Art Journal Page with One Background: Fussy Cutting & Ephemera Layering
I’ve been playing with the Jungle Vibes Junk Journal & Ephemera Book from Ciao Bella, and rather than using lots of different elements, I wanted to keep things simple:
one base, plenty of fussy cutting, and just a few extra details to bring in contrast.
I didn’t set out with a plan for this art journal page and actually gave myself a set time to choose the elements I wanted to use — no overthinking or faffing.
Starting with one background
The background really does all the heavy lifting here. I chose one that already told a story — a sense of adventure in an unknown place.
I’m working in an 8" x 8" journal and deliberately left a white border around the page. I feel this helps draw your eye in.
Although I chose a contrasting border, I softened it slightly with a bit of blending and some over stamping — not covering the whole area, just in key places.
That was the background done. It really didn’t need anything more.
Which meant I could focus on what went on top, and make sure those elements became part of the story too — for me, that helps everything feel connected.?
Fussy cutting as the focus
Most of the page came together through fussy cutting.
Because I’d set myself a limited time to choose the elements, it was amazing how quickly I found pieces that worked with the background.
I decided early on that I wanted the explorer to be my focal image, then started arranging the other ephemera and fussy cut elements until it felt balanced.
There wasn’t a strict plan — more a case of moving pieces around, stepping back, and adjusting as I went.
In the reel you’ll see the layering come together, although the decision-making part mostly happens off camera.
That part is always my favourite — it’s where the page really starts to come together.
A few thoughts on the finished page
Once everything was in place, I only added a few extra details: a couple of stickers and the obligatory white splats!
Because the background and ephemera are already quite rich, it didn’t need much more. In fact, adding too much would have taken away from the overall feel.
This was very much a “less is more” moment… even if the page doesn’t entirely look like it!
I used the Jungle Vibes Junk Journal & Ephemera Book by Ciao Bella Paper for this page, which is available via Personal Impressions here in the UK.
If you enjoy fussy cutting, this is a really easy way to build a page without overthinking it — start with one background, pull out a few elements, and see where it takes you.
Until next time, take care,
xxx
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