Watercoloring with Tim Holtz Distress Markers

At the Michaels Craft Store I pass by the Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Markers so many times, I wonder why they've never sparked my interest until now. Maybe the fact that these were 40% off had something to do with the recent purchase, but either way, I'm happy I got them.

Along with these markers I also picked up a green Distress Ink pad. Not exactly sure how I plan on using it, but I'll find a way. Plus, green is my favorite color (Jade and Olive green to be specific) so I'm more likely to use it for my journalings over any other color.

The first page I tested these on (pictured above) wasn't used in any special way, just some light scribbles, but I'd like to get the water brush to get the nice watercolor effect (like in this tutorial). The particular marker set I got was this one, and the journal I'm currently using it on is the Midori notebook #003 blank for the Traveler's Notebook.

My cursive handwriting is definitely unique as I look at it. It's funny because I know that the pages would look a lot "neater" if I slowed my pace down, but quite honestly, when I journal, I journal best when I just let the thoughts take over and go with the flow (especially after a good glass of wine or two).

Ninety-nine percent of the time my mind is just full of  wonders, ideas, and content that it's too hard to keep up and write them all down as they come. So over time I've developed a certain shorthanded style for myself. It's interesting when I go back and reread the pages. Some words are missing letters, some m's are mushed together and look like n's, and some sentences are just so random I'm not even sure where they came from! And it's always interesting because based on my handwriting I can always detect the mood I was in that day. That's how journaling is supposed to be. Not perfect, not neat, not "right," but raw, real and just for you and your eyes only. All that matters is knowing what you wrote, the memories they hold, and how you felt the moment it was written.