Our A Peek Inside… series is made up of articles that take a look inside different people’s personal journals in an effort to celebrate the person’s creativity and inspire others. If you have a project that you would like to be featured please email facebook@hartleyandmarks.com.
![daily-journal-challenge_day-1026](http://blog.paperblanks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/daily-journal-challenge_day-10261.jpg)
In March 2009, I started a Daily Journal Page Challenge on my art blog, My Mane Blowing in the Wind. This was a personal art challenge in which I would create one page for every day of the year. Up to that point I had increasingly heard “the call of the muse” but had never pursued my art and creativity on a day-to-day basis. I felt that if I created a page every day for a year, and posted it on my blog to hold myself accountable that I would either develop a creative discipline or know at the end of the year that I needed to do something else with my life! For my journals I used solely Paperblanks Pocket Companions. I liked their size ( 5¼” x 8¼” which is easy to fill), the paper quality (the pages hold up well with glue and collage elements), and an attractive leather cover (conducive to altering).
![daily-journal-challenge_day-901](http://blog.paperblanks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/daily-journal-challenge_day-901.jpg)
Well, I’m here to say that doing this challenge paid off big time! It’s now been over four years of creating my journal spreads and I have now filled 40 Pocket Companions! As a result of sticking to developing my art I have an art studio in a local community arts center where I sell my hand-soldered jewelry, create altered books and journals, and teach monthly creativity workshops. I’m a little easier on myself these days, so I may not create a spread per day, but I am creative every day! With period breaks I will continue this challenge as long as I have juice to do it.
![daily-journal-challenge_day-935](http://blog.paperblanks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/daily-journal-challenge_day-935.jpg)
Most of my pages in my journals are collaged because I am a collage artist and most comfortable working in this medium. Early on I purposely left blank areas so that I could journal later if I wanted. But more and more I am content just to create a collage because they are very much representative of your psychological and emotional states – to where you are in the moment.
![daily-journal-challenge_day-857](http://blog.paperblanks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/daily-journal-challenge_day-857.jpg)
In viewing my journal spreads you see that they speak of my personality and my interests: being a woman, being in a relationship, my loves and passions, animals and nature, my fears and negativity, humor, my spiritual journey. You just have to flip through my altered journals to see a kaleidoscope of my life. And then sometimes I just like to experiment with new art tools and media. Sometimes I include drawings and write randomly with a pen.
![daily-journal-challenge_day-870](http://blog.paperblanks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/daily-journal-challenge_day-870.jpg)
My pages are whatever I want them to be. I encourage you to try a challenge for yourself whether with word or images – but adding images to journal entries is a terrific way to expand your horizons and bring your words to life
![daily-journal-challenge_day-890](http://blog.paperblanks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/daily-journal-challenge_day-890.jpg)
Virginia’s Website: Kentucky Girl Designs
Art Blog: My Mane Blowing in the Wind
Facebook: Kentucky Girl Designs