Create This Book 2: Episode 7

Today I tackle the following 4 prompts: Create Layers, Create a Question, Create a Historical Reference, and Create a Makeover. This was a fun (and informative!) video

Create Layers

For the Create Layers prompt in my Create This Book 2 art journal, I created a chaotic, colorful sticker collage using a bunch of adorable stickers from my daughter’s craft supplies. I layered food animals, rainbow animals, planets, and other cute designs across the page to make it feel full, playful, and fun. To add even more dimension, I tested out shiny foil hearts by creating a sticky surface, pressing the foil on top, and rubbing it to reveal a sparkly metallic effect. This was a simple but satisfying mixed media sketchbook page that combined stickers, foil, texture, and layering. It’s a great low-pressure art journal idea for anyone who has cute stickers they’ve been saving but never actually using.

Create a Question

For the Create a Question prompt, I asked: What is outer space? To go with that question, I painted a galaxy background with layers of black, blue, and purple paint, then used finger blending to create a hazy space effect. While making the page, I explored fun space facts, including why space is silent, how astronauts communicate using radio waves, why footprints on the moon can last indefinitely, whether diamonds can rain on planets like Neptune and Uranus, and what space might smell like. This prompt turned into a mix of galaxy art, science facts, and creative journaling. It’s a fun educational art prompt for anyone who loves space, planets, astronomy, galaxy painting, or combining learning with sketchbook art.

Create a Historical Reference

For the Create a Historical Reference prompt, I focused on the Apollo 11 moon landing. I created a space-themed art journal page with a black background, a moon surface, an astronaut, and the American flag. This prompt pushed me outside my comfort zone because I do not usually draw realistic figures, fabric, or historical scenes, but it was a fun challenge to recreate such an iconic moment in space history. I also included facts about the Apollo 11 mission, including Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon on July 20, 1969, Michael Collins remaining in orbit, and the mission’s dramatic low-fuel landing. This page is a great example of turning a history lesson into a creative sketchbook spread with space art, mixed media, and educational storytelling.

Create a Makeover

For the Create a Makeover prompt, I recreated my real IKEA Moppe drawer makeover as a miniature art journal page. I drew the plain wooden Moppe drawers as the “before,” then illustrated two makeover versions inspired by my actual DIY project: a darker apothecary-style side and a bright colorful patterned side. I experimented with wood grain, dovetail drawer details, gold label accents, and tiny versions of the patterns from the real makeover, including zigzags, sparkles, hearts, stars, diagonal lines, and flowers. To finish the page, I added background blocks of color that matched each version. This prompt was a fun way to document a real DIY furniture makeover inside my Create This Book 2 sketchbook and turn a larger craft project into a tiny mixed media illustration.