Last week, something happened that I honestly never expected to affect me as deeply as it did.

I sold my very first painting.

Not a journal.
Not a bundle of gathered papers.
Not a class.

A painting.

And when I say I cried… I truly cried.

As a mixed-media artist, I’ve always created from feeling more than perfection. Layers of paper, texture, marks, fragments, and emotion have always felt natural to me. But painting? Painting felt different. Vulnerable somehow.

Especially growing up surrounded by incredible artists.

My daughter and my mother both went to art school. They can paint portraits and landscapes so beautifully that they almost look like photographs. Their talent has always amazed me. And if I’m being honest, for a long time I quietly convinced myself that because I didn’t paint like that, maybe I wasn’t really an artist at all.

But art has a funny way of teaching us where we belong.

Because the truth is, creativity was never meant to be a comparison. It was meant to be an expression.

My work is layered and imperfect. Emotional. Textured. Collected. Worn around the edges. It tells stories in a different language.

And last week, someone saw value in that language.

Someone connected enough with something I created with my own hands and heart that they wanted to bring it into their home.

I cannot fully explain what that felt like.

It wasn’t really about “selling” a painting.

It was the quiet realization that there is room for all kinds of artists. Even the ones who doubted themselves. Even the ones who create differently. Even the ones who are still learning to call themselves artists out loud.

I think sometimes we wait for permission to begin. Permission to create. Permission to share. Permission to take ourselves seriously.

But maybe the real magic happens when we simply start anyway.

This first painting sold may seem small to some people, but to me, it felt like opening a door I’ve been standing outside of for years.

And for that, I am deeply grateful.

Maybe creativity isn’t about mastering perfection. Maybe it’s about having the courage to leave pieces of yourself behind in what you create. What are your thoughts?

​Until next time...

You don't need trips, expensive tools, or adventures to have a life worth recording.

The most meaningful journal entries often come from regular days.

From your quiet cups of coffee.

From your laundry hanging in the sunlight.

From your time in waiting rooms.

From your walks around the block.

From memories sparked by an old receipt found in your purse.

Your story is important now. Real life, worth remembering, happens today, even when things feel ordinary or resources feel limited.

Record everyday details before they fade. Consider journaling about:

• The meal you keep on making lately
• Morning routines
• The view outside your kitchen window
• What your hands look like right now
• Your favorite blanket or candle
• Songs you replay often.
• Conversations with children or grandparents
• Your current worries
• Your tiny joys

You don’t need a vacation to explore. Try a local park, library, thrift store, or farmer’s market. Even a grocery trip can become a story.

Capture the life you’re truly living, not just special occasions. Everyday moments are where your story unfolds, even between milestones.

Journaling reveals the extraordinary in your ordinary days. It’s about seeing your real life as remarkable while you live it.

​Until next time...

About the posted photos:
1. Journaling setup - taking some photos for future content. 
2. The ghost in the sunlight. I just got these little cuties in and I looked over to see him/her enjoying the sun and smiling.
3. The mama bear who ruined one of my bird feeders. Her babies are so small and so adorable. They remained up the tree until she came back.
4. The recent stack of Amazon happy mail. I'm about to go on a no spend few months now!

This is one of the first questions people ask.

And the answer is simpler than you might think.

You don’t need a theme.
You don’t need a plan.
You don’t need the “right” supplies.

You just need pieces that feel like something.

A receipt from a day you want to remember.
A piece of packaging that caught your eye.
A torn book page.
A handwritten note.
A photo.
A scrap of fabric.

You can add words—or not.
You can layer things—or keep it simple.

There’s no right way to fill a junk journal.

Only your way.

If it feels overwhelming to gather everything yourself, starting with a small curated collection can make it easier—giving you a place to begin without the pressure of figuring it all out.

Because truly, the hardest part isn’t what to include.

It’s allowing yourself to start.

​Until next time...

There’s a quiet shift happening.

More and more people are stepping away from fast, polished, perfectly curated creativity—and moving toward something softer. Something slower. Something a little more real.

That’s where junk journaling lives.

At its heart, junk journaling is the art of gathering the overlooked—scraps of paper, worn pages, receipts, tags, textures—and giving them a place to belong.

