Prep Part 3: How To Create 21 Sections
Below are some suggestions on how to create your sections however, feel free to do what you want! It can be totally different from the ideas listed below and that's OK. This is your project! :)
USING TAPE
This is my favorite way of creating sections because I like having the white negative space separating each section, it creates very clean edges, and taking off the tape for the final reveal is so much fun! Below is the link for the video tutorial as well as a description of each step. (Refer to PREP PART 1 for the exact paper and tape I use.)
WATCH THE YOUTUBE TUTORIAL HERE
1) Before working on the actual paper I'll be using, I like to draw the layout with the exact number of sections I'll need on scratch paper. This isn't to copy it, it's just so I have an idea of what 21 sections visually looks like, how large the spaces are, and how the space of the paper is used. This step is optional but I do find it very helpful!
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I start off with a pencil and randomly draw straight or curvy lines or a mix of both while purposefully leaving some sections bigger. Once I feel like I have created a decent amount of sections I stop and count how many there are. As I count each section, I write down the number in the section. Let's say I count 18. That means I am 3 sections short. So I will split up a few of the larger sections to create those additional 3 sections to get 21.
I start off with a pencil and randomly draw straight or curvy lines or a mix of both while purposefully leaving some sections bigger. Once I feel like I have created a decent amount of sections I stop and count how many there are. As I count each section, I write down the number in the section. Let's say I count 18. That means I am 3 sections short. So I will split up a few of the larger sections to create those additional 3 sections to get 21.
When I'm done, I take a look at the scratch paper to have a visual of how 21 sections look like and use it as a reference then move on to my actual paper.
2) I repeat the same process on my actual paper. I use pencil and try to draw the lines as lightly as possible to make erasing them later easier.
If you are only using straight lines, use a ruler and make sure the lines are straight and even at this stage.
If using curvy lines, I like to free hand it and draw the lines randomly.
Once you have created 21 sections, take a look at your entire page and see if you are happy with them. If you see some that are too small or too big, you can erase the lines and adjust them. Once you are done with this step, you can erase the numbers you wrote down (and use this as another chance to count the number of sections as you erase to double check) or leave them the numbers and erase as needed when you fill in your sections.
3) Use the pencil lines as a guideline for where to put the tape. I try to put my tape directly on top of that line. If you accidentally miss in some spots, that's OK, you can erase any pencil lines that show after this step.
For straight lines, follow the pencil lines as close as possible to keep things straight and neat.
For straight lines, follow the pencil lines as close as possible to keep things straight and neat.
For curvy lines, gently guide the tape to fit the curves--there will be folds in the tape and it won't be smooth. See video for tips / examples.
4) After the tape is down, press it firmly one last time to make sure it is stuck on well. Check to see if there are any pencil lines, smudges, or numbers that are still there that you want to erase. Now you're sectioned paper is ready for you to fill in! :)
I take the tape off at the end because I like the white borders but if you like how your tape looks, you can leave it on! Some folks have also peeled the tape off as they went. This part is up to you!
USING PENCIL / PEN / MARKER
You don't have to use tape! You can draw the lines with pencil and use that as the borders for your sections. Once you are done with your project you can either erase any pencil lines that may show or go over it with a pen or marker to emphasize the lines so that each section is outlined.
DON'T USE ANY BORDERS FOR YOUR SECTIONS
You can also choose not to use any borders at all for your sections! This way, each item you add can blend into the next. I did a project where I documented each month of the year and didn't create any sections, just eyed a square-ish shape for each month, and let the sections all combine. Here's how that turned out:
