Hello!!!!! Cynthia (MrsPeel) here. I hope everyone is well and enjoying the weekend!!!! I am really, really excited right now as I am going to share with you something I made, and guess what? It is not entirely digital!!!!! I know many of you have been hearing me say how much I admire the hybrid artists, how much I love how things look on paper….but how much I fear the lack of the “undo” button.
I have been starting and quitting, starting and quitting… sound familiar? I know a few of you shared my habit of throwing half done paper stuff in the garbage. We would say in “the bin” here in England, but if you look at my use of the word “awesome” you will know I’m North Americanized a LOT! LOL So, bear with me, I know, I talk a lot too & I wonder of subject… age is showing!!! OK, back to what matters.
I kept starting and quitting and then I realized the reason for my frustration: I will never be doing what these awesomely awesome ladies in the blogs and Pinterest were showing me. I have no Silhouette (the machine or physical type LOL). My health is not very good. It has been so long since I picked up anything vaguely crafty outside the computer.
But then I heard about the planners craze!!! Everyone is talking about them. Every group I go. Every store has some. I just happened to have a very, very old Filofax which I used when I was working (it seems like centuries ago!!!) So I set out to find it in the mess that my place is now (teenage daughter!)
Finding it brought back all these delightful thoughts I had when I first found out about scrapbooking. I had actually been a scrapbooker -ish all my life!!! Particularly in the 80s in Brazil. We had “agendas” where we would write down schedules, classes, appointments, things to do, lists, and staple or glue photos , cinema tickets of the day, the candy wrapper “that boy” had given you. Well he gave you the candy, and you ate it. Then you want to keep it! LOL I do much better on paper when it comes to planning, so the idea of a paper planner also came to re-enforce my definite NO NEED for a smart phone. I know, my age showing again! I still fear them a bit, though won’t say never as… well, you know how it is… I thought computers would never have me enlisted when they first came into personal lives. Now I can’t live without mine!!!!
Back to planners… I got excited about it, then life interrupted as it does. My daughter had some not so nice health issues, until very late a couple of days ago. I saw this planner stuff one of our designers, a lady whom I love, LOVE, love, and can proudly say have been in her Creative Team for almost 3 years now (wOw!!) Michelle, the creative hand that is Quirky Heart, posted as her new release for yesterday…..the Basic Witch Planner set.
It was love at first sight and I didn’t think twice. I grabbed it & called my daughter to turn the printer on! I knew whatever I made wasn’t going to be shiny and tidy like most of what I had seen. But this time, my making stuff had a purpose, as not only am I a fan of all things Wicked (green witches!!!!), but also I had to plan this Halloween Party for one of those “chosen family” nephews whose birthday is actually on Halloween. So the fear to what others would say wasn’t there anymore. I was doing it because I needed it. I bet that sounds familiar to you too.
Well, I know that with a purpose, we can all create amazing stuff!
That even extends to the art journal thing. I keep a hand written diary for those days when I’m either away from the computer or nothing but paper and ink will do, so even if you do not find a tangible, practical purpose but still would love to play with scissors & glue, if you are like me right now are wanting to give a go to the more corporeal thing, trust me: you only need some paper, scissors, a glue stick (preferably acid free, but I confess to be using a Pritt stick!!!) I also have a few Sharpies and colored gel pens, but the world is yours, you can add whatever you want!. I just started simple because I believe this is the way to go. Step by step, and grow a bit more in each one, so you may see me from now on inhabiting the Hybrid Projects Gallery.
I first made the planner as I was really, really excited to get hands on being able to use my Filofax, and it would get me started planning the party, as time is somehow rushing on for me these days. I printed the covers and the sticker sheet. All are very easy to cut by hand (I suffer from arthritis and have some problems with hand/eye coordination). Here is what came out of my adventure:
Then I thought that main thing to make a record about in my hand written journal was the fact that Sarita, my daughter, remembered I had offered to organize this party and is willing to do it with me. So I left the witches (loooove them!!!!!!) as mother and daughter for the journal. Sarita had some letters cut for something she was doing so I grabbed those, but you can find some amazing ones at Quirky Heart’s store, like the Vintage Ransom Alpha, or , if you like a more colorful style, Michelle has also Health Matters Alphas. There is also Valorie Wibben’s Snipped, which you can print (any of those) by dropping every PNG into a blank document side by side, save as JPG, print, then cut by hand.
I write, change hand-writing some times. This time it was just that I was tired and my hands weren’t replying all that well, but there is no need to write if you aren’t good with words, or don’t particularly want a written account of your pages, but still want to have the enjoyment of creating. Just let your imagination fly and go for it! I know my journal here isn’t the tidiest. It’s far from perfect, but the enjoyment of playing with paper and pen, glue, and scissors…oh I had forgotten how much fun that is!!!!!!!
Now that I got started, I have so many ideas!!!! I’ll be sure to come share with you my next project. Now I have seen the Health Matters Alpha, I think it has to be a medication planner as I am always forgetting how it goes. I really hope you join me on this one!!! If you do decide to go and make something yourself, come post it at the Hybrid Gallery, we would LOVE to see what you make!!!
Have a great weekend!!!!
There is A note from Michelle/Quirky Heart about the Basic Witch Planner SET to take away any doubts about sizes!
jennmccabe says
oh my goodness! this is SO cute! you mades so many adorable things with the Witch Planner set, love the versatility! and what a great idea to so a medication planner as well! love this Cynthia! xoxo
The Lilypad says
thanks!!!!! I’m quiet proud of myself!!!! and I got the cardboard and some bits to start the meducation board and do a page ion the planner for that too!!! <3
Ga'L says
That’s really awesome Cynthia. i’ve planned to realize a planner next year. And when I see what you did, I think I can make one with the same tools. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
The Lilypad says
yes!!!! we should plan something together!!! you would do amazing things!!!! thanks for reading!!!! :)
erin wright says
Awesome!
Amanda @ Life of a Busy Fit Mom says
This is seriously about the CUTEST thing ever. Planner nerd here! Thanks for sharing :)
Cath says
This is really cute. Never thought of doing a holiday theme month… wow
Johanna says
Oh Cynthia, your art journally/ planner pages are fabulous!! I was drooling when I saw these Halloween goodies in the store!! Oh yes, they will be mine!! :D Hopefully soon. Michelle, your designs are so delightful!!! I love the kit these are based from!! And Cynthia, you are so inspiring, as always!! I’ve been playing around with hybrid, too. so much fun!! Hugs!! <3