In Search of Planner Peace - Erin Condren Life Planner

I have been seeing a lot of posts about planners lately, but had not yet ventured down that particular rabbit hole, mainly because I use my iPhone for most things, but also because it seems to involve a lot of accoutrement such as stamps and stickers and washi tape, which I can see as a potential high-risk area for me.  First I'll purchase a lot of pens and stamps and stickers and washi tape, then I'll want to make myself customized stamps and stickers, and then I'll be busy doing that and really get nothing else accomplished.  This obviously defeats the purpose of getting a life planner.  

So, having had this internal dialogue with myself and patting myself on the back for deciding to leave well enough alone, I naturally found myself ordering an Erin Condren life planner in the wee hours of the morning last Monday (in my defence, YouTube and insomnia were involved...).  

I thought I'd give it a try anyway.  The simple fact is, my iPhone is really not keeping me as organized as I would like to be. I don't care much for the calendar (and here, I fully expect black-suited, sunglass-wearing Apple representatives to burst through the door and drag me away), and I never hear the reminder alarm because my phone is usually in my purse when I'm at work, and although I'm sure there are great apps out there, I have yet to find one that works for me.  So, if I'm trying something out it may as well be something I can easily customize and doodle in.  I had also considered Kikki K and Hobonichi, but the Erin Condren one seemed much easier to lay hands on.   

It was not as expensive as I had expected.  I ordered a Daytimer planner 20 years ago (I sent a form and a cheque through the mail even!  That's how old I am.), and spent well over $100 then for a personalized binder I could never change.  All tolled, the Erin Condren planner was around 85 US$, including personalization, shipping, and a few extra accessories like the pen holder and the clips. I ordered one with a foil cover, and was pleased to find out there is a promotion code on the site for $25 off the gold or platinum.  Given this, I now regret not paying a bit more for the faster shipping, but I was overcome with practicality for a change (and a need for sleep) and went with regular shipping.  

As expected, I have also wasted a good part of this weekend putzing around in Adobe Illustrator with custom stamp and sticker ideas, and I haven't even received my planner yet (it won't ship until this week, and Canada Post will want to let it sit in stasis for a few days once it gets through Customs).  But I am looking forward to the rush of organizational euphoria I am sure I will experience once it arrives!  :)

Spiffy Scooters

Well, look at me figuring out how to do things!  Not just posting videos to YouTube, but also now linking them on the blog.

So, the important information here is that I have learned some lessons from the last one, and posted another video.  This one is a bit longer, as it has both colouring and card assembly.  Also, it does not contain scenes of violence like the last one (no body parts were harmed, although I did put my arm in the ink pad this time, so watch for that.  Such a pro.).  

For the card in the video, I used the Paper Smooches "Spiffy Scooters" stamp set and coordinating die set, as well as a Hampton Art Vintologie stamp set, which I show in the video.  

I could colour these scooters over and over; they're just the perfect size, and the sky is the limit when it comes to colour choice. There are even flames and decorations included so you can customize your scooter any way you like.  

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video, and please feel free to comment to let me know if you'd like to see more of these.  

Good night!

Colour Me Happy

Happy Saturday!  My favourite day of the week.  

I've been participating in the The Daily Marker's 30 Day Coloring Challenge.  The idea is to colour or paint something every day, even if it is only for 5 minutes, for 30 days straight.  The challenge kicked off on March 4th, but you can jump in at any time.  

Being Canadian, I will of course be colouring instead of coloring, but I don't imagine that will disqualify me.  :)  It's a great excuse to take a few minutes every day to work on  something I find fun and relaxing, and a skill I would like to improve.

Last night, for Day 4, I worked on this Art Impressions "Chair Spinner" image.  

I love these spinners.  A few weeks ago, I made this card for my mother-in-law, using the "Full Throttle" stamp set.  She has a shiny metallic red scooter, and it brought a big smile to her face when we gave it to her, which was the whole intention.

I purchased these stamps from Simon Says Stamp!, but have also ordered directly from Art Impressions, where they have a massive selection to choose from.  

On that note, I guess it's time to go get my colour on.  Have a great weekend!

Hello, out there...we're on the air!

Well, I am just kind of impressed with myself today.  I have created and uploaded a video tutorial!  I'm sorry to toot my own horn, but I do feel a bit clever, even though the video is really very amateurish...and I sustained an injury during the filming (it's only a flesh wound!)...and it really was a series of unfortunate events that had to be edited down to just over 10 minutes.  But the point is, I did it, and I learned as I was going.

If you are so inclined, you can see the video of me making this card here,  using the Paper Smooches stamp set, "Incognito".

The stamp set is available at Simon Says Stamp or right from Paper Smooches.  There is also a coordinating die set called "Glasses Die" that I did not use for this card.

I've had really good experience ordering from both Simon Says Stamp and Paper Smooches.  And, believe me, I have had LOTS of experience ordering things online lately.  Honestly, I don't even know what's coming in the mail anymore...must rein myself in!    Oooh, but there are those new mini ink pads being released at Simon Says Stamp this week...really like to have some of those...maybe after that...oh my...! ;)

Catching Up

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and Happy Valentine's Day!  

So now that that's all out of the way, I have a few things to share.  First off, last post I was wittering on about not having completed Christmas Lady 2014.  I did, in fact, complete this lady, made her (and her furry friend) into a card, and even managed get a few of them out before Christmas.  

I've been on a bit of a paper crafting binge since Christmas.  More of an obsession, really.  I'm not even exaggerating.  My birthday is on Christmas Eve, and my wonderful husband gave me Copic markers, and asked me how I'd like to spend the day.  My favourite way to spend a birthday located in the middle of Christmas craziness is to have a quiet day at home.  To me it's the gift of peace, and I love it.  

So how, specifically, did we spend it?  Well, now that I finally had the Copic markers I had been coveting for months, I was of course interested in seeing some Copic tutorial videos.  

And that is when I discovered Kristina Werner Designs.  (Disclaimer:  Obviously, I didn't discover her; she's been there for quite a while, and it seems I was the only one who didn't know about her.  But I know now!)  I watched her videos for 12 HOURS STRAIGHT.  Even my husband watched most of them with me, bless his heart, because that was how I wanted to spend the day.

Oh my...these videos were like a gateway drug.  I have now spent the past several weeks feverishly watching my favourite paper crafters on YouTube.  As a result, I have become reacquainted with my craft room and my love of drawing and painting, and now have a new love:  Copic markers.  My collection has grown to 163 of the little preciouses!  I have rediscovered paper crafting supplies I had completely forgotten I had (an entire collection of untouched Tim Holtz alcohol inks and various accoutrement !?), and have been happily making and sending cards to some of my most favourite people.  

This year I am making a conscious effort to make cards instead of buy them, and also to get them in the mail BEFORE the event (or at least in the vicinity of the event).  I have even busted out the Teresa Collins stamp maker (see previous post involving unpacking and the wasted evening which ensued, owing to being paralyzed by the myriad of possibilities) and finally successfully had a go at making some of my own stamps, including a "handmade by" stamp which I use to mark all my cards.  

So, I have lots of completed projects to share in future posts, but will end this one for now.  It's Monday, and I'm sure Kristina Werner has posted a new video for me to watch.  :)  But before I go, I will just quickly share a photo of the happy mail I received today (and by received, I mean I climbed snowbanks and walked through a blizzard to get to the mailbox!).