My Paper Addiction...The Traveler's Notebook

Creative addictions...

I have them, I admit it. 

Paper, it's my not so secret happiness enabler. 

It gives me joy. 

I find bliss in textures, sizes, finishes...it's my creative canvas and it's potential is endless.

My collection grows as the years pass. Journals, notebooks, sketchbooks, planners, even old vintage books that I can repurpose. 

All this being said, there is one book that I love the most.

The Traveler's Notebook.

I adore this little treasure keeper.

I've tried to replace it with other pretties, but they are just not the same. 

I always return.

 

Both the original Midori and faux ones are amazing. 

Choose the size, cover material, and notebooks you love and stuff it full.

Change your books on any given whim. 

Add little pencil pouchs, pen loops, card holders...there is so much to create to make this little set of books uniquely you.

They make great journals, planners, art journals, and so much more.

Mine currently contains; 

Book one: Journal both for thoughts and sketches

Book two: Planner

Book three: Leather zip pouch / card holder.

Book four: Jotter notebook, just for random thoughts, ideas, and events.

This little book has become my carry everywhere notebook.

Until next time, continue to create the precious works within your heart.

Hugs,

Anna

Planner Addict

I've come to realize that I am a paper addict. 

Anything paper...I love it.

I collect it...

I feel it's time to do a little addiction series on my blog. Every few days share a different paper based collection that steals my heart.

Today........Planners 

I love my planner. All of them. Spending time adding touches of creativity inside gives me peace and joy. I switch planners and themes, but I always enjoy each one.

Here's a few favorites; both ones I'm working on and past lovelies. 

This is my newest Heidi Swapp collection. I've ordered a few pieces to complete it, but this is the basic little kit with a camera case that I use as a travel planner case and Betsey Johnson bag that matches perfectly.

Some Christmas goodies to start prettying up this months layout.

And as if carrying one planner wasn't enough, I've added a little month layout one in my Midori. 

Love this one. You can't fit a lot of extras and notes but it is very convenient and lightweight.

Ah...the Filofax. This one is so cute. It's pocket size and I just love playing with it.

Some current Christmas touches.

A little shabby chic with soft colors.

And Kitties!! I love kitties.

Anybody else out there enjoy primping planners?

Hugs,

Anna

Art Planner Inspiration

Just a little art planner inspiration.

• Digital stamp for a bit of personalized creativity.

Art Planner Cuddlebug Cuties Dashboard

• Vintage cat decorations for this weeks layout.

Art Planner Kittie Cat Weekly Layout

• Stencils and stickers for fun and creative note taking.

Art Planner Fun Decorated Notes Pages

Cuddlebug Cuties, Paw Prints On My Heart

You can find this adorable digital stamp here.

Copics:
Skin: R11, E000, E50, E30, E21, E13, BV20
Hair: E42, E44, E47, E49
Pup: E49, E44, E43, E42, E40
C5, E04, E70, E07
Clothes: E79, E77, E74, E71, E70
E81, E84, E87, E89

Hugs,
Anna

Handmade Happiness

Embellished happiness.

I'm truly beginning to love this term.

When I first began my life as a crafter I was quite sparse with the extra little pretties. I enjoyed letting the main focal point of my work be nearly all of my piece. As time passed I became a bit braver and more eccentric. Instead of saving my treasures for that "special someday" project; I began wanting to use every little bit and bob that I had. 

I've found so much true joy from creating.

Handmade has become a part of who I am.

And anything that I can customize with embellishments brings happiness to unexpected places.

My Filofax art planner and my pink Moleskine journal are two of my daily favorite places to create, embellish, and pour my thoughts into. The pages are full of images that make me smile, favorite memories caught on camera, and powerful thoughts that overload my mind and fuel my imagination. I treasure these little books. 

Filofax Art Planner; weekly layout; kitty themed

Pink Moleskine journal, Legacy Sticky Notes by Mandy Lynne, kawaii ink pen

Pink Moleskine inside pages; soft vintage layout

Don't hold back. Create something today that will inspire and move your soul. Use your pretties and enjoy the process. Keepsakes journals or planners are a great way to start. All you need is a bit of paper and some imagination. 

Hugs,

Anna

Art Planner with the Filofax Malden Pocket

I love using my planner as a way to express my creativity. 

Suddenly a list of chores can make me smile a bit while looking at all the pretties surrounding it.

Fun stickers, post its, die cuts, multicolored pens...

I feel like a bit of a kid...and I love it!

I say anywhere you can make a some joy for yourself; do it.

I recently picked up a little Filofax Malden Pocket Organizer for my on the go travels.

It's a fantastic fit for your purse. There's enough room to write and it's very light weight making it easy to carry with you everywhere. It's full of pockets; it would make a great little organizer / wallet too. 

