I’ve always used some sort of planner to help organize my time. I have tried various ones over the years, including electronic versions like Cozi or the calendar app on my iPhone, hourly, horizontal, etc. but have yet to find peace with the method I was using. My bestie then introduced me to Plum Paper Planner. They have various options available to suit anyone’s needs and the regular planners come with several weekly layout options. At first, it was a little overwhelming with all the options but I eventually chose the hourly layout option since that was what I had been doing since becoming a Thirty-One consultant (I utilized time block scheduling each day). I like that the planner offered more writing room which I desperately needed because I tend to write largely. In addition, I like that there is extra room for notes and a “top 3” under each day. I also liked that the weekly pages have a vertical layout. Most planners you buy at conventional stores have horizontal layouts and don’t allow me enough room to fill in my day. One of the other positives with Plum is their ability to customize. I don’t mean adding a name here or monogram there, but full customization: name, monogram, or picture on the cover; font choices; color choices; pattern choices; and add-ons! Check out http://plumpaper.com/ to get the full scoop on everything you can do with it (I promise you won’t be sorry). I have since moved on to a different planner that I’m completely in love with – MAMBI’s The Happy Planner. I like that this one allows me to add and remove pages with ease and the boxes are even bigger than Plum’s so I rarely run out of room. (In later posts, I’ll show you my planners and the differences between them.)
So back to my Plum Planner – I started using it in November but hadn’t delved into doing anything but writing down my work and K’s school schedule. It wasn’t really working the way I wanted it to. Then my bestie told me about decorating it (say what?! Lisa Frank anyone?). I checked out her Instagram and joined a few groups on Facebook and oh my! It’s like a light shined straight down from heaven! My love of crafting was mixed with my need to have a more functional way to keep my life organized! And down the rabbit hole I fell. So many names, brands, stickers, washi (think smaller, thinner duct tape), and Etsy. Now, all of that can definitely get pricey if you let it; BUT, the crafter in me knew I could create my own for way, way less. Don’t get me wrong, I love the convenience of already made and cut stickers and some of them are just downright beautiful, but I just can’t justify spending money on something I can make myself. Plus, I can make it exactly how I want. Now I know some of you are thinking, what? Are you 8? Hear me out… It’s a lot like scrapbooking. You create weekly “layouts” using stickers and washi but you have your weekly plans instead of pictures (unless you choose to go that route – I don’t personally). It’s functional and makes me WANT to accomplish my tasks. It also gives me a creative outlet and an hour each week for just me. The very first one I created was for the blizzard earlier this year and features a beautiful blue and pink snowflake theme.
You can download the Plum Planner version here.
My goal is to release something new at least 2 times a month (I have 4 kids – 3 who are 4 and under so that may not always be doable). I have a few more that I’ll be posting over the next few days so enjoy and I can’t wait to see your layouts! Leave a comment below and tell me what you like about the theme and if there’s anything different I can do for future.
TERMS OF USE: Please remember that my designs take time to create and while I thoroughly enjoy sharing them free of charge, they are for personal use only. Please do not claim them as your own or distribute the file. Direct them back to here so they can enjoy them and others as well. Thank you!
In Craftiness,
Courtney K.
On My Needles 