About keeping a journal -
Like me, you've probably noticed that some magazines have featured artist's decorated and fabulous journals in contests. Some of them are simply beautiful as an art book. However, mine are NOT, but nonetheless precious to me!

Journals are so important within the creative process. I like to record my thoughts about a piece, what I plan to do on the piece, notes about where I plan to continue when I next work on the piece, and a supply list.

I date my entries and always note the starting date of the piece. I used to clock my hours with the piece but I've ended that process. Maybe I don't want to know. It is fun though to clock a particularly intricate part to know how long it took!

Journals help when returning to a piece and needing to remember "how many strands of thread was I using here?". . . "What thread was that!!!!!!!" . . . etc. If I'm working from a stitch-diagram I'll photocopy it from my reference book and attach it in the journal rather than having to return to the book.

I will tape threads and fabrics with their colour numbers on a page for easy reference and not to have to return to a colour chart. I photograph my pieces during the process and attach them to the journal so I enjoy reliving the process of the creation. I usually use tape rather than glue for attaching to my journal pages. The tape allows me to move things around if needed but mostly I do it because it's quicker and I don't have to deal with sticky fingers before returning to my stitching threads.

I also use journals for my painted canvases, not just canvas collage. Any piece that I enjoy creating is worthy of 'writing a book about it' . One day, when a piece is inherited or sold, how wonderful it would be to have an accompanying journal. Imagine a fabulous stitching 'find' at an antiques shop if it had a journal with it.

Alternatively you don't have to fill a book for each piece as one book can hold many completed works. I hope that some of these thoughts may be helpful to you, and that you have fun with your journals as they are both a marvelous tool and a lasting source of your individual creative journey.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ways you record your progress.

Rosalyn