A Few Thoughts on Telling Your Story

A couple weeks back, Laura posted a great question in the comments of the weekly Currently List Post

 "Question for you. I've been using your currently cards since the beginning of the year...I fill them out on Sundays, and I've been wondering: for your "watching" and "listening" and, well, basically all of them, do you try to summarize the week, or just the day you fill it out, or what? Over a week I'll have watched several different TV shows/movies, listened to several songs/artists/podcasts, etc. Actually most of the other ones I don't have a problem with, as those things have endured for the week, so it works. Any suggestions for those more fleeting activities? Thanks."

There really is no single right answer. 

But there are a couple of different approaches to take.

1. Overview: Write out the list at roughly the same time each week and try to create a general overview of the week, highlighting key things that stand out. 
2. Right Now: Write out the list at whatever times strike your fancy. Go with a 'right now' mentality, embrace the fleeting moments and write the list while answering the question, "What am I currently thinking/feeling/loving right at this moment". Really make it a snapshot of life.
3. Mixed: (This is my usual approach) Write this list at the same time on a regular basis but ask the question, "What am I currently thinking/watching/reading right at this moment".  This way you're capturing the same fleeting snapshot of life on a week to week basis. 
4. Freeform: Answer whichever questions pertain to you when you're writing out your list. If you aren't reading anything this week -- skip it. If you're Eating something special -- add that in. The Currently stamp makes it easy to make up your own list, like I did here: 

and here are a few personal thoughts about I look at the questions on a week to week basis

• I fill my list out on Thursday nights. I either write down exactly what I'm reading/watching at that specfic time unless there is something that really dominates my week
• Watching -- its usually either shows I'm actually watch on Thursday nights; or I've put show's like Revenge and Once Upon a Time; because I binge watched each of those shows during a given week
• Listening -- if there's a song that I've put on repeat; I'll use that -- or sometimes I just go with the audiobook I;m listening to before I go to bed. And if I still can't come up with something; I'll go a little bit meta; listening to: the thoughts in my head. 

How would you answer Laura's question? What's your approach to Currently? Please leave a comment below and let me know how you document your story with the Currently Journaling Cards. 

Pick up the new currently stamp and journaling cards right here in the rukristin papercrafts shop. 

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I'm a Pen Snob & You Should Be Too

I love writing with a pen and paper. There's just something that feels really good about putting some ink on a new page. I can let my whole mind flow freely right out through my hand; creating words and sentences; paragraphs and then stories. My One Little Word for 2013 is 'Write', and I've been looking for ways to incorporate my word into my life and to use my word as a chance to inspire others. 

It all starts by picking up that special pen. 

That special pen can be any kind of pen you want it to be -- no judgments (even if you're a ball point pen person). But your special pen should make you excited to write.

There are plenty of times where I'll get a new pen and then just make up pretend to-do lists or write 'i love you' fifty times. A pen for me is like a brand new chew toy for a puppy, I just want to play with it -- I don't even care if I'm doing it right.

Do you have that special pen that speaks to you? If not, maybe its time to find a new one. I've reviewed a couple of my favorite pens in hopes that one or two might become your favorite too. 

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Currently List: Week 3

8 Questions. 52 Weeks. Embracing Right Now. 

The Currently Journaling Challenge takes one minute out of your week to document your story right now.  

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Currently: Week 2

8 Questions. 52 Weeks. Embracing Right Now. 

The Currently Journaling Challenge takes one minute out of your week to document your story right now.  

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Currently: Week One

8 Questions. 52 Weeks. Embracing Right Now. 

The Currently Journaling Challenge takes one minute out of your week to document your story right now.  

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One Year of Journaling and a Giveaway

I'm incredibly excited to announce that I'm contributing to Lemon & Raspberry's newest workshop One Year of Journaling. Amy has put together a great list of contributors including the amazing Elise Blaha Cripe, Megan of The Nerd Nest, and more.

Make this next year the year you journal YOUR STORY.

How it works:

You need some inspiration? Some place to start with journaling your story?

Sign up for one (or both) of the One Year journaling series.

One email each week for a full year – all with a journaling idea.

All with an example of how one of the contributors interpreted the journaling prompt.

 I think that taking the time out of your life to document the everyday stuff is incredibly important. I'll be contributing to both One Year of Everyday and Our First Year Together. Sign up for one or both courses to get the journaling prompts sent to your email each week. Because its a self-paced course, you don't have to worry about finishing in a set time -- the prompts will be accessible forever. 

This is a great project to integrate into Project Life. Along with my weekly project life journaling challenge Currently, I'll be adding in some of the One Year prompts to further tell my story. 

Sign-up for the One Year of Everyday email series or the Our First Year email series

or ENTER THE GIVEAWAY and have a chance to win a subscription to both series!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you a journaler? Do you want to write more but don't have much time? Make sure to check out my brand new Project Life/Journaling challenge Currently: Telling Your Story. One Week at a Time.

