Personal: I'M MOVING!!

So I figured I have a bit of time and because of that I’d write a personal entry update.  I have decided I’ll make more regular-ish updates to Twitter @ www.twitter.com/missimoinsane so if you want to follow what I’m doing you can follow me there!!  But here’s the plan and the updates of what’s happened with me..  I'm also creating a 5th instagram https://www.instagram.com/missimoinsane_life/ which will be everything moving, food, life, weight, cats, day to day etc etc..

So how did I get to where I am now?

First of all on Friday 5th October 2018

 I found out that I’m basically becoming homeless.  My current situation was that I was residing on the ground floor space of the 3 story house my parents were renting.  So as a disabled person I had my own bedroom, craft room, bathroom (well shower room), kitchenette and mouldy backroom and garage for storage oh and a shared hall / front door…  Pretty cushy setup..  However my Stepdads health is getting so much worse made worse by the stairs from the ground floor where I reside to their living room is 2 flights of stairs then another 2 to get to their bedroom.  My mum had her knees done some 20 years ago but they’re still not right.  And between all the stairs, all the issues with our home that our letting agency wont fix since technically we don’t have a landlord as the property we rent is a portfolio meaning it was repossessed and the rent is based on paying back that debt.  I digress..  Basically their friend has offered them a 2 bed bungalow in a super nice area, that has a wet room and is ideal for them and my 13 (nearly 14) year old sister.  However sadly that makes me homeless.  I absolutely couldn’t afford to take this place on on my own, in fact if I wasn’t here they wouldn’t be able to afford this place and they get more money than I do!!  So..

Sunday 6th

 Mum finds this absolutely perfect for me one bedroom bungalow, with garage, with garden, behind huge gates, that’s a detached property it’s almost like it was made for me and at a super reasonable price!!  Especially for the area which FIY is 6 minute walk to where my parents are moving to!!  (Thanks Google).

ignore the scrolling arrows it's on the photo not a cool click for more pics..

Monday 7th

 Mum rings up Estate Agency and they said they’d call back.  Mum rings up housing and they say if I find a private rent they will help me finance the move.  I’ve already been on the housing list for nearly 12 months and I’m still entitled to one of their properties however 1 property vs hundreds of applicants….  You do the math.

Tuesday 8th

 Mum rings Estate Agency and arranges a viewing for 3.20pm she explained to Zach about my anxieties, that I’m disabled on disability benefits and that I have 2 cats..  to which his response was “Well this property is perfect for her!” he went on to explain just how secure and private this place is and how it’s in a super quiet area except it is behind a nursery (if you can’t deal with kids playing then that’s a sad life surely?).  So.. excited!!  We went to view the property the garden has been left to wreck and ruin, the whole place is being gutted – brand new kitchen (in grey), new carpets and flooring (in grey), walls are all off white/cream and everything is being done up inside..  It’s going to be waaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the 4 year old photo’s I saw..  Which I already thought was more than good enough..   I’m beyond excited.  

So we met with Oliver who was super nice..  I was almost hugging him by the end I was beyond excited..  He explained to me how there were 5 viewers coming today but I was the first!!  It’s available in 2-3 weeks time.  Eek I want this!!  We called the Estate Agency as soon as we left but they said by the time we get there they will be shut, but we can bring in my application form, £150 for the background checks (which I got back if I wasn’t successful) and the relevant ID and paperwork first thing in the morning.  I’m the first in line so if I want it and I’m successful then it’s mine..

Wednesday 9th

 First thing my parents drove me to the Agency so as they opened there I was dressed smart and a folder containing everything they’d asked for and more at the ready.  We spoke with Zach (who was the gentleman we arranged the viewing with), we said hi to Oliver who was beaming with excitement and kept singing my praises to the other guys and saying how it’s a perfect fit and so ideal..  Apparently 3/5 didn't show up..  Then it was all passed onto Paul.  Paul had to go through all the paperwork and give the Letting Agency approval..  He said it would then go onto the Landlord/Owner of the property which would probably be Thursday/Friday before they heard back and if they were happy with it (I’m disabled, on benefits, with 2 cats etc..) then it will go onto the background, security, history and credit check etc etc so probably be Tuesday at the latest before I hear back.  I’m excited but I don’t want to be because I know I’m simply not this lucky!!  Paul didn’t seem as excited as Zach and Oliver did..   Then I went home..  

I made a start on repacking stuff that was in storage since one way or another I have to move anyways.  I had a lot of stuff in storage from when I lived in a 3 bed house with my ex that had gone to wreck and ruin thanks to mice/rats, mould/damp and well.. yeh.  I managed to pack up nearly a dozen boxes and had over a dozen black bags of rubbish..

At just before 3pm I get a phone call.. It’s Paul..  He doesn't sound like he has good news BUT - the bungalow is mine if I want it!!!!!!!!!!   Landlord/owner is more than happy..!  Credit checks etc etc all passed no problems..!  I don't even need a guarantor..!  At best the work will be done 22nd at worst it will be done by 26th so to get packing..!!  I have till the day of completion to get £1160 together for bond, pet bond and first month’s rent!! (I now have) And on top of that amount I need to pool together 2-300+ for removals..  can you help?  Even £1 would be a massive help you can donate to me @ https://www.paypal.me/missimoinsane or you can buy stuff from me @ https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/missimoinsanecreations (which after I’ve moved I’ll add more stuff to so I can pay back the friends I’ve borrowed money from).