For the moment I'm filling the pages with adorable kitties and puppies.

Many of the images are vintage. I fell in love with many of the older images and now I am constantly on the look out for more. I love how unique they make my little art planner.

Cuddlebug Cuties Filofax Setup Cat & Dog Themed

Cuddlebug Cuties Filofax Dashboard Cat Sticky Notes & Pretty Clips

Filofax Tab with Vintage Puppies

Filofax Layout Kitty Themed

Filofax Setup Notes Section Kitty Themed

Hugs,

Anna

Planner Pretties Decorating for a New Season

Valentine's Day has come and gone...

A new season means it's time to redecorate the art planner :)

Truly it's kinda fun changing it with the seasons and holidays.

 Here's a few pictures of the fun so far.

 

Current Bullet To-Do List (still need to change out the Vday goodies)

 

Front Dashboard, Sweet and Simple

Fun Add Ons & Pretty Zip File

Right now I'm going for a romantic, cottage, shabby chic feel.

I want soft, cute, and flowers.

And I'm am falling in love with everything Heidi Swapp.

Her little accessories are so fun to decorate with.

A Few Heidi Swapp Goodies

 Art planners are a wonderful way to release your creativity in your everyday life. A bit of color here, a few happy stickers there; makes a black and white to-do list of chores something to smile about. Any brand of planner is fine; any type of paper is okay. Choose items that motivate you and encourage you not only to get your tasks complete but also to inspire you to enjoy every little thing in each and every day. Even "ick " days are precious, they'll make us stronger for tomorrow; and joyous days, let's document them so that we'll hopefully never forget the awe in each moment.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

I'll have a super adorable digi later this week.

Hugs,

Anna

You've Got My Heart

 I've been wanting to redraw a few of my older Cuties for quite some time.

I feel like I've learned so much in the past few years and I want to breathe new life into some of my favorite originals. Bigger doe like eyes, fluffier hair, more movement in clothing...

A previous Valentine's Cutie, You've Got My Heart, was the perfect place to start with the holiday right around the corner. I always loved this Cuddlebug, but I remember when first creating her I ran out of room on my paper which left her cropped. I don't mind a cropped image but this time around I wanted a full image and I wanted all the other features that I listed above too.

Cuddlebug Cuties You've Got My Heart 2015

Cuddlebug Cuties Valentine's Planner

Cuddlebug Cuties You've Got My Heart 2015

Copics:

Hair: E41, 43, 44, 47, 49

Skin: E13, 11, 00, 000

Clothing: B91, 93, 95, 97, 99

RV10, 11,34, 66,69

E44, 43,42,41,40

Hearts: R85, 56, 59, RV69

Enjoy coloring and crafting with You've Got My Heart 2015 but please give me, Anna Stillwell at Cuddlebug Cuties, credit for drawing her.

 

If you'd like to view my rough sketches check out my Instagram on my right sidebar.

 

Hugs,

Anna

My Pretty Little Paper World

I am continuing to enjoy creating in my little paper world.

I often add to my journal collection.

Both art journals and writing journals, and anytime possible I try to create a book that can contain space for both. Any book that has a beautiful cover and wonderful pretty paper is simply a must have.

And I am actually making a very conscious effort to use my books and not just save them.

Midori Traveler's Notebook

 My latest addition is a brown Midori Notebook. 

It's wonderful!

The cover is a beautiful soft leather and it expands to hold numerous little books.

I've added an unlined book for doodling and a lined book for thoughts.

Next on my add to list is a plastic zip sleeve, a craft paper booklet, and I'm currently working on creating the perfect handmade pockets.

Pretty Paper Journal

This wonderful little book is full of the most romantic and beautiful paper. I've altered the size, rounded the corners, and added holes to a good portion of the paper and am now using it for creative thoughts journaling in my art planner.

Cuddlebug Cuties Art Planner

Cuddlebug Cuties Take Note

This little digi makes the perfect DIY sticky note for my art planner or for other paper crafts.

(colored with colored pencils)

Cuddlebug Cuties Take Note

Hugs,

Anna

Planner Pretties Week 4

I have found that being a paper fanatic has increased by leaps and bounds when I started creating my own custom art planner. My first few planner posts were about goals and functionally; with a bit of whimsy added.

How I wanted to create a little book to help me with my day to day tasks, a place to take notes and jot ideas, be a bit of a journal; and of coarse some place to scribble little quirky characters (as though I don't already have enough books for that).

This week is all about adding details, color, and fun.

I've started stuffing it full of fun and pretty paper, adding washi fabric tape and stickers, I have more sticky notes than I know what to do with, and I can't help but doodle on any page that isn't already full. 

I love this book. It is the ultimate junk journal.

