The easiest way for me to do that is to grab a small paper pad, a tiny box of watercolours and a waterbrush. In just a few minutes I can do a page with some lines on it. Or I can spread it out over several quicky sessions for the more elaborate ones. It's a lot of fun to do and it makes me feel like at least I'm doing something.
I'm doing these on my new found love: a calligraphy pad. The paper is absolutely fantastic! Smooth, light and yet capable of taking some wet media. I wouldn't do an elaborate wet in wet watercolour on it, but for just about anything else it works like charm. It doesn't buckle or anything.
The pad I use is A5 in size, so pretty small, but what I do after I finish a couple of sheets in the same colour scheme is I make enlarged copies on a copy machine. That way the paper is big enough to serve as background paper in the journal.
It's really fun to make these simple matching papers and I'm thinking that MJ, being the handprinted fabric and paper designer that she is, would definitely get her kicks this way on busy days!
Wishing you all a wonderful and artsy week!