It’s not about perfection.
It’s not about rules.
It’s not even really about the journal itself.

It’s about noticing your life.

A moment.
A memory.
A feeling you don’t want to rush past.

In a world that constantly asks us to move faster, junk journaling invites us to pause.

To hold onto the small things.

To create not for display, but for ourselves.

And maybe that’s why it’s resonating so deeply right now.
​
Because we’re craving something real.

Have you tried junk journaling, or are you thinking about starting? What draws you to this creative trend—or what’s holding you back? Share your thoughts, experiences, or even your favorite journaling supplies in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other!

​Until next time...

I love thrifting for ephemera. I find everything from music paper, greeting cards, notebooks, pads, magazines, intriguing books, and game pieces. The thrill of finding new items to add to my curated collections makes the hunt so interesting.

I add these items I find to my personal journals and to the junk journals that I sell. Additionally, I use them in curated collections available for purchase, allowing others to add to their own journals.
​

As always, another month just seemed to fly by! I can hardly believe how quickly time passes. This is one of my favorite months, and it was packed with activities I truly enjoyed: thrifting, gardening, painting, and journaling. I even had a wonderful one-on-one video call with a friendly YouTuber from the Seattle area. It was such a joy to meet her and chat about all things art!

I celebrated my birthday this month, and my family spoiled me once again! I received thoughtful gifts like bird feeders, art supplies, and organizers—just in time for my creative space revamp. I've been busy donating things and clearing out clutter so I can really focus on making new art. My space also holds all the materials I need for shipping out the items I sell.

Speaking of creating, I’ve made some exciting progress in my creative art business! I finally listed my ephemera packs, 'Blind Date with a Journal,' 'Blind Date with a Junk Journal,' and my pen pal subscriptions on my website. I’m thrilled to be moving forward and sharing these special items for sale.

My husband and I had the chance to see One Vision of Queen with Marc Martel at the Palace Theatre—what an incredible, high-energy show! Afterward, we took a long weekend trip to Portland, Maine, and even brought our dog, Charlie, along for the adventure. She was such a good girl and absolutely loved meeting new people (she soaks up all the attention!). Portland is such a charming town filled with art, delicious food, and cute shops. We had a fantastic time soaking in the local culture and can’t wait to visit again.

I also started volunteering a few hours a month at our local Book Nook, a cozy used bookstore that supports our town’s libraries. It feels wonderful to give back by doing something meaningful, and it’s a great excuse to find new books (and donate some of mine, too)!

June 2025 is definitely one for the history books—or in my case, my journal pages! Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a little time with me on the blog.

Remember, life is short—so live it creatively and joyfully!

​I have decided to revamp my home studio once again. It’s always a work in progress. Your home and work areas evolve as you do. You remove what isn’t working and add what is functioning.

I have recently been focusing exclusively on my sketchbooks, and it has been a wonderful experience for me. If you read my blog post from two weeks ago, you will understand why I prefer working in sketchbooks. I typically use gouache paints in my sketchbooks because they dry much faster than acrylics.

My husband brought home some boards for me to paint on, and I was so excited because it made me realize how much I miss painting on wood and canvas with my acrylics. I decided to make a bold move by rearranging my studio to create space for painting on both board and canvas.

I had a large easel, but I rarely used it. When I did, I found it difficult to create anything worthwhile with it; it mostly served as a place for my canvas to dry. While watching a YouTube video, I saw someone who had a designated wall space where she could nail boards or hang canvases to work on. I realized that’s exactly what I needed! So, I went into my studio and examined the area to see where I could replicate that setup. There was only one suitable spot, but it would require significant rearranging, decluttering, and reorganizing.

I am in the early stages of doing just that. I have added a few photos, but if you want to watch the video, please visit my YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/@doreendilger.

I will return to provide you with an update. My goal is to have my studio up and running by next week. I know it's an ambitious target, but as long as I don't hurt my back, I am confident that I can achieve it! Wish me luck!

The photo above shows you the only wall space that I can hang up a board or canvas on the wall.

I am always grateful to have other people interview me for their podcast but not only that it is simply amazing to be in the company of other extraordinary women. Thank you Martina Caviezel and Christina Sweeney for this amazing opportunity. Please go listen to my session or visit the other extraordinary women they have had as guests.

