Planner Addiction

Goodies from Happy Scrappie!

Michael's Loot

How I plan my days.

I thought this was a passing phase.... the planner/scrapbooking/organizing thing.  I have opened up a whole world that I didn't even know existed!  As I posted here, I jazzed up my 3 year old Russell and Hazel planner.  That wasn't good enough.  I wanted the weekly view on a bigger page, and all of the "Plan With Me" videos use a different format.

What is a "Plan with Me" video??  Search in youtube... you will be addicted within the hour.  Usually, it is a very cute and bubbly and creative girl that sits down with a bunch of stickers and washi tape and colorful pens, and plans and organizes her week.  I love them.  I have discovered there are lots of these "Life Planners" out there that make this even more fun.  Erin Condren is the big one, Kikki K, Happy 365, Filofax, and even Mead has a great family planner.  As a result of this, there are wonderful etsy shops that have been created that feature all sorts of unique stickers/tools to use on your planners.  The stickers are color themed, and it makes me want to have a ton of appointments.

I have ordered from Happie Scrappie, and I have also been led to do a Swap from Oh, Hello Stationary Company.  If you don't know, a swap is where you are paired up with another person who signs up, you send them a package of items specified in the swap.  This one was great, in the sense that they gave you the email, and you could chat with your person first.  The idea is to find out what kinds of things that they like and tailor the package to that.  You send your swap partner (brand new) things from your stash, as well as items you have purchased--ideally items that they cannot find locally.  I can't wait to get my package, yet making the one to send out was really fun as well!!

Also, I now have a pen pal that I plan to send things to in the future.  I often buy paper craft supplies that say, have 6 sheets of the same sticker.  I get sick of that design, and then am stuck with those items that I am "over".  I plan to send her these as time goes on:)

People are Still Scrapbooking!!

I had a conversation with a lovely woman in the middle of Michael's craft store.   She was buying a ton of scrapbook stickers, (as was I, the stickers being on sale and all...) and I asked where she scrapbooked.  She was wishing for a place to go.  The scrapbook stores have closed, and I haven't met a Creative Memories consultant in ages...I used to meet one per week back in the day.  But we both were yearning for that connection that comes from gluing paper and stickers and glitter and ribbon with our photos, whilst eating yummy snacks and engaging in good conversation.  I used to use scrapbooking as a way to meet people whenever I moved.  (If you read this blog regularly, I move a lot.)

Scrapbooking alone isn't as much fun as with people, and it almost becomes a chore.  I don't pull it out as often as I like, though I know that my family loves the end result when I am done.

However, just this week, I have been sent TWO emails, one from a friend, and one from a email list I am on.

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2015/05/scrapbook-in-a-week.html
http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/galleries

People are scrapbooking again!  They, like me, do not care that scrapbooking is passe, and it so nice to be inspired by other's work.  It makes me want to pull out my stickers right this instant!  (I can't, however, as I am about to head up to Frankenmuth, Michigan for the day. Woo Hoo!)

Tomorrow, the big picture classes are also hosting a "Craft Party", which is just a webcast discussing everything craft.  I am IN.  I will be parking the kids in front of a movie at 1pm Eastern, for sure!

No matter what your hobby/passion/thing is, it is nice to get reinspired by others that share your love of the craft.

Use up Your Stationary

I have always loved any type of paper, stickers, envelopes, office supplies, etc etc.  As I posted before, I was immediately hooked on jazzing up my planner.  Now that that is done, what now?
Last week, I received a lovely hand written note from a dear friend, and I immediately dropped everything and started writing back to her.  Writing notes is fun.  Receiving them IN THE MAILBOX, is even more fun! (I had my next paper craft:)

I pulled out my stationary collection, and I have a ton.  Some of it, I am bored with, other stuff I have been saving for a special day.  I also have lots of new stickers, because they are my favorite purchase of life.  (I will jazz up some of my old stationary with stickers, washi tape, stamps, etc.)

