My journaling changed ten years ago when images and words from magazines added color, interest, and inspiration to the otherwise boring straight lined pages in my notebooks.

What started out as play, turned into a way to create a vision for my life that inspired me to build a life and business that I love. That’s why I call them vision journals.

What’s a Vision Journal?

Think vision board meets journal. It’s a place to dream, brainstorm, and make plans. It’s where you gather inspiration and have sacred conversations with your soul. Vision boards are often created as a one time activity often at the beginning of the year. The vision journal is an ongoing process that keeps you connected to your vision. It supports you to go from dreaming to doing.

In my interactive online workshops, I show you how to recycle a catalog and use magazine images and other ephemera to create your own unique vision journal.

Envelopes Filled with Surprises

I mail each participant (yes real snail mail) an envelope that I’ve designed. It’s filled with paper goodies that we use during our “journal play date.”

Pictured above you can see what was tucked inside the envelope for the first workshop.

Everyone received the same items however some things varied, like the door, inspirational quote, and Virtues card was unique for each person.

The same format is used for every workshop, only the themes and design elements change from workshop to workshop.

Presentation

We use Zoom, a web conferencing tool to meet up live. All participants are on a live camera so we can see and hear each other.

In the first part of the workshop, I give a presentation about how I repurpose a catalogue to use as a journal. I show a number of ideas for how to use collage items to transform it into a fun and sacred space for dreaming, brainstorming, and planning.

For my journal this year, I’m recycling a course catalogue from our local art school.

Soul Journey

I then lead a Soul Journey, a guided meditation that helps to shift our attention from our busy lives to relaxing and tuning in to the wisdom of our soul. There is time for participants to record in their journals about what they felt, saw, and experienced in their Soul Journey.

Oracle & Affirmation Cards

Each participant receives an affirmation or oracle card in their envelope. Pictured here are the Virtues Cards that participants received in the first session; the card that you’ll receive in your envelope may come from this deck or from another one. It is another surprise waiting for you in your envelope. During the workshop time is given to silently read the cards and record any a-ha’s and insights in your journal.

Thought Provoking Prompts

Each workshop offers thought provoking prompts. In the first workshop, each participant was given an image of a door and invited to consider what opportunities await them on the other side.

Pictured above was my door where I used a craft knife to cut it open and collaged in images and words from a copy of Happinez Magazine.

Creative List Making

Each workshop offers ideas for creative list making. Here I covered a couple more pages again using gorgeous images from the Happinez Magazine. The gold stars, which participants were given in the first workshop, were a perfect embellishment. The quote about Feng Shui was a cool find as it gave me another perspective on my word-for-the-year, flow. I’ve been doing some intense clutter clearing and feeling the positive effect of life energy flowing so this quote spoke to me.

Some participants used their gold stars like bullet points and created spaces in their journals to return and write lists of possibilities.

The colorful “chakra cookies” are whimsical spots for making a list of the projects that I’m working on.

The quote from Thich Nhat Hahn, “We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize,” was perfect for this spread!

Visits with Animal Allies

Another prompt from the first session was about what we can learn from the antelope about taking action. I added some mandalas and decorative details to my antelope as I considered my next steps. I plan on adding some of those “steps” to the steps on the ladder.

The quote, “Life is Your Adventure” was sent to me from a member of my 100 Mandalas Community. When I read it, I realize that it is up to me to decide what my adventure will be and what steps I’ll take. And, that feels really inspiring!

The four elements, air, water, earth, and fire are themes woven into this workshop series along side the wisdom found in our animal allies. Each month different elements join us in our journal play.

Open Studio

An hour is worked into the schedule as an “open studio” where participants can use the optional prompts as they wish. During this creative time, participants are free to play off camera and get something to eat.

Show & Tell

After our studio time we gather to see what everyone did with the prompts and to hear about their Soul Journey experiences. Sharing is optional.

Awakening creativity in others touches my heart. By the time the third person was sharing, I had tears leaking from my eyes. For many of them, working in a journal in this way was a new experience. Some really stepped out of their comfort zone both in playing with collage and using video conferencing technology. ~ Kathryn Costa

Participants love being able to see each other and to hear them talk about their process and reflections.

The best part for me was seeing all of the a-ha’s, insights, and meaningful connections that came up from the Soul Journey, oracle/affirmation card exercise, and the journal prompts. I can’t wait to do it again!

Recording

For those who can’t attend live or for those who want to revisit the experience, a recording of the session is made available.

“What is so wonderful about these vision journal workshops is that it allows me to take the time to focus on what I want to do, that is, spend more time creating. I get to work from my space, yet connect with other creative souls at the same time. It’s a positive way to use technology.” ~ Catherine Desjeunes

Want to join the fun?

Each Vision Journal Workshop has the same format but the envelope, contents, and prompts are different. I love getting happy surprises in the mail, don’t you? That’s why I don’t reveal what’s inside the envelope until after we’ve had our play date and the participants have received it.

Now, to sign up for the fourth session, you don’t have to participate in the previous workshops. Each session is a unique and stand-alone workshop.

Vision Journal Workshop #4
May 2018
Online Class

After your register, you’ll have the option to select the date/time that is best for you.

SESSION 1: Friday, May 25, 2018
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., EST

SESSION 2: Saturday, May 26, 2018
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., EST

Can’t attend live? You’ll get a recording of the event.

There are only 20 spots!

This workshop fills up so quickly!

$35 (same low price for US and International orders)

It’s recommended that you register before May 13th so you get your envelope and goodies in time for the event. Register sooner if you live in a remote location or outside the US.

>> CLICK HERE to REGISTER <<

What You’ll Need:

• Video/Audio: Computer or mobile device with internet access, video camera, and microphone. Zoom web conferencing is used for these online classes..
• Journal or old catalogue (I recycle a catalogue to use for my journal.)

• Adhesives: Glue Stick, Packing Tape (I love Washi tape.)

• Pens: Ballpoint, Gell Pens, Glitter Pens, Fine liners, Markers, or your favorite marking tools.

• Paper: If you are altering a catalog you’ll want some assorted papers like notebook, stationery, graph paper, scrapbook paper, etc.

• Scissors and a Craft Knife

• Images: Magazines, greeting cards and junk mail to cut up.

• Suggestion: Start a file, envelope, or bag and collect images, words, and embellishments for your creative play.

• No art experience needed!

>> CLICK HERE to REGISTER <<