 

**Links to LemonandRaspberry.com are affliate links. Thanks for supporting rukristin papercrafts!

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Currently: Telling Your Story. One Week at a Time

Currently is my brand new weekly blog series starting in 2013. 

This project is about taking a minute out of your week to write down what is going on right now.  

How it Works: 

Currently fits in perfectly with Project Life and can easily be tailored to whatever your needs are. 

Here's how I'll be doing it: Each week I'll be filling out a 3x4 Currently journaling card with and inserting it in my Project Life spread for the week. 

  

Every Friday I'll be sharing my currently list here on my blog, as well as on various social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook using the hashtag #currentlylist. 

It'll be great to look back and see how the answers have changed (or remained the same) throughout the year. 

How to Play Along: 

• Download the free Currently Project Life Journaling cards and play along each week (or whatever works for you).
• Spread the word about Currently by tweeting this post or sharing this link on facebook. 
• Share your Currently list on twitter, instagram and other social media networks using the hashtag #currentlylist. 
• Look for new colors and seasonal cards in the shop later this month.

Did you enjoy this post? Make sure to come back around! Subscribe to this blog & follow me on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook. 

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5 Tips to Capturing Your Right Now

Do you take the time to capture the 'right now'? Today we'll talk about how to document what's currently going on in your life. 

'Right Now' scrapbooking is one of my favorite ways to scrapbook. I recently completed this 'Right Now' Mini book. It's so much fun to go back and see what music I was listening to, what tv shows I was watching, what books I had on my desk and whatever else was important at that moment. Here is a printable .pdf journaling prompt download to go along with today's post. 

5 Tips to Capturing Your Right Now

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25 Tips to Rock Your December Daily

25 Tips to Rock Your December Daily:

Pages

1. Add holiday confetti to a clear envelope or divided page protector
2. Add a calendar for the week or the month to show an overview of important events 
3. Create a collage photo page when you have too many pictures to just pick one! 
4. Don't worry about sticking to your prepared page. If you just aren't feeling it, change it up!
5. Add a pop of color. Pick a bright color or some glittery glitz and use it to brighten up your book.

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5 Tips for Improving Your Handwriting

The Written Word: 5 Tips for Improving Your Handwriting

1. Practice: Work on your handwriting whenever you can. Writing down notes, to-do lists, or just random journaling when you have some extra time. If you consistently work on improving your handwriting, it will naturally evolve over time. 
2. Find Your Pen: Figure out what pen works best for you. My favorite pen is the Penstix India Ink pen. I always have one with me, an extra in my purse, and one on my scrapbook table. Try using thicker tipped pens, thinner tipped pens, ball point, markers, pencils; and find out which one you feel most comfortable with. 
3. Try Writing Differently: Do you normally print? or are you a cursive-type writer? Switch it up and see how changing your writing style can help you to incorporate new ways of making your letters. 
4. Identify Your Weaknesses: What specifically do you not like about your handwriting? Which letters, which loops? Identify those problems and work on them specifically. I hated my number 2 for a while, so for a solid month I spent time every day (whenever I was writing) and worked on making my 2's look better. 
5. Take Pride in Your Writing: Everyone's handwriting is unique. You're never going to have the exact same handwriting as someone else, so try not to spend too much time comparing. Your handwriting should be a mark of who you are, so be proud of it and you'll learn to love it even more. 

I've written before about my favorite writing supplies. Sometimes a new pen or notebook is just the thing to get you motivated in a new direction. Other posts on the written word can be found here. 

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The Written Word: Push Yourself to Journal Everyday

Last week I talked about where I'm headed with this blog. Today I'm going to share a project that highlights two of the areas that I'm focusing on: journaling/writing & putting more me into my creative projects.  

This is my 30 Days of Lists journal. I wanted to go minimalist, but I also wanted something that had a central theme running through all the pages.

My Themes

1. Patterned Grid Paper: Each page is made out of grid paper. Assorted colors, sizes, etc. 
2. Front Side: Single Lawn Fawn Book Stamp with day/list number inside & list title running up the side
3. Back Side: Lists hand-written with number stickers 

List One: I am a lister because...

Writing every day has been important. Its made me write better, write quicker, and it made it easier to come up with topics to write about. Even just jotting down lists helps getting the writing process moving.

This journal lets me concentrate on the writing aspect without losing the fun/creative part. Because I've set those general rules for myself, I can still make a few creative choices (what color paper, or which number stickers) while focusing on the written words.

List Two: Goals for this month...

Check out more information about 30 Days of Lists here.
Looking for some new journaling supplies? I've reviewed my favorites.

Questions for you: 

• What steps have you taken steps to write more? 
• Do you ever feel like certain projects are more 'you' than others? 

Leave your thoughts in the comments section. 

