What I've been up to

Hello everyone!!

I know I've been neglecting my blog, not writing, not updating the links to my pictures (which are now living happily after at ipernity), etc etc.

So I thought that since I'm feeling a bit inspired tonight, it would be a good time to let you know what I've been up to all this time.

Those of you who visit my etsy store regularly, might have seen that I've been, slowly but steadily, adding more items to my shop.

For those of you who are now discovering this blog, I am in love with stationery, and making notebooks is one of my favourite hobbies. 

For a while now I have been focusing mainly on making refills for Midori's Traveler's Notebooks, both the large and the Passport size. I really enjoy trying out different kinds of paper, paper that is hard to get, and coming up with cover designs and colours that will set your notebook apart.

But notebooks aren't the only thing I enjoy. I'm also designing blog headers and etsy banners.

As a matter of fact, this month I was commissioned by Meredith to design the header for her blog The Palette Muse. Meredith told me she really liked my handpainted Sakura header, but instead of the pink hues and cherry blossoms, she wanted it in blue and with dandelions.

Not a problem!

The end result is an exclusive watercolour header that she really likes, and that I really enjoyed painting.

Now go and visit her blog! ;)

What's happened to my pictures?

I thought I should write a quick update and let you know why you're not being able to view my pictures at the moment.

After much ruminating, I finally took the big decision to leave Flickr, as I wasn't happy with the service anymore (will blog about it at a later time).

Like many unhappy Flickr users, I've also emigrated to Ipernity, which has an interface very much like the 'old' Flickr used to have. 

I have transferred all (except some that were lost during transition, yet another story) my photos there.

This means that I will have to manually edit the url of every single image on here that was hosted in the old site.

Since this process might take a while, I'm not sure when all images will be restored.

Ah, yes. this is my Ipernity link:

www.ipernity.com/home/onigiri-sama

Do come by and visit, even though I'm still settling in ;)

thanks,

Oni

Cheating on Mark

Although I really love my Mark's Tokyo Edge planner, with its lush paper and its awesome and stylish colour, I've been left feeling a bit unsatisfied as of late.

I miss the Moleskine week with notes layout because of the extra space I had for notes and doodles. As a matter of fact, before I got the Mark's I was going to get another 18 month planner because I felt it had worked quite well last time. But of course, the allure of trying a new, Japanese planner in lime green was too hard to resist. And although I do like the weekly layout in columns, I've grudgingly had to accept that the day columns just aren't wide enough for me.

I really  hate not finishing a planner, switching to a new one at a random date, especially when we're only in April. So I considered trying a Filofax with planner inserts designed by me. I could just create inserts for April, see how it goes. If I like it, and don't mind using the Filofax, I can stick with it for a month, while at the same time still using the Mark's as a backup, in case the Filo doesn't work. Once the month is up I can either create more inserts or go back to my Japanese.

This past weekend, perfect as it was the start of the month, I designed the inserts with the mole's layout in mind, made the paper size bigger for more space. The day spaces are the same in height, but narrower due to the smaller page size and the spacing for the rings. The weekend slot is shared, I personally don't mind that as I don't need more space.

I have started using it last Monday (1st of April) and am only carrying this month's inserts and a few lined pages for notes. It makes the Filo quite thin. I am also being good and updating it every day, writing down my daily tasks and future appointments. So far it's going well.

But there is one thing that bugs me A LOT:

The rings!

Because I like the week on the left page, when writing, the rings get in the way, making my handwriting crooked. I do not want to swap the layout, and I don't want to be opening and closing the rings non-stop to take the page out every time I want to write something down. (Yeah, I know I'm nuts!)

I honestly can't remember how I managed to use a Filofax a few years back without any problem, maybe because the day spaces were much bigger, it wasn't such an issue, or the fact that it was always quite fat, made the rings less protruding? If the latter is the case, I will try adding extra inserts and see how it goes.

I will keep you all updated on how this little tryout is going next week.

Hope you had a lovely weekend,

Oni

New notebook: Leuchtturm1917

Disclaimer: I meant to blog this a month ago, but I was busy and kept putting it off. Sorry :P

So I caved in and bought yet another notebook! Sure, if I were using all the ones I currently own, that would be ok (I guess), but at the moment I am only using my Midori Traveler's Notebook with two of my own refills. I also use a Field Notes which lives inside my bag.

