planner ~ february

How to set up the first few pages and calendar of a planner.




The heart of winter is here in these parts.
Am having a hard time believing its already the second month of 2016.
But it is!

My go to formula to help organize the crazy and this fast paced life is still the use of a planner. The Gold Polka Dot 6x8 Memory Planner from Heidi Swapp is the main hub to daily life. It's not my to-do list, or even the calendar with all the daily activities. I use other tools to do that work. No, this binder is home to quotes of inspiration, monthly personal goals, special days jotted on the calendar. It's just what it says it is: a Memory Planner.

Here is a peek at how January is wrapping up. These photos were taken just a few days ago. Review is a big part of my planner. Taking time of an evening to go back and review the day. Fill in happenings on the calendar if need be. Adding to or checking off goals. It does not happen every day, but pretty close. I try not to go too far in between days to add my what-nots. And besides, the planner is opened throughout the day on my table or desk and available for me to add what is on my mind.



I added a clear Divider Tab for interest and plus a place to hold onto some tags made at CHA2016.  A few of the Calendar Stickers are placed here and there. That "Never Give Up' sticker was added because frankly...that was a tough part of the week. The squeeze was really on. And as I was reflecting on those days, that sticker came to mind. So not only did it mark in the calendar a bit of struggle for me, but it is now a visual reminder: Never Give Up!!!



So now on to February. I find my go to approach to begin a new month is to get creative inside the tab page, the page protectors, and the other page before the month calendar.
On the tab side I created a vellum envelope with the WeRMemoryKeepers Envelope Punch Board. A Crate Paper Minc Valentines card was foiled and slipped inside. I like to add interactive pieces and places for lists, goals, or quotes to be remembered.




The page protector side holds a favorite photo. The bottom sleeve holds a squared-trimmed piece of Hello Gorgeous Pattern Paper, and then on top of the pocket I added the stickers that go with the theme for February...love.



Flip the pocket page over and I did the same as the front. Photo on top. Pattern paper with words I wanted visual on the bottom.
The planner collection also includes a Journal Pad of paper. I took one sheet, folded it in half, and adhered the two sides together. You can see it there with the Remember This tab. It is my #onelittlethingeveryday page. Everyday I list one thing that comes to my mind of goodness at the end of the day. I made one for January and now I have one for February and will continue to create these for each month. This tabbed page is really really important to me.



The next thing I do is add notes to the next page found after the pocket pages. There is a 'to-do' journal space at the top. This will include personal and maybe even some family goals. Things I need to keep on my radar. I almost always have a quote that sort of sets the mood for the month for me. This month it's John Maxwell's "Without passion we stop dreaming and settle for survival". I found that in an article I was reading recently and needed to have it very visual. This page is also a great space for one of the Gold Foil Pocket Cards, either washi or adhere it to the page. There is plenty of space for all kinds of lists to be found on this page. Make it work for you. Add photos to it. Mixed Media. Get creative. If you are a planner girl, just make these pages work for what comes to your heart.




So now this takes one to the calendar page. Here I go in and add special days, birthdays, anniversaries. The kids days off from school. Special family events. I may pencil in other appointments. It may sound silly, but I like to remember when I got my hair done last, so that may just go on this page. Because let's face it, I can forget and go waaaaay too long between visiting that hair salon that creates magic.




Remember to use the Calendar Stickers to fill days in too. It just adds a special something to the month.



And this is as far as I am for the month of February. Here are a few things you can do to these day to day pages:
add a Clear Divider to the page for a visual reminder
clip Gold Foil Pocket cards to the page to inspire
trim Hello Gorgeous Pattern Paper to banners and flags to add creativity
place Washi Tape reminders where needed
and above all, I want to encourage you to take time every day and write in those spaces provided to help you capture the blur of that day. This space can be very creative. Very minimalist. Or it could even be a space for bullet point journaling. Whatever you choose, make it yours. Make it count for you. And have fun capturing that blur.

Have an inspired day.

collection used: Heidi Swapp Hello Gorgeous Memory Planner

This is a personal blog. All editorial content and projects are intellectual property of jamiepate.com I do receive financial compensation and material product from American Crafts to develop my craft posts, but all ideas and opinions are my own.