Thursday 10th

 I went to housing, dead pleased I'd got myself a place and asked for their financial aid to help me move.  I was then informed the property I'm moving to isn't in Fylde it's in Wire.  So I'm entitled to zero financial help.  In fact it was almost like this was all my fault because I picked a property I didn't even know was out the area..  My anxieties were sky high and I did very well to not have a full blown anxiety attack or rage out at her.  So her advice was to pick one of her flats in a choice of rough areas and she'd help me move.,  F'That.  Because I haven't lived in Wire for 3+ years nor do I know anyone that's lived there for 5+ years I'm not entitled to financial help from them either to finance my move.  So the final option is to apply for a discretionary grant but because I'm not already claiming housing benefit I'm not entitled to that either.  So option 1.  Swallow my pride and beg friends, family, strangers etc.   2.  Say goodbye to perfect bungalow and go get a flat which will make me even more ill, be in among druggies and party people.  The woman tried to assure me not everyone in Blackpool is a druggy.  In the last 5 years I've lived in 2 properties in Blackpool and both were next to druggies so in my experience 2/2 properties that's 100% so...  option 1 it is..

I went home and begged and borrowed from friends so despite my pride I have the £1160 - I do however need to find money for removals..  (So far I’ve had a small donation to say thank you for all the amazing work I do on these BoS blogs, another from a lovely lady who’s been there, money from my brother as a housewarming, my parents paid the £150 background check but need their money for their move now and I’ve borrowed some money from a friends who I need to pay back.. plus my benefits so I now have the money for the bungalow but need to find as said another £2-300+ for removals.

Friday 11th - Tuesday 16th

 I’ve done nothing but panic and worry, try to find ways to get money and pack as much as I can while being 1. Disabled and 2. Having very few boxes.  The plan is / was to go with a removals company that supplies boxes.  They were supposed to come yesterday (Monday 15th) at 10.30 but they called at 11 to say they would come sometime today (yesterday) to no surprise they didn’t however they’re supposed to be coming to give my mum a quote for her move and me a quote for mine!!  But they didn’t bother to come.  Mum left a message at 6pm saying that we weren’t available last night as we had stuff on and no one has got back to her about coming today and it’s already gone 1pm.  I spoke with the Estate Agency yesterday who said the kitchen went in over the weekend so now they just need to get the plumber to do his thing, electrician and gas man to do their thing, tiler to come in and do that then carpet people to come do the flooring and it’s done but they still don’t know if it will be closer to 22nd finish or 26th finish..  I told them I have money for them from this Thursday (18th) and they’re chuffed with that.  They have given me a copy of the energy rating from 2014 (I’ve found a 2016 version from H&M Rev) and a copy of the gas certificate which expired 3 months ago but obviously a new one will be issued as they’re fitting a new oven etc.

So I have so much stuff to pack, I’m creating an amazon wish list of stuff I want / need http://amzn.eu/2D8mUEb have a whole plan of stuff I’m doing to DIY which is going to become some YouTube tutorials and stuff here but feel free to follow me on YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTePDilWDEOAKGDXPgeMNmw?view_as=subscriber also on my 5 instagram accounts @ Witchy Stuff / Main account - https://www.instagram.com/missimoinsane/  @ Planner account - https://www.instagram.com/missimoinsane_plans/  @ Arts and Crafts account - https://www.instagram.com/missimoinsane_creations/  @ Photography account - https://www.instagram.com/missimoinsane_photos/ and my new account  @ Life account - https://www.instagram.com/missimoinsane_life/.  Then as for mentioned I am also on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/missimoinsane so let’s see where this crazy journey leads..

I don’t know when I’ll be back doing my Book of Shadows blog prompts but I definitely have some additional blog ideas on making a house a witchy home.

Thank you in advance if you help me financially with this move or if you just send positive thoughts and wishes my way.  

All the best xoxo Imogen aka missimoinsane

October Instagram Challenge #31WitchyThings

This summer I brought you 3 witchy challenges; #omgitsjunewitches #omgitsjulywitches #omgitsaugustwitches and I know a few of you were sad to see my tripple challenges end when I announced I wouldn't be hosting a September challenge but as promised I had plans for an October so....... I'm now announcing my October witchy Instagram challenge #31WitchyThings x.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn5yyo5HOY0/?taken-by=missimoinsane

Feel free to join in x x

August Instagram Challenge #omgitsaugustwitches

Since my June and July Instagram Witchy Photo Challenge was such a successful - thank you to all who took part.. I thought it would make sense to finish the summer off with a 3rd and final challenge from me for August so here's #omgitsaugustwitches x.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BltaSB2gV9B/?taken-by=missimoinsane



Feel free to join in x x

July Instagram Challenge #omgitsjunlyitches

Since my June Instagram Witchy Photo Challenge was such a success - thank you to all who took part.. It's absolutely never too late to share your inspirational images! - I decided to put together a witchy Instagram challenge for July#omgitsjulywitches x.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkgAA33g3aA/?taken-by=missimoinsane

Feel free to join in x x

June Instagram Challenge #omgitsjunewitches

I decided to put together a witchy Instagram challenge for June #omgitsjunewitches x.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjVQ3wEADaT/?taken-by=missimoinsane


Feel free to join in x x 

Happy New Year & Social Media

🎊 Happy New Year! 

