Setup in new dotted journal notebook.
It's time for me to setup my new journal/notebook. I dedicated several pages for Highlights + Happy Thoughts, Traveled Places, Unnecessary Wishlist, and Weight Loss Journey. I then setup my July pages with a beach-y design theme.
NOTE: While the pages are like those who setup their Bullet Journals (BuJo), I use this journal more as a memory keeper/diary. The BuJo-inspired pages encourage me to make note of the good things in life, even on the worst days.
Initial Pages Setup
Before starting my July design theme, I wanted to decorate a few pages in my new journal with pattern paper. I also wanted to setup several pages that I'd fill-in throughout the next year or so.
I bought another Tumbitri Meri A5 dot grid journal for myself. It has 160 GSM thick pages. That's not bad for when I want to paint on some pages.
I used a few sheets from my Creative Heart Hot Buy paper pad bought from Michaels years ago. I don't know if they still sell this paper pad in stores, but I still had a few sheets available to use.
I cut a sheet of pattern paper down to approximately the size of the front cover endsheet. I traced another sheet within the journal to determine the appropriate size. I adhered the piece to the front cover endsheet with double-sided permanent tape.
I then cut a sheet with the words "Beautiful You" and a metallic paint palette image in half. I adhered it to the last of the "Index" pages of the journal. I used scissors to cut off the excess along the edges of the pages and trim the corners.
I dabbed three stamp ink colors - blue, pink, and yellow - across the top of several pages where I wrote a header name. I chose these colors to match the most common colors used in the paper pad.
The first two pages were dedicated for Highlights + Happy Thoughts. This is where I'll write about an awesome memory I want highlighted in the front of my journal.
Instead of leaving the pages entirely blank, I decided to cut out some small designs from a sheet in the paper pad. I didn't use all the small designs, but I stored the unused ones in a pocket available in the back of the journal.
The next two pages were dedicated for Traveled Places. I only traveled to visit my Mom last year and during the first half of this year. I'm hopeful I'll travel for vacation at least once during the second half of this year. When I do, I'll document it with photos or a written summary of my trip.
I setup an Unnecessary Wishlist page with blocks to categorize the things I want but don't need. It's like creating an Amazon.com wishlist, but some things I'd like to have aren't sold through Amazon.com.
It wasn't until writing this blog post that I noticed the horrid misspelling on the top of the left page. Oops. My bad. I'll mask it with a piece of scrap pattern paper and rewrite the page's header. Hopefully I don't spell it incorrectly again.
I also setup a Weight Loss Journey page to track my progress. One of My 2021 Resolutions was to lose weight. After I realized I lost three pounds these past couple weeks, I figured I'd start documenting my journey to reflect on.
Just in case I decided to make one or two more collections, I blended the stamp ink colors across the top of two more pages. I left the pages as-is so that I can fill it with something another day.
The Design Theme
For my July 2021 journal design theme, I decided to work with a summer beach theme. I gained inspiration from my Escape & Unwind coloring book filled with water-themed designs.
To work on building my drawing skills, I practiced imitating some of the artwork in the coloring book. A lot of the artwork was different then how I normally sketch or doodle, but it was a good art exercise to do.
Title
For the title page, I imitated artwork from two pages in the coloring book. I added a little of my own style to the sketch, but I did my best to replicate the original artwork. Imitating another artist's style encouraged me to try something new and different.
Since July is World Watercolor Month, I pulled out my new watercolor paints and paintbrushes. The painting turned out darker than I liked. I used a white gel pen to add some highlights throughout the page.
Calendar Overview
The calendar overview is where I note important dates I want to document in my journal.
The larger calendar fills much of both pages. I note events such as birthdays, appointments, and holidays within the appropriate block that represents a day in the month. During the month, I'll make a short note of something that happened.
On the left, I have a mini calendar for next month and another box where I'll note next month's events coming soon. I like being able to visually see ahead to things I may need to be aware of before those days come.
I sketched and painted a sun umbrella, shovel, bucket, and starfish. At this point, I referenced pages from the coloring book and an online image search for "summer."
Highlights and Trackers
Every night, I write a line of text highlighting one good thing about that day on my highlights page. Usually, I write about a simple thing that made me happy. Even on the worst days, I try to think about a highlight of that day to write down. This page is intentionally left blank since I'll fill it in throughout the month.
On the trackers page, I note when I complete my favorite hobbies. While many journal enthusiasts track their habits, tracking my favorite hobbies reminds me to dedicate time for myself and happiness. The hobbies I track are:
arts + crafts,
writing,
gaming, and
workout.
My dogs' care and happiness are equally important. I track the following for my dogs:
when they go for a joy ride,
when I've cared for their coat with a brush, leave-in shampoo, or bath,
when they received teeth care with brush chews or teeth brushing,
when they participated in extended, extra, or hyper playtime, and
when something unusual happens with my senior dog.
I sketched and painted a few seashells sitting in the sand on the bottom of the highlights page. I didn't believe there was room for much else, so the artwork on these pages were minimal.
Mood and Bingo!
I treat my mood tracker page as a coloring page of sorts. Each night, I'll color-in something that represents my overall mood for that day: awesome, meh, bad/sad, or sick.
When I was thinking of objects that I could fill-in with color daily, beach balls came to mind. I'll color-in a part of a beach ball based on my overall mood at the end of each day.
There was too much negative space above the beach balls. I sketched and painted a seagull in flight to fill-in the negative space I didn't like.
I decided to create a bingo page again. I noted tasks and wishes within the bingo blocks. I wrote down prizes I'd treat myself to if I completed one straight and a cover all. Unfortunately, I didn't 'win' a bingo in June. I'm hopeful I'll at least 'win' a straight so I can buy a new game DLC.
I sketched and painted flip flops, tote, sunglasses, and folded towel. I also sketched another seashell in the free space of the bingo board.
My Thoughts
Summer is upon us, and it's a great time to visit the beach! I believe I represented a summer beach day in my journal well.
I also represented World Watercolor Month (July) in my design theme. I hope to practice my watercolor painting skills in sketchbooks and on some blank pages in my journal.
I don't really know if I liked the Tumbitri Meri brand journal or the 160 GSM thick pages most. I probably like the thick pages more than the brand, but I'll stick with the brand since I've yet to be disappointed with it. Maybe one day in the future I'll try a different brand dot grid journal.
What's Next?
There are many month-long holidays to celebrate in July. I'll celebrate World Watercolor Month. If the weather isn't too hot here in Texas, I hope to paint at the park, lake, or beach as I also celebrate National Picnic Month.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
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