Planner Love: A Necessary Obsession

Picture it, Sicily, 1942.  Wait, that can't be right.....

The coffee is kicking in and the chemo is working on doing the same. I'm a Special Snowflake with nowhere to go. Since I spend a solid chunk of each day studying my planners like I'm cramming for finals, I thought I would share some of what I love.

I started using planners about 25 years ago, in high school. At the very least, I was able to keep my homework focused. The same was true for college, but then I also added my work schedule to the mix. Thrilling stuff, huh? I know. Even I'm wondering what will happen next?  What? ! I even planned as a fully employed adult?! Shocking!

Okay, smart assess, I get it. Get to the good stuff. Right. Cut to today. Chemo Brain hits hard on my current treatment routine. If I don't write things down, they will disappear from memory. That includes appointments, family schedules, bills, notes on side effects, pretty much anything you could imagine. What's worse is that there are some days that my cognitive abilities are so impaired (ie, it took me 45 seconds to find "impaired" floating around in there) that I respond faster to icons than words. As a result, I'm a 39 year old woman who has a thing for stickers.

Yeah, there are actual planner pages underneath all of that. Some weeks show more white space. The following two weeks certainly do. I used to feel self conscious about this, but I learned to get over it. Most of what I use is functional and keeps me aware and engaged. I have a space for my chores, a space for meds, The Boy's education, appointments, fitness and TV. Since I still use it, even five months in, it clearly works for me.

If any of the details spoke to you, I recommend you check out the following Etsy stores and companies:

*Plum Paper Planner (this is the family planner) https://www.etsy.com/shop/PlumPaperDesigns?ref=pr_faveshops
*Vintage Gypsy Road (for pretty much everything else) https://www.etsy.com/shop/VintageGypsyRoad?ref=l2-shop-info-name
*Add A Little Shine (for the foiled pills)https://www.etsy.com/shop/AddALittleShine
*Crafted By Corley (for the martial arts kiddos) https://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftedByCorley

Friday Finds -- For Really Reals!

Good Friday Morning!

Confession:  I am flailing for a fun intro because I've got a few tabs open to some new loves.  I just can't concentrate long enough to make words pretty.  One part of my brain just keeps repeating, "Here!  Take all my money!"  The other part is struggling to keep to the task at hand.  But seriously, Ahmahgah!

Maybe I should just get to it?

I'm going to try something new with this post, and try to do the picture/link thing.  Fingers crossed (and woohoo that it's technically Tuesday so I have three days to figure it out, huh?)!

Da Pretties, in no particular order of I WANT:

Pinkfresh Studio

Just clicking on their shop link should be enough to inspire joy.  I'm craving the foil printed alphas; the colorblock veneers; and the ombre washi.  Mine, I tell you!  Mine!

Creative Embellishments

I love using wood and chipboard shapes whenever I can.  Usually, I also love painting them, etc.  Basically, if you can think of a theme or shape, they've got it.  I even noticed today that they have flair.  So much delight!  I'll take six of these; four of those, and all you have of the rest.

Paper Issues

Okay, really, I've known about, loved and shopped at Paper Issues in the past.  They aren't new to me, but I love them all the same.SO!  Much! Awesome!

My Scraps And More

What I'm digging about this site is that they seem to get some of the new stuff faster than the mega websites that I also love.  SO, if I've really wanted something, but can't find it at the biggies, it looks like I might be able to find it here first.



This is all I have today.  It should be enough to make a shopper happy.  For now.  Beyond all this delight, I have a question.  Is it just me, or is metalic/foil gold HUGE this Spring and Summer?  I am seeing it everywhere and that's becoming a good thing.  I'll have to tell you about The Boy's current interest in all things gold; even when it's in my crafty stash.

Upid-Head Pinterest won't cooperate....

Good Saturday Morning! I've been dinking around the internet while trying to keep my passion for shopping under control. I gave myself a budget this year, broken down by quarter. So far, I notice it helps keep me focused on what I actually need; and a little bit of what I just plain old want. Since I'm working hard on NOT shopping again until May, I'm trying to figure out what will be most useful in the Summer months ahead -- paper, embellies, tools.... The only thing I will let myself be loosey goosey in spending is adhesive. Since I seem to craft in fits and spurts, I'm not worried about it. Well, that, and I recently learned my husband owns a glue gun and ginormous sticks. We've had a couple laughs about that last part; but I've fallen for his adhesive stash.