 Are you following me on social media? 

🦇 Instagram Main Account @missimoinsane
www.instagram.com/missimoinsane 

📚 Instagram Planner Account @missimoinsane_plans
www.instagram.com/missimoinsane_plans

✂ Instagram Arts and Crafts Account @missimoinsane_creations
www.instagram.com/missimoinsane_creations 

📸 YouTube @ imogenakamissimoinsane 
www.youtube.com/c/imogenakamissimoinsane

🐦 Twitter @ missimoinsane 
www.twitter.com/missimoinsane

For more social media links and updates and information on me check out..
www.missimoinsane.webs.com

What's happening in January / 2018?

• New Arts and Crafts instagram - www.instagram.com/missimoinsane_creations as I am getting into doing ATCs (Artist Trading Cards), my craftroom is 80% setup, I am wanting to get back crafting. 
• More Book of Shadows prompts and information posted every Sunday see list HERE.
• Generally more continuous stuff from last year. 
• More self help & self focus to improve my life. 
• More active in social media and well lets see what surprises unfold.

Imogen aka missimoinsane 

WW/MM. When should we be adding to our Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. P5/5

Bringing this lil mini 5 part series of how to get started in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.. to a close; I thought I'd share my view on when to write in your books..!  Now this somewhat varying and very much down to the individual for the most part..  However I thought I would bring some more thoughts for you to mull over.

So let's start with the most obvious which is that you're going to do it whenever you damn well feel like it..  However you feel like it..  Wherever.. 

But for some people they see this is more of a sacred act!  The art of transforming knowledge into words.  As words carry so much power which can later be transformed into knowledge again.  This book regardless of what book you're using/creating it is most likely to be your most sacred tool and therefore you may wish to take some of the following into consideration..

Adding to your book in some ways can be a working/ritual/magickal act all on its own and for some you might want to literally treat it that way.  Setting up a magickal space, candles.. incense.. Perhaps even casting a circle or working under a specific moon phase.  But why not have a special cleansing bath/shower remove all those negative energies, smudge the space or light incense perhaps even make some incense that is special to your time in which you imbue your knowledge into your book.  Why not create a special ritual or working for doing so.  Why not make this a magickal and special experience?

As said some like to work under moon phases such as waxing (from new moon to full moon) gaining power, building strength, bringing positive vibrations, increasing the working which may be good if you're wanting to add positive, gaining or growing spells, rituals or other workings to your book.  Alternatively if you're adding something like a remove negative energy spell, banish evil spirits or remove bad karma you may wish to add these to your book during a waning moon (from full to new) as power fades, bad energies go away, get rid of the bad..  New moon for new creations, beginnings etc..  Full moon for most powerful like protection, blessings etc..  But more about moons in a blog soon.  For now simply remember this as 'wax on, wane off' (increasing and decreasing). 

For others it might not matter so much the moon phase as it does the season, elements, zodiac, planetary alignments and retrograde etc.

Some may choose early morning fresh and well rested having had time to sleep upon their thoughts to then chronicle their words.  While others like myself may be night creatures and choose to fill our books with our knowledge and power while in the moment, pages dominantly light by candlelight while under the glow of the moon.

For others it may be as soon as a spell or working comes to pass, while fresh in mind, and is proven to work.  A favorite new recipe is created.  A new subject is learnt.  An experienced was had.  A change to an old working.

For some this is more of a working journal constantly being added to any time or when required.

For others they may have a special time/hour or day of the week, month, season or holiday in which to imbue their new knowledge and workings into their sacred books.

None of this is right nor wrong it is your path and just like the rest of your book and your journey it is completely upto you what you do, how you do it, when you do it etc..

I just thought I would put some ideas out there, some which you may not have otherwise considered.  I know some people don't see their books as such sacred magickal tools.. And for others the concept hadn't even crossed their minds..!  

I hope this little series has given you some inspiration and ideas.  I've been asked by a the founder of a lil group I'm rather active in if I will do a BoS prompts every Sunday..  So I'm hoping if this pans out then I will be posting these here every Sunday as well as exclusive stuff within the group.

Good luck.  - I'd love to see what you do!  And feel free to follow me and my progress on Instagram

@
www.instagram.com/missimoinsane 

🖤 Imogen


--- .Mini Witchy / Pagan Book Series. -------------
Part 1. Finding your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 2. Breaking in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 3. What to write in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 4. What to add (visually) to your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 5. When should we be adding to our Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 

WW/MM. What to add (visually) to your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. P4/5

Let's take a look at making things pretty!

Now you may or may not have decorated your cover, splashed out on a pretty book, prefer to go incognito and be subtle and have it look like just a plain book, binder, folder, diary etc.  Or maybe you went digital..  Your pages may already be inked up, tea dyed, stained, distressed, photoshopped etc..  But regardless of that this blog entry is about the insides..  The very.. Er.. Guts..  Yes that's not a nice thought - back up!! So this blog entry is about the beauty on the inside! (yes, that's better!)