It's full of so much that I treasure.

Thoughts, memories, pictures, photos, and pretties.

So sit back with a cup of coffee and enjoy a few pictures with me.

Hopefully they will inspire you to throw a bit of creative whimsy into your everyday life.

Art Planner Dashboard

Here I've cut tabs from full sized file folders. The front adventure seekers page is a hard clear plastic that I trimmed down from another planner and added a stack of sticky notes to. Down the side are 3 magnetic bookmarks (from toys 'r us believe it or not). Goes to show that you can find goodies anywhere.  

On the left is my collection of sticky notes and paper clips. With the exception of the lace and the cat, I created the bows and heart clips myself. I love how pretty they are; and the best part was they where super easy and inexpensive to make. Next week I will have a little tutorial post on how to easily create your own clips or page markers. In no way would you have to be a super crafter to create these. This post will be for anybody whose interested regardless of experience. Even the supplies are easy to find. And the clips work great for planners, journals, and books.

Weekly Spread Sheet

I made these pages out of plain notebook paper. Nothing heavy duty or pricy. I simply trimmed it to fit, added holes, and used a rounded corner punch to make the edges look a bit more unique. A ruler and a bit of washi tape made it look sleek and colorful at the same time and the homemade bow paper clip holds my place perfectly.

Homemade bookmark

I made this very over-sized bookmark to easily find my place in my blogging to do section. It's just a bit of scrap paper, stickers, and washi tape. Something so simple has the ability to inspire me every time I see it. The words themselves just touch me. It may not be fancy but it is powerful.

Inspirational Pages

The very first page of my Thoughts & Ideas sections is a list of a few inspirational quotes. It's just something for me to have to read when I'm having one of those days. I hate yuck days, but I still don't want to waste them. I'll never have another chance at that day and so many people where not even granted the gift of that day...so this is a pick me up page. Something to help set me on the path of realizing that the trials I go through today will make me who I am tomorrow. 

Note and Sketch Section

Pretty paper with plenty of room for scribbles of all kinds. What's not to love?! On the left is the back side of my file tab. I'm still decorating it but have added a pocket; but I think it still needs a little love.

On the right is my first page of doodles and scribbles. It's pretty much just a list of ideas for an upcoming birthday. I doodle while I think of things to add to the list. I find it fun and very relaxing. Now that I have it full of scribbles, I think I'll pull out some colored pencils and continue to enhance it while I think of more ideas for my list.

So this is my week in art planner pictures. It's been a wonderful way to throw color into my everyday. Especially the ones where I don't really have time to sit at a craft table and create. Finding some way to take something ordinary and make it yours is such a fun art. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs,

Anna 

Just because you grow up ...

Do you remember sitting in high school writing notes to your girlfriends instead of paying attention? 

The paper would be fully decorated with perfect handwriting and little hearts; brightly colored with pens and markers. You'd put such incredible effort into making it perfect and pretty.

Do you remember your high school bedroom?

If you were like me, I bet somewhere in that room was a collage board or maybe even a collage wall.

All your favorite photos of friends, pictures from magazines, artwork, and awards prominently displayed.

Do you remember going to bed one night feeling young and carefree...

 then waking up with a career, mortgage, and a family?!

You're suddenly responsible for more than just yourself.

People depend on you.

Where did the time go?

Just because you grow up doesn't mean those decorated notes and displays can no longer be a part of your life. Creativity has no age limit.

Decorating my Art Planner has become my new favorite craft hobby. Little notes, pretty papers, photos, artwork, and pretty much anything I can think of to put inside and keep as a little treasure; and yes, still all decorated with bright ink and a few little hearts.

Everyday I add a bit more color and a few more memories. At the end of the year I'll have a perfect little book. Someday I'll sit and read this book; and the ones that will follow, and rejoice in the memories that I cherished enough to stow inside.

Here's a few pretty planner supplies to get you started personalizing your Art Planner and making it fun while encouraging you to stay organized.

Washi tape.

 Colorful Pens

Paperclips & Journaling Cards

Sticky Notes

Pretty Paper & Envelopes

 Pictures

Scrapbook Paper

And Here's a bit of it all starting to come together.

Notes on pretty paper with washi tape. Opposite Page: Scrap paper, sticky notes, stickers, & paperclip.

** And **

I have created 2 To Do List Printables that are free for anyone to use in their personal Art Planners. 

If you are new to my blog, please read my Angel Policy tab about the use of my artwork.

 Tomorrow night I will have a digital stamp of the Cuddlebug on the left, so check back for your freebie; and I will be throwing color at my Art Planner this week; feel free to stop by next Thursday to see how it turns out.

Hugs,

Anna

 

Cuddlebug Cuties To Do List

Cuddlebug Cuties To Do List