There’s something magical about beginning a new year with creativity instead of pressure.
Instead of writing endless resolutions you may forget in a few weeks, why not create something meaningful with your hands?
This Mixed Media Zine Journal project is a playful and expressive way to capture your New Year intentions using collage, paint, fabrics, words, and layered mixed media techniques. It’s messy, intuitive, creative, and deeply personal.
And the best part?
This project works beautifully for any year, season, or life chapter whenever you want to reconnect with your goals, dreams, creativity, or personal growth.
If you love art journaling, mixed media collage, or creating handmade journals, this tutorial is for you.
Watch the Full Mixed Media Zine Journal Tutorial
What is a Mixed Media Zine Journal?
A Mixed Media Zine Journal is a small folded handmade booklet created from a single sheet of paper and layered with artistic elements like:
- collage
- paint
- fabrics
- printed words
- tags
- mini booklets
- doodles
- pockets
- embellishments
This type of creative journaling combines the freedom of mixed media art journaling with the simplicity of a DIY zine structure.
The result is a journal that feels:
✨ expressive
✨ tactile
✨ meaningful
✨ beautifully imperfect
You can use this Mixed Media Zine Journal for:
- New Year intention setting
- yearly goals
- affirmations
- creative reflection
- seasonal journaling
- visual storytelling
- memory keeping
- personal growth
Supplies You’ll Need
To create your own Mixed Media Zine Journal, gather:
- One large paper (A3 size works wonderfully)
- Scrap papers for writing intentions
- Glue or matte medium
- Gesso
- Acrylic paints
- Paint brushes
- Scissors
- Tape or washi tape
- Plain copy paper
- Fabric scraps
- Printed sentiments or affirmations
- Floral cutouts
- Collage papers
- Printable tags or embellishments
This project is perfect for using up leftover mixed media collage scraps and random art supplies you already own.
Step 1: Write Your Intentions
The first step in this Mixed Media Zine Journal process is simple but powerful.
Begin by writing your intentions onto loose scraps of paper.
These intentions can be:
- words
- affirmations
- feelings
- goals
- reminders
- dreams
- themes for the year ahead
This is not about perfection. It’s about capturing what matters to you emotionally and creatively. Some examples:
- create more freely
- trust the process
- slow down
- nourish creativity
- embrace rest
- stay playful
Writing your intentions first gives your art journaling project emotional depth and meaning.
Step 2: Create Your Collage Background
Next, glue your intention papers onto your large sheet of paper.
Layer the scraps naturally across the surface to create texture and visual interest.
After collaging, apply a light layer of gesso over everything to soften the edges and blend the papers together.
This step creates a beautiful surface for your mixed media background and helps unify the page visually.
Don’t worry about making everything neat.
The beauty of a Mixed Media Zine Journal comes from layered imperfections and expressive marks.
Step 3: Paint Your Mixed Media Background
Now comes the messy, joyful part — painting!
For this project, I used vibrant pink tones & earthy olive greens. These colors create a rich and layered background full of movement and energy.
- Add drips.
- Add splatters.
- Layer colors.
- Let the paint blend naturally.
This expressive painting stage gives your Mixed Media Zine Journal its unique artistic personality.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is emotion, texture, and creative freedom.
Step 4: Fold Your Zine Journal
Once your painted background is dry, it’s time to turn it into a zine journal.
Fold your sheet into a simple zine structure using only one painted side of the paper. This instantly transforms your artwork into a small interactive journal filled with pages and pockets.
To create pockets, simply tape along some of the page edges.
These pockets will later hold:
- tags
- notes
- mini booklets
- hidden journaling pieces
This step is where the Mixed Media Zine Journal really starts coming to life.
Step 5: Create Mini Booklets & Embellishments
One of my favorite parts of this project is creating the tiny interactive details.
Using plain paper, fold and create two mini booklets to tuck into the pockets.
Then create embellishments like:
- printable tags
- collage clusters
- floral cutouts
- layered fabric pieces
- decorative inserts
For this journal, I also included floral elements inspired by my Messy Floral Doodle Class along with printable sentiments and intention words.
These layered embellishments add texture, softness, and personality to your Mixed Media Zine Journal.
Step 6: Fill Your Journal with Intentions
Now it’s time to fill your journal pages.
Layer together:
- printed intentions
- affirmations
- floral doodles
- fabrics
- collage scraps
- meaningful words
- decorative clusters
Write directly onto the pages and allow the journal to evolve naturally over time.
Some pages may stay minimal. Others may become beautifully layered and expressive. That’s the magic of creative journaling.
There are no rules. Your Mixed Media Zine Journal becomes a reflection of your inner thoughts, dreams, and creative energy.
Why I Love This Mixed Media Zine Journal Project
What makes this project so special is that it transforms New Year intention setting into a creative ritual rather than a stressful task.
Instead of chasing perfect resolutions, you’re creating:
✨ something tactile
✨ something artistic
✨ something meaningful
✨ something you can revisit all year long
This Mixed Media Zine Journal can become:
- a yearly ritual
- a seasonal creative reset
- a vision journal
- a personal reflection tool
- a handmade keepsake
And because it’s made from one sheet of paper, it’s approachable even for beginners.
Final Thoughts
I hope this Mixed Media Zine Journal tutorial inspires you to create with more freedom, playfulness, and intention.
Whether you make this project for the New Year, a birthday, a creative reset, or simply because you want to reconnect with yourself creatively, this process is all about slowing down and making something meaningful.
If you create your own Mixed Media Zine Journal, I’d absolutely love to see it.
Feel free to tag me, share your pages, or let me know which intentions you’re bringing into your next season of creativity 