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The Written Word: Journaling Supplies

As summer draws to a close, I'm gearing up for a couple of exciting fall activities:

• School
• Football
• 30 Days of Lists

Along with the changing of the seasons, I'm excited to finally have a firm grasp for where I'm going with this blog. It's important for me to stick with my strengths and tweak them to be interesting to readers. About a month ago I came up with the tag line 'a quirky take on memory-keeping'; and I think that really sums up what I'm going for. Not just scrapbooking, or paper-crafting, or another crafty blog -- but me, and the way I do memory-keeping. iPhone pictures, lists, social-media, all the stuff that gets used on a day-to-day basis. Which will hopefully inspire other people to do the same. So going forward, along with the scrapbooking and paper-crafting posts, I'll be talking a lot more about everyday ways to supplement your memory-keeping. Whether it be journaling prompts, social media tips, handwriting techniques, and whatever else comes along. I'm thrilled that I've finally found my niche. 

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Project Life Essentials: My Must Haves

These are my Project Life Essentials. They are all products that I use week-in and week-out. They sit on my table when I'm making my pages, and today I'm going to share them with you. I only recommend products that I use consistently and really love. If you have any questions please feel free to email me or leave a comment at the bottom!

The Basics:

• Becky Higgins Page Protectors -- these divided page protectors make it easy to break up your week into little snippets and document all the fun everyday moments. I mainly use the Design F pages, but the Design A, and Variety Packs are also popular.

• Project Life Core Kits (currently unavailable: expected mid-august-september) -- these kits have enough cards to get you through an entire year. I tend to use them sparingly throughout my book, but they are great to have on hand for quick pages and jotting down lists or notes. I have both Clementine and Cobalt; but I'm also liking the look of the new Cherry kit as well. 

• Project Life Grid Cards (currently unavailable) -- I use these all the time; both for Project Life and for various notes and lists I write for myself. I even use these cards to sketch out my Project Life layout for the week, the grid lines help to keep everything even. 

***Don't worry if these are unavailable; its super easy to use your own stash to make all the cards you 

need. 

The Tools

• Fiskars Softgrip 8-Inch Scissors - I've tried lots of scissors, and these are the ones I always come back to, especially for Project Life. They are a great size, not too big & not too small. I use them every day, and they clean very easily for a brand-new feel every time. 

• Corner Rounder -- This EK Success punch is the one I use. It's small and fits on my desk. It works every time and never gives me any problems. 

• Silhouette Cameo -- I use my Silhouette all the time, It's great for cutting out titles, and making lots of journaling cards. This starter kit from Amazon is a great deal: Silhouette Cameo Starter Kit Bundle Cutter. There are lots of different retailers who sell the Silhouette Cameo; I bought mine off Amazon because of the reasonable price and the super fast shipping. Here's a list of all the free Silhouette cuts that I've created, please feel free to download and use any of them. 

• Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher -- This is by far my favorite little tool. It's a strong mini stapler that has a good reach. Its great for attaching ticket stubs or any other memorabilia, and for adding a little bit of texture/dimension.

• Zig Millennium Markers -- These are my main journaling pens. They are a pure black color. I use all the sizes but I'm most partial to the .005 for fine writing, the .03 for regular journaling, and the .08 for a bolder look. 

• India Ink Pen -- If I had to use just one pen for the rest of my life; this would be it. It has a great feel, and it writes super smooth. The color is a bit of a faded black, which I really like. Sometimes the Zig markers are just too harsh of a black, and this India Ink pen has just the right amount of fade to blend into pages and pockets that are a bit more muted. 

Paper & Embellishments

• 6x6 Paper Pads -- I love working with the smaller size paper for Project Life, the prints are all shrunk down and look better in the smaller pockets. A few of my favorites: Studio Calico: Classic Calico (probably the best neutral 6x6 pad out there), Crate Paper: Storyteller (love the muted tones & map pages), Studio Calico: Hey Day (love all the various & well coordinating colors). 

• Clear Stamps -- Stamps are definitely the most economical embellishments, I use several of the same sets each week. I keep them right on my desk with a couple of ink pads and integrate them into almost all of my PL pockets. Here are a few of my most used sets:

 Studio Calico: Stepping Stone Alphabet 

Studio Calico: Hey Y'All

Lawn Fawn: Sophie's Sentiments

• Hero Arts Shadow Inks -- I love the saturation of these, they ink a bit blotchy at first, but then spread out as they dry to a really pretty color. I use wet cement the most, followed by soft pool & butter bar. I just recently ordered soft pink & the new neon colors. 

• Prima Inks -- I have these chalk inks in lots of colors. Its a great way to expand your ink colors without breaking the bank. They're also small and don't take up too much room on the desk/in the ikea cart. Starter color recommendations: Ladybug (a real red), Moss Lawn, Teal Damask, Attic Dust, & Old Road.

   

• Washi Tape -- I have lots of washi. I use washi on pretty much every pocket. You get a ton of it on a roll, it can act as ribbon, patterned paper, sticker, access. Two Peas had a great tutorial on using washi in Project Life, I was lucky enough to guest design for the challenge. Washi suppliers: Freckled Fawn, Love My Tapes, & Two Peas has a good selection. 

These are my most loved Project Life products; the essentials that I need each week and can't go without. I'll keep this list updated to include any new products that make their way into this list. If you have any questions at all, feel free to leave them in the comment section and I'll do my best to answer them!

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