So first of all let's think style!  "What are you into?"  "What is your personal appearance?"  "What style is your home?"  "Your dream home?"  "What art do you like?"  "What music do you listen to?" Etc..  Do you like oldy-worldy, steam-punk, goth, travel, sci-fi, traditional vintage, Boho, bright festival colours, fairy, fantasy, mythical, TV themes...  Is your head spinning with ideas?  Quick grab a notebook and write them down!!  - Good news, you don't have to pick one theme and just stick with that.  You could easily cross over fantasy fairies, with a gothy look created upon steam-punk pages that have cogs, gears and blue-print style drawings..  Or make your book look like a bohemian gypsy festival exploded in neon watercolour brights across each page!  The design theme and style is your own..  And of course as said mix it up..  Come up with your own unique YOU style.  And apply this to the pages, drawings, tip-ins, lettering even wording if you so please!

So assuming you didn't just go online and buy / print premade pages often containing pretty cookie cutter pages of spells that might not even work for you!  - Not everything resonates with everyone and to be honest unless its basics like Wiccan Rede, 10 Commandments, 13 Goals of the Witch or Zodiac information (the set in stone and won't ever change information) it is probably a waste of time and money unless you're looking for a show piece prop!!  - I am not saying there's anything wrong with buying / printing these pages just this blog entry is about us creating our own beautiful pages!!

Now in my last post I briefly touched base about perhaps you're not very artistic - this doesn't mean you can't have a pretty book by using other tools and materials.  As said I would explore a little more about that here..

- Using tip-ins:

And of course you can always stick in additional pages or pockets.  Use fancy note paper or themed such as Halloween, goth, floral, animal..  Another item you might want to use is journaling cards or project life cards to create note cards, journaling sports, imagery, affirmation oh the opportunities. Another idea for tip-ins or just for your pages might be photographs.  I know I have a canon selphy and can print my own acid free 6x4 or smaller (make sure if you're printing with your printer on photo paper that it's acid free as that will effect your book over time..) another idea might be using photo corners.  I know I plan to include a photo of myself that I may wish to update as I age.  I'm nearly 29 and dare say I won't look the same when I'm 49..!

- Using other people's images:

This is a sore spot, the difference between copyright and royalty free and plain theft.  (As an artist myself I have a strong viewpoint.)  Also note a lot of them cookie cutter pages I mentioned earlier contain stolen imagery, not all but some!

1. Using other people's work and passing it off as your own - NO.
2. Using other people's work to inspire your own - YES.
3. Using other people's work to create your own - TRICKY! If it's royalty free stock follow the rules of use then YES.  If it's copyrighted typically NO.  - Why typically?  Because if it's completely unrecognisable in the end it's sort of ok, like using for texture, perspective, form or colour plates - an artist thing. 
4. Using other people's work (credited) in your own personal books - YES.
5. Using other people's work (credited or not) to sell - NO.
6. Technically if it's for personal use like in your BoS that no one else will see then crediting isn't a must but it's nice to be able to refer back to that artist..

- Tracing: 

Tracing is allowed of course.  Now a lot of artists will argue you're not an artist if you trace..  Even if you then turn several traced things into a whole other masterpiece where your skills are in the colouring, but that's not for here!  I personally don't see anything wrong with tracing images into your books (or otherwise) especially if you're A. Not great at drawing. B. Want artwork in your book to be more unique and not something everyone else has..  Mix it up a bit!

- Using collage:

Like my last point using other people's images printed from online, found in books or magazines etc can be a fun and of course tracing is only one way to create personalised art and make it more your own.  Another is to take an images (or just one) and create an image from that.  I know Molly has some prompts which include page themes like ransom notes or just collaged backgrounds or whole images. (You could stick these in as are, trace them or even photograph and stick that in!  Or a mixture!)

- Using stamps: 

Another option might be stamps, granted these could be images that other people have but stamps are a good way of adding images.  You could even combine stamps to create your own images or learn masking stamp techniques.  I would personally recommend versa magic chalk inks based on price, dry time and product.  Inks like distress ink, stamping up and stazon are all alcohol based inks which means they can bleed, go through your pages and show up heavily on the other side.  Pigment inks tend to take forever to dry as they are rather wet and can bleed.  But chalk ink seems to be your somewhere in the middle, in my book it shows through on the other side but not so much it's a huge problem..  As for stamps.. I typically use clear cling mount (an acrylic block is required) and I'm a stickler for cheap stamps from Aliexpress.com - I also have a whole Pinterest board on planner purchases which includes some of my stamp purchases.  yes they're not as good as the expensive branded photopolymer and they will probably degrade quicker..  But some of mine I've had over 5 years with absolutely no issues and let's face it £1-4 Inc postage for a set of stamps..  Sometimes even less!!  I picked up a bunch of Halloween, flower, feather, animal, textures...  Great for adding art; images, elements, backgrounds etc..

          Stamp Tip.  If you're worried about your stamps showing through you could always stamp on paper, journaling sports, project life cards etc and then stick that into your book.  I know I plan to do some stamping with pigment ink / embossing ink and then heat emboss images which I then plan to cut around (with plain scissors but you could use decorative fancy edge scissors) and then stick it in my book.  Thus far I found roller double sided tape to be best.  Wet glue will warp the paper and I am a fan of double sided tape anyway..  I literally buy it in bulk!

- Stencils: 

I have some already from my planner stash but recently bought some amazing stencils which create banners, boxes, flags, icons and more.. Very excited to use these in my book!  I know I pinned them here. 

