So in case you don't know it, I've become a bit of a planner junkie. It started in February, and I've just gotten a little crazy about it ever since. I used to use a planner years ago--back when I had tons of appointments and such to keep track of. It was very helpful. It was never an actual Filofax--but those are really cool (and also really expensive). I kind of grew away from using a planner though. And then over this past winter as I was cleaning my office, I was amazed at the number scraps of paper I had all over my desk with notes on them--and post-it's tacked to my computer monitor, and things like that. And it just kind of hit me--I needed to use a planner so I could keep all of this info in one place, and off my desk.
And so my addiction began. I got a planner--a beautiful mint green one from kikki.K in Australia. It looks like this:
I love that thing! I keep appts in there, track bills and birthdays, list all my contacts, plan meals etc. And I know what you're thinking--I have an iPhone that could do all that stuff. But you know what? I like using my iPhone for many things--but not for that stuff! I don't want to have to rely on a battery, and I like the idea of being able to flip through everything all in one spot--rather than in multiple apps. I use my planner every day and it's been great to get me organized. I also like to decorate the weekly pages with stickers and washi tape. I like to be creative--what can I say. I even joined several Facebook groups for people who like to decorate their planner pages too, so at least I'm not alone. :)
And I have another planner too--which I am really not using as a planner. Instead it's more like a journal. This planner is from Paperchase. I have pages in it where I list my "Gratitudes," journal pages, photos, a section for Poetry (I am known to write the occasional poem), and a section to list favorite quotes. That stuff wouldn't have fit in my other planner, so it's nice to have it in its own binder, separate from everything else. And this journal binder looks like this:
Which then leads me to planner number three. I know. Excessive much, Tina? Yeah, sometimes. But if something works, why not really work it?! I fell in love with a Paperchase planner that has vintage London design on the cover, so I decided to get that and use it for an Art Planner-Ish.
Isn't it pretty? I've never been a fan of purple, but I loved this design. It's so me. So I got it and went to work moving into it. But how am I using this for Art, you might ask? Well, let me show you.
This is the inside cover and "dashboard."
I have a biz card and some clips on the left in the pockets--will add more stuff later.
And the dashboard is a great place to put a sticky note or to clip things on so I won't forget.
It's got a fairy on it--you know I love fairies. :)
This shows my Tabs and sections.
Dream, Create, Live, Learn, Plan, Inspire
(and a few have subsections)
This is my Dream section. It has 2 subsections: Ideas, and Wish List
Here I can list project ideas and/or notes, along with making Wish Lists of things
I want for my studio or for a project or something.
This is my Create section.
I use it to add photos and notes about the projects I create.
Since I give a lot of art away, this will be a good way for me to remember all the art I've created.
I'm noting the Project title, Date, Media, and some notes about each project.
This is my Live section.
I have a Week on 2 Pages inserts here.
I'm using them to plan and track blog posts, studio work, and anything else I might want to add.
Next we have my Learn section with 2 subsections: Art Books and Resources
I listed all of my Art Books here that I own, along with resources for where to buy favorite supplies.
Having the Art Books at a glance will be handy when I'm ordering new books--to make sure
that I don't duplicate any that I already have.
Next is my Plan section--my monthly calendar pages.
I'm keeping track of weekly challenge projects here, making notes of little things,
and doing some doodles too.
This is my Inspire section--with 2 subsections: Artists and Quotes
I'll be noting my favorite and most inspiring artists here, along with favorite Art Quotes.
And last but not least, at the back--a place for art-related business cards.
Isn't it all so very left-brained of me to do all of this? It's weird, I know. But I enjoy it. And I like having a place for everything--and more importantly, a way to document my creative life and leave a record of it behind for my family for when I'm gone. I'm really using ALL of my planners for that reason, just as much as for being organized. After having lost my mom, I just know how important her life was, and how important it is to leave something behind that is meaningful. And believe me, it is ALL meaningful. So I'm going to document as much as I can while I have the desire to do it.
As I said, none of these are an actual Filofax, but they are great planners from kikki.K and Paperchase. Much more affordable than a Filofax too, which is nice, because I'd really rather spend my money on art supplies anyway. Which reminds me...my collection of washi tape has grown from 0 to probably 70 rolls since I started using my planners. I use them to decorate the pages. You just can't get the right-brain side of me to quit, no matter what. :)