DECEMBER GOALS

Just like having a to-do list, I believe we all need some sort of goals to achieve, so here are some of my goals for December:

• Create 5 x stamp sets
• Send my resume to more hospitals!
• Take on another MTN daily month
• Blog more often
• Spend less, save more
• Decide which planners to use for 2016

What are your goals this month?

WEEK FORTY-SEVEN IN MY MTN

It was a pretty colourful week, so I decided to integrate that into my MTN layout. I used Kaisercraft stamps from the Live Bright collection and inks from Versamagic.

And a little close up:

It was quite simple putting the layout together, and I love how colourful it all turned out (even if you can't really see it in picture). It probably is one of my favourite layouts in my weekly MTN

WEEK FORTY-SIX IN MY MTN

I didn't forget, I promise! I was just a little busy doing a seven day shift away from home that there was no time left for crafting, and I say better late than never!

This week was all about new Kaisercraft paper stock from the Geelong store and passing my driving test (hooray!). I still love geometric shapes on paper only because I can cut the shapes out to make a background. This week's blue layout matched my driving instructor's car and was simple to put together. I must admit, I was a little lost for embellishments as the only thing I had with me were a whole lot of stamps and a few sheets of stickers. But it worked and that's all that matters!

MTN DAILY NOVEMBER: PART III

Continuing on from previous parts of November (you can check out Part I here and Part II here), I had a fall back this week as I was away from home while I worked evening shifts. But nevertheless, when I was home, I ploughed through it all to get right back on track. And here they are:

11th and 12th November:

I must admit, I kinda had a block of ideas for this spread. I managed to snag the background for the 10th from an old layout I hadn't used, and decided to throw in an easy spread for the 11th using Project Life cards. I do find it a tad bit annoying that layering papers adds to the bulk of my notebook (I think it's just me), so I'm aiming to skim the layering for the next few layouts.

13th and 14th November:

Simple minimalist designs were for the next two pages. I used Amy Tangerine rub-ons for the background of the 12th and just one stamp by Ali Edwards on the 13th.

15th and 16th November:

Using my idea from my last Tsum Tsum post, I added a little bit more stickers from Kaisercraft to create a layout for the 14th of November.

17th and 18th November:

This black and white spread was just something simple I wanted to throw together. I'm actually surprised with the amount of the layouts I managed to put together this weekend. I guess I'm embracing the simplicity and minimising the umm and ahhs when it comes to doing my layouts!

19th and 20th November:

Last spread of the post: I quite liked this spread (especially the 20th). I used an idea I had previously and improved on it with stamps from Aldi.

Hope you've enjoyed viewing my layouts. Till next time!

CURRENTLY #5

TIME: 3:33pm

LOCATION: ED medical imaging department

FEELING: Bored

LOVING: My new Kaisercraft haul from yesterday

READING: Kelly Purkey's blog - always

DRINKING: Milo, yum

ANTICIPATING: The end of shift in ... 6 hours and 25mins...

LISTENING TO: The TV on above me

WATCHING: Vampire's Diaries

PLANNING TO: Go to the beach tomorrow morning (if I wake up, ie)

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Seeing my best friend next week after a whole year!

CREATING: My MTN daily posts

NEED TO FINISH: Some blog posts that are long overdue

WISHING: The weather was much cooler

MAIN GOAL: Finish the last of my assignments (as always)

MTN DAILY NOVEMBER: PART II

Instead of posting my MTN daily entries every single day (which can be quite monotonous and tedious), I've decided to clump my entries into little parts. This part will show case days from the 3rd to the 10th of November:

3rd of November:

5th and 6th of November:

Sometimes a layout doesn't need to hold a hundred different layers of papers and embellishments. Sometimes a layout just needs some paper from a novel, a picture and written words to make it all complete. And to be honest, I quite love this layout more than I imagined I would.

7th and 8th of November:

I decided to experiment using a Faber-Castell brush Pitt pen on the 7th to write up the quote that seems to be stuck on my mind that day. I wrote the letters out by pencil first to know how the placement of words would go before outlining it in pen. It turned out better than I expected and I'll definitely be putting more of those in the future!

