June 30, 2016

LITTLE SUMMER JOY 2016


Even though it's rainy and freezing cold here in Australia currently, I'm happy to announce that I'm contributing to Little Paper Projects' 2016 #LittleSummerJoy class! And the best part is: if you sign up before June 30 using this link using the promo code of 'SAVE5', you'll get $5 off the cost of the class!

This class will be jam packed with ideas from a bunch of talented ladies who will be teaching you ways to document your summer life by celebrating the little things in your daily life. Friends, it is not something you want to miss! Make sure you sign up now before you miss the opportunity to have some great fun this summer!

June 27, 2016

EVERY DAY IN MY MTN

To make up for the ceasing of my MTN weekly posts, I've decided to pick up a new blog post trend for my Bullet Journaling. This form of documenting has been the most practical and easiest to keep up with for a few weeks, and may very well be the only method that works for me right now. I've wrote a number of Bullet Journaling posts in the past, so this post will really be just an overview of the pages I've done and hopefully give you some ideas of how to set up your spreads:






I've been focusing on creating simple spreads in my MTN, with pages not taking longer than an hour to put together. Embellishments are kept to a minimum and supplies include the use of stickers, journaling cards, and stamps from a variety of sources (Kelly Purkey, Kaisercraft, Amy Tangerine. etc).

Till the next MTN post!

June 26, 2016

NOTEMAKER x OCHECK

O-Check Notebooks

I love vintage looking things, and the new O-Check notebooks sold by Notemaker currently fit the bill. Notemaker recently sent me a big box of new O-Check notebooks and I've been psyched to write up a post for you guys.

The first set of new notebooks from O-Check are called the Utility notebooks and comes in a variety of sizes and colours, with two being squared and perfect for field drawings. They're made from recycled paper so they're well made for drier mediums like pencil, ballpoints and gel pens. I've yet to try the paper out with my fountain pens, but as I plan to use them primarily for sketches, I'm not too fussed.

The cover is made of sturdy cardboard, and the one feature I absolutely love about these notebooks is the fabric spine:


Not to mention, these notebooks are able to lie absolutely flat when opened due to these fabric spines:


The next set of notebooks from the new O-Check range are these old-school cahiers:


They're ruled on the inside and reminds me of my primary days when I used to use these notebooks:


They come in five different designs, each featuring a different animal on the front. I have a thing for foxes currently, so had to have one of them for my collection! And because I've reached 20k on my Instagram, Notemaker and I have teamed up to give away these cahier notebooks to FIVE lucky winners. Check my Instagram out for more details!


You can find all of these notebooks at Notemaker (click here to be redirected to their site). I've been a long time shopper of Notemaker, and have always been provided with great service and fast shipping. And once you've purchased from them at least ten times, you'll be a lifetime member getting 10% off EVERY order from them! So if you're looking for your next stationery fix, don't forget to pop by Notemaker - you won't be disappointed!


June 25, 2016

CURRENTLY #17


TIME: 8:34PM
LOCATION: Bedroom / studio / office
FEELING: Cold
LOVING: My new gold iPad Pro & iPhone SE
READING: Is it bad that I haven't touched a book in 2 months?
EATING: Cadbury Mini Eggs (yes, I still have them from Easter)
ANTICIPATING: The end of one job and the start in one month!
LISTENING: Aaron Carter - Let Go (don't judge)
WATCHING: Pretty Little Liars
PLANNING: Sunday's tasks
LOOKING FORWARD TO: I don't think there really is much to look forward at this time of the year...
CREATING: MTN spreads for upcoming classes (stay tuned!)
NEED TO FINISH: Class lessons, Project Life spreads, 
WISHING: I had more time

June 24, 2016

MTN WEEKLY 2016 #12

I've been doing a lot of trialling this year, and none of them have really stuck; unfortunately this has included my MTN weekly. So until I pick something up again (and don't worry, it will be very soon), this will be my last MTN weekly post. I've included all the weeks of MTN spreads that I have done but haven't posted on my blog yet, though, so savour it while it lasts!

WEEK 12:


WEEK 13:


WEEK 14:


WEEK 15:


As usual, I've used everything and anything that fitted my spreads, from watercolour to stamps, to cool napkins found at work. There is no shortage of supplies when it comes to building up my MTN spreads.

Hope you've enjoyed my MTN weekly posts in the last few weeks and they've somewhat given you ideas in starting your own. Even though this is the end of my MTN weekly, be sure to stay tuned for upcoming projects!

