Tuesday, February 11, 2020

My 2020 Daily Journals

How many journals do you use?  I know that I use a lot, and each one has its own purpose.

But how many of those journals do you use every day?  These are the three journals that I use on a daily basis.

My Blogging Journal

The notebook at the bottom of the stack is my blogging journal.  It's just a normal composition book that I personalized with pink paper.  Composition books are so useful; I have even seen people use them as art journals.  Inside this notebook, I keep monthly blogging calendars and write rough drafts of my posts.  I also have space for a brain dump with new blog post ideas.

My Art Journal

The middle notebook is my art journal.  This year I am using a Canson XL Mixed Media spiral bound notebook for the first time.  I love the paper quality.  So far nothing has bled through, although the paper does buckle when I use a lot of wet media.  That doesn't bother me.  In fact I like the buckled pages; they prove that I am using my art journal.  The only complaint I have about this notebook is the spiral binding.  It's not my favorite type of binding, but it might be worth it for the paper.

My Bullet Journal

The blue Paperage notebook on top is my bullet journal.  This is my first time using this notebook, and I really like it so far.  My Pentel fountain pen, Posca pens, and Crayola Supertips do not bleed through the paper.  My bullet journal is where I keep track of my calendar, daily to do list, habit tracker, and goals.  I recently posted a short flipthrough of the year so far on my Instagram.


Please tell me about your daily journals in the comments.
I love to hear how other people use their journals on a daily basis.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Journal Types: Personal Journal

IMG_20190918_184025380.jpg
Do you have a personal journal?  My journaling process is constantly changing, but this is my current process in my personal journal and the supplies I love to use.  Let me know in the comments how you use your personal journal and the supplies that you can't live without.



My personal journal goes everywhere with me.  Because of that, it has to fit in my purse.  This means two things: my purses are large and my personal journal is on the small side.  Currently I am using a Harry Potter journal that I bought at Walgreens, of all places.

IMG_20190918_184049760.jpg
My journal is a mish mash of many different things.  I vent about what is going well or not so well in my life.  I plan and draft blog posts.  I make lists and draw pictures.  I tape in feathers that I find in my yard.  I paste in mementos.  I take note of quotes, designs and other random stuff.  I keep track of what I am reading and watching at the time.

IMG_20190918_184139704.jpg

My favorite journaling supplies are my two fountain pens.  One is a cheap Schaeffer with a wide nib and the second is a Pilot fountain pen with a thinner nib, still inexpensive but not cheap.  I also use  a lot of washi tape, especially to code the content of important pages, so I can easily find information when I need it.  The supply I couldn't live without is my Smiley Band pen case that holds my two pens and some ink refills while conveniently strapping around my journal.


I love to check in to my journal at least twice a day.  In the mornings I like to ask myself "what will make today great?"  In the evening I like to write about what went well or plan a blog post.  My journal and I go everywhere together.  I'm not sure what I would do without it.

Do you keep a personal journal?  Do you have a favorite journaling prompt or supply?

This post was originally published on lalocadesigns.wordpress.com

Friday, January 3, 2020

Journal Inspiration: First Page Ideas

New year.  New Journal

And that means, it's time to tackle that intimidating first page.

I know that some people like to skip the first page of their notebooks, thus removing the intimidation factor.  I, however, like to fill each and every page of my journals which means I have to fill the dreaded first page.  

Thankfully, sometimes a little inspiration is all you need.  So here are some of my favorite first page ideas.

Make Some Goals

I started a new journal yesterday.  I'm calling it an art journal since it will include a little bit of everything.  I decided to start my journal by making some goals.  One of my big goals this year is to add something to my journal every day.  


Supplies used:






Make a Vision Board

Take your goals one step further and make a vision board.  Find images that represent your goal and glue them to the first page or pages of your journal.  This vision board is a good reminder that you will see every time you open your journal.

Supplies used:
Grocery store flyers
Magazines



Write an Inspirational Phrase

This is a great opportunity to practice your lettering skills while giving yourself a little inspiration every time you open your journal.  This one reminds me that my journal is a place where it is safe to do whatever I want and to make mistakes.


Supplies used:
Some cheap Dollar Store markers









Write a Quote

Choose a favorite quote and practice your lettering.  Can you tell I like to practice my hand-lettering?


Supplies used:








Draw your Supplies

Why not start your journal by drawing the supplies you intend to use in the journal?  On this particular example, I intended to add more supplies as I continued through the notebook, but never ended up coming back to it.  A great way to practice your doodling skills.


Supplies used:






Test your Supplies

Not all supplies work well in every notebook, so it's always a good idea to test the supplies you intend to use in your journal before diving in.  If you plan to do art in your journal, this is also a great way to keep a catalog of the colors that are available to you.



Supplies used:





How do you begin your journal?
Have you ever tried any of these ideas?  Or will you try them now?