2018 Word of the Year: Bloom

Wow, it has been since November that I last blogged! Well, it is a new year, and time for a new start.


I thought a good place to start this year would be a post about some of my goals for the year, and the "word of the year" I've chosen. For the last couple of years, I've had a word in mind, but I've never shared publicly. That word was THRIVE. Then 2017 happened. We moved - kind of unexpectedly, we lost a baby to miscarriage, my oldest started kindergarten, and I experienced a hard first trimester of a thankfully healthy pregnancy. And those are just the big things. It was a year of big changes, adjustment, and the word of the year kind of turned into SURVIVE.


So this year I wanted to choose a different word. Maybe some of you have heard the phrase "bloom where you are planted." I thought this was fitting especially because I have not always been content with where I have been "planted." It is a reminder that God puts you in the place where you are for a reason, and with His help, you can do great things! So my word for this year is BLOOM.


I am still using the Love Today Planner, and I wanted to make a page to go in the front with the word BLOOM.

I used the Brushwork Alphabet stamp set, the flowers from the Wood Words stamp set, plus a few accessories from the brand new Sweet Soiree Embellishment Kit. I colored the flowers with Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen.


I hope this reminder helps me focus on my goals for this year: first and foremost to take care of my family. God has placed me in a season of life where my husband, children, and home need the majority of my attention, and I want to do my best to fulfill that role. Second, I have long hoped to be chosen for Stampin' Up!'s Artisan Design Team. Instead of focusing on building a business this year, I will focus on making cards and projects to share on my blog. That's it. Two major goals for the year. I have loved reading the goals of my family and friends on social media over the last few days, and I'd love to know what your goals for the new year are, too!


Stamps: Brushwork Alphabet, Wood Words
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Shimmery White cardstock
Accessories & Tools: Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pens, Sweet Soiree Embellishment Kit

Happy 2018, and happy stamping!

Rachel

Love Today Planner: Daily Schedule Add-On

My oldest started Kindergarten yesterday. Let's just say day two is going much smoother for everyone! She loved it; the rest of us are having a hard time. Her little brothers kept asking when we could go get her, and I kind of agreed! We are all starting to settle into the routine today though, and it feels good.


Last week, I realized that it would probably help me to have a new routine written down for school days. Having it written down helps me to stay accountable and productive during the day. Anyone else have trouble figuring out what you're supposed to be doing during the day sometimes? No, just me? My mommy brain needs help! So I created this add-on page for my Love Today Planner.

This 6 x 8 plastic sleeve is from the Variety Pack of 6 x 8 photo pocket pages (this specific one is a retired Project Life sleeve, but the same ones are still available without the Project Life name). These sleeves fit perfectly into the planner binder. They are a slightly larger size than the pages of the planner, but still fit in when it is closed. You may just see a tiny bit of the edge.

I used stickers from the planner kit and Stampin' Write markers in coordinating colors to make my daily schedule. I also used the Bundle of Love Specialty DSP and Very Vanilla cardstock. You could use any style of paper and colors that you like.

I'd love to know what additions you've made to your planner! Comment below and tell me!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Love Today Planner Kit

Today I am going to share my most favorite product from the brand new 2017-2018 Annual Catalog - the Love Today Planner Kit! I am a planner junkie, and I have tried a number of different planners. I was so excited to see one by Stampin' Up!, and I think it is going to fit my needs perfectly!


I made a video to show you the inside of my planner, and give you a few ideas for using it. Let's just ignore the fact that none of my house-cleaning chores are checked off, ok? I'm going to share a few ideas here as well, so keep reading! Here's the video, if you are interested:

In the video, I mentioned a number of coordinating products that I am using with my planner:

• Tabs for Everything stamp set
• Circle Tab Punch
• Stampin' Write Markers
• Ink pads in the coordinating colors: Calypso Coral, Emerald Envy, Lemon Lime Twist, Pool Party, and Real Red
• Washi Tape (there are 4 different packs in the current catalog)
• 6 x 8 Photo Albums
• 6 x 8 Photo Pocket Pages
• Planner Kit Refill

You can see some of those products in use on the monthly calendar spread:

If you like to plan for 18 months to 2 years instead of just one, you can purchase the refill kit and add extra pages to your binder. You can also remove some of the weekly pages you aren't currently using and keep the extras in a 6 x 8 Photo Album to avoid a bulky planner, keeping just the monthly spreads for the months that are further out. I plan to purchase 6 x 8 albums and keep my used pages in them.


This planner can be used for memory-keeping as well. In the video, I shared how I am blocking off a portion of each day with washi tape so that I can jot down a few notes from the day - memories of cute things my kids said or did, what happened that day, etc. I have wanted to journal this way for a long time, and there is plenty of space in this planner to do it!

Finally, I shared some 2 x 2 cards I created to fit in the pocket pages. Here's a peek:

I used some of my favorite sayings from our stamp sets that are inspirational to me, and I am going to move them with my bookmark every week so that this is what I see when I open my planner every day. The stamp sets that I used were Ribbon of Courage, Dare to Dream, and Watercolor Wings (not pictured).


This planner is just beautiful, and I think there is something in it for everyone! The best part is that you can start using it anytime because it is un-dated. I couldn't wait to use it, so I jumped right in and started it this week! If you'd like to have this gorgeous planner in your life, you can purchase it in my online store. I'd love to see what you do with yours!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel