What to do with multiple planners? Create a doodle planner!

 

 

 Way back during Black Friday, I took advantage of the sale Michael's had going on where their planners were on sale.  Both the Recollections brand and the Happy Planner brand.  Even though I already had a personal planner for 2017 and only needed one planner for work for 2017, I ended up buying two extra planners that day.  One I have since given to my niece as it did not end up suiting me and she needed a new planner, and this gorgeous Unicorn covered planner.  I had no idea what I was originally going to do with this planner, but ultimately decided that it would be perfect for doodling!

If you've following me for awhile, you'll have noticed that I haven't drawn much of anything in ages.  Maybe a doodle either or there, but nothing much.  I've barely even touched my Wacom tablet in ages on my computer.  I'm hoping to eventually try to save up to get the Ipad Pro to remedy this, however for doodling, I decided this would be the best option.  Something I can keep track of and post everyday and know when I miss a day.  For 2016 I tried the Year of the Doodle book, which you can see me talk about here.  While I absolutely loved the look of this book, I found that it did not work for me in the way that I wanted.  It comes undated, which normally would suit me well, but actually worked against me.  I couldn't remember what day I was on and forgot to check on it daily.  I would also work ahead and then get behind constantly.  It also had a basic glue bound spine where as I tend to work better with spiral or loose leaf pages.  It also had prompts on several dates, though not all, that ended up crippling my creativity rather than helping it. 

 You only learn by doing though, so while I did end up finishing it, it was not fully filled nor completed in the way I wanted.  I still love how it turned out overall, since it served as a sort of record keeping book more than a doodle book, it simply did not inspire me the way I had hoped.  Which is not to say that this book will not inspire you if you wish to try it yourself!  I just realized that it didn't work for me in the way I wanted.  I debated even starting another yearly project, since I never handle them verywell.  For whatever reason that process just doesn't seem to work for me.  It took me trying it repeatedly for years to finally admit that while I love the idea and wish I could do it myself, it's just not going to happen, or I didn't think so anyway.

Surprisingly this has been one type that seems to be working.  I've only been keeping this book for a month and a half and I do have to say, I've already learned a lot about myself.  I feel like this has been helping me to create and figure out the type of style I really like and could call my own.  Or at least find my way to it.  

Keeping this style of planner as a daily doodle sketchbook also keeps me from jumping ahead or falling behind because I do carry it with me as much as possible and it's already dated so I don't have to try to figure out what day or month I'm on.  I will say I do wish I had gotten a Happy Planner instead as I believe that style of planner would have suited me better.  If I do this again in 2018, I will definitely go that route!

Overall it's been a decent doodle planner and I do enjoy using it.  The colors are soft and not overwhelming, so far at least, that I feel too distracted when drawing.  I do find the bottom of the page is a bit wasted on me, but for planning it would probably come in quite useful for notes or lists.  The pages are fairly thick and good quality and I haven't had any bleed through on the few markers, inks pads, and pens I have used in it.

 I can't wait to see the finished book at the end of the year. I posted a couple of quick videos of the flip through on Instagram and it really makes me happy to see all the pages full of doodles.  The colorful washi at the bottom even makes the pages look more fun and bright once everything is completed.

 I did originally put in the dates for some birthdays in the month of January,  which I've decided against doing in any future months.  I do like the way the pages look with that little bit of color.  The last few weeks I've gotten away from really using much color but that's something I would really like to incorporate somehow into this book.  Not overwhelmingly, just a little bit though.  

 I hope you enjoyed seeing and hearing about my doodle planner so far!

#dailydoodle #365doodles #draweveryday #sketchbook #planneraddict #plannercommunity #plannerpages #plannerdecor #plannerobsessed #plannerdoodles #doodleplanner #doodlesinmyplanner #justdrawsomething #plannernerd #plannerjunkie #recollectionsplanner #cutedoodles #kawaiidoodles #plannersketchbook

Catching up...

Sorry I've been MIA for the past couple of months.  My mom had open heart surgery and things have just been crazy all the way around since June.  :P  I think it's all starting to even out a little, so I wanted to try to get caught back up on creating art regularly and posting it to share with you guys.  :) 

This post will probably be very random and a bit image heavy, just to warn you ahead of time. 

I'll start with the newest stuff I've been working on and make my way back.  I've recently gotten into doing videos of various things but I don't know how to upload them here yet so that will have to be another post.  Hopefully I can figure it out soon!  When I'm not doing that, I'm trying to stay organized with my planner.  I have so much I want to share here about planner stuff for other people who might be wandering aimlessly in the planner world.  I feel like I have been searching for the 'perfect' system for me for the past few years and I think I may finally be getting close to having systems that work for me.  I'll probably go more into this in another post, but for now let me share with you what I've been doing lately. 


Daily inserts. 
These things are pretty awesome.  It's basically just your list of daily to do items on one page.  I found this one over at themintgreenpolkadot website.  If you haven't looked at daily inserts and would like to, there are tons of options out there.  Some you can buy, some are free, and if you don't find any you like you can definitely make your own.  I tried making my own awhile back and didn't like how they came out so I plan to keep working on that when I get time, but for now these have worked perfectly for me.  I've only been using them a short time, about a week I guess, but they are really great for keeping up with daily tasks that need more room then what you get on a weekly spread.  And if you like to decorate your pages this gives you so much more room and options for that.  I don't usually have time to decorate very much but these are perfect for letting me be just creative enough every day.  I have always preferred the weekly spread and the month on two pages layouts, but the current weekly spreads I have are just not my style.  They're very generic and just don't suit me the way I like.  I'm thinking that once I run out I might get a years supply from Cocoadaisy.  I really love the look of theirs.  They even have a free download if you want to try it! 