Back to the one I got, it's a Leuchtturm 1917, a notebook about which I've only heard good things. So in my defense, I purchased it for research purposes. ;)

I decided to get it in the colour I've been very into for the past few years: Lime Green. My Mark's planner is also lime green, as well as my beloved Vert Pre ink from J.Herbin and the new fountain pen I got last month.

Upon opening it, I was greeted by two small pieces of paper: a catalogue booklet with more products and the company's history, and a Thank You card, something I really appreciate.

Inside the back pocket there was another surprise in the form of four label stickers, a couple for the front and the other two for the spine for archiving. Such a cool detail!

Other features that definitely makes Leuchtturm stand out from the competition are:
An index page and numbered pages, not to mention the good quality of the paper.
Mine has got the dot grid, which I find perfect for writing and sketching.

I still haven't used it, and honestly, I should be banned from getting new notebooks as I already have quite a few which are unused, waiting silently for their turn to come. But it was just sooooo pretty and I simply couldn't resist!

Have any of you used a Leuchtturm before? How do you like them?

Quick due update

I know, I know, I haven't been able to be constant with my writing here. I guess I was just busy doing other stuff, but mostly, not doing much at all (and believe me, that takes time!).

I thought I should at least let you know that I'm currently working on more 21Kittens projects (which will be revealed once they're ready), that are not just notebooks. I am not being able to be constant though, because I am once again moving house. So yes, I am slowly starting to be surrounded by boxes and bags as we speak.

Stationery-wise, the situation is a bit chaotic. I am trying to use my planner as much as possible, and I am starting to notice where its faults are. I guess I can elaborate more on this on Monday's post. (I have jotted down a reminder of this in my planner right now!) See? I am trying.

Then, my sidekick, the beautiful Midori, has been helping me to keep track of the days, but, ever since receiving my first Leuchtturm1917,

I have been plagued by doubts about continuing with the Midori. Or, having just one sidekick.
Honestly, the thoughts inside my head are so jumbled up, that I can't really explain with words all those thought processes going on.

And lastly, this winter is really getting to me. It's lasting forever!! Argh!!

This is Oni, signing off for now.

The Dial Organiser

Hello everyone!!!!

I am sorry for not having written anything for nearly two weeks, I have been with a serious case of writer's block, which I am now trying to break by posting this entry now.

I wanted to tell you about my latest 21Kittens project:

The Dial Organiser!

It is an idea I have had for a while now, ever since I saw Muji's Chronotebook online (sadly discontinued). 

At first, I thought of making my own Filofax refills, but because I was so enamoured with my Filo and its own system, I knew I would not use them. So the idea got shelved.

A few years later, I was reminded of the dial system when I saw the Chronodex, created by Patrick Ng. He even made a downloadable version compatible with the Midori TN, which has a very cool design!

I used his system on a few occasions when I needed extra help with organising my tasks, and I must say it came in quite handy and helped me get things done!

I must say though, that the only thing that doesn't quite work for me, is that only one dial is used to represent a whole day. The area alloted from 9 to 11 (both am and pm) get very crowded and confusing.

Recently, I started using the dial system again as a back up for my planner, to help me achieve tasks on busy days. It has worked wonderfully! Especially on really long days where I need to use two dials to separate my morning from my afternoon.

I have found that the dial system comes in handy when I've got a very busy days and can't get my head organised, like when there are so many things to do that you don't know where to start.

I will normally start by writing down the most immediate task at hand (shower, breakfast) and then the most important of the day (meeting, appointment, etc). Once these events have been written down, I am able to get a clear overview of the day, thus allowing me to allocate the rest of the things around them (laundry, post office, lunch, bank, etc).

If I need to remember other stuff, I will simply make a note of it next or below the dial. This keeps my day view neat and uncluttered.

Back to my Dial Organiser, I have designed the layout to have the left page with two dials (am and pm), and the right page is ruled for notes

And because it is a great tool to use during specific periods, (exams, house moves, multiple projects), I included Start and Finish slots in the title page so you can write down when the notebook was used.

Size-wise, it is about the size of a Field Notes memo, making it quite convenient to carry with your planner or Filo, so you don't have to replace your planner.

Here is where you can find it.

For now it is only available in notebook(bound) form, but if you would like me to make some refills for your Filofax, I'd be glad to do it. Just leave me a comment or a convo on my etsy store.

What are your thoughts? :)

To Do Lists

(Please excuse the lack of pics on today's post, but I was out of time. Hope you will still read it, though.)

Ah, those darned To Do Lists! They shrink, they grow, they morph into an unachievable mass! (Well, at least mine do.)