Anyway, there is a point to this post. One of the spendy decisions I've committed to is the acquirement of one cartridge each quarter. My original thought was to create a Pinterest board to keep them all organized. Okay, my REAL original thought was to create a list in my planner; only I have no reminder pics to go with that list....and I forgot that I pull the daily notes out for the month once it has ended. Not terribly useful on the go, is it? So, I made a board; only I can't get the hornswaggled images to POST to the hornswaggled board!!!!!!!!

Tell me, what do you think of these?




It's a little bit of everything. Practical for sure.

I just like food.

My son is becoming a B-O-Y BOY. Monsters and aliens are starting to creep out of the wood work.

Another general Summer cartridge.

This has a ton more monsters than the previous one; plus dimensional bags, cartooney jack-o-lanterns, etc.

I think I have an irrational need for robots.

We go to at least two carnivals each Summer.

It just has loads of adorable little fellars doing a lot of adorable little things.

I think there were ten others calling my name, but they were more Autumnal or just plain ol' cute. What would you lean toward?

Also, I've started thinking. It's a dangerous thing, for sure, but I've done it all the same.

When I started this blog, it was with the intent of improving my crafty skills and occasionally wishing to be part of specific Design Teams. While I still love improving my skills, I no longer wish to be part of a DT... at least not right now. I'd like to make this a more general blog. I'll still make crafty posts, but I'd like to write about my cancer journey. I'd like to share my thoughts and adventures toward a more healthy lifestyle. I used to dabble in poetry and fiction; maybe I could try that again. Maybe. I'd also like to ramble about the adventures of raising this child. He's a hoot and three-quarters! If you're willing to hang through that much random reflecting and pontificating, then I'd love to have you here.

Friday Finds -- Second Edition

I thought about titling this post, "They call me, Ishmael," because one of my finds this week is something I've been searching for over the past few months. If I say The Color Room, what do you think of? For some, it might be simply a colorful room. For others, it's probably a cute color palette. For me, it's been, "Goodness, I think most of these combinations I see posted on a variety of blogs are so flipping cool! I simply must find the home of all the cute graphics and sources of inspiration!" I hunted often. I was eluded often....until this past week! So, I offer you a chance to find it, too. You know, if you also referred to yourself as Ishmael and have been looking for a rather lovely whale. I'm new there, but if I understand correctly, they post a new color challenge each Friday. Here's what I found last week:


My favorites, so naturally I played along and posted my interpretation previously on this blog. This is what I found for this edition:



I've also used this great sketch from Frosted Designs:



Speaking of Frosted Designs, they've kicked off a new Friday Challenge -- Monochromatic! Very cool, huh? If you're interested, follow this link here and learn how to play and enter.


I've been in a scrappy funk lately, and this sketch was so easy, I couldn't pass it up! That seems to have been a theme for me over the past few days, not wanting to pass things up. It's also been referred to as the IWANT monster. Case in point, this entire line from Crater Paper:



And then there's Tim Holtz:




I've been making myself avoid the Prima blogs a bit, kinda like chocolate chip cookies. Me want! Oh, speaking of cookies, Etsy put up a new blog with a great recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies. Yum!

To go with those cookies, why not a nice cup of tea? Micupoftea posted two great blogs recently. One has information on loose tea while another has this cool link to learn about caulking your paper crafting projects. I know!

Now, there's also a birthday woman on the loose! Tiffany, aka Breakfast @ Tiffany's!, is having a lengthy birthday celebration with fun challenges all her own. She's a fun paper crafter, too. Check her out.

Dare I forget one last! Sketches In Thyme is having an open challenge this week. Get more details here, but the gist is that you choose the sketch you use to inspire your page. Share a link with them to your entry for a chance to be a top 3 or winner!

Annnd, now I'm off to see why DS is sleeping in so well. Could be that his body finally wants to catch up on rest (been sick) but who knows?

By Way of Mental Note:

Wow! That title reminded me of even more than I wanted it to. I had an idea last Saturday to create a weekly feature on my blog, Friday Finds. In part, I hoped the blog would be a way for me to post something new at least once each week because I'd make myself post a bunch of cool links and fun stuff each Friday for everyone else to check out in turn. In part, it's just fun to share. We all travel in slightly different directions through the blogosphere and web. Why not share something potentially new and different?

.....Why not make this my first Friday Find? Afterall, I'm about to share a link and source of inspiration. Wasn't that my plan all along?

