June Journal/Planner Setup!

Sneak Peek!!!

So. This month. Now that I feel I have this whole journal thing down. I wanted to incorporate a teeny tiny bit of planner-ishness into my Travelers Notebook. 

Fear Not!!!

Yes. I still have. Love. And use my purple personal sized Malden Filofax!  It just lives on my desk as a very important information catch it all filing cabinet. I found that I didn't need to carry it every day because I am not a person who really ever has appointments.  I am either at work or at home. 

But. 

I dooooo carry my TN everywhere since it is my journal and I thought IT would be the best place for my daily To Do Lists!!!  So for this month (and hopefully every month going forward.) I will be splitting my Field Note inserts into four weeks. 

This is what I did.  On page one I found a free calendar printable and shrunk it down to size and glued it in.  I find having a month to view really handy!!!  Especially when trying to remember things like Birthdays, and Holidays.

After that I evenly spaced out the next for weeks by tipping in (hinging a piece of paper using tape) Mr. Ray Blake's WO2P FN size templates!!!  On these pages I will write down all those pesky or fun little things I want to get done on any given day!  And of course the occasional appointment.  If I have anything that needs to be planned for the following month (which is rare) I will just stick a sticky note on the last page of my insert so that I know to include it in my next months Field Note.  Easy Peasy!

Finally on all of the blank pages I will be doing my regular journaling, starting the 365/30 List Prompts and of course, my weekly Documented Life Project challenges.  

So yeah. I'm excited. Should be fun!  And I will film a flip through at the end of the month showing the full details.  

What are you all doing for June???

Journaling: Why You Should Draw

Even if you are like moi and can't!!!

Really!!!  You should. And here is why. 

It is my firm belief that those art journal pages I hate end up being my favorites later on. It's because of the story they tell. Mistakes are a part of life. Not everything is a beautiful piece of art. And that's ok!!!  

We need those pages we don't like at first to learn and grow. Without our mistakes we don't make progress. We find ourselves through our mistakes. And in art and life that is really a big deal!

Plus. Your journal is a reflection of you. It's your life. And I KNOW we don't all have perfect lives. So the mistakes in your journal are just another element of you. And that makes it special!

So. Back to drawing. I can't. No really I can't!!!  I simply don't have the patience to be any good at it. I can quickly sketch a silly flower or some mountain like shapes but that is about it. But that's ok!!!  I've learned to love those little "drawings" and these days my favorite thing to do is to add a water color wash over them. It creates this beautiful and light space to then journal within.  

So draw!!!  Practice makes perfect. And when you look back through your journals they will tell a story. They will show you how far you've come. What you've learned. Who you were and who you are now. Have fun!!!  And when in doubt. Cover it with gesso and try again. Haha. Cheers!!!

Journaling: Newbie

How I set up my pages!!!

So. Being new to the whole art journaling thing I thought I would share some things I've learned so far and show you how I set up my pages!

Blank white paper kind of freaks me out. It's just there. All perfect and staring at you. It's almost impossible to put pen to white paper for me. It's just. I don't wanna ruin it!!!  Also for me it causes a total BLANK on what I would like the page to end up looking like... Colors represent mood and a hint of color down on a page first is like a fresh breath of air!  So in my journal I have gotten into the habit of pre coloring some pages in advance so when I feel the urge to have some fun I have already avoided that blank white page freak out. 

First. Most of the Field Notes notebooks I use have thin-ish paper. These notebooks were designed for jotting notes and not necessarily ink and paint. So far I haven't had many problems that I couldn't work around.  Also, I think mistakes and experiments and slightly warped pages just add another layer of charm and personalization to your journal!  

So to begin with I like to put a layer down to sort of bulk the page up and resist bleed through.  I like to put down a layer of white gesso first. (Gesso is basically a white acrylic that is a little more heavily bodied and toothy?  Basically it can be used as a barrier to protect the paper, as a whiteout to cover a mistake and start over, or in thicker layers it can be used to add awesome texture!)  This really helps to make sure that no matter how wet you get the paper in between layers you will resist ripping it easily.  You could also use just white acrylic paint or any colored acrylic or skip it all together and go to the next step! But I like to add a layer of Gesso juuuuust to make sure I can have lots of inky, wet fun without worry.

After that I like to put a thin layer of colored acrylic paint. (You can use any brand you like. The less expensive works just as good as the more costly. The only difference I have noticed is that the cheaper acrylic tends to be thinner which can be great for a lightly color washed look. They also seem to dry to a more chalky feel which holds nicely to your next layer. The more expensive ones are usually thicker in consistency and dry to a softer feel. I use both!!!) back to adding paint.  I do this by just putting a few drops down and then taking a wippie, yes,  a diaper wipe and I smear the colors around.  Sooometime I also use a paintbrush, and often I just use my fingers!!!  All methods work great for either the initial setup of your page or covering up something you didn't like and starting again!

