I have lots of lovely items in my shop at Etsy and Ebay! These items make great gifts and are perfect for paper crafting, journal writing, happy mail and the fabric packs are great for various mixed media projects!
Shop Inventory: Journals, Journal Tags, Embellishments, Ephemera Packs, Fabric packs, and Mini Paintings.
I offer discount shipping and a free gift
“The starting point of discovering who you are, your gifts, your talents, your dreams, is being comfortable with yourself. Spend time alone. Write in a journal.”
— Robin Sharma
My wish is for you to be encouraged and to try something new.
“Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding.” – Jen Williamson.
A little writing warm-up is just the ticket to get you started. When you open your journal or notebook to a blank page, oftentimes you feel as if that blank page is like not knowing a destination to choose. Quite frankly, writing takes you on unexpected destinations. One of the best ways to get started -there are many- is by practicing with questions.
Grab your paper/notebook and preferred writing tool and let’s get started. First, begin writing the words below. Be sure to allow enough space to write your sentences.
Book
City
Mountain
Restaurant
Person
Movie
Start with the first word in the column, which is book. Write the title of the book you last read and your general thoughts on the story or the information you read. Then move on to, city. What was the last city you visited other than the one you live in? What did you do? Below is the selection of questions to answer for each word in the column.
Mountain: What is the name of a mountain you visited and explored? Write your experience.
Restaurant: What is the name of the last restaurant you ate at and were you with anyone? Write about that and what you ate. Was the restaurant busy? Describe the atmosphere.
Person: Who was the person you last talked to and what was the conversation about and feeling?
Movie: What was the title of the last movie you saw? Who were the actors who starred in the show? What was the movie about? Did you like it?
You can have a lot of fun with this writing exercise and there are endless basic topics like these to get you started. Whether you are a beginner writer or a seasoned one, this exercise is great for any level of writing. Who knows, you might find a story idea for a book inspired by the warm-up.
As someone who is an enthusiast journal writer and notetaker, I’m constantly thinking about my next page. What do I mean by that? When I’m thinking about my next page of writing, I’m thinking of the potential of the words that will fill that blank space. What will they say? What will I discover? I Imagine words slowly building and gradually increasing in speed as my mind suddenly unfolds with inspiration and thought. Those first few words tend to be a warm up or hesitate meanings of uncertainty. Writers shouldn’t be fearful to admit that or find fault with the admission. Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer and you are new to the craft. Even the seasoned writers must keep in practice or at times, they find it difficult to get those words down.
There are many books on writing and there are some great ones and not so great ones. I’ve read lots of them. Natalie Goldberg’s Wild Mind and Writing Down the Bones are without a doubt my favorites. Especially, Wild Mind (Living the Writer’s Life.) I can’t say enough about the book and the inspiration and encouragement it gives me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read its passages and each time, her words spark new ideas and excitement in the craft. As I’m typing this blog post, Wild Mind is sitting encouragingly right above my keyboard cheering me on. “Keep going, you’re doing great!” She shouts. I shyly smile and keep typing while my heart and mind fills with confidence.
Even if what you wrote is not the grit of what you want to express, keep writing and then maybe go back to it after it has had time to rest. Or, read it out loud and you’ll get a better feel for it that way.
Ask yourself what you want to write about. Is it a memory? A recent event, what you ate that day, or a personal experience? Whatever it is, get it down no matter how it reads on paper. After-all, if all you are doing is thinking about it instead of expressing it on paper, your writing voice will continue to stay locked up, undiscovered. Start writing today, start right now and you’ll open a whole new world. Stephanie Hopkins
There are several methods of journaling that I incorporate in my daily life. The one activity they all have in common is they tell a story. They hold a deep and lasting meaning of my life and the lives I see around me. Looking back on all my journals and diaries, I’ve come to realize that in this endeavor is where I discovered my true writing voice. It wasn’t from reading books, though reading helps one grow their understanding of the written word, how stories are told, other life experiences and expands on one’s vocabulary, my writing voice developed over time from writing in journals. Could have it also been from blogging? Yes, I do find blogging a form of journal writing. A record keeping of thoughts, words, expression, emotions and even those awkward sentences where I couldn’t quite express myself in the way I felt inside. Those particular words don’t always come naturally to me in public form or rather, my private journals is what speaks of my truest inner voice.
Many people want to write in their journals but their uncertainty is holding them back. They say, “I’m not a writer or I would ruin my page, or rather my beautiful journal with my awkward words and ramblings.” Those awkward words and ramblings are what drives one to become a stronger writer. You must be deliberate with your writing and in the time, you take to write. Think of all the visits you made to a library filled with books that hold millions of words. Often times, those words did not come easy to the writer. Imagine the time and deliberate ink to paper or key strokes the writer put forth to build worlds in those numerous books. Believe me, it didn’t happen overnight for them. Don’t allow that voice in your head saying, “You’re not a writer,” intimidate you. Writing is a beautiful art regardless of one’s uncertainty in the act. Write what you know, write what you see and hear. Write a word or two and keep adding words after that. Allow those words to build on each other and soon you’ll find your voice as a writer. Once you do, words will flow and writing will be like exploring space. The act will take you to limitless places.
