DIY Sharpie Art Journal

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group and Sharpie, but all opinions are my own.  #pmedia  #StaplesSharpie  http://cmp.ly/3/8yNxcO.

I have always loved office supplies, from ledgers and notebooks to pens and pencils, but when you give me office supplies in full color, I’m in heaven!  That’s why I have had a long-time love affair with Sharpie markers and pens.  Vibrant colors and tons of creativity!  When I was given the opportunity to play with a bunch of Sharpie markers recently, I decided to make my 2014 a colorful one and created a DIY Art Journal!

You will need a notebook and a bunch of Sharpies.  Check out Staples for a full variety of Sharpie packs, including the 12-count Multi-Colored Fine Point markers, the 12-count Multi-Colored Precision Markers, and the 4-count Metallic Pack.  I used all of these markers to make my Art Journal.  (My 12-count packs were only $6 and the 4 pack of metallics was only $5!  That’s a heck of a deal, right?!)

My idea for this art journal was to create a section for each month of the year and use it all year long to document my thoughts and anything else I want to put in here.  First I created a grid that I turned into a monthly calendar.  I outlined the grid using my Bronze Metallic Sharpie.

I used the Precision tip markers to create the month name.  Here’s a tip:  print out the words you want to write in different fonts, and insert the printed page behind your journal page.  Then just trace over the lettering with your Sharpie.  I used Fine and Precision point Sharpies in various colors to create the firework and the quote on my January calendar page.

To create my cover, first I sketched the outline of my flower in pencil.

I outlined the flower in metallic markers and used the fine point markers to color in the petals.  Since journals are full of words, I chose the lyrics to one of my favorite songs, “You and I Both” by Jason Mraz, to fill the rest of my journal cover.  (Don’t know the song, or what it has to do with words?  Go HERE to listen, then read below for an excerpt of the lyrics.  Seriously, he’s amazing.  Go listen.  I’ll be here when you get back.)

“See I’m all about them words,
over numbers, unencumbered, numbered words,
pages, pages, pages for words…more words than I had ever heard
and I feel so alive!”

Inside the cover there is a pocket that I decorated.  You can also see that I added tabs using washi tape – one tab for each month.

And my inside cover page…  (I’m a bit embarrassed to share my lack of art skills, but I’ll get over it.)

I am ready to make 2014 a colorful year!  Visit Sharpie on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest for tons of colorful inspiration, then head to Staples to pick up your own packs of Sharpies!

What will you create?