Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
It is a challenge to find the time to make illustrated journal pages at the best of times and during Christmas or other holidays it can seem impossible. But there are plenty of strategies for getting those pages made even while you are decking the halls or lighting the Menorah and in today's videos I share some of those ideas for making fun and meaningful pages even if you are busy.
I have an online class for illustrated journal basics. You can find that an other of my online courses here:
kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/collections
To see printable scans of vintage French Christmas post cards and other paper ephemera from my private collection, they are here on Etsy:
etsy.com/uk/shop/BookandPaperArts
To buy original vintage ephemera bundles, they are in my online shop:
bookandpaperarts.com/french-ephemera-book-arts-boxes
PROMPTS:
Here are some prompts for what to put in your visual diary pages:
What you are cooking/eating
Write out and illustrate a recipe
Add a list, including meals and treats from past holidays
Use found labels otherwise known as free art supplies
Party clothes or anti-party clothes – sparkles or sweatpants, but get it down. Draw it if you can, write about it if you think you can't.
To do lists. If they look boring, then doodle, draw a border, or add a frame.
If you are celebrating, how about a tree? Decorations? A menorah?
Draw or tell about a holiday memory.
Add a Map. Especially good if you are visiting with others but if it is just you in your neighbourhood, make a map of that, too.
While you are at it, draw what you found while on a walk around that neighbourhood.
What you are reading or watching. Again, this can just be a list, that'll work.
TIPS FOR GETTING STUFF DOWN
1. Use what you got. If it is a school notebook and a pencil, use that. Borrow a crayon. Improvise. Get started and no excuses.
2. Go ahead and work wherever you are. As in, around people. Having coffee, watching a friend cook, in front of It's A Wonderful Life or Elf or whatever you are watching, even at the table. Take out your book and start making pages. Use those bits of time.
People probably won't mind. People around you will probably get it. I have done this for years and it is very rare that someone raises an eyebrow and if they do? From experience I can tell you that if you carry on politely and make pages anyway, that character with the side eye is going to be the same one who a few days later asks, Where's Your Notebook? Aren't you going to draw this? Trust this.
Another sure-fire way to draw in company and break the ice is ask other people to add something to your book! Draw, doodle, write something. This is especially fun if you ask young kids but it works with grown-ups, too. Secretly and not so secretly they want to draw in your book. This way you include others AND get some fun and memorable pages.
3. Don't be afraid to keep your drawings simple. Take a look around you and choose one or two simple, simple things and draw those. You can add notes and write about the rest, and you have a page.
4. Add notes as you go. Even with these tips it is often hard to complete a full layout so get a focal point or two down then add notes. You can come back to them and fill in what you missed. Take photos. This can be used for guides for detail and/or you can just add the photos into the book.
5. Use found papers such as labels, cuttings from brochures, even wrapping paper.
It is a challenge to find the time to make illustrated journal pages at the best of times and during Christmas or other holidays it can seem impossible. But there are plenty of strategies for getting those pages made even while you are decking the halls or lighting the Menorah and in today's videos I share some of those ideas for making fun and meaningful pages even if you are busy.
I have an online class for illustrated journal basics. You can find that an other of my online courses here:
kelly-s-school-b1d1.thinkific.com/collections
To see printable scans of vintage French Christmas post cards and other paper ephemera from my private collection, they are here on Etsy:
etsy.com/uk/shop/BookandPaperArts
To buy original vintage ephemera bundles, they are in my online shop:
bookandpaperarts.com/french-ephemera-book-arts-boxes
PROMPTS:
Here are some prompts for what to put in your visual diary pages:
What you are cooking/eating
Write out and illustrate a recipe
Add a list, including meals and treats from past holidays
Use found labels otherwise known as free art supplies
Party clothes or anti-party clothes – sparkles or sweatpants, but get it down. Draw it if you can, write about it if you think you can't.
To do lists. If they look boring, then doodle, draw a border, or add a frame.
If you are celebrating, how about a tree? Decorations? A menorah?
Draw or tell about a holiday memory.
Add a Map. Especially good if you are visiting with others but if it is just you in your neighbourhood, make a map of that, too.
While you are at it, draw what you found while on a walk around that neighbourhood.
What you are reading or watching. Again, this can just be a list, that'll work.
TIPS FOR GETTING STUFF DOWN
1. Use what you got. If it is a school notebook and a pencil, use that. Borrow a crayon. Improvise. Get started and no excuses.
2. Go ahead and work wherever you are. As in, around people. Having coffee, watching a friend cook, in front of It's A Wonderful Life or Elf or whatever you are watching, even at the table. Take out your book and start making pages. Use those bits of time.
People probably won't mind. People around you will probably get it. I have done this for years and it is very rare that someone raises an eyebrow and if they do? From experience I can tell you that if you carry on politely and make pages anyway, that character with the side eye is going to be the same one who a few days later asks, Where's Your Notebook? Aren't you going to draw this? Trust this.
Another sure-fire way to draw in company and break the ice is ask other people to add something to your book! Draw, doodle, write something. This is especially fun if you ask young kids but it works with grown-ups, too. Secretly and not so secretly they want to draw in your book. This way you include others AND get some fun and memorable pages.
3. Don't be afraid to keep your drawings simple. Take a look around you and choose one or two simple, simple things and draw those. You can add notes and write about the rest, and you have a page.
4. Add notes as you go. Even with these tips it is often hard to complete a full layout so get a focal point or two down then add notes. You can come back to them and fill in what you missed. Take photos. This can be used for guides for detail and/or you can just add the photos into the book.
5. Use found papers such as labels, cuttings from brochures, even wrapping paper.