Okay, so first up: Punky Scraps is a site I've only begun to loosely follow. I've gathered that they have a Friday Challenge and they seem to lean a bit more to the rough and tumble of life. This appeals to me. I focus most of my scrapping on my son and my husband. Both my husband and I have an affection for heavy metal and rock music. This week's challenge is to gain inspiration from this quote:



Oof! I know, but it appeals to me.

Next: Maximum Embellishment, is a blog by Sandi. I discovered her via the blog roll over at Bella's Creations. She has been frequently sharing THEE CUTEST Valentine images lately. I've marked a couple to use in cards pretty soon but I'll wait to disclose which when I see that I like how they turned out.

And: Frosted Designs has been putting forth amazing Friday Challenges all their very own. I just wish I was able to participate more often. This week's challenge is to use vellum, transparencies or acryllic on your project. For better details, check out their blog here.

Want a good laugh? Check out Hyperbole and a Half. Her blogs are the epitome of brilliance!

Sketches in Thyme has a gorgeous sketch this week:



Feel inspired? Create and share your page with Sketches In Thyme. Upload for a chance to win a really cool goodie package.

Kelly Goree shared a super cool link for a chance to win some embossed Coordinations card stock. Interested? Click on her name to learn more. Hurry! Your chances end with this evening.

And one final share: a blogger by the name of Bitch Cakes has been inspiring me and getting me to think more about my own food choices. She's a Weight Watcher and she reached Lifetime a while ago. This week she shared a great recipe for a new take on fries....using delicata squash. Looks good and I'm trying to find this variety in my own local produce sections so I can give it a try.

I don't know about you, but that's a lot of information, isn't it? I don't think I'll always have so many finds, but I'd say this is a pretty good start. Until next time!

For the love of paper flowers!

Good Tuesday evening! I found a moment to do a simple blog. Mainly, it's a look at pretty flowers made of fabric and paper, as well as some pretty lace and buttons and sparkles. If you're already a lover of paper flowers, you have likely already seen the January Prima Product Pick:


I loved another blogger -- Micupoftea's -- suggestions for ink colors to use in projects with these beauties. Really, check out her blog and see all sorts of amazing ideas and beautiful thoughts!

Personally, I look at all of these beauties and imagine a small trinket-size version of a Hope Chest for a Spring Bride; maybe with some dew drops created on the petals. They certainly deserve to be seen daily!

OR...

Maybe even have some fun attaching them to some hair clips or combs. I've been on and off of that interest since this past summer -- attempting to create my own hair decor. Slowly, this is what I've come to realize about Prima flowers -- or really any created flower. It's a chance to find and utilize beauty in the least likely of resources. It's something that can be enjoyed for a long time. It's something that can be manipulated to meet one's own desires. There's little you CAN'T do with a paper flower; and I'm having fun trying.

So, what would you do?

Even if you're not sure, you can always click on the Prima link above, share their Product Pick on your own blog; repost THAT link on their blog and have a chance to win those beauties.

Imagine the possibilities.

Loved the Pretty Pretties So Much I Nearly Forgot the Title

Good Thursday evening! I'd ask if it's the weekend yet, but the next three days are going to be even crazier than the past four! We've been preparing for family to visit AND get my husband back on a good work/study schedule so his Japanese and computer technology classes don't suffer. Oh, and the ever-present job search....and teaching a three year old that there's more to life than getting new toys. Among the few words I wish he hadn't recently learned, "collection" is among them!

I digress. I had a whole 'nother bobble to share with you this evening. Many of you being crafters may already be aware of this, too. It's been posted for a couple days now.

In a word, Prima.

In many more words, I did not know that they have a monthly routine of gathering up a coordinated collection of their stunning flowers and blingy items to share with their fans. For the month of November, they have two ways to enter your name into the hat. One, is to share the word in your own blog.... Ergo, dis'go.

Seriously, whether or not you're crafty... Whether or not you are a fan of flowers that never fade.... Whether or not you have a thing for bling, take a look at this:



Pretty? Drool-y? Lovey? I know I do. If nothing else, I'm loving looking at this.

Anyone else feeling shoppy?

Okay, guess who just learned that she's able to create an empty blog?!

Cleaning for several hours each day has me in a shopping kind of mood. That doesn't always mean I'll buy anything, but it does mean I want to Ooh and Aah over pretty things.

Case in point...

I was reading the latest post from this incredibly talented woman which lead me to another site that has finally launched a new line of stunning stencils. Even if you're not a scrapper, these have LOADS of possibilities.

So, if you're feeling crafty, click on the badge below and check them out.



....And if I'm a lucky duck, all my links will actually SHOW this time!