Books
World Wide Web
Music
Quotes

Books

Lit From Within: Tending Your Soul For Lifelong Beauty by Victoria Moran
This elegantly written book will give you practical tips on "how to make your inner beauty more visible to yourself and others". I love Moran's writing style, and I highly recommend all of her books, especially Creating a Charmed Life: Sensible, Spiritual Secrets Every Busy Woman Should Know and Shelter for the Spirit: Create Your Own Haven in a Hectic World.

Drawing From Life: The Journal As Art by Jennifer New
This is the kind of book that I have been waiting for - one that features full-color photographs of real journal pages. Each of the journals featured incorporates some sort of visual element, and they are divided into four sections - Observation, Reflection, Exploration, and Creation - based on how each contributor uses his or her journal. I would love to see a similar book of pages from the journals of more Average Janes and Joes.

The Stamp-Pad Printing Book by Florence H. Pettit
I borrowed a whole slew of rubber stamp books from the library, but I kicked all the others to da curb in favor of this humble little book. You will probably have to find it at the library or through a secondhand venue, but I think it's worth it. These are the best eraser carving instructions I've seen. I don't know if it's the simple, straightforward writing style or the low-tech, no frills technique that's doing it, but these instructions are really working for me. Ms. Pettit starts off by explaining each of the tools needed (the different kinds of erasers, what to look for in stamp pads, etc.) and then leads you right into carving your first 3 practice erasers. All 3 consist pretty much of straight cuts, but this is the first time I've ever gotten smooth edges and fairly straight lines. From there, the book goes on to detail various ways that you can use your stamps - cards, stationery, posters, flyers, and even cloth banners. Best of all, sprinkled throughout the book are several designs that you can transfer and carve. Just flipping through the book, I counted 31, and that doesn't include the two complete alphabet/number/punctuation sets and templates for other things like boxes and cards. All of the designs are the simple, stylized style of the 70s that I find very soothing (and retro!) and extremely versatile. I used one of my practice stamps to make some cool stationery and to decorate my newest blank book. As if all of this weren't enough reason to go find this book, the author also gives lots of excellent printing advice and there is a chapter on how to wood-mount cheapo stamps. Are you convinced yet? Stop reading this and go to the library!

Get Organized, Get Published! by Don Aslett and Carol Cartaino
I've only just started this book, and I'm already excited enough to recommend it. GO GET THIS BOOK. The target audience, of course is anyone who wants to be a published writer, but I believe that this book is equally valuable for those who write just for themselves. Don Aslett is a cleaning and organization guru. I've read almost all of his books, and though he gets on my nerves on occasion ("modesty" is not in his vocabulary and he tends to get a bit preachy), I have to admit that the man knows his stuff. Carol Cartaino is the editor in chief of Writer's Digest magazine. Together, they provide real, practical advice for starting, organizing, and sustaining your writing career. The first thing they do is blast away all those excuses that you've been hanging on to for why you can't (don't have time to) write. Those chapters alone are worth getting the book. As usual, I got mine from the library, but the copyright is recent, and you shouldn't have any trouble obtaining a copy for your very own.

Draw! A Visual Approach to Thinking, Learning and Communicating by Kurt Hanks and Larry Belliston
As the title implies, the purpose of this book is to introduce the concept of drawing as a tool for thinking, learning, and communicating. The authors offer some tips for various drawing techniques and methods, and also give a few suggestions for visual and drawing exercises, but the bulk of the book is illustration. By that, I mean that the authors point out various ways that drawing can be used and then show several examples of each way. They are a little heavy on the architectural and design drawings, but I suspect that architecture and design students are their target audience.

The Lost Soul Companion by Susan M. Brackney
This little book is intended to provide comfort and practical advice for those blessed/cursed with an artistic or sensitive temperment. The text is simple, down-to-earth, and written in such a way that does not romanticize depression or advocate misery for the sake of being a "free spirit".

The Handcrafted Letter by Diane Maurer-Mathison
Would you like to rediscover the lost art of letter-writing? This book will inspire you to do just that. It covers all aspects of letter-writing from making paper and envelopes to calligraphy and decorations. This is a very good book for those who are just getting into the concept of artistic letters and mail art.

