Whether you’re at home, abroad or away in the UK, you can record your adventures in multimedia and create wonderful memories
If you haven’t yet picked up our August issue and seen the beautiful travel journals, in our feature Spotting and Jotting, it is not one to miss. Whether you’re off on the trip of a lifetime abroad, heading to one of the most beautiful corners of the British Isles or simply making the most of what’s on your doorstep this summer, a journal is a mindful and meaningful way to record and remember the summer.
Painting, writing, drawing and jotting is a great start, but there are lots more things you can add to your journal that will make it unique and give it ‘texture’, allowing you to recall the memories for years to come as you turn the pages and run your fingers over the words, pictures and scrapbook bits and pieces. Some will be physical things you stick in, others will be prompts or concepts for things to jot down. Here are a few ideas for ‘nice little extras’ to add to your summer journal…
Ticket stubs, from transport, gardens or museums
Pressed flowers
Local phrases from your holiday location
A tiny envelope or ziplock bag of sand or soil (only take a pinch)
Flat sea shells
Dried seaweed
Recipes or food ideas from your destination
Myths, legends and folklore from your holiday town
Pieces of sweet or biscuit wrappers
Menus, or selected bits of menus
Memorable sections of map
Photographs (leave room for these for when you’ve printed your favourites or invest in a polaroid and capture the moment immediately
Your own drawings of architecture or landscape
A pretty leaf
Rubbings of bark, stone or even a manhole cover
Stickers from sightseeing tours, stately homes or food packaging
A photo or sketch of a skyline
A record of the constellations visible from your destination at that time of year
Reading list of books set there or nearby for when you get home
A playlist of music from the area, or that you enjoyed while there, or that just reminds you of your holiday
The image above is by Jennie Maizels, an illustrator and founder of Sketchbook Club which offers online and in-person courses. If you’re inspired by keeping a summer journal this year and fancy honing your skills, Jennie’s next Holiday Sketchbook course is on 5 October.
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