Also, just in case anyone wants to know, I have a basic DayTimer planner.  I got it very cheap at Walmart about two years ago I think?  I really love it but I plan to eventually get a Kikki K.  I've looked at so many brands and love a lot of the designs from Filofax, but I think the Kikki K brand would be perfect for what I want.  I'm waiting for one to come out with a design I love.  (I hate that I missed their mint ones!) 

 I haven't had much time to draw digitally in the last couple of months so I really don't have much to share in that department right now I'm afraid.  :/  Hopefully I will get some time soon to pull out my computer more often.  :)  I do have some random things from around my studio or of things I've bought/come across/started working on, in case anyone is curious to see some behind the scenes sort of things.  ;) 

I feel like I am constantly cleaning or organizing my studio.  Usually both!  These stickers have moved around quite a bit lately.  I organized them from the overstuffed drawer they were in and moved them to this bright neon pink container I picked up at the Dollar General store.  I am able to see them better so that I will actually use them now!  I still have a long way to go as far as getting my stickers into a good organized system but I think this is definitely a step forward.  ;) 

 I found these adorable markers at my local TJ Maxx.  Aren't they cute?  They're basically just (scented!) highlighters, but they were too cute to pass up. 

 I came across these old scrapbook/album books in one of my boxes.  I'm pretty sure I've shared the Halloween one here before but just in case you're wondering if it still exists, it does!  LoL!  I just need to finish it!

I've decided to use these papers for my September Listers Gotta List challenge.  I'm so behind on Augusts' lists, but I plan to try to hop back on the bandwagon this upcoming month.  I love finishing one of these books and knowing that it's done. 

These sticker paper sheets are from the Dollar Tree.  I think I bought about six different types but these three seem to be my favorites. 

I picked these up this weekend.  I just can't seem to resist paint chip samples.  They're so beautiful and full of colorful goodness! 

These two pages are from my Smash books.  The robot page I found in my large red smash book and the Think Happy page is from my daily smash journal (which I have also gotten behind in this past week).  I think for 2016 I am going to do something completely different.  I haven't quite decided yet but it definitely will not be in Smash books next year. LoL  I love them but they are way too big for using them the way I have been. 

And last but not least, my latest mixed media pages! :D  I haven't had time to paint in ages but I plan to do a little painting as soon as possible.  I absolutely love how these pages turned out.  The colors just make me so happy and they make me want to be more creative.  ;) 

I hope you've enjoyed catching up with me today.  Hopefully I will have more time to start posting regularly again, and actually get time to make things to post!  Like I said, I'm hoping to figure out how to share my videos here as well, so that will hopefully be something I'll be able to share with you all soon.  Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoyed your stay!  <3 p="">

#mixedmedia #painting #smashjournal #smashbook #EKSuccess #stencils #nofear #explore #robot #thinkhappybehappy #paintchipsamples #color #bright #bold #colorful #stickerpaper #dollartree #dollarstore #scrapbookpaper #listersgottalist #theresetgirl #lists #listchallenge #halloweenbook #halloween #memorybook #memorykeeping #TJMaxx #cute #kawaii #markers #cutehighlighters #stickers #organization #stickerorganization #dailyinserts #themintgreenpolkadot #cocoadaisy #planner #plannernerd #planning #daytimer #kikkik #filofax

Personalizing my planner

 I made some more gelliprints as I used all mine for other projects and decided I wanted one as divider. (The square sheet protector is from a Heidi Swapp memory planner kit I had.) Still working on getting my planner into some working order. I found some calendar/weekly inserts this weekend (that I hate) but they don't even start until July so I have to figure out what I want to do until then. The monthly inserts from cocoa daisy look awesome but I'm hesitant to rush into getting them just yet, in case I won't like them either. I can't seem to find a good layout I really like. And I haven't had much luck with printing my own out.  :/  No matter what I do they look hideous so I definitely want to buy any I get. Guess I'll keep looking and trying to manage until I find some or until July gets here. Lol. 

 
                                                         Just making a mess, as usual.

Forgot I had this little stamp in my stash. It came in a sushi roll crayola stationary kit I found at Big Lots some time ago. I thought it was adorable. It comes with chopstick like pens and a little notepad and sticky notes (the sushi roll one it's sitting on) in a little bento like lunch box. The bottom of this little guy has three stars on it, that you may be able to see in the corner there. 

I placed a small order online Friday for a few things on Oh Deer Me via www.freckledfawn.com and they arrived Monday! I'm amazed at how quick they were! And how cute everything is. I love it! Will definitely be ordering from them again. Can't wait to start using everything! 

I have enough daily memory keepers, but I really liked this book I made from some gelliprints. So I decided I want to use it as a inspiration / memory keeper type of book instead. Sort of like the midori? I often end up leaving these books half unfinished (I have several sitting around in my studio). But I am determined to finish this one. We'll see how it goes I guess.