There’s a reason for everything.

Sometimes when I’m creating, I find myself hitting a wall. I just can’t make an idea come together or I can’t find what I want to do what I want.

When this happens and the lightbulb finally clicks in another direction, the result has been some of my favorite (or popular by demand) creations. One of those was Jingle All The Way. It’s probably my number one selling item of all time. One more recent idea was Block of Time. Nothing I was working on for a new date stamp floated my boat. Then, when getting ready for the day I had an a-ha moment.

It’s funny how these things come about.

My latest ‘it was meant to be’ moment was trying to find an even simpler way of documenting. I mean, I document pretty simply now, but I wanted to take it even further. How can that even be possible, right?

I’d been looking at planners for some time and more recently I’d been seeing a lot of people using them to document. But nothing really struck me as something I wanted to use. On top of that, I just, plain and simple, love using a travelers notebook. 

So what’s a girl to do?

Well, I do what I always do. Create a solution that works for me…and maybe even you too! :) I created templates to cut with my Silhouette so I can draw specific layouts to quickly pull a page together. You can find it all in the Lay It All Out: Travelers Notebook kit.

You simply lay the template onto your TN page and pencil in your lines.

 

 

You can choose to use whatever lines you want–making things in squares or vertical or horizontal. It’s up to you.

 

 

Once you’ve got everything where you want, you can change the pencil lines to pen lines or erase them. I’ve done both here–erased the journaling lines and used a pen for the dividers.

 

 

You can even choose to shorten a photo to add text or stamping or whatever to that section. You can be as simple or creative as you’d like to be. The templates just take away the added thought process of laying something out. You assess your photos (I do weekly spreads) and then decide which template works for you. I just discovered the awesomeness of the app PS Express where I can quickly pull a collage together and print it from my phone. 

So for example, you can take one template to make a page like this:

 

Or maybe something like this:

 

You can also go all out and use more than one template. Ooooh. ;) So you can see that you can mix it up to suit your needs and have fun with it. I wanted my cake and eat it too–I wanted the convenience of a planner laid out for me, but not be confined to the pre-made lines. I need to have flexibility. I also didn’t want to completely give up on having creativity in my weekly documenting. If I want to scrap like I’ve always done, I can do that. 

The kit–as it stands now–has five template layouts and three journaling templates.

I feel like this kit has room to grow. It’s something new to me and I’m thinking it will evolve as I see a need. But rather than make additional kits, I’m just going to update this particular kit…unless the template ideas I have are pretty different or a whole lot more. I don’t see that happening, but you never know. ;) So if you buy it now, you’ll always have access to the updates. It’s possible that the price might go up depending on what gets added, but once you buy it, you’ll never have to worry about paying for anything that gets added in the future. If the kit gets updated, the current date of its release will be noted in the product description. I will also post about it on social media. 

Also included in the kit are some ideas for generic page layouts with photo sizes. The templates are made for a variety of designated spots, but you can use them in different ways. For example, if a section is shown divided in half, it doesn’t mean you have to use it that way. You simply don’t draw the line.

Each template can be used ‘as is’ or you can flip it over to get the journaling on the other side. There is an ‘up’ side to these. If you notice, there’s a little more space at the top of a journaling section.

Also, there are three other journaling cut files that give you more flexibility in your writing. While I do like typing, just writing it the old fashioned way can be much easier. I also like the idea of including your own handwriting.

Here’s a tip: If you prefer closer journaling lines because you write smaller than I do ;), in Studio, Ungroup the lines, Copy and Paste a couple lines, and then use the Align feature to Space Vertically.

Oh, one more thing, if you don’t have a cutter, there are PNG files that you can print and lay under your page and have it show through…if your paper isn’t too thick. ;) The lines are black so I would think you’d see them through the page.

I am planning on doing a little video on all this sometime in the near future, but I want to use it a little more before putting that all into a video. I’m really excited to give this a go!

I’m just not a planner girl. I do keep a couple of lists of ideas and such and I keep track of bills or appointments on my phone, but to sit and write everything out? Track it? Make goals? Lists to check off? It actually kind of stresses me out. ;) I’ve never been really good at it. It’s just all too much for me.

It’s all about simplicity and documenting for me. That being said, I do realize I’m not everyone (what??). haha So you may see me incorporating a few planner-esque elements as this all grows even though it may not be my thang.

Here’s my simple little how-to process for all of this:

1. Assess the weekly photos.
2. Edit and move into a To Do photo folder.
3. Use PS Express app to create a collage.
4. Print (from phone) and trim photos.
5. Pick template(s) to draw the two-page layout.
6. Place photos and additional decor.
7. Write journaling.
8. Erase lines and/or go over them with a pen.

And here’s a couple other tips:

  1. I love American Crafts cardstock. It cuts up real nice with these templates. That being said, sometimes the edges of the lines may need a little nudge to open like it should be. I just use the pencil led in my mechanical pencil.
  2. If you want a sturdier template, cut two of each template and adhere them together. Make sure all your open spaces are…well…open. :)
  3. The squares that are a part of the journaling template #2 are there if you want to make a list. You don’t have to use them.
  4. If you really have a lot to say on a spread and need more journaling space, use journaling template #2 to create a half page of journaling and add it as an inset in the middle of the spread.