Friday In The Studio, Small Is Beautiful

Oh bother, I’ve missed a few posts, I’ve not been well so I’m afraid my best of intentions went right out of the window.

I’m having a good day today so I can catch you up on the good stuff which did happen last week.

Well for starters the sun came out and made us all feel really Springy. As much as could be done outside was done outside and a spot of sketching was right up there. By the end of the week it started pouring with rain and I  ended up with a jumper on again which goes to show we shouldn’t take these moments for granted.  As I said I wasn’t feeling well so I ended up watching my neighbours digging over their plots ready for the new season and all I can do is imagine their thoughts as they look over at mine, destroyed by the dog and full of weeds.  Hubby and I have got a plan up our sleeves though which will knock their socks off!!  Maybe.  This week the sun came back and we were treated to some truly warm days.

I did receive a very welcome package from Paperpenandplan just over a week ago containing some Simple Stories goodies. Planner stickers, stamp, washi and paper pack. I couldn’t wait to open and use it.

As the title suggests, small is indeed beautiful to coin a cliché and my passport sized Travelers Notebook is fast becoming my absolute favourite planner of all time.

I decided to make a mini insert for it using some of the Simple Stories Domestic Bliss papers which arrived from Paperpenandplan.

As before the binding is hand sewn as that’s my favourite method of binding.

I love it.

Have a good weekend and for now Happy Friday.

Jaine x

 

Friday In The Studio – Planning Planning Planning

I really should call this Catching Up In The Studio as it’s now Sunday and I’m only now finding the time to do my catch up. It’s been a busy week as usual and the weather hasn’t helped. We’ve had some snow and having a dog who constantly wants to come in and out the floors are always wet and dirty so I spend my time cleaning up after him.

Anyway, that aside, I’ve prepared my planners and journals for this new year and I thought I’d share that with you seeing as I’ll be using them from time to time in blog posts. The four above are the ones I’ll be using on a regular basis and from the top they are, a Websters Pages Travelers Notebook which holds a sketchbook and journal in at the moment but I have the ability to be able to add other books as I go along. Next is my desk diary which is my daily agenda, always on my desk with my to do lists, money matters and notes etc, then comes my Simple Stories Carpe Diem planner which I started last year and abandoned after January! I’m hoping this year to really use it properly and after making new inserts and dashboards for it I feel it’s really my own style. Finally I’ve a gardening diary which was a gift a couple of years ago and although I’ve started it I don’t feel as if I’ve really got into it yet. I’ve lots of ideas for how I’ll use this one so you may see it from time to time here.

As I said in my travelers notebook I’ve included a sketchbook. I do have a much bigger sketchbook which I’ll continue to use from time to time but for a quick sketch on the go I’ll be using this one.  It’s a Moleskine as I absolutely love the paper even though it’s thin and buckles and warps when I use watercolour paint on it, this is why I like it so much.

A couple of sketches created after walks with the dog.

My planner is a Simple Stories ring binder style and now I’ve made my own dashboards it feels more like me so I’m hoping that will encourage me to keep up with it.

I’d love to know if any of you are using planners or journals this year and what system you’re using?

Hopefully I can inspire you a little bit to get out a pencil and maybe start something new.

See you soon

Jaine x

My Faux Dori And A Not So Messy Monday

Good morning, well it is right at this moment. The sun has been out for several consecutive days now, I’ve no idea what’s going on? It’s cardie on – cardie off!! Two weeks and I’m off on me holls in gloriously hot Sicily, woo hoo.

Before that though it’s still project doggy proof the garden and my personal get fit campaign and both are progressing nicely. We visited the fur baby (still no name) at the weekend and he’s grown a bit. He spends alot of time outside with his brothers and sisters in the sunshine which is great. Meanwhile I’ve been steadily getting stronger at the hill climb on my mountain bike and pushing myself to go ever higher and I’m happy to say it’s paying off. The morning views are the best.

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Anyway, back to the studio and I’ve really caught the travellers notebook bug. I’m not much of a planner person but I’m loving the fauxdori style planner keeping and the best thing is making my own cover and inserts to suit my style.

dori Continue reading My Faux Dori And A Not So Messy Monday

Shop Sale

Everyone likes a sale right? I love a bargain.

sale bannerOver the weekend I decided to go through the papers in the shop and looking at them again made my heart skip.  I’m falling in love all over again. Having said that I’ve decided to offer them for  sale at 40% or 50% off which is truly a bargain.

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This set above is I Am by Simple Stories which is perfect if you love planning as well as scrapping.

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There’s also American Crafts Amy Tangerine and Pink Paisley too.

BSAC003 BSAC004To see more pretty papers for sale visit the papers section in the shop.

Jaine