9th and 10th of November:

I decided to focus on using stamps these two days. They were feeling a little neglected and the Pooh Bear photo basically called for the use of paint splatter stamps and washi tape. I'm loving putting together simple pages like these as it doesn't require much time and it allows me to journal more than I ever could on my week-to-a-page diary,

And that's a wrap for this part of November! Stay tuned for Part III!

WEEK FORTY-FIVE IN MY MTN

This week, I'll be showcasing a layout which didn't quite turn out to plan. But these things happen, and instead of shying away from it, we should embrace it as a stepping stone to better things to come. So here's the layout:

To me, this layout was all sorts of wrong. It was too pink. There weren't enough contrasting colours and overall, it just seemed too... pink. Hah. But I worked with it and just trudged through. It probably took me a whole 15mins (only because I really had no idea what I was doing), but I decided not to dwell on it. I added my journaling - after which, made the page come together slightly - and left it at that. With the little time on my hands, sometimes I need to accept the fact that not every layout is going to come out perfectly, and all we have to do is move on!

MASH UP

It seems like all my layouts have been a mash up of everything. I use whatever falls into my hot little hands, and for this week's spread in my Malden, this was a mixture of stamps of plants and Halloween washi. Weird mix, no?

Surprisingly, it actually didn't turn out so bad. I love the colours utilised in the layout. And as for the stamps, I loved using three different chalk inks to colour in my palm tree. Here's some close ups:

The stamps were from an Aussie local called Aldi - yes, Aldi sells craft items occasionally! - with inks from Versamagic and Kaisercraft. The Halloween washi was from Daiso's Halloween collection last year.

So now, who said Halloween was two weeks ago?

CURRENTLY #4

TIME: 5:37pm

LOCATION: Bedroom / craft room / office

FEELING: Slightly overwhelmed with the amount of uni work piling up and deadlines fast approaching!

LOVING: My new personal sized Traveler's Notebook (pictured) purchased in the city today!

READING: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

DRINKING: Water

ANTICIPATING: The end of my internship coming in < 2 weeks!

LISTENING TO: Sam Smith - I'm Not the Only One

WATCHING: Scorpion

PLANNING TO: Sell my Forever New planner (anyone interested?)

LOOKING FORWARD TO: The holidays starting on the 21st of November

CREATING: My MTN daily spreads

NEED TO FINISH: All my uni asssignments!

WISHING: I had an extra pair of hands to craft and work at the same time

MAIN GOAL: Finish 3 assignments in 7 days

MTN DAILY NOVEMBER: PART I

For the months of November and December, I've decided to do something different (even though I know it's probably a bad idea seeing I've got lots to do in these months!): in addition to my weekly Midori journaling, I've decided to start on my day-to-a-page Midori notebook too. This will give me the opportunity to:
1- See if I can keep up with a daily project
2- Allow me to have more freedom to journal longer stories and document a picture a day
3- See if I can do the same with a Hobonichi next year
4- Get messy and explore and experiment different creative layouts

So I guess it is kinda a good idea. So far, I'm on track. I've done days 1 - 5 in my daily MTN notebook and I'm excited to show you guys what I've done in it. I'm loving the extra space and the ability to document every little thing. Here's how I'm going so far:

November 1st & 2nd

And a little close up of the two days:

November 1st

November 2nd

I'm also starting to play a little with the lighting and editing of my photographs. For example, this picture was taken twice, one with exposures adjusted (right) so that the background turns out crisp and white, while the other (left) has had no editing in the exposure department, just some filtering using VSCO:

I still love the white background but I like how the colours are truer in the non-edited background exposure.

Let me know what you guys think!

WEEK FORTY-FOUR IN MY MTN

Another week down, and I love that I'm still up to date with my MTN weekly spreads. Out of all the projects I've done, this would have to be the longest running (and up to date) project I've done in... ever. Hah! I'm always used to not liking a page in a book after a week or so of use then changing it up all over again. I guess having a dated notebook does have its perks as it will always keep you on your toes. But anyway, this week's theme was quick and easy with basically everything used coming from Kaisercraft:

The only thing that didn't come from KC was the 'love pictures' stamp on the bottom right of the page. Here's a little close up of the spread:

I can't believe it's already November, guys! Just two more months and we'll be in 2016. Better make the most of this time while we can. Hope ya'll are having a great week!

