Memory Keeping with a Midori

I have seen several people use Midori Traveler's Notebooks for memory keeping and wanted to give it a try. When better, then with our vacation to Colorado. I have tired all sorts of different ways to document our vacations (So far my most "successful" attempt was the Simple Stories 8x6 album which I really enjoyed due to the smaller size.) So I was excited to try using a notebook, which honestly is out of my comfort zone!

Before we left on vacation, I prepared inserts for the inside of my Midori cover to take with me. To keep small memoribilla, I used envelopes. I put strips of favorite washi along the bottom of the envelopes. I then used packing tape to tape the envelopes together, leaving a gap between so they would fit under one of the elastics in my cover.  

 During the trip, I bought lots of stickers to use in my notebook. Perfect embellishmenst for a buck or two!  I tucked these into one of the envelopes for safe keeping!

In the other pocket I placed business cards I collected at different restaurants. I also tucked in some pictures I printed off my Instax Printer, which prints credit card size photos. 

Side Story

My entire plan was to print photos and actually scrapbook while on vacation. I went to get my things out the first night and discovered I had forgotten the cord to my Canon Selphy printer...boooo!!! I was extremely bummed. I had done loads of planning (imagine that) to bring just the right scrapbooking items (paper, stamps, stickers) and couldn't do or use any of it because I forgot a cord. Yes, I did go out to see if I could purchase another one, but for 70 bucks it just wasn't worth it. So, I focused on photo taking,  journaling and collecting!  Just as fun!!

 Back to my inserts. 

I wanted something to place larger memorabilia or other items. I took a Simple Stories 8x6 page refill along with and two 4x6 pocket page refill. 

The refill pages looked like this before I cut the edge off  the left side of each refill page.

Again, I spaced the refill pages apart and used packing tape to hold them together. Unfortunately, they were still a little long, so I cut the right sides down and then sealed them together with washi tape.

 In these pockets I kept maps, walking maps, postcards...

 ...tickets and other items. It was actually quite handy!

In the back I tucked a notebook for journaling.

Thank goodness I did take notes, because on the way home we were trying to remember what night we did what!!

I also did some page planning.

 I also picked up a few brochures and magazines about the different areas we visited. It will be fun to include a few of these clippings in my album!

Can't wait to get started on my notebook and will share with you the process and results!

Check out Amy Tangerine's video on how she uses her Midori to memory keeping by clicking here!

Another great video is done by Cori, The Rest Girl, while she was sitting outside in Hawaii...how wonderful it that!

Vacation!

We just got back from a fabulous family vacation in Vail, Colorado. 

Can't wait to share more with you!!

Notebooks for Work and Organizing!

Today I am going to share with you my notebook that I carry with me to work and have easy obtainable on my craft table. The more I use it, the handier it becomes!

For these notebooks, I did not use the Midori Notebooks I mentioned yesterday. The notebooks I used for organinzing, I found at TJMaxx: three for 2.99. I am still in the "exploring" period of this part of my notebooks and wanted to use something inexpensive in case I decided to change it up at a later date. Case in point, you don't have to use a Midori Notebook to list or plan or organize!! I have a collection of fun notebooks that work out wonderfully!

This particular set of notebooks are available in sets of 3. Some of these I will use as is, because I like the covers. Others, I will cover with fun scrapbook papers! 

 I also found these notepads for next to nothing! Perfect for quick "got to do" lists!! :)

This is the planner that goes to work with me and is on my craft table.  I usually have a list made for things I need to do when at "work." I tuck it  under the elastic or in the front cover. This list is actually made from the pencil notebook from above. The cover is my black Midori that I ordered from Amazon.

The notebooks I used inside are from TJMaxx. I cut the notebook to Midori size with a large paper cutter that I have available to me. If you do not have a large paper cutter, no worries. You can still trim your notebook to a different size using a regular paper cutter, but cut a few sheets at a time.

 I covered this notebook with paper that I thought I really liked, which I did at the time. It didn't really turn our how I was hoping, so I may change it up or add some embellishments!  Oh Well.

