Creating Together: Art Journal Swap with a YouTube Friend

In this exciting art journal swap, I’ve teamed up with a fellow YouTube artist for my first-ever collaborative art project! I created an 8"x8" handmade journal with a fabric cover, filled with beautiful Jackson's Two Rivers watercolor paper and handmade papers. After painting a few pages, I packed up the journal and sent it all the way to the Netherlands, where my journal buddy will add her creative touches. In this video, I share the process of making the journal, how I prepared it for the swap, and my thoughts on this fun, international collaboration. Stay tuned for more as we swap and co-create across the globe!

workshops

**New Class: Layered Legacies: Mixed Media Art Journals Workshop

**New Class: From Scrap to Treasure: Creating Unique Art Journals:

**New Class - Artisanal Journals: Learn to Bind Your Own Art Journals

**New class - Fabric Snippet Rolls and Clusters: Enhancing Your Art Journal

*My very favorite supplies that I might mention in every video (Some of the links are affiliate links. If you use my link, I get a small commission, which will go toward my art supplies and to support this channel! I appreciate your support!!):

Color Cube:

Favorite Pens/pencils:

Inks:

Favorite Paints:

Favorite Brushes:

Pastels and blocks:

Misc:

[LoriGeiger-jy]

Denise, I have continued to follow you over the last decade! From photography & textures, dabbling in encaustics to watercolor and now journals! You are always an inspiration! Thank you!

[luannianke]

I love Luz's art journals. She seems very excited about your collab too.

[robingoff]

I love this idea and the book you created! I’m looking forward to see what your friend does in it. Oh man, the suspense! I can’t wait!

[marietteacocella]

Love the handmade journal with mixed papers. And so happy to see you colab with Luz - another one of my favorites. You both bring joy to creativity with your individual unique styles.

[dleigh]

The ultimate pen art pal friend. That is cool!!

[MsMoniqueWilson]

What a beautiful book and what a fun collab! Can't wait to see the finished book!

[patigc]

What a fun idea! An imperfectly perfect collaboration. Can't wait to see the finished journal.

[MrsMasArt]

As a student of Luz it's exciting to see your collaboration kick starting. I'm very curious to see how this will evolve. Have fun together!

[BarbaraV-bz]

I made myself a little A6 journal using watercolour paper and handmade papers I had lying around. I found a nice scene of a tea pot with flowers coming out of it and glued that to the front. It has lots of orange tones in it so I have called it my little orange book. My first painting was one of your recent roses. I’ve only picked up painting this year and find you so inspiring. I just so love making journal’s. Thank you Denise for being so generous in your painting tips. Looking forward to watching this journals journey. ❤

[mgauthier]

Such a fun project to share! Looking forward to the final reveal❤

[semmaville]

I think I will start a book at work... I work with artistic architects! We can have one book a year! And its right there on the table if anyone needs a quick destresser!!!

[crunchypickles]

Oh my gosh I LOVE that back cover!!! How fun to do an art journal with a friend!!! Can't wait to see what y'all get up to! 😁

[sheilaschmid]

OH MY GOSH…♥️♥️♥️
All the while I was watching I was imagining what it would feel like to this fellow artist when she receives this one-of-a-kind handmade journal in the mail.🥰 I imagine she will run her hands gently over the fabric and lace and ponder over the thought you put into creating this special and priceless gift….now who ends up keeping it when it’s complete ??? Did I miss that ??? I’m so excited for you to enjoy this experience!♥️♥️♥️

[alineroberts]

This was fun to watch! Thanks for sharing. 💕

[bonnerdebbie]

Stunning journal Denise, I think swapping a journal and both working on it is a super idea. Thank you.

[deborahbeatty]

OMG! I have the same pink/orange and the black and beige papers! I'm making another journal with a friend tomorrow so I now MUST use those. Your journal looks so good! And as far as the buttons, I'm harvesting old earrings! My total favorite art you've done for this is the graphity/gold one after the geometric black paper. Oh my, it just made my heart go pitter patter.

[MegUSN]

The journal is GORGEOUS! It brought me to my early childhood in the 1970's/early 80's. I'm pretty sure we had some of those same colors in my mom and Granny's decor. And the back cover well, I loved it so much that I hope you do a front cover of it. I follow you on Skillshare, but I haven't made any of your journals yet. I love collecting fabric, but I don't enjoy sewing. This would be a fun way to use up those fabrics with minimal sewing skill needed.

[Lainers]

It’s a beautiful journal, Denise, and it was fun to watch you put it together. I love the graphite and gold page. Looking froward to seeing the swap. I have my grandmother’s buttons, too. A big ol’ hug to you!🤗

[dailydoseofpaper]

So nice to see you make the journal! I have recently discovered @luzartworks myself (a fellow Dutchie) and am super inspired by her way of journaling as well. Between you and her i finally started working in the dina wakely journal that i had laying around for years. Only to find out they are now no longer available. Oh well…you just showed we can make a great journal ourselves! Thanks Denise!🍀💖

[yovamccoy]

I am thinking this might be a good way to use some of the stash I inherited from my mom. She loved piecing quilts. Anyway, I am looking forward to watching your Collab.