- Punches: 

Another interesting tool is punches they come in all shapes and sizes or even as die-cutting machines of various kinds.  Again you can find inexpensive die-cutting plates on Aliexpress.com but most of my punches came from ebay.  - I do crafts.  So punch out various elements to include in your book.  I recently saw someone had punched out butterflies from leaves..  Which would be a very beautiful element if you fired the leaves or even used fake ones and punches out butterflies. Or other shapes.  Some sellers on Etsy and Ebay even sell these punched pieces, confetti and personalised pieces.

- Decorative / Fancy Edge Scissors:

Create a torn look especially great for adding scraps, notes, covering up mistakes etc..

- Washi & Decorative Tape:

Tape can be used to tape in those tip-ins, as part of collages or as decorative pieces on its own!  Some can be cut up and used as stickers! These tapes contain words, phrases, patterns and various images.  Believe me I have probably over 200 different ones..!!  I'm an addict but they're so cheap also on, yes you guessed it.. Aliexpress.com and also on my AliExpress Pinterest board I have a section which has some of my tape purchases.

- Stickers:
Stickers may also be a viable option, I know there's a lot of Etsy shops out there but one I can personally recommend is my friends shop PuppersAndFloofs - plus 20% off with my code IMO20 she currently has a number of gothy/witchy stickers!

- 3D Elements:

So that's more or less your flat elements.  But what about including some more 3D elements like pressed flowers, thin encased butterflies or dragonfly wing, shaker card elements, pop-up pages, samples, 3D pockets or found objects like coins, charms, keys! - Well all that is upto you..

I hope that this has given you some creative ideas.  You could always check out my Pinterest BoS etc board or more specifically my section called Layout & Design Inspiration.

Some other ideas for you..  You may wish to look into such as on YouTube are 'art journaling' or 'scrapbooking' for some more creative ideas.  - art journaling prompts can also give you some amazing base ideas for getting started on a blank page page..  And if your paper is more like a sketchbook type paper which would take ink, paint or gesso (it's like a gritty paint that gives your pages some tooth - available typically in black or white and matte finish which is often what professional canvases are prepped with) better. - You definitely don't need to be artistic to art journal, scrapbook or have a pretty BoS / Grimoire / Book!

Good luck.  - I'd love to see what you do!  And feel free to follow me and my progress on Instagram

@
www.instagram.com/missimoinsane 

🖤 Imogen


--- .Mini Witchy / Pagan Book Series. -------------
Part 1. Finding your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 2. Breaking in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 3. What to write in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 4. What to add (visually) to your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 5. When should we be adding to our Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 

WW/MM. What to write in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. P3/5

So you broke in your book, if you didn't click here to find out about that first!

Now what?  I personally spent time combing through Pinterest and putting together a BoS / Grimoire etc board of

- Prompts (All round ideas).

- Content Ideas (stuff I might like to include in my book).

- Layout & Design Inspiration (How I might like my book/pages/content to look).

- Tools & Materials (Things I might like to use to create in my book like stencils and journaling cards).

- Finally I created a section for my actual BoS / Grimoire for anyone interested in seeing my progress..  

So you might like to follow my board, perhaps make one of your own (public or secret).  Gather some ideas together, similar to how I have or create your own style and way of putting ideas together such as download images and save them to your PC/Laptop/Tablet/Phone.. Sketch your ideas, make lists or wing it!

So you've gathered some ideas..  Or decided to use my collections either is fine!!  What are we going to do now?

Well for me I went onto Evernote and I wrote a list of all the things I wanted to include (probably missed a lot and doubled up on a few) and then tried to organise that into an order of which I might like to put in my book..  

Assuming you wish to work this way.  I know some people may wish to work as they go, using their book as more of a diary/journal working chronologically through the year/sabbats while others may wish to have sections, tabs and organised 'departments', some may have a plan of exactly what and how they want to include information.  For me I'm working from my list being sure to leave pages or add pockets where I know later I may wish to add more about a subject.  Alternative to that would be to add tip-ins (extra addon such as taped in fold out pages or stuck in pockets ect).

A practical idea - I happened to remove some sheets from my book; 50 to be exact (100 pages) to make room for tip-ins.  I took 5 of those, folded them in half and created a little book to use as a pen test.  (some people opt to use the back few pages where as others get a second one of the same book/paper), or one they went wrong and so bought another - fools!!  But doing a pen test or ink / stamp test, marker, pencil, paint, glue etc anything which you want to make sure doesn't ghost (appear on the other side of the page) too badly and definitely doesn't bleed and make a mess, warp or cause the paper to fall apart.  My friend Rhomany has the same book as me and she advised anything with alcohol in it such as copics, pro-marker, sharpie etc are a no go..  And I found out that Versa magic chalk inks do ghost so I may not use stamps as much as I had initially planned..

But from here it's almost like pick a subject and run with it.  Don't forget to use your own works and workings not just cookie cutter everything and copy from others.  You want this to be YOUR book not a copy of everyone else's - not saying don't copy anything sometimes art, lettering, workings, spells etc are going to be the same but try to present them in your own way.  For me I'm going to try to limit the print outs but what print outs I do will be 6x4 with rounded corners and inked edges stuck down in the middle of my page.