As you can see, I have tabs for all the things I "think" I need to keep track of. It's nice to have all the work related items together in one spot and not post-it notes all over the place!

 Inside the front cover is where I keep a list of things to do when I am at the store.

Under the "Classes" tab, I have a list of the classes I am currently teaching or am going to teach. When I work on a class, I jot down things I need to take care of before teaching the class.When I am done, it gets a big red check that I cut out of cardstock. So satisfying!!

 

 I write the monthly  titles that are handed out at Memory Bound. I write my title ideas in my notebook before creating the list on the computer. A check means that it is printed and scanned on the computer at work.

The following notebook (another TJ Maxx) keeps track of all my personal scrapbook supplies. The reason I needed and wanted to do this list was because I have been know to buy some items two times! It's handy to have at work when making a purchase and I am not 100% sure that I do not have the product. It's especially handy  for keeping track of my Washi tape!

This was my first notebook I created and I will probably be doing it over at some point. 

When working on a project, instead of shuffling through my washi tapes, I look in my notebook, which I find much easier!

Check back for how I used my Midori Travelers for memory keeping!

Listers Gotta List...

I have a new obsession. Planners and Lists. 

I had come across "listing" before and was a bit intrigued by it all.There is a LArGE community of listers/planners in the YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest community, so started following some of these gals. Then an online class was offered (that I noticed on Instagram), so i took it and since then I am hooked!

I thought I would share a bit about the whole planner, listing and organizing notebooks and how I go about using these items. 

Today I am going to share my listing. 

I must share that I an an obsessive, avid list maker. If I don't write it down, then I won't remember what it is that I am to remember. Once my sister was mad at me and she yells, "Why don't you just....go make a list or something!"
 When I found this listing class, I text my sister, "I am in heaven! Watching YouTube videos on making lists!!" 

To begin, I purchased several blank Midori Notebooks

 on Amazon. They measure 8x4.24ish and come in a large variety of insides (blank, grid, lined) and cover colors.

 

I prefer the blank notebook with the Kraft cover, #003.

 

I also purchased a few Midori Notebook Covers. There are LOADS of options available in covers for your Midori Notebook. 

These are the covers I have at this time. 

Starting on the left...

Foxydori: Red Leather- Extra Wide.

 On Foxydori, you can design your own midori cover. It is an Etsy store. The leather is tough and I am hoping it will soften with use. It is a wider cover and I will share how am using the wider cover in a later post.

Amazon: Black Leather (love)

Leather is soft and perfect!

Studio Calico: Red - pleather

I was a bit disappointed in this cover. i was so excited about the red cover and gray elastics. When you bend it, you can see the lines in the cover. (check out the photo above) I finally just bent it all up, so the cover appears to be more "leather" looking. 

Studio Calico: Brown Leather (love)

Again, leather is soft and wonderful! This one is my favorite so far. 

Now for the listing.

The creator of the "Listers Gotta List" community is Cori, the Reset Girl. It's never to late to reset a part of your life!

This is where I download and print the lists for the month. Check our her web-site by clicking here.  You will find the lists to download and a link to her YouTube videos.  They are a must watch!!

After printing off the list ideas, I had to decorate my Midori!! I think The Rest Girl needs to come to Memory Bound! She would loooove it! All planner girls love scrapbook supplies for the decorating and listing needs. Aren't I a lucky gal to work there!

Back to Business:

I decorated my Midori's cover with favorite scrapbook paper that I fell in love with, but wasn't sure how I was going to use it in a scrapbook! This was the perfect use for this paper.

I love die cut words and bits and pieces. I finally found an awesome use for those, too! These dies are all from Simple Stories planner pieces and a Doodlebug heart sticker!

I covered the back with another favorite paper and reinforced the spine with washi. With planning and listing, washi is your fiend! And I have plenty of washi to use!!

This is the inside front cover. I use one Midori notebook for June and July lists. The 4x6 is a Amy Tangerine Project Life card, WeR washi tape, Doodlebug sticker letters and I cut the heart from my cameo. Actually USING WHAT I HAVE!! That is a first!!

