art journals

so i really want to start art journaling.
it just seems like an awesome way to express yourself.

i have been reading a few blogs about this: thrifty collage artist, and a beautiful mess among others.

but the thing is i really need to start collecting scraps, pictures, textures, and other things so i can start this process.

and i need to figure if i need a journal or if i need to just make individual pages and then bind them at a later date.there are some pre made ones at this etsy store. but i don't know if thats cheating.

that is all.