A Window Over the Sink and I Didn't Come Here to Argue by Peg Bracken
These two hilarious memoires are from an author who is probably most famous for her classics, The I Hate to Cook Book and The I Hate to Housekeep Book. Bracken's childhood and reflections on getting older unravel in a series of poignant essays. Both books make for entertaining reading and may inspire you to start your own memoires.

A Book of Your Own: Keeping a Diary or Journal by Carla Stevens
This is a pleasant little book designed to introduce adolescents and teens to the world of personal writing. However, even experienced diarists may want to pick it up just to read the excerpts from the real diaries of real children. The book includes a few writing exercises to help you get started.

Write It Down! A Girl's Guide to Keeping a Journal by Erica Smith
Although I am not thrilled about the fact that this book only targets girls (as if boys can't keep diaries or journals), I do think that it is a decent primer for a new writer. It even has a few pages of suggestions for making and decorating your own notebook.

A Book of One's Own: People and Their Diaries by Thomas Mallon
This book is an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys reading published journals. Authors are divided into 7 different categories, and there is background information about each. There are also lots of juicy excerpts.

A Trail Through Leaves: The Journal As a Path To Place by Hannah Hinchman
This is an excellent book about journal-keeping. Although it is primarily targeted toward those interested in keeping nature journals, this book provides drawing and writing exercises and advice that will be of value to any diarist. There are lots of the author's sketches sprinkled throughout the book.

The Creativity Book by Eric Maisel
Eric Maisel encourages us to "make creativity [our] religion", and this book is designed to help us do just that. It is a workbook full of essays, exercises, and projects to be done over the course of a year. At the end of this year, you should have a whole new attitude towards your art, and a lot to show for it. Although I think that everyone can benefit from this book, I specifically recommend it to: 1) anyone who is working or will be working on a specific creative project (art students, professional artists, etc.); or 2) anyone who would like to get in touch with his or her creative side and would like a structured format in which to do it.

The Moonlight Chronicles by Dan Price
This little book is full of illustrated excerpts from one man's diary as he travels down the road of life.

How to Make a Journal of Your Life by Dan Price
The purpose of this book is to provide gentle suggestions and ideas that will help you produce a journal that you will love. Full of little drawings, photographs, and reproductions from the author's diary, this book has a lot to say about life as well as about journal-keeping. I like this book primarily for the pictures, and I only recommend it to people who are not looking for lots of details, instructions, or exercises.

The Yoga of Drawing by Jeanne Carbonetti
This is a beautifully illustrated book designed to help you learn to draw. It takes the principles of yoga and applies them to artistic practice. Each chapter deals with a different concept and provides a drawing exercise to help you master it.

Making Journals by Hand by Jason Thompson
If you are looking for inspiration, you should definitely spend some time with this book. There are instructions and examples of several different types of journals, as well as ideas about what to write in them. Some of the techniques are a little advanced, so this might not be a good book for beginners.

Succulent Wild Women by SARK
I enjoy SARK's books simply because they are hand-lettered and printed in happy, vibrant colors. This one features various personal essays about everything from money to connecting with other women to sex. There is also a chapter on creative expression and keeping journals.

The Woman's Comfort Book by Jennifer Louden
The purpose of this book is to provide people with ideas and ways of nurturing themselves in a hectic world. Each chapter provides a variety of projects designed to help us slow down, relax, and have more fun. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for ideas on how to life a more creative life.

List Your Self by Ilene Segalove and Paul Bob Velick
Want to keep a journal but don't want to spend a lot of time on it? Listmaking is for you. This book provides over 200 list prompts that cover all areas of life such as health, your childhood, romance, and even culture.

Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This is one of my favorite books. Read it when you want to remind yourself of all the imagination and creativity you had as a child.

How to Draw People by Alastair Smith
Just as the title says, this book is designed to teach you how to draw the human form. It is targeted towards children, but I think that it is a very useful book for the beginning artist. The book covers different drawing media and techniques and provides suggestions on how to improve your skills.