 As I said, the lists are all on the Reset Girls website. I actually printed off the April, May and June lists and have pulled ideas from all three months. You can stick to one month, for example June, and do the lists in order. there are YouTube videos of gals putting their Listing notebooks together for the entire month. I pick and choose...imagine that!

These first two lists I created cover reasons I love to list and my favorite things about summer. Lists can be long or they can be one word. It's yours...make it how you want!!

List 3: Favorite Books

List 4: It's the Little Things in Life

This day isn't actually a list, but a little story about Jack. 

 I also skip around with my lists! Notice I have 12 done, put nothing for 11. I loved the journal card and knew I wanted to use it for a list, so I adhered it to a page..so i wouldn't misplace it!!

 List 7:Favorite Movies of all Time

List 8: Here I just made the list and will go back to "embellish" at a later time.

List 9: My Addictions (very simple!)
List 10: My Phobias (NOT to be used against me!)
I LOVE those little emoji stickers!!

 Here are two lists that have NOTHING!! I will go back at a later time and make them into pages.

 Since I am using the same book for two months, I made a July title page.

 I have one list completely finished for July.

One evening, the boys were up in my craft room and noticed my list book. They actually took it with them, laid on the couch and read my lists. I heard them laugh and every so often they would yell, "MOM!! We didn't know (this) about you." That has actually made me more exctied about listing. Leaving a story of myself that the boys will always have. 

I have failed miserable (as you now) at Project Life and with keeping up with my scrapbooks. This "Listing" I can do. I can make a list anywhere at any time. I can decorate my pages while watching reality TV or YouTube videos about planning and listing ideas! Hope this may inpsire you to make a list...or two!

Check back tomorrow and I am going to share with you how I am organize my scrapbook supplies with a journal and how I use one for work and classes.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 16th Anniversary to us!

I could say all sorts of mushy stuff, but I won't! 

I've learned that marriage is definitely a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs with a few twists and turns just to see if you can hang on and make it through. I wouldn't want to ride the roller coaster with anyone else!

Happy to us!!

What I've Been Reading...

I just finished a wonderful book and story:

Tell the Wolves I'm Home

 

Wow. I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It's not a fast moving book, but that was how this book needed to be written and  I loved the story. And that is exactly what it is...a story.  I fell in love with the main character, June. Her Uncle Finn recently died of AIDS (set in1987) and she is heart broken to lose the one and only person who truly understand her. Her older sister is starting to treat her like crap and she's confused by her sister's sudden treatment but still sees sparks of what they once were. Then she meets the one person that may have loved Finn just as much as June.

From Amazon:

There’s only one person who has ever truly understood fourteen-year-old June Elbus, and that’s her uncle, the renowned painter Finn Weiss. Shy at school and distant from her older sister, June can only be herself in Finn’s company; he is her godfather, confidant, and best friend. So when he dies, far too young, of a mysterious illness her mother can barely speak about, June’s world is turned upside down. But Finn’s death brings a surprise acquaintance into June’s life—someone who will help her to heal, and to question what she thinks she knows about Finn, her family, and even her own heart.

At Finn’s funeral, June notices a strange man lingering just beyond the crowd. A few days later, she receives a package in the mail. Inside is a beautiful teapot she recognizes from Finn’s apartment, and a note from Toby, the stranger, asking for an opportunity to meet. As the two begin to spend time together, June realizes she’s not the only one who misses Finn, and if she can bring herself to trust this unexpected friend, he just might be the one she needs the most.

I stayed up until after one in the morning with tears streaming down my cheeks...and I never cry in books!! I highly recommend this book to everyone!

JACK!!!

We have two "support" poles in our kitchen. 

Jason and I were standing in the kitchen and looked over...Jack was starting to actually climb one of the poles. It was one of those times where we were both going to yell, "Jack! Get down right now!" But we both looked at each other and didn't say a word...because we wanted to see what was going to happen. 

Sam is actually starting to cheer Jack on!

 He taps his head on the ceiling and calls it a successful climb!

Sam is actually congratulating Jack!

Honestly, he hasn't done it since.

 His hands and feet need to be dry and not sweaty...and with this weather, not sweating is not an option!