Everyday Ordinary Extraordinary Women

​Bravo!

4.  I work in a minimum of five sketchbooks at a time, all of various sizes. If I am drawing with pencil, then it is one book, but if I am using gouache, acrylic paint, or even Stabilo pencils, I use several to allow some drying time in between.

5. I have learned that my go-to colors are black, white, pink, and mossy-green.

6. I have learned that my favorite style of painting is abstract mixed-media art. I love its messiness and blurred lines.

7. My artwork's primary focus is a figure, a bird, or a flower.

8. I now know what materials I prefer: Stabilo pencils and Woody's, gouache paint, acrylic paint pens, and drawing pens.

9. I start a new sketchbook the same way every time. Before I begin creating, I add acrylic or gouache paint to the right-hand pages, going as far as halfway. I don't paint the whole page, but I at least make sure I have something down on each page. It also helps to have a new sketchbook close for when you have leftover acrylic paint and need to use it.

​10. Having a sketchbook practice has given me more confidence to create, and I love sharing my artwork.

In closing, one of the major things I noticed in creating my artwork is that the more relaxed and looser I paint or draw the better I love how it turns out. Once I start trying to get too tight or worry about the outcome is when I don't like it and need to walk away. It has taken me a little bit of time and practice to get to this point. I am finally comfortable with calling myself an artist. I'll take the win!

What about you? What are your favorite mediums? What do you like to paint or draw? Do you think there is a product or tool I use consider using? Please drop it in the comments. I am always open for suggestions! Thanks for stopping by. See you.

​Wowza. Where has all the time gone? Life has been hectic since November. I haven’t written a blog or posted a video. Why? Well, here is the short version:

My son-in-law was playing soccer (parents against the kids) when he dropped dead on the field. Thank God for the medically trained coaches because they brought him back from having a cardiac arrest. Did you know that only 4% survive?

My husband was helping his cousin get his vehicle started when a driver traveling way too fast coming off an exit rammed into both cars, totaling both. My husband, who was standing outside his truck, jumped out of the way but was hit. He still is in physical therapy. But he's a fighter, and he's making progress every day. He's a living testament to the strength of the human spirit.

I broke my tooth. I know it sucks, but after the top two events, this was nothing—just inconvenience for me.

We had to put our dog Bailey down in December. She was in kidney failure (her kidney was not fully developed.) I got her the day she came into this world. If you know, you know. This was the most heart-wrenching ever. We quickly new that the energy was off and we decided to get a new dog. Her name is Charlie. I still cry for Bailey.

Then, my husband and I welcomed two new grandchildren. My son had a boy, and his daughter had a girl, giving us a total of nine grandchildren so far. Their arrival brought a new wave of joy and hope into our lives.

I constantly repeat the phrase, life is so short to everyone, and it is so true. You don’t realize it until you experience a situation that can alter your life forever. I even joke with my older grandkids that when I die (which won’t be for a long time), I am coming back to haunt you. I’ll be tapping your nose, yelling in your ear, and making your rooms messy. I hope the humor will lessen the blow. Hopefully, they will all be adults busy when I exit this energy field.

I have been making it a priority to do something creative daily. Some days, it might just be pouring a cup of tea and sitting in silence. I might purge items I no longer need or want on other days. But I mostly spend time journaling, creating art, or enjoying my grandkids. For instance, I've been experimenting with watercolor painting, and it's been a wonderful way to express my emotions and connect with the beauty around me.

Coming from a go-getter, entrepreneurial, and marketing attitude, I find this transition interesting. I find myself listening to my intuition more, stopping and enjoying the beauty around me. This shift has allowed me to appreciate the small moments and find joy in the present. And, of course, allowing myself to get lost in the day creating.

In closing, I wanted to share an interesting observation. Each year, I like to start off the new year by writing down my goals, updating my vision boards, and setting up my planner. This year, I didn’t do any of it. Well, I eventually set up my planner. I am constantly adding to my visual artboards, and as for my goals, the only one I have is to be present as much as possible and enjoy the world around me. This decision reflects my growing understanding of the importance of mindfulness and appreciation in personal growth and happiness.