Still stuck for where to start?  Well most books start with a book blessing - write your own or copy one from the Internet.  (I wrote my own and it's personalised for me and my book and the intentions I have).  I haven't yet decorated that page.  To create it I simply drew some lines with a pencil and ruler, wrote out my chosen words in pencil, went over with Pilot G2-07 in black ink then once dried I erased the pencil giving me clean and straight wording.  I have yet (as mentioned) to ponder the artwork, perhaps I'll draw a book of shadows at the bottom or something..    But there's no rush to hurry and get it all done right how.  Take your time..  Think and then do!  Ps. There's nothing wrong with tracing images, using other peoples art (as long as your not selling it), using stencils, stamps or even stickers - I will detail all of this in my next post!!

Most books are then followed by a personal dedication, maybe a set of foundations such as Wiccan rede, 10 commandments, 13 goals of the witch etc..  Then for me I'm going to follow this up with an about me, star sign, element, tree, birthstone, zodiac stones, day of the week, number, Chinese zodiac, astrological birth chart..  Etc followed by familiar and other personal details before delving into the stuff I want this book to be about - for me I want this to be a reference book like correspondences and recipes.. I don't need to know about how to set up an altar (I've done that for years) or what tools mean, cos well I know..  Or the basics..  And perhaps I won't write about herbs and crystals because well that's been done and is A LOT to write about..  But perhaps a working that includes a certain herb or stone then that would work fine..  

For you this book can be whatever you need.  A corresponding guide, a journal, recipe book, spell book, record book, a mixture..  Presented in a number of beautiful ways.  For me, as a Goth-y type, I love the dark romance of monochrome, black, skulls, decay a more oldy-worldy look with a more traditional style appeal.    

I hope this has perhaps given you some food for thought..  I know Molly Roberts -HerSpeak has a few prompt videos which you may deem useful, as I have so pinned them to my previously mentioned prompts section of my Pintrest BoS board.  Also RhomanysRealm on YouTube but for more indepth information I recommend you also (for $1 minimum) you can get access to Rhomanys Patreon where she has more indepth posts about starting your new (BoS) books!

Good luck.  - I'd love to see what you do!  And feel free to follow me and my progress on Instagram

@
www.instagram.com/missimoinsane 

🖤 Imogen


--- .Mini Witchy / Pagan Book Series. -------------
Part 1. Finding your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 2. Breaking in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 3. What to write in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 4. What to add (visually) to your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 5. When should we be adding to our Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 

WW/MM. Breaking in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. P2/5

I'm sure we have all been there..  A new diary, journal, sketchbook, canvas..  The blank page staring back at us, us knowing if we mess it up we perhaps can't just start over, hit undo or jump in our TARDIS and head back in time to before we messed up!

So how do we break that fear?  - Well I found the best way is to deliberately mess up!!  What!!  Yes!!

If you're going to mess up anyway then what difference does it make?  Fearing messing up to the point where you procrastinate and so don't ever use your book (a waste) or just generally not enjoy your book because of that 'what if'.  So let's get it out the way!  Now!

For me (an ill and disabled woman on a serious budget) I took my pretty book with its new altered cover changing the price of my book from £6 odd to a good £11 odd not forgetting days of my time and energy put into altering it complete with ribbons and a charm!  Time and energy put into cleansing, consecrating and pouring my intention and desire as well as a week sleeping with this under my pillow..  I didn't want to mess up and have to start over so I just went for it!  I decided to messily ink up all the pages with distress ink, I over stamped my stamp on the first page deliberately as well as messily heat embossing, I printed out the Wiccan Rede and 13 Goals of The Witch, cut, inked the edges and stuck in.. And you can see those inked edges ghosting through the page...  And now here we are a few pages done and I've broken in my new book.  Now I feel it doesn't matter if I mess up from here as I can tape over, collage over, glue something else over the top, turn it into art, paint over it..  Be imperfectly beautiful and creative...  Oh the possibilities to be creative!!  And as a creative type it makes my BoS / Grimoire much more me!!

So I guess it's like that film The Cinderella Story when referring to baseball "don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!" - love that quote!! 

Good luck.  - I'd love to see what you do!  And feel free to follow me and my progress on Instagram

@
www.instagram.com/missimoinsane 

🖤 Imogen

For more advice on starting a new BoS etc why not check out Rhomany's Patreon..  

--- .Mini Witchy / Pagan Book Series. -------------
Part 1. Finding your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 2. Breaking in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 3. What to write in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 4. What to add (visually) to your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 5. When should we be adding to our Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.

WW/MM. Finding your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. P1/5

So I thought I would do a short brief intro.  Over the next 5 days I will be doing a short introduction to starting a BoS / Grimoire or other Pagan / Witchy book.

First of all I just quickly want to say that my goal here isn't to dictate how something SHOULD be - I'm just throwing out some ideas..  Second I hope I am not treading on anyone's toes..  Seems a lot of people have deemed this month the month of starting over with their books..  Almost like a early dark night hobby especially my fellow UK friends.

I'd like to kick start this lil series by saying that while all these big beautiful books that somewhat resemble that of Charmed, Practical Magic or some other well known TV show/film book looks amazing its not necessary nor ironically is it practical.  Your book should reflect you and can be a simple notebook, a small diary, a ring bound folder or binder, a sketchbook, Evernote, PC word document, a folder on your Mac, a bible journal, a Filofax or a number of these it doesn't even have to be just one!!  I know I have a lot of working notebooks and Evernote, a blog and folders on my desktop PC and I'm now looking at moving into a Bible Journal..!!