Head on over to my Instagram shop for my Tuesday tag sale!
I offer discount shipping and a free gift with these tags. If you buy two sets, you get the third set half off.
These tags are sturdy and great for arts and crafts projects, gifts, gift tags, pen pal mail, collage work and journal projects. There is room to write on the back of them.
I’ve decided to create a separate IG account for my art, journals and other Mixed Media products I sell on Instagram. I’d like to keep @stephsartjourney a bit more personal and to not flood my feed with my products. Please follow my shop @layeredfindsshop for updates on my professional art and products for sale! -Stephanie Hopkins
(Images are subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie Hopkins.)
I craft everyday but there are some projects I want completed and feel this challenge will help in my endeavors. These are my spring journals for the coming season that I got a jump start on and would like to see them finished by the end of the season. Also, I need to replenish my ephemera stash so I’ve be mass making tags, pockets, clusters, stickers, altered paperclips and whatnot. You can follow my hashtag on Instagram #stephs100projects2022 to keep up with my progress! I’m also making short tutorials and will be posting video on YouTube soon!
I have three newly listed Spring journals for sale in my Etsy shop and will be listing two more this week! These are great journals for you to personalize. Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.
(Images are subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie Hopkins.)
Yesterday, I created this collage page in my current personal journal. I love the layered look and the process of creating it is enjoyable and relaxing. You can use your tags for tucks and pockets in your journals. It doesn’t matter the size of the tags. I’ve used my mini tags as tucks all the time.
Adding pockets to journals is a great to use as hidden spots for your writing. I would have to say it is my favorite form for my journal writing. I like those secret spots because sometimes you might forget about them and it’s is fun to discover them again.
The image of the girl is my grandmother from the 1920s. The picture was taken when she was 16 years old. Her image among others are in many of the journals I’m selling at my Etsy shop! -Stephanie Hopkins
Visit my shops by clicking on each shop.
I have newly listed journals for sale in my Etsy shop!
(Images are subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie Hopkins.)
Collage art in my journals has been my favorite method of creating journal pages for a long time. There are times where I create a simple layout to a more elaborate one. It really depends on my mood, time, and what I’m wanting to convey in my spread. There are moments when less is more and you can obtain a lot of inspiration from simplicity.
Start with the basics. Oftentimes, I see crafters talk online about being intimated by a blank page or collage work in general. It’s understandable and can easily be solved. Quite often you ask yourself, what if I mess up my papers, where do I start, and will the design look right? How can I make it look elaborate? Or, does it have to look elaborate? How do I find my own style? These are a lot of questions to go over and I will cover every one of these questions for the next year.
First things first. Don’t compare your work to others. That is the quickest way to get frustrated and give up. Which defeats the purpose of the craft in the first place. Start with the minimum amount of supplies. Grab your journal, glue, scissors and paper. Not a lot of paper, mind you. While placing your paper to the page, think about what you like most about them. How do they speak to you? Do they bring you joy? Think about what your focal point and placement. It doesn’t have to always be in the middle of the page. Do you want your background to be neutral? A good way to get started is to use neutrals to break the blank page and build from there. You don’t like how something you did looks? You can easily cover it up. Start simple with the layers and breathe.
(Images are subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie Hopkins.)
Lots of newly listed items in my etsy, ebay and Instagram shops!
Newly listed on Instagram: Art Journal tags -These tags won’t be listed on my Instagram for much longer! I do offer a special deal for those of you who buy from me through Instagram.
Newly listed on Etsy: Mini art journal tags, ephemera packs for crafting journaling, card making, collage work; and two handmade one signature journals.
Newly Listed on Ebay: Packs ofupcycled fabric scraps for mixed media projects
Be sure to check out my other craft supplies and art paintings for sale at my shops.
More products coming to my shop on a weekly basis. I’m currently working on some new ideas for everyone’s crafty and art collecting endeavors!
Mini art journal tags for sale, made by me, on Instagram! My tags are made with scrap papers, other up-cycled materials, up-cycled fabrics and all sorts of fabulous ephemera! There is also hand stitching on a few of them. These tags are perfect for your crafty endeavors, to write on the back, journal projects, collect, penpal mail, and they make great gift tags!
I offer a special deals for those of you who buy from me through Instagram.
At this time I ship only in the US.
Deal: Free gifts with each purchase and you’re automatically qualify for an entry of a giveaway I’ll be holding at the end of each month.
Follow my hashtag for my product images at #stephsshopatlayeredfinds You’ll also receive additional points for my giveaway when using this hashtag when posting pictures of items on Instagram you’ve purchased from me.
I will be posting tags for sale through 11:00 am eastern standard time.
Tomorrow I will be posting three handmade journals for sale and on Friday, I will be selling ephemera packs with my mini paintings included in each pack.
I sell on three platforms! Check them out below by clicking on each shop.
Layered Pages 