That's it!!!  My page is now ready for whatever else I want to put on top!  Ink. Markers. Water colors!  More acrylic. Then in the light colored spaces that are left after I've added some junk journal ephemera or photos I do my actual journaling and documenting. Easy peasy!!!  

If slightly wrinkled and warped pages bother you then for your adventures in journaling I would probably use a sketch journal of some sort. But me?  I like that texture. I like that my pages look and feel worked on. 

Have fun!!!  Cheers! 

Journaling: I Love It!!!

How I got here!!!

So I am a total newb when it comes to art journaling. I've always wanted to be a journaler. You know, the kind who sits down every day with a quill in hand and by candle light, records his daily life happenings, epic romances, jousting wins, damsels saved, proposals made, battles won, police boxes discovered, potions tests passed, sparkly people met.. . Well. I totally fail at that...  (and not because I don't live in one of my favorite books)

I can't tell you how many expensive journals I have started and stopped over the last decade!!!  (really, it's embarrassing)  Travel journaling is more my style and now I sort of do a part travel journal/junk journal/smash book style and part art journal and part regular old writing journal!!! I feel like I am hitting my stride finally.  I find myself a few times a day just wanting to open my journal and start playing. 

First. I like a small journal. I always wanted to have one epic large hard bound leather record of my life but that's just not me!!!  I use Field Notes for my journals. They are small. 3 1/2 by 5 1/2. They travel wonderfully and so far have taken abuse really well!!!  I like that I don't have a lot of space to fill. It makes me less anxious and I love that I can have a complete journal in as little as a month. They come in a variety of cover choices. Most are graph but some are lined or blank, which for me I have learned doesn't even really matter because I never leave my pages white anymore!!!  I love that I can keep it in my Traveler's Notebook style cover and that I don't have to worry about it getting banged up.

I love seeing the progression of my skills as well. From my first completed FN journal to my current one I'm working in. I love that often I don't like my page. And I leave it and go back later and add another layer and eventually it's all magic. 

I love that I can do no wrong. That I can cover up what I don't like and try again. And honestly. Those pages I don't like at first?  Almost always become my favorites later on. 

Whatcha think???  Have you tried journaling yet?  What's stopping you? Tips and tutorials to follow!!!

It's Almost 2014!!!

Hi!  Wow. Is anyone else as surprised how quickly the New Year is approaching?!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. I have been super busy with making presents this year.  I've discovered shopping for presents is much easier!  But this has been a lean year. And anyways. Handmade stuff is sooo much more personal!

Just popping in to say that 2014 should be a really productive, fun year!  Thanks to my new Finsbury Filofax I am hoping to have a very successful well planned year. What are your plans for 2014?  Any resolutions?  This next year I will be blogging a lot more, at least twice a week. Crafting a TON!!!  So look for new things in my SHOP.  And I will be focusing on health!  I mean, I'm a girl in my 30's now!

Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year. Oh. And there is still time to grab a journal from my shop to use for 2014!!!!  And if you don't see exactly what you want. Let me know!  I love making custom times.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

A List of Things to Journal!

I wrote this list today to remind myself of all of the things I want to include in my personal journal, I did this while waiting for my YouTube video to load!!!  It is almost done now.  So, here is how I spent some of my time in between scouring the house for guests who aren't coming...

Things to Journal About

v     Lists, lists of everything and anything, just write lists!

v     Horoscopes, because they are often wrong but sometime insightful

v     Mail Log, won’t it be nice to see how much mail you’ve received?

v     An Index, because sometimes you might want to refer back to that horoscope

v     Addresses, so if you are ever lost of\r on the go, you have them!

v     Weather, the mild and the shattering

v     Life’s Tidbits, whether you think it important now, or not, you will later

v     Photos, the silly and the serious

v     Goals, whether they be life long or just for this weekend, accomplished or not

v     Quotes, to match your mood or uplift it

v     Recipes, the yummy and the horrifically awful, include them all!

v     Stories, you love, to write, have read

v     Poetry, whether they are wondrous works of your own or of others

v     Lyrics, of your favorite songs or of your own, we experience through music

v     Dreams, to reflect on and marvel at your unconscious imagination

v     Drawings or Sketches, because no one else can interpret like you can

v     Plans, either for the future or just for today, what do you hope to do?

v     Accomplishments, so you remember to pat yourself on the back

v     Happenings, what’s going on around you, be the nosy neighbor

v     Ideas, we have so many ideas!!! Write them down, all of them

v     Charts, whether they be serious or just for fun, experiment

v     Graphs, see reason above!

