![That perfect project never came as I played in my art journal with gelatos and hoarded collage goodies.](https://acolorfuljourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collage-art-journaling-oops-carolyn-dube-4-600x600.jpg)
There is no expiration date on collage material, it’s not milk after all. But there is a point at which I have to face the reality that if the “perfect” project hasn’t come along yet, it probably isn’t ever coming. I might as well just use it.
One of the pieces of paper in here, I have been saving for 19 years. How do I know that so precisely? One of them is a leftover copy of a drawing my daughter did, which I turned into cards for a Christmas gift for family when she was little. She’s graduated college now so perhaps it is time to use it in my art journal.
![That perfect project never came as I played in my art journal with gelatos and hoarded collage goodies.](https://acolorfuljourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collage-art-journaling-oops-carolyn-dube-600x600.jpg)
Things were going along swimmingly as I laughed at myself for having saved these bits so long. I was having such fun using them, adding color with Gelatos around the collage bits. Why hadn’t I used them sooner!
![That perfect project never came as I played in my art journal with gelatos and hoarded collage goodies.](https://acolorfuljourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collage-art-journaling-oops-carolyn-dube-2-600x600.jpg)
Then perfection paralysis hit. I wanted to journal just the right words to remind me of these feelings and the moment.
But I couldn’t find the “perfect” title for the page. So I scribble journaled here and there with a Pitt Pen as I searched for the right word. The word never came.
![That perfect project never came as I played in my art journal with gelatos and hoarded collage goodies.](https://acolorfuljourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collage-art-journaling-oops-carolyn-dube-3-600x600.jpg)
So I turned to my rubber stamps for help with a title. Using a black Gelatos I added the word “travel”. It fit with some of the collage bits and these papers had quite a journey being saved through the years but it wasn’t the perfect title.
![That perfect project never came as I played in my art journal with gelatos and hoarded collage goodies.](https://acolorfuljourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collage-art-journaling-oops-carolyn-dube-6-600x600.jpg)
Nothing about this was perfect but a part of me wanted it to be perfect. Gratefully, the part of me that wanted to have fun won out. Perfect isn’t much fun but play is!
![That perfect project never came as I played in my art journal with gelatos and hoarded collage goodies.](https://acolorfuljourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/collage-art-journaling-oops-carolyn-dube-5-600x600.jpg)
thank you much for all you share?. this in particular for me is a wow moment, i have had the same precious, guarded scraps waiting for just the “perfect” spot. you have reminded & encouraged me that play is most important! blest be ?
This message came at the exact right time. As I try to remind myself “it’s paper, there’s plenty more where that came from!” This, along with your swearing at your perfectionist video – priceless! Thanks so much.