Week Two...DIY Inspiration Card Deck Tutorial

A Little Box of (Insert your "Word of the Year" here)...

As I explained in last week's blog post, my word of the year for 2024 is "Courage."    This week, I wanted to make something based on my chosen word to help me focus on it and channel it throughout the year.  I came up with the idea of making a deck of inspiration cards which I plan to use as prompts for journaling, art, and mediation. 

 I'm extremely happy with the result!  I feel inspired already!  Today I put the cards to use by randomly selecting a card to prompt my daily journal entry (daily journaling is one of my New Year's Resolutions).  The card I drew said, "Daily Writing!"  How appropriate!  

I've shared a simple tutorial below so you can make your own personalized deck.   

Supplies:  

 A piece of scratch paper and a pencil

Two or three 11x14 inch pieces of watercolor paper

Watercolor paints (I used tube paints, but a pallet of watercolors would work)

Brushes, water

Pens for lettering and doodling

Washi tape (or masking tape) for masking

Optional:  spray bottle with water, sea salt, chop stick or (go outside and grab a small stick), and a small piece of saran wrap

Steps:  

1)    I encourage you to light a candle and put on some relaxing music before you begin.  Take a few deep breaths to clear your mind.  Then, write your chosen "Word of the Year" at the top of the scrap paper. 

Underneath it, brainstorm a list of words or phrases that you feel support your word.  What do you need in order to bring this word to life in 2024?  What words would make you feel supported as you pursue your goals in 2024?  

2)    Next, prep the watercolor paper by making a grid with the washi tape (see below). I divided mine into a 4 X 4 grid, for a total of 16 sections per 11 x 14 inch paper.  

3)    Release any negative thoughts.  Don't worry about the outcome and just have fun!  My cards are perfectly imperfect.  They are just for me and I have filled them with love and good intentions.  The imperfections are what make them unique!  

I suggest you begin by dragging a chopstick or stick in some watercolor paint.  and scribble all across the page,  but really anything goes here!  

4).     Spray some water on the paper and then randomly apply some watercolor paint with a brush for a wet on wet effect.  

Continue to play around with different effects with the watercolors.  Try applying some wet paint and then lift your paper and let it drip.  Splatter some paint with your brush.  Sprinkle some sea salt on wet areas and leave it to dry.  Crumble up the plastic wrap and blot areas of  wet paint and then use it to "print" on other areas.  

5.).     When the paper is dry, remove the sea salt if you used it.   You can try adding some white gouache or acrylic paint by splattering it, or dragging the stick through the paint and randomly doodling on your paper. 

6.)     When the paint is once again dry, carefully remove the tape and then cut the cards out.  

7.)    Finally, enjoy the process of writing the words from your list on each card.  You may also enjoy doing some doodling on the cards.  

          Optional:  Find a small box to hold the cards.  Decorate as desired.  

And that's it!  You now have a deck of personalized inspiration cards to use as you wish throughout the year!  

Please comment if you try this.    I'd love to see how yours turned out, so feel free to share a photo!