Wednesday 31 October 2018

What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday - Week 491

Hello Everyone,

Happy last day of October - so sad to see the best month of Autumn gone. I hope you are enjoying the same weather we are here - typically autumnal, chilly, blue sky and a low sun - making it another perfect day for joining in over at Julia's What's On Your Desk - where there will be, as usual, a lot more interesting desks on view then this one of mine.
I found it difficult to get a good shot this morning despite that low sun, and it hasn't improved much even yet, but I hope you can still see the mess on my desk well enough. That teetering pile is of paper, stamps and some speciality glittery sticky-backed film which I've been cutting out for snowflakes. I'd forgotten I had it but after watching this Jennifer McGuires video - prompted by Shaz's seriously distracting WOYWW post last week that ended with me viewing several more of Jennifer's very instructional videos -  I remembered I had just the right supply for glittery snowflakes. I got the two cards at the back made - well almost two, the pink one needs a greeting attached. That's the snowflake dies I used in front, just waiting to be put back in their packaging. On the far left is a Lonely Planet note book and behind it a book on bullet journaling - more later.
Here's the completed card. The glittery sticky-backed film was attached to some thin cardstock to make it easier to die cut but it took several passes through my machine to cut it well enough, even after adding a couple of pieces of card as a shim. I also used wax paper in the die - that did make it easier to release the snowflake. These thin dies aren't always the easiest to cut with.

Now to the book bit. One I have read, the other I've listened to. Both are about Bullet Journaling, or BuJo as it seems to be known as in the crafting world.

First up is the book I read,  'How to Bullet Plan: A Practical Guide' by Rachel Wilkerson Miller.  I've always, from as far back as I can remember kept a diary and/or a journal and also more recently a planner and a 'to-do' list. Not to mention even more recently the various digital systems I've tried out - never successful because I prefer the act of putting pen to paper! The idea of single notebook in which to write it all down appeals. However, it all seems a bit complicated and I'm thinking that there must be an easier way. I'd like to say this book makes it so, Ms Miller writes in a very readable way, taking the reader through various processes to create a journal as simple or as elaborate as wished, but when finished reading I wasn't still sure it was for me.

Which is why I got this audio book.

 'The Bullet Journal Method' by Ryder Carroll. It seems that Mr Carroll is, in fact, the creator of bullet journaling. His personal story, and why he came to develop this organisational system, is interesting. Like me, he has tried everything to get organised - countless apps, systems, planners, you name it. Nothing really worked for him. Until, that is, he created  his own simple system that required only pen and paper, which, like me, he found much more to his liking. 'He shared his method with a few friends, and before long he had a worldwide viral movement. Hundreds of thousands of Bullet Journal fans now spread the word ...'. (Quote from Amazon.) A comprehensive PDF file comes with the audiobook - it's 62 pages long and I'm still reading my way through it.

I'm still trying to work out how to adapt the system to my needs. I'm retired and I'm no longer juggling the demands of family and work, so much of what both authors describe does not apply to me. My life seems so much simpler in comparison until I think about what I need to do and, indeed, what I want to do. I still have appointments, a wish list, a to-do list, and a diary to keep so I'm hoping I can devise something very uncomplicated - it has to be uncomplicated to make the effort worthwhile - by taking ideas from both these books.  I'll give it a try and I'll let you know how I get on.

If you haven't participated in What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday before but fancy joining in the fun do pop over to the Stamping Ground where you can find all the information you need here. It's really too easy, post a photo of your desk, tidy or messy it doesn't matter, and add your link to all the others. It's fun, you'll see.

In the meantime, have a very happy WOYWW and a great week ahead.

20 comments:

Sarah Brennan said...

Hi Elizabeth, I am intrigued to see what you come up with having read/listened to both books. Love the snowflake card, clean and simple and the splash of glitter is perfect. Happy WOYWW. Sarah #8

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I've always admired those Bullet Journals especially the ones where people illustrate them and turn the format into something artistic. I'd love to have the time to do that, imagine the inspiration each day we opened it.
Your glittery snowflake card is fab.
Happy Halloween & thanks for sharing woyww.
Tracey #6

Annie said...

Good luck with the new venture....I'm not sure I would be up to the task in what little time I have spare but it sounds a really lovely thing to do. I've just finished the cutting out of the 24 body panels for the 6 bears[ all chosen by the recipients so I've had to take my time and get them all right] and have just sewn all 6 bears together so tomorrow will be a day of stuffing and finishing them all off plus shortening of the 3 pair of trousers and 2 skirts that have also arrived today!! As I said so little time and so much to do :-) :-)
Hugs,
Annie x # 11

Neet said...

Not sure bullet journalling would work for me. All these shortcuts never seem to work - like the password keeper - I forgot the password to get into it! LOL But I do like making lists!
On admiring your snowflake card I am going to check the link to Jennifer McGuire. Keep my mind occupied.
Glad hubbie is responding well to his new gadget.
Hugs, Neet 2 xx

Helen said...

Loving that card! I don't get the whole bullet journal thing but maybe that is because I don't have a very full life.. work, kew, work, kew lol!! Helen #1

Christine said...