Watercolor for the Artistically Undiscovered by Thacher Hurd and John Cassidy
Another children's book, this one is designed to help you unleash the painter within. It comes with a set of watercolors and a paintbrush, and is printed on good quality watercolor paper.

World Wide Web

Philofaxy
This blog chronicles one man's love affair with his Filofax.

The Daily Motivator
The site name says it all. Visit this site when you need motivation to keep on keepin' on.

D*I*Y Planner
"Paper, productivity, and passion". Download free templates for creating your own planner and read articles about paper-based productivity. Be sure to check out the Creativity, Journal, and Scrapbook sections.

Moleskinerie
Not just for Moleskine aficionados, this web log provides much inspiration and food for thought for any creative soul. Be prepared to stay awhile.

Random Acts of Inkness
Lovely scans of art journal pages, mostly done with watercolors.

Creating an Illuminated Journal
Some advice about getting started with your own illuminated journal and several very cool scanned pages from the author's own journal.

Sisters on Sojourn
Colorful pages from travel journals, a gallery of mail art submissions, and rubber stamps for sale.

The Memes List
Lots of prompts and writing ideas and links to other prompts and writing ideas. Geared toward those who favor online expression, but these resources can also be used by keepers of paper journals.

Personal Writing
A site "dedicated to Diaries, Journals and Notebooks written in books". Read about people who collect diaries and other personal manuscripts, and leave your thoughts about the Diary Depository.

moderngypsy.com
Elizabeth Badurina's inspirational art site. Browse through the galleries, learn about altered books, get inspiration for letter writing and other mail art.

Royal Journal Found Art
This wacky site has inspired me to start my own found art collection. I am always finding things tucked into library books. Now I save them.

Day Book
"Step into a whole day of someone else's life..."

keri smith illustration
An artist's portfolio and writings. Be sure to request the "How to Make a Living Doing What You Love" booklet.

Tera's Wish
Lots of articles about creativity and being an artist. Lots of journal writing exercises and activities.

Barbara Nessim's Journals
Drawings and a little insight into the artist's creative process

Barbara Pollak's Sketchbooks
My first thought when I saw this site was "Oooo!". I want to see more.

Writing the Journey
Workshops, exercises, a newsletter, and more

The Fix Express
Get a quote, a joke, some trivia, a word, and some history to jump start your entry.

Clare Walker Leslie
Peek inside of one artist's nature journals.

The Journal of Everyday Earth
More about nature journals. Includes some lovely photos and links to Beatrix Potter's sketchbooks.

Music

Bellydance! The best of George Abdo and His Flames of Araby Orchestra - George Abdo

Music From the Tealands - Putamayo

World Instrumental Music - Putamayo

Gypsy Soul: new flamenco - Narada

Afro-Latino - Putamayo

Quotes

"What fun it is to generalize in the privacy of a note book. It is as I imagine waltzing on ice might be. A great delicious sweep in one direction, taking you your full strength, and then with no trouble at all, an equally delicious sweep in the opposite direction. My note book does not help me think, but it eases my crabbed heart."
- Florida Scott-Maxwell

"...I have just re-read my year's diary and am much struck by the rapid haphazard gallop at which it swings along, sometimes indeed jerking almost intolerably over the cobbles. Still if it were not written rather faster than the fastest typewriting, if I stopped and took thought, it would never be written at all; and the advantage of the method is that it sweeps up accidentally several stray matters which I should exclude if I hesitated, but which are the diamonds of the dustheap."
- Virginia Woolf

"I should not talk so much about myself if there was anybody else I knew as well"
- Henry David Thoreau

"Diaries are the flesh made word"
- Thomas Mallon

"...diary-writing is the poor man's art."
- Thomas Mallon

"There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and miseries"
- William Shakespeare (from Julius Caesar)

"I am here to live out loud."
- Emile Zola

"I like to think of myself as an artist, and my life as my greatest work of art."
- Shakti Gawain

"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are; infinite."
- William Blake