CURRENTLY #3

TIME: 5:37pm

LOCATION: Bedroom / craft room / office

FEELING: Happy after my shopping day with mother dearest

LOVING: My shopping haul from Aldi and House today!

READING: The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

DRINKING: Water

ANTICIPATING: The end of my internship coming in < 4 weeks!

LISTENING TO: My brother's music from across the hall

WATCHING: Marvel's Agents of Shield

PLANNING TO: Do a no-spend November (which is already failing after today!)

LOOKING FORWARD TO: The public holiday happening on Tuesday

CREATING: Washi strips from my too large collection

NEED TO FINISH: This chocolate skull I'm eating..

WISHING: I had printed my pictures today..

MAIN GOAL: Write more, create more, procrastinate less!

KAISERCRAFT JOURNAL PLANNER: PART II

Remember Part I of my Kaisercraft Journal Planner Review? Well, I'm back with part II using primarily Kaisercraft items and focusing mainly on using just the white pages given. Sometimes with our hectic lives, it's easier to just go with the flow and use what we have. If we have the time, sure, we'll be able to spice things up a whole lot more. But for the mums, the university students, and the working heroes, here's a look into how you can spice your pages up with just a little bit of washi, paper and of course, creativity:

I decided to use my Kaisercraft Journal planner to document my month of October. It's still a working progress with my journaling yet to be filled in. But to give you an idea of how it looks like and the different layouts you can employ in your planners, here are a few pictures:

For the first week of October, I decided to use two different sets of Kaisercraft papers. The yellow on the left is from the Shine Bright range. It's full of yellows, greys and blacks. In conjunction with their collectables and you'll have a full spread in no time. The yellow Project Life cards on the right is from Kaisercraft's new upcoming collection My Year, My Story. Their paper pack is filled with varying colour themes that are perfect when collaborated with the journal planner. Here's a little close up of the page:

Here's a look at the next set of pages:

I actually love the black and white cards supplied in the My Year, My Story kit. Because it's plain, it allows you to work around it and be creative. I applied some yellow watercolour behind my picture on the top left corner of the page, and plan on using my typewrite to write out strips of stories to stick in. The left page is just your weekly planner / journal page. Like my Midori, I tend to write little stories in those boxes and stick in an extra piece of picture on the side just so I can break up the monotony of a journal page.

And a closer look at the Project Life spread on the left:

The next week took on a nature / wood theme:

I used another Kaisercraft kit for the page on the left called Limelight, which worked beautifully with my flower photo. I stuck on a piece of ephemera on top with 3D foam dots below to give it some dimension, and stuck a Kaisercraft sticker down the bottom.

The pocket photo spread used mainly Crate Paper's Notes and Things collection. I just love how well they match with the theme of it all. The top right flower patterned paper was from Heidi Swapp's Wanderlust collection.

The next page:

Just like the page before, I stuck on a picture on the side with a little embellishments and left the rest of the space blank for my upcoming journaling.

The next set of pages would have to be my fav:

I was staying in Geelong for a week when the weather was just beautiful. There were blue skies, sunshine and great weather all round. It was perfect for me to wander around and snap pictures of the harbour and beach that made it into my journal planner.

I used a variety of items in my spread on the left, but mostly are still from Kaisercraft. I used sticker sheets from a variety of Kaisercraft kits and used the potted plant ephemera from the My Year, My Story collectables pack. The one thing I absolutely love about the collectables pack is it contains ephemera in which you can colour in to your heart's desire. Yes, colour in ephemera, how cool is that?!

The back of the spread looked like this:

I think I'm highly in love with the hexagonal patterned paper from Kaisercraft's collection. I love how you can cut around the hexagons to create shapes and patterns in any way you want. I love it so much, I've employed the same technique in this week's MTN layout (which you can check out soon!).

Here's a little close up:

Overall, I've loved working in my Journal Planner. I can't believe it's already November, but that just means that when you wake up tomorrow morning, these lovely planners will be in store ready to be filled with creativity! Check out my previous blog post here for prices, deets of the actual planner and more ideas!