Don't know if I would use a journal like that. I find my Blog and a 'end of day' diary keep me up to date.
Have a good week
Christine #19

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Yours is a great desk! Loving the snowflake card too. Good luck with the journal. I'm only any good at Art journals as I get fed up and move on to something else. Have a great crafty week and a happy woyww, Angela x18x

Claire said...

Good luck with the bullet journalling - I'm still trying to adapt it for what works best for me...
Happy WOYWW (belated) :)
Claire, no. 4

Sue said...

Hi Elizabeth, You look set for more beautiful Christmas cards.

I don't think you can beat a diary and a To Do list.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Happy WOYWW
Sue #16

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated WOYWW and thank you for your earlier visit to my blog. Interesting to hear that you used to be a VA - would love to hear more about that (email me at aliwadeva@gmail.com). Bullet Journalling - I have also admired it, but also didn't have the patience to sit down and set it all up. I use digital planners now, and just insert the layouts/pages/note pages to suit me. I like to do a bit of decorating with some 'stickers' and photos, but I am developing a system that suits my life. Ali x #3

Lunch Lady Jan said...

It has been a (mostly) beautiful October here in Wales, this past week has been gorgeous, lovely sunny days, blue skies and glorious colours, what's not to love eh? I admire your bullet point determination - I've never been a list/plan maker so it would be useless for me but I can see why it can have appeal.
That's a gorgeous snowflake card btw, that naughty Shaz, she's a real enabler eh?!
Hugs LLJ 5 xxx

Julia Dunnit said...

My system is a shambles Elizabeth, and although everything gets done, I would like to see how you fare in creating something that works for you. I too am a pen and paper gal...as if the act of committing it to paper means I can erase it from my mind to be safely kept elsewhere! I love the snowflake..I think it’s the plastic content in the sticky back material that has made cutting so hard, I’ve got some colured glitter paper that simply will not cut successfully and have been told by Mr Dunnit to give in before I break another Big SHot. SO told!! Love the low sun on your desk, and well, what’s a gal to do if she cant create a topply pile now and then!!

shazsilverwolf said...

Hi Elizabeth, love the snowflake card. Glad you're enjoying Jennifers videos- I'm loving them. I like that she uses her stash creatively, and isn't there to push brands/products. And that she's honest- if products she uses are expensive, she says so. Have a lovely week, Hugs, Shaz #12 X

Lindart said...

I did look into Bullet Journaling last year, it looks no organized, neat, intriguing,and I loved seeing other people's journals but I decided it just wasn't for me! Too much detail, too much writing, I like my messy Daily Calendar book that I can scribble on and mess up any way I like! But if Bullet Journaling is your cup of tea, I can't wait to see you master it! (and I'm sure you will!)
The snowflake card is very pretty! I have one of those snowflake dies as well, and they are rather time-consuming. Have a great week, Lindart #21

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Thank you for your visit and lovely comments. The problem of art teachers is no better these days. I love your snowflake card, clean and fresh. xxx Maggie #14

Marit said...

Yes, I can perfectly see the mess on your desk ;) Aren't the day's wonderful with those blue skies and low sun? In Holland the weather is still beautiful (crisp Autumn days) and I do hope it stays this way a little longer... I usually hate November for the cold and rain but October seems to linger a bit longer, hooray! I've never worked in a bullit journal myself, I'll stick to my own system and the usual art journals but it works for a lot of people so I wish you fun with it! Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day, happy ~belated~ Woyww and a big hug from Holland. Marit #17

Shoshi said...

I hope you have fun with the bullet journaling, Elizabeth. I’ve seen quite a bit about it online and find it very intriguing and some people’s efforts are so artistic and a feast for the eyes! However, I’m far too disorganised these days... also, I don’t think I have enough appointments to make it make sense for me and my little pocket diary and a to do list if I’m especially busy, usually work OK for me. I can’t wait to see what you come up with so I hope you will share your efforts with us as time goes on. A lovely pile of stash on your desk this week! I love your sparkly snowflake card with the deposed area behind the snowflake. Sorry that sparkly stuff was such a pain to cut. I’ve just bought a brush thingy for getting bits out of complicated dies but if it hasn’t cut properly in the first place I guess that wouldn’t really help much.

Thank you for your lovely comment and especially for the sourdough hints. I haven’t had a chance to follow up on that yet but will certainly do so. I think the ingredients for mine are OK - it’s more a question of correct dough handling but I have made more successful loaves in the past so I think temperature plays a part, too. What a learning curve sourdough is, to be sure! As for the support pants, the first pair eventually arrived and they are fine, so I immediately contacted the company and they should get the remaining 2 pairs to me quickly, as long as the message gets passed along properly! You are right - someone needs sorting out, for sure!

Happy belated WOYWW,
Shoshi #9

craftyani said...

Like you I got way laid with Shaz and her stripy patterns. Bullet Journalling is beyond me. Ani#10

Twiglet said...

Your little snowflake makes a perfect card Elizabeth - stylish but not too fiddly once you have mastered the cutter (what do I know!! lol) I am a pen/paper girl - I write stuff on an organiser calendar and that's my lot! But then I am not a very good organiser so maybe your new plan might be a good one! xx Jo

Kyla said...

I love bullet journals too. Took me a year to find a style to suit my needs but I have kept to the same design (double page for a month) for about a year.