June 5, 2016

TUTORIAL: CREATING A TRAVELER'S NOTEBOOK


Ok, before we start, to make things clear, this tutorial is mostly about stringing an already made notebook / passport / boarding pass holder. In this tutorial, I'm using a passport / boarding pass holder from a brand called Labrador and converting it into a MTN just because I know I wouldn't use it either wise. But before I get to it, here's a little background of the items used etc:

If you're like me, you like using original items. And when I mean original, I mean a Midori Traveler's Notebook and not a 'fauxdori'. I hate copies, and I have a strong dislike of handmade items (including my own). So when I got myself a leather boarding pass holder from Stickerrific, I had no plans to covert it to a traveler's notebook - not until I started playing with it today.

This boarding pass / passport holder is made from a brand called Labrador. I got it on the Malaysian Stickerrific site, and after coversion, it turned out to be around AU$80 - which is around the same price as a MTN kit. The only difference was - it has pockets. I wanted it in tan. but unfortunately, as they didn't have it in stock, I settled for a grey - which turned out to be a great choice.

Fast forward to a Sunday afternoon: I love my camel MTN, I really do, but the lure of pockets and the grey of the Labrador passport holder was enough to put me into my DIY mode. I had the strings and hardware needed to create a new TN, and all I really needed was to poke holes into the leather, so I thought why not? What could go wrong, after all?

So off to work I went. There really isn't much you need to create a TN style notebook if you already have one premade to size. If you have an extra MTN lying around (and chances are, you do), I'd recommend you using the holes already made as a template. Because that's basically the easiest thing you can do. Of course you need to measure it out eventually to make sure you're centered, but trust me, you'll take a whole load off if you just copy.

Anyway, here's a step-by-step method of how I went through making one (with pictures, of course!):
1- Get your stuff together: ruler, pencil, poker, needle, elastic, TN hardware

2- Measure / trace out the holes onto your new TN:


3- Poke holes through your marked areas. You'll need 4 holes, two at the top and two at the bottom

4- Thread through your elastic (probably the most difficult stage!):


5- Insert your hardware:


6- Tie a knot at the end:


That's really all you need to do. Here's a look at the end product (with two notebooks inserted):




The only fault I have with this is the weird placement of the pen holder. I am highly tempted to cut it off if only to reduce the bulk, but I think I'll just live with it for now. Apart from that, I'm currently obsessed with it. I never thought I'd replace my MTN with another - especially a home made one - but I love it to the nth degree. You should give it a go if you have the chance. I promise, you wont regret it!

KELLY PURKEY MAY REVEAL


I received Kelly Purkey's newest stamp kit and sets just before the weekend, so safe to say, I managed to go all out on the weekend playing with them. There were four new stamps released, including two new kits.


I've been having a slightly hard time incorporating the KP stamps into my 2016 Project Life lately (because truth be told, I've been slacking when it comes to printing them), so I figured that it was time I did that thing I said I was meant to do months ago: combine my scrapbooking + Bullet Journaling into one. Best decision ever. Don't know why it took me this long to do so, truth be told. And because I haven't do one of this in a while, here's a mini tutorial on how I put together a super simple scrapbook page using everything from the Kelly Purkey kit and 'In Bloom' stamp set:


It's autumn winter here in the southern hemisphere, so although the Spring themed stamp set didn't quite match, I used it either way. The journaling cards were from the He Says, She Says kit. Basically and literally everything used was from Kelly Purkey.

Once I got my photo printed, I tore a strip from the orange journaling card, slapped it on the blue and my background was done.


Next went the 'In Bloom' stamp with the help of a Posca Black marker to colour in:


The last bits were adding 'grass' on the bottom, and a brown stem for that autumn feel:


I'm all for keeping things simple for my layouts, so I'm more than fine with keeping it as is. It's ok to have great white spaces sometimes to let the eyes rest. Not to mention, it keeps the bulk down!

Hope this gives you some ideas on how to use your Kelly Purkey stamps and kit! Click here to get yours now before they run out!

June 1, 2016

JUNE GOALS


It's crazy to think we're almost half way through the year. It won't be long before we're making new year's resolutions and buying up 2017 planners too! Either way, here's a look at how I faired at last month's goals before heading into the new month (and season!)
  • x    Read two books: Nicholas Sparks / Jojo Moyes
  • x    Catch up with my PL layouts
  • ü Catch up with my MTN journaling
  • ü Blog post at least once a week!
  • x    Decrease the sweets
  • ü Keep up with my brain dump book
Lol well, there's always June right? But to be perfectly honest, I don't have high hopes for June as I know my schedule will be packed from morning to night. But here's to hoping:
  • Read two books
  • Keep a habits tracking list
  • Exercise!
  • Donate, donate, donate!
  • Keep up with the blogging
  • No Less spending
Let's do this!