This title inspired me to jump right into creating my own artist journals - in my case, using altered books. (I like to tell people it's "the dark side" of librarianship...) Accessible, well-illustrated information on supplies, techniques, applications, content. Fascinating sidebar stories on book-related topics such as Emblem Books; Nature Journaling; Information Design; Illuminated books. Inspired me to get started and I continue to go back to this book for ideas. See also Gwen Diehn's The Decorated Journal. ( )

I wrote this review for my library's newsletter, Books and Beyond.

I have been keeping a journal since I was a teenager. In addition to writing in my journal, I enjoy reading books about journaling techniques as well as published diaries and journals. I was delighted to find The Decorated Page: Journals, Scrapbooks & Albums Made Simply Beautiful by Gwen Diehn on the library shelves. Diehn, an art teacher, encourages readers to go beyond the written aspects of journaling to explore visual elements. Diehn starts the book by giving readers a guide to choosing appropriate materials for a visual journal project. She provides a supply list of basic materials that can be used to customize journals and blank books. In addition, Diehn talks about the history of visual elements in books and journals that included medieval illuminated manuscripts and Japanese pillow books. Furthermore, Diehn introduces the reader to a variety of visual elements that can be used to modify books and journals. These visual elements include stamps, ribbon, beading, cloth and labels. Moreover, Diehn encourages the reader to use a variety of techniques that incorporate paints, inks, charcoal, and collage to create beautiful journal pages. Diehn includes instructions with variations for each of the techniques she describes. Additionally, each page of the book features a beautiful photograph of a modified journal or book from Diehn’s collection. After reading The Decorated Page, I am inspired to create my own visual journal