears by the fude ball pen. I think she and Ranger actually have a partnership with the maker now to get it in the US because before it was only available overseas. I don't see it in the superstore here but it's a new thing for them.

Hi! Yes, I did! I've already completed 3 pages...nothing to complicated, just wanted to get a feel for it!
Glad to hear you were inspired to create again!!

Too bad they don't have an "Art Journal" section on SB.com... I don't like the thought of listing my pages under "other".
Although right now, IDK if my pages could be considered "art" anyway...LOL!
Maybe one of them.

Yeah I was looking at Copics again last night but I just don't think I could bring myself to pay that much! Yikes! I'll have to look into the other stuff you mentioned.

I agree... I'd love a category for art journal. I could have sworn this was mentioned in another of the forums at one point but I lost track of it after that.

Yay! wow 3 pages, that's awesome! I am so glad you're enjoying it!

Don't be too impressed, hahahahaha!
The first page is just a simple "intro" page and the second is me practicing one of my loves: writing... I'm one of those rare people who actually loves their own handwriting, so it's just kinda an "about me" page w/ a lists of my favorites written down.
I hope to evolve more in the handwriting department though... and that's one of the reasons I included it.
Anyway, the 3rd page is my first real "art" page... but it's also simple. I haven't gone art crazy...yet!

Do you have some art pages on SB.com? I quickly looked through your gallery, but I didn't see any... perhaps I just missed them?

I'll have to get mine uploaded... the ones I did were in other people's journals and we were all uploading them to the same gallery on another profile. I've been meaning to get them uploaded to my gallery though. Thanks for the reminder :-)

I think for me the hardest part is just getting started, so I'm still impressed that you have done that much!

In case anyone is interested...
I just posted my art journaling pages on my blog:

http://madijoes.blogspot.com/2014/08/082914-art-journaling.html

I haven't decided if I want to include them in my SB.com gallery yet.

TFL!

LOVE!!! Just checked out your blog and was so impressed! My favorite was snoopy's girlfriend with the sunglasses! It's about time Snoopy had a girlfriend, you know. And the beagle looks so adorable femalized! I also love the iced coffee/ice cream things. Have you ever thought of looking into working as a graphic designer? I could tottally see you as one!

Thank you so much for sharing!

Awww...thanks!
That's actually his sister, Belle, though, LOL!
But no worries! Still love the compliment!
And no I never thought of going into Graphic Design...as much as I love art and I think I'm pretty good at it, I'm not much in the "originality" department, so I don't think I would do well.
You kinda have to come up w/ fresh new ideas and I don't see that coming out of this brain of mine! Hahahahahahaha!
But again, thanks!

Ah, you'd be surprised. Some of the best graphic artists I know were the kind who couldn't come up with a lot of their own ideas, but they could copy with photorealism what was put in front of them and knew what looked good on a page. That last part and the knowledge of how to use the tools was all that counted.

Awww.... I wish I was younger so maybe I could pursue that. Darn! LOL!


Anyway, here is my latest page...
I decided to upload to the gallery since it was for an actual art journal challenge and not just a random page:

Who Am I? By Doreena

Would love to see work from others!!!!!

Wow! Did you draw that Popeye? He's fabulous. I love how you take the journal part of "art journal" litterally and actually write about your work. I can't really read the text though. What do you usually write about your art?

Hi!
No...that Popeye was from Google images.
I wanted to draw him but I didn't have time and wanted to get my page made. I explained everything in my blog post.

For your convenience I copied and pasted what I wrote...
Warning It's lengthy!
LOL!

From my blog:

What is "Get Messy"?

Quote:

"Get Messy is an art journal challenge where a gang of crafty vixens are sharing art journal pages we have created to practise our skills and push past our creative limits with hopes to inspire."

The ladies, I mean vixens, in the group are responsible for the following, and again I quote:

1. Post at least two pages onto the internet each Thursday - 10am CAT on blogs, and throughout

the day on Instagram. This challenge was created to keep us creating, and to keep us accountable.

2. Take part in the prompt link up once per month.

3. Use the hashtag #getmessyartjournal

I am -NOT- part of the group.
I just don't have that kind of time.
However, I have been stalking them, all of them, since I need ideas and inspiration for my art journal.
I have not been disappointed!
I have enjoyed viewing their work and even interacting w/ them a bit.
I have also been inspired to create something for their August prompt: "Who Am I?"

Before I share what I created I want to include the link to the "Get Messy" home blog so that you can take a look at it and, because it includes links to all their blog and/or IG accounts, maybe you may want to visit a few of the vixens yourself!
Get Messy
************************* ************************* ******
Okay, so as I stated earlier, the prompt I am interpreting is "Who Am I?"
I will share what I created and, in case you can't read my writing, I have typed my journaling underneath my photo. The journaling also gives details about the prompt.


Journaling: "9.2.14 >
I decided to join the ladies at "Get Messy" in creating a page for the August prompt: "Who Am I?"
(yes, I realize I'm a few days late!)
This involves 2 parts:

1. - A journal challenge: If you had one page to show the world who you are what would you put on it.
2. - An art challenge: Use anything except an actual photo of yourself to make a self portrait.

This is what I came up w/ - cuz who I am is much to complicated to explain despite the fact that I really am a simple person!"

When I read the prompt, I was excited to dive in! However it was a lot more challenging than I thought!

My first instinct was to list:
My titles: Mother, Wife, Daughter, etc...
My favorite hobbies: Drawing, reading, scrapbooking, etc...
My other favorites: colors, foods, TV shows, etc...

But than I realized, even though those are pieces of me, they do not make me "Who I Am". Plus I had just recently created a "Favorites" art journal page.

Then I started to think, what if I left something out when I created my page...
It started to become this "monster" in my mind.
So I stopped actively thinking, pushing the challenge to the foreground of my thoughts and after a few days of this, suddenly ::POOF::, the Popeye quote came to me! I knew at once that it was perfect since I really 'am what I am' and nothing more. Plus it's a funny way to express oneself and I'm all about the funny!

I then thought I should put a little bit of seriousness into the page and I then remembered one of my favorite quotes, which is also very true about me!

After finding the perfect image on Google, my page came together quite easily and I am very pleased w/ it!

As you can see it's simple, but that's one of the things I like about art journaling: you can make it as complicated or as simple as you choose. And since I am both complicated and simple, it fits into my life just perfectly!

Oh and as far as writing about my art...
I just try to explain as simple as possible why I created the page, if in fact it was created for something specific. Usually though I don't have an explanation I just draw/create what I feel like!
In fact I did 2 more pages last night!
I did a sorta scrapbook page and another art page on which I actually drew...no Google images that time!
When I get a scan of them I will share them.

Although I'm starting to feel like a bit of a show off!
LOL!

BTW - I am really loving this art journaling!!!