I try to write a hand written letter once per week.  Guess what? Your friends will write back if you bug them long enough!

So, use up your stationary.  Send a note of love.  Send some extra stickers to someone.  It will be welcome by whomever you send it to!

Kawaii Obsessed & My Planner

I was on pinterest for a very long time on Saturday Night.  This led me down the internet rabbit hole that led me to all things Kawaii.  What is that, you ask?  The term "Kawaii" means "Cute", and it is a style of things from Japan.

from Wiki:  Kawaii (かわいい^?, [kaw͍aiꜜi], "lovable", "cute", or "adorable"^[1]) is the quality of cuteness in the context of Japanese culture.^[2][3][4] It has become a prominent aspect of Japanese popular culture, entertainment, clothing, food, toys, personal appearance, behavior, and mannerisms

Hello Kitty is included in this genre of things (stationary, little charms, little stuffed toys, etc).  I could describe it, but I will just show you photos...

It all started with a stationary kit that I saw, that someone had put together.  (Yes, I did order it on Amazon, as it was only about $4!)  In her kit, she had these amazing stickers that I haven't seen anywhere else.  There were also unique sticky notes, and pens... all pink and cute.  This led to discovering that there is also a whole movement dedicated to pimping out your FILOFAX and PLANNER.

Check out this blogger: Lucy in Wonderland

http://www.lucy-wonderland.com/2014/04/national-stationery-week-2014.html?m=1

Also, check out http://happie-scrappie.blogspot.com.  She's amazing.

I love to organize things.  I love cute things.  I watched hours of people revealing these artistic and well organized binders of happiness.  I haven't been using a paper planner in awhile, due to my iPhone, but it isn't as good.  Most people would agree--I am much more apt to accomplish my to-do list if I have written it out with fun markers, stickers, and tabs!

I had a planner from Russel and Hazel, so Sunday was dedicated to making it cute.  It is just the beginning, but here it is.   If you have any favorite stationary links, please feel free and add in the comments section.

I Left this World for a Bit.

Something came over me after I returned from Nashville.

 Crafting with my people.

In the airport.

Maybe was that it was that I finally had a moment to be in my own thoughts, maybe it was the Oprah/Brene Brown ecourse that I started, maybe it was because it was Halloween (my favorite!) and Dia de los Muertos week...

In any case, I turned on this music:

Agnel Obel Aventine

Started reading (& finished) this book: 

Wildwood by Colin Meloy

And felt like I was in another, very creative, very peaceful world.  I retreated in the evening to work on papercrafting, which I haven't done in a really long time.  

The music kept going, and so did the creating.  I was quiet during this week, and I really loved it.  There was something that allowed me to NOT do all the stuff I usually do (you should see my laundry pile!) and take some time to leave the every day.  I want to live here more often, as I was truly at peace.

Catie's Candyland Open House

What I have been working on over the past few weeks....  Catie, my niece, has wanted a Candyland theme for her graduation party for 4 years!! We have been planning it ever since she saw another party that was candy themed.  I didn't get a final photo when it was all set up, but I am hoping that someone did!  I will post it, if I get one:)

Project 14: The Sketchbook Project

This week, I scrambled at the last minute to finish my entry into The Sketchbook Project.  I hate scrambling.  I like to plan and get stuff done way ahead, but that didn't happen.

When my friend, Ladonna, called to remind me of the deadline, I tried to be zen about it and told myself, "Just do what you can before the deadline and send it in."  But I couldn't.  So on the day of the deadline, I loaded the dining table with a ton of art supplies and barely parented all day to get this thing done.  I think we got to the post office at 4:29pm.

I really enjoyed the process, and let it just all come intuitively.  Soleil loved playing along for about the first 2 hours, and then she was over it.  (Yes, I parked her in front of the tv.  Yes, I am a horrible mom.)

Here it is.