Perhaps when picking your space you might want to consider "Do I need to take this anywhere/carry it around?" "How much do I want to put into this?" "Can the contents easily be transferred at a later date?" "I am left handed would the rings be in the way?" "Do I want to add more pages at a later date?" "Do I want to be able to print things and add them to my book?" "What size writing do I have? - You get the idea..  Size may actually matter in this instance!!  

For me I initially printed everything and put it in a binder, then my printer broke and I couldn't afford another so just used my PC and then I was introduced to Evernote which is available across phones, tablets, pcs, web browsers and more..  Which is perfect for me..!  But now I want something more traditional, something I can write in and is still portable but that I can draw in or be creative..

After size you might want to think about paper: type, grade (thickness), colour, texture, quality, type, material.. "Will my favourite pen bleed/skip/ghost badly on this type of paper?" 

And then onto things like mediums..  Do you want a scrapbook? Journal/diary? All text or include pictures or items..  Will you be drawing, painting, colouring, inking etc etc.  Adding mixed media, collage, 3D item like pressed flowers or found objects, photos or journaling cards, will you be stamping, using stencils, paper punched pieces etc..

Bookbinding: sewn signatures, post bound, ring bound, loose leaf etc..  

I think that is enough for now..  Throwing you into a lot of thought there on what you may wish your book to be.  Remember you can always alter the cover..  There's some amazing altered books, binders and even handmade ones too on YouTube.

Once you choose your book you might want to cleans, concentrate and bless..  You might want to sleep with it under your pillow, give it a dedication ritual (or perhaps this is something you do while writing a dedication or blessing etc in the book!) do whatever it is you need to do to give this book its purpose, make it your own and have it serve you.

Make the book personalised by as mentioned altering the cover perhaps add ribbon bookmarks, a charm, some beads, pockets, a closure, a pen loop and dedicated special pen, ink up the pages, stain the pages, distress the pages, paint the edges of the book... Oh the possibility to customise and make this book yours...

So your book is ready and now you're sat looking at a blank page scared to touch pen to paper encase you mess up?  Well fear not for tomorrow I'm going to tell you how to break that fear or at least what I did..

Good luck.  - I'd love to see what you do!  And feel free to follow me and my progress on Instagram

@
www.instagram.com/missimoinsane 

🖤 Imogen

For more advice on starting a new BoS etc why not check out Rhomany's Patreon..  

--- .Mini Witchy / Pagan Book Series. -------------
Part 1. Finding your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 2. Breaking in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 3. What to write in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 
Part 4. What to add (visually) to your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.
Part 5. When should we be adding to our Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 

⋆ All Book of Shadows / Grimoire Posts ⋆

>> MOVED TO HERE <<

What is a Book of Shadows / Grimoire?  - It is my understanding (in my opinion) that these books are used as journals and/or references and/or..  Well let me explain - A Book of Shadows (BoS) / Grimoire is used to contain a Pagan/Witch/Spiritual Persons spells, ritual, recipes, notes, thoughts, instructions, other workings etc..  It is typically handwritten, but not always, and it's usually a very private book.  Sometimes this book may be a collective book like one shared in a coven (but here we're looking at person BoS/G).  Sometimes this book is passed down throughout a family or left to descendants upon death and other times it's to be burnt with the writer.  Some writers even publish theirs or versions of.  - Similar books may be Book of Light, Book of Mirrors, Book of Rainbows, Book of Angels and the list goes on.  I'm hoping what ever book or whatever faith / practice you follow you might learn something from these prompts.

A list of quick links to blog & vlog post regarding Book of Shadows, Grimoire and other similar Witchy / Pagan books:

--- .November 2017 Mini Witchy / Pagan Book Series. -------------

Part 1. Finding your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 

Part 2. Breaking in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.

Part 3. What to write in your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 

Part 4. What to add (visually) to your Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc.

Part 5. When should we be adding to our Book of Shadows / Grimoire etc. 

--- .My BoS / Grimoire. -------------

• Pinterest: My BoS / Grimoire
• MM: New BOS & Rhomany's Realm Pledge!
• PP / MM. 20 Metal Stencils :)
• MM. Altered Cover - BoS / Grimoire

--- .Links. -------------

My YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/imogenakamissimoinsane

My Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/missimoinsane

My BoS / Grimoire etc Pinterest board of

- Prompts (All round ideas).

- Content Ideas (stuff I might like to include in my book).

- Layout & Design Inspiration (How I might like my book/pages/content to look).

- Tools & Materials (Things I might like to use to create in my book like stencils and journaling cards).

- My actual BoS / Grimoire for anyone interested in seeing my progress..  

--- .Other Sources. -------------

RhomanysRealm YouTube 

Rhomanys Patreon

Molly Roberts -HerSpeak YouTube

Kelly-Ann Maddox YouTube

MM. Altered Cover - BoS / Grimoire

My New BoS / Grimoire / Witchy Journal etc..

My Altered Cover Review - How it turned out WIP..

Products.

Bible Journal £6.87 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/J5M9/232304584447

Fabric - on ebay years ago 

Ribbons - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321709921770
Elastic - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171090043679

Bat charms £2.95 for 2 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm//252738756512

Links.

