Journal Fixer Upper: Unleash Your Inner Designer with Journaling Inspiration from Joanna Gaines

Drawing Journaling Inspiration from Joanna Gaines: Transforming Your Creative Spaces

It is no secret in our household that we love HGTV. I personally love anything with Fixer Upper, Fixer Upper: Welcome Home, Magnolia brand, and Joanna Gaines. If we are in Target, we are going to take a stroll through the Hearth & Hand section to get some ideas. Joanna, the renowned designer, author, and co-star of HGTV's hit show Fixer Upper, has captured the hearts of millions with her impeccable style and eye for design. Beyond her expertise in home renovations, Joanna Gaines also provides endless inspiration for those seeking to incorporate her unique aesthetic into their own creative endeavors. In this blog post, I will delve into the world of drawing and journaling and explore how you can draw inspiration from Joanna Gaines to transform your creative spaces.

Channeling Your Inner Joanna

Embracing Simplicity and Minimalism: Joanna Gaines is known for her ability to create spaces that exude simplicity and minimalism while still retaining warmth and charm. Apply this principle to your drawing journaling by focusing on clean lines, uncluttered layouts, and a restrained color palette. Think about adding some neutrals with pops of color. Let your drawings breathe by incorporating white space and avoiding overcrowding. Embrace simplicity as a foundation for your artistic expression.

Natural Elements and Organic Inspirations: One of Joanna Gaines' signature design elements is her use of natural elements and organic inspirations. Bring this into your drawing journal by incorporating botanical sketches, floral motifs, or drawings inspired by the beauty of nature. When in doubt, pull from the natural elements in your surrounding area. When we moved to Arizona, I immediately started looking toward the mountains and cacti for inspiration. Experiment with capturing the textures, shapes, and colors of plants, flowers, or even rustic architectural details, just as Joanna does in her designs.

Mix and Match Patterns: Joanna Gaines has an undeniable talent for mixing patterns, creating visual interest and depth in her design projects. Apply this concept to your drawing journaling by experimenting with patterned backgrounds, combining different textures, and incorporating playful elements. One of the easiest ways to do this is to consider your journal an art journal or mixed-media journal. Glue in ticket stubs, try out stickers or play with washi tape. Explore patterns inspired by textiles, tiles, or even the intricate details found in architectural features. Let your creativity flourish by merging patterns in unexpected and exciting ways.

Vintage Touches and Rustic Charm: Joanna Gaines often incorporates vintage touches and rustic charm in her designs, adding character and a sense of history to spaces. Infuse your drawing journal with this nostalgic vibe by exploring vintage-inspired illustrations, antique objects, or old photographs. One of my favorite ways to do this is to print physical photos to glue into my journals to cover up pages that didn’t quite work out (mess up pages). Incorporate a touch of whimsy and evoke a sense of comfort through rustic elements such as weathered textures, handwritten typography, or hand-drawn illustrations.

Personal Reflection and Storytelling: Joanna Gaines believes in the power of personal reflection and storytelling when designing spaces. Apply this concept to your drawing journal by infusing your artwork with personal anecdotes, memories, or narratives. Use your drawings as a visual diary, capturing moments, experiences, or emotions through sketches and illustrations. Let your artwork tell a story and become a reflection of your own unique journey.

Interior Design Mood Boards to Inspire Journal Work

Fixer Upper Journaling Exercises to Try Now

All of the following journaling ideas came from the magazine, Magnolia Journal. Feel free to take these journaling exercises and adapt them to what works best in your individual notebook. For many of these exercises, I grabbed pages from the actual magazine, but you could really do these exercises with any magazine that you found interesting and inspirational.

QUOTE PAGE

I found a section of text that I really loved (I should say the coffee-lover in me really loved it). I pulled this section out and glued it into my notebook. It gave way to some inspiration with coffee doodling and trying to incorporate some fun washi tape. The first exercise focuses on making a spread out of a section of text.

THEME WORD

I love the idea of PLAY! For this exercise, it can really be any word that you choose or that stands out to you while you are looking at a magazine or newspaper. You can grab a pair of scissors and find something that speaks to you. The word “play” in particular seemed really important to me and relevant because I am constantly playing with our two-year-old and trying to incorporate more play ideas in my world of secondary teaching. The second exercise focuses on making a spread out of one word that is inspiration or thematic.

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GRATITUDE LOG

I really loved this idea of “savoring” something or pausing to find gratitude in new places. I am keeping a “savor” page in my B5 notebook. This page is really meant to write down small moments of joy in the ins and outs of my day. I really loved the idea of “savor the middle” from the Magnolia Journal because I too often try to get to the finish line or see the result of a project and don’t pause to enjoy the process or see the growth that has already occurred along the way. The last exercise focuses on making a spread that focuses on gratitude.

10 Inspirational Quotes from The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters by Joanna Gaines

1. "Your story is unique and important. Embrace it and let it shape your journey."

2. "Every piece of your story matters. The highs, the lows, the triumphs, and the challenges all contribute to who you are."

3. "Don't be afraid to take risks and step outside your comfort zone. It's where growth and transformation happen."

4. "Our stories are not meant to be hidden or silenced. Share them with others and find connection through vulnerability."

5. "Embrace the beauty of imperfection. It's in those moments that we find the most authentic and relatable stories."

6. "The power of storytelling lies in its ability to inspire, heal, and bring people together."

7. "Every person has a story worth telling. Don't underestimate the impact your words and experiences can have on others."

8. "Your past does not define your future. You have the power to rewrite your story and create the life you want."

9. "Celebrate the small victories along your journey. They are the building blocks that lead to greater accomplishments."

10. "Remember that your story is still unfolding. Embrace the unknown, have faith in yourself, and keep writing the chapters of your life with intention."

Writing Mindset Reflection: What aspects of interior design can relate to journaling? Who do you pull inspiration from when you are working in a notebook?

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