The start of the New Year calls for a new notebook, planner, or journal for organizing, planning, and creating goals for the year to come.  Today, I am sharing how to create your own Simple Mixed Media Notebook for Beginners.  This is only my second time using mixed media supplies and it couldn't be easier.  You can customize the colors and materials to fit your style.  If you have never tried mixed media and have thought about it, this would be the perfect project to start with.

Items Needed:

• DecoArt Media Misters - Primary Cyan (DMM01-30)
• DecoArt Media Misters - Primary Yellow (DMM03-30)
• DecoArt Media Mediums and Specialty Products - Modeling Paste - White (DMM21-71)
• DecoArt Media Mediums and Specialty Products - Clear Matte Medium (DMM20-71)
• Americana Decor Stencils - Garden Bloom (ADS206-K)
• Application And Texture Tools
• Paint Brush
• Scrapbook Paper
• Scissors
• Painters Tape
• Notebook
• Washi Tape

Instructions:

Start by gathering all of the supplies.  The light pink notebook I am using is from IKEA.  It came in a three pack.

I started by choosing a piece of 12 x 12 pattern scrapbook paper.  I thought the black and white plaid would look bold with the light pink notebook.  I cut the paper 1 inch smaller than the notebook so that there would be a border.  Then, I used a paint brush to apply a coat of Matte Medium to the non-pattern side of the paper.  Matte Medium is like decou-page and will adhere the paper to the notebook.  I placed the paper on the notebook then applied the Matte Medium on top of the pattern side.  Let dry completely.

I am using the large flower from the Garden Bloom Stencil set.  I placed the stencil on the bottom left of the scrapbook paper.  I wanted the flower to be cut-off  and placed the stencil off-center.  Then I used painter's tape to tape down the stencil.  I did place painters tape underneath the stencil.  I want the stencil to only be on the scrapbook paper and not the notebook.  This was just my personal preference.

Next, I am mixing Modeling Paste and Fluid Acrylics.  The ratio is 80% Modeling Paste to 20% Fluid Acrylics.  I start by scooping out the Modeling Paste onto a disposable plate using a spatula tool.  Add a few drops of colored Fluid Acrylics to the Modeling Paste and mix with the spatula until well combined.  The Fluid Acrylics have such bright pigment and are so pretty.

I start by placing the Modeling Paste on the top corner of the stencil.  Using the flat side of the spatula, slowly swipe the Modeling paste over the stencil in one straight motion.  I recommend not going over the stencil in the opposite direction because the paste is likely to go underneath the stencil causing smears.  I used two different colors for a fun look. 

Remove the tape and stencil from the notebook, then let the paste dry.  You can see the paste is raised creating a three dimensional image.  I love the two different colors too.

I used three different color Misters for a fun paint splatter look.  Just spray the misters into a box or over the trashcan so the paint doesn't spray everywhere.  You can spray as much as you like for full coverage or barely push down on the sprayer for short bursts of paint splatter.  Just like the Fluid Acrylics, the Misters have bright, full pigment. 

Finally, I added a piece of ephemera from the Maggie Holmes Gather collection (the scrapbook paper is from the same collection).  I used the Matte Medium and same technique as the scrapbook paper to adhere the paper to the notebook.  I added some fun washi tape and an enamel dot to complete the notebook.

I love how my Mixed Media Notebook turned out.  This was only my second time using mixed media supplies and it was pretty easy.  The thing I love about mixed media is that you can play around with the materials and have a different outcome each time.  It is so fun to create with Mixed Media!