Pinterest - BOS / Grimoire / Witchy Journal / BOM / BOL - Ideas..   This collection is a mixture of layout ideas, prompts, concepts, content, inspiration and notes...  https://www.pinterest.co.uk/missimoinsane/bos-grimoire-bom-bol-witchy-journal-ideas/

Pinterest - AliExpress finds - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/missimoinsane/-planner-aliexpress-amazing-finds-buys-/

Instagram (planner) - https://instagram.com/missimoinsane_plans

Instagram - https://instagram.com/missimoinsane/

Pinterest - https://pintrest.com/missimoinsane/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fwd. Facebook post:

The cover was already coming off of the book so I carefully peeled it away (perhaps use a craft heat gun to melt the glue if needed) I then wrapped the fabric around the book cover and pages marking with chalk roughly where I want the design to land and then laid my material pattern down. I placed mine on my glass cutting board but glass chopping board or one of them Tim holtz craft mats or silicone mat - something that the fabric won't stick to when wet with glue.

I removed the pages and taking the cover I glued the entire outside front of it and then that part of the fabric with a thicker layer of mod podge fabric glue. I smoothed it out. I then painted the spine and the fabric where the spine would go. And finally the outside back of the cover and the fabric. I smoothed it all out making sure it was flat with no bubbles or wrinkles etc..

I then cut the excess fabric away. Inc triangles at the corners. Double checked the make sure everything was smooth still and then started pasting the glue into the inside of the cover and fabric then gluing them together pulling taught but not too taught. I did top, bottom, left and corners then right and corners. The corners worked out much better than I had expected.. I was planning on using some metal corner protectors I have in my craft stash but they rounded off nicely enough so weren't needed.

I left the fabric glue to dry for 24 hours.

During this time I grabbed the pages part and used a craft heat gun to heat up the glue and remove the 2 ribbon bookmarks that came on the book. Pulled back the fabric at the top of the spine and I used a hot glue gun to glue down the new ribbons. - Which I cut to size and then melted each of the ends with a lighter so that they didn't/don't fray. Once glued the ribbons in I glued the fabric spine pieces back together.

I then made a template of the size of my pages and cut some spare fabric left overs to the size of the pockets I wanted, plus a bit extra to wrap around and glue. Once correct size I covered the front of the fabrics in mod podge fabric glue and used my heat gun to dry it (dont hood too close or too long as it MIGHT cause the glue to bubble). I then flipped them both over and did the same to the back - this will make the fabric act more like a plasticy fabric making it more durable and less likely to fray or wear out as quickly. I left them for 12 hours.

I attached the bat charm to one of the lobster clasps I have using a 5mm jumping.

Once everything was dry I took the pocket pieces and stapled them in place as close to the spine of the book as possible. Securing the staples tighter and flatter with long nose pliers.  I bent the excess fabric around to the back of the page and using hot glue and scissors to cut around the corner then hot glued that down. I repeated for both of them and then coloured over the staples with a black sharpie.

I then measured and found where I wanted my eyelets to be on the spine of my book. I punched a hole and using my eyelet setter I clamped in 2 eyelets. The top for if I want to add a charm later and the middle-ish for an elastic closure.. I threaded the elastic through measured how much I'd need by temporarily placing the pages inside the cover and cut. I then knotted off the elastic on the inside and hot glued it to ensure that it wouldn't come undone. I also hot glued around the eyelets inside to reinforce the holes - probably not needed.

I then hot glued 3 pieces of scrap fabric across the pages part and spine (possibly not needed but reduces the paper warping and helps with bonding).

Once everything was ready I covered the pages I didn't want to get glue on and the ribbons with parchment paper and then wax paper creating a little cocoon of safety.. Glad I did. I used the fabric mod podge and applied it to the back page and the inside of the back cover (do not get it on the spine!) I brayered the back of the book closed put some wax paper over it and stacked a bunch of heavy books on top and left it for 24 hours (ok it was 25ish) when I came back I basically repeated the same gluing the outside page and inside front cover then sticking them together (making sure not to glue the spine) brayered and stacked books on top of wax paper and left for another 24 hours (ok it was 26ish this time). - I believe that glue dried in 20 minutes.. Is cured in 24 hours but you should leave 7 days before you wash or get wet. - It's fabric glue for clothing... 

Then I removed all the protective paper and such. Clipped the clip onto the elastic and done.

Hope that might have helped a bit. 

PP / MM. 20 Stencils :)

Hello lovelies,

I thought I would share with you some of my thoughts and also process ideas behind my new BoS / Grimoire as mentioned in my last blog post (here) #NaNoWriMo & #NaNoBOSMo .

I was putting together some concept ideas for things I want to add to my book..  And making a pinterest board (here) when I got the idea about not just drawing but also using stamps and even stencils to create layouts in my book..! I know I recently saw someone who was using a scroll banner stencil to create some headings in a BuJo (Bullet Journal) and so I set off to Aliexpress.com (a lot like wish.com - China cheap products) to look for stencils..

I stumbled upon a listing for a Set A 1-10 and a Set B 11-20 stencils at just £7.23 each! (Though since buying them last night they've gone up to £7.36 with £1.07 P&P a set!)

But how awesome (and still and absolutely bargain) for all these! https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Journal-Planner-Stencils-letters-alphabet-digital-Mylar-Stencils-Plastic-stencil-Banner-Graphic-Bullet-2017-NEW-Arrival/32833360446.html

Which will be fantastic for my Planner stuff ( www.instagram.com/missimoinsane_plans ) and also for my BoS ( www.instagram.com/missimoinsane ) and more.

Imogen xo