v     Water Colors or Paintings, because happening across something colorful is fun

v     Memories, so those who read about you later will get a sense of your past

v     Book Reviews, so you can keep track of what you’ve read and WHY

v     Movies Reviews, so you can be that awesome friend to recommend it

v     Places to visit, write out all of the details of a “hope to happen someday” trip

v     New Things, whether it be new knowledge or something you saw, archive it

v     Assignments, either school assignments or ones for life, yours and others

v     Blessings, so you remember to be thankful

v     Prayers, so you don’t forget to fill you universe with good vibes

v     Experiences, whether they be profound or very simple, write them down

v     Happy Thoughts, to be revisited when you are feeling down

v     Headlines, because we learn from the past

v     Wishes, so you don’t forget to hope and work towards making a better life

v     Emotions, to either hold onto or to purge, it’s therapeutic

v     Mantras, to help you stay focused and determined

v     Reflections, so you may have a deeper insight into your life

v     Fears, so you can find a way to banish them and heal

v     Facts, so you can be a smarty and win pub quizzes!!!

v     Lessons whether to be taught to others, or important ones you have learned

v     Maps, because well, maps are just fun… And they could come in handy one day!

v     Events, crazy weddings, bah mitzvahs, comic con, whatever! Write about them

v     Predictions, whether your own or those of others, about you or our universe

v     Epiphany’s, so you can learn from them!

v     Realizations, most often the simple realizations in life are the most profound

v     Love Stories, because everyone loves a good love story

v     Milestones, the day you had a root canal, got apocalyptic highlights, all of it

v     Jokes, a practiced joke teller is a good joke teller, laughter is food for the soul!

Hello Everyone!!!

Wow!!!

I can't believe it is already the day after... Thanksgiving!!!  How have all of your holidays been thus far?  My life has been über busy. Working full time for the first time in 8 years has been hard. I find myself trying to sleep less to be with my family more while also still trying to keep up with all of my household duties, school and passions like reading and penpaling!!!

Thankfully my current journal/planner have been helping me keep sane. I will be doing a new video tomorrow about my current setup and how much I love it!!!  Guys. I am almost finished with an entire journal!!!  Sure it's a small sized Field Notes. But as many of you know. I tend to have journal/planner fails. And I have NEVER even come close to filling any journal. So I am super excited. 

Hopefully I will find some time for some new SHOP goodies!!!  Right now I still have quite a few mini journal kits as well as finished journals. So if your holiday shopping. Check them out!!!  

Ok. Any suggestions for future posts, videos or crafty things you would like to see???  Let me know in the comments!!!  

And happy holidays guys. I hope you are having an amazing season. 

Cheers!!!

And The Winner Is.....

Em!!!!  The magical Em Press is the winner of the Journal Kit giveaway!!!  Thanks to everyone who checked out my goodies and played along with me!

Remember that holidays are coming up soon and all of my lovely Journal Kits are for sale in my shop. And because you guys all rock!!!  If you wanna purchase anything from my shop. Type in the coupon code SIMPLY for a 10% discount!!!  And I LOVE to do custom orders so if you don't see what you want just message me!!!  Ok. See yah all later!  Cheers.

P. S. There will be a new video in a few days and some NEATO BURRITO new posts

Willow Mucks Shop GIVEAWAY!!!

Hi guys!!!  So. Here it is. My very first giveaway!!!  It's pretty simple. And it's for all you journal and memory keeper fans!  So you all know I LOVE to journal. And always incorporate ephemera and such into my journal pages. Anything to help capture a moment or a feeling!!!  Or an event?  Like a movie stub or a concert ticket. Or a photo!

Ok so back to the giveaway. I will be giving away one of my new mini journal kits!  Each kit comes with a corrugated cardboard cover. Lots of ephemera goodies to help get you started. Two binder rings and pre punched pages!

All you have to do to enter click on my shop and take a look at the kits!!!  Leave a comment here about which is your favorite and why!  I will randomly pick a winner next Thursday. October 24th at 12 o'clock noon PST and send them their very own custom built kit!!! Thats right. Custom!  You get to pick the theme and colors. 

Ok!  Well that's it!  Easy peasy right?  And remember the holidays are getting close! And this is a wonderful time to capture memories and these make great gifts!!! Cheers!

P.S!  If you are like me. And also enjoy journaling in pre built books. These kits are great for that as well!  My newest preferred journal is a simple but lovely Field Notes!

Journal Kits!!!

The Journal Kits Have Landed!!!

And I am SUPER happy with how they all came out, and tomorrow there will be even more in my SHOP!!!
P.S. I have no idea why there is that GAP!!!  And can't seem to fix it...