Sometimes a system that was once infallible, will stop working. Just like life, I guess.

When I used my Filofax, I had a separate section dedicated to my To Do lists. It was a glorious time for I was able to tick around 98% of the items listed in a timely fashion.

After a while though, I would forget to check that section, which resulted in many tasks not done. So I resorted to writing them on the day spaces of my diary section. This was probably the method that best worked, as I would see each day what had to be done.

But that also stopped working, or should I say, I slowly grew undisciplined that I stopped doing them, and eventually I even stopped writing them down.

For what seems to me an eternity I allowed myself to slack. I only pencilled in very important tasks, such as paying the rent and house bills. The other stuff I would just remember to do them - and DO them that moment, or as soon as I re-remembered them. It was chaos. The house started to get messier, I stopped planning my stationery projects, lost contact with online peeps.

I knew I had to tackle this, but wasn't sure how. So I took the 'one step at a time' approach. In my sidekick notebook, I would write down a couple of things or chores I had to do, and really work towards getting them done. Slowly, slowly, I started to feel more encouraged to do those tasks, and without even noticing, I'd be adding more items to the list.

Now I suddenly find myself wanting to prepare my list the day before. Yet I find myself undecided as to how to do this! Should I write them on my daily spaces inside my planner? Or inside my sidekick notebook?

The problem I see in both choices:

Planner: I might not check it daily, and thus not get things done.

Sidekick: the tiny OCD part in my brain doesn't allow me to use it for future stuff. Every day I start by writing the date and then listing what I have or want to do on the day. Not tomorrow, not next week. If I haven't done all the day's tasks, I write an X next to them, and they are added to my list on the next day.

But I think the main reason I don't prepare my list the day before is because I do not want to be overwhelmed by the stuff I need to do.

Huh? What do you know! I think I just answered my own question! I guess I'll just keep with my current system for a while.

The Travelogue

This past Xmas my sister in law and her husband gave me a really cool present: a Travelogue.

It is a beautiful box set in cardboard containing 8 map pages on one side and a complete travel journal on the other.

The maps show the following world regions: Africa, Australasia, Eastern Eurasia, Europe, North America 1, North America 2, South America and Western Eurasia. The fun thing about these maps though, is that you can scratch the top layer off to reveal the countries you've visited in a particular region.

There is also a handy checklist printed on the left side of the box set to keep track of the regions visited.

The right side of this set contains the travel journal.

The first page contains 'My Details', to fill in with pertinent info about you.

The next section is called 'Planning', where you can write down your itineraries in handy, easy to read boxes and notes section.

You then find a checklist to ensure you don't forget anything important. There are three tickboxes for each item in this list, which means you can use it three times (and if you add more tickboxes by hand, you will be able to use it even more.) :)

After the checklist, there is a whole spread to plan your budgets.

Then comes the 'Diary' section, where you can write about your travels, paste mementos, photos, etc., and jot down your expenses. 

It also contains a handy contacts section for you to keep in touch with all the nice people you meet around the world, as well as keeping important addresses from back home. You might want to send them some postcards, right?

Speaking of postcards, at the end of this section, there is even a page for you to keep track whom you sent mail to! How cool is that?!

The last section is called 'Useful Information' and it contains just that: Unit conversions, and useful phrases in English, Spanish, French, Italian and German.

This is indeed a very unique travel journal and very intelligently put together. I really like how it's been designed, from the great Kraft card cover to the scratch maps, the layout of the pages and the choice of topics. It is simply gorgeous!

 Now if only I had tons of money to travel all over the world so I could start using it!

Have a lovely weekend,

Oni.

Kraft notebook refills for your Traveler's Notebook!

Yes, you read that right! Finally, there are Kraft paper refills available at the 21Kittens etsy store.

It took me a while to find the right paper to be able to make these, I have been wanting one for myself for a while now.

Even if you don't own a Midori Traveler's Notebook yet, you can still use this little fella, as it is, after all, a notebook. It is not bulky, it is not heavy, so you can carry it with you in your bag.

Here is a list of just a few ideas of what can use it for:

• to write down lists
• to remind yourself that tonight it's your turn to cook dinner
• to write down your thoughts
• to paint with crayons
• to plan your next project
• to keep all your decoration ideas in one place
• to write down all the DIY stores you like visiting
• to keep your Instax mini photos
• to keep all those business cards you just can't part with
• to keep a log of your gecko's (and other pets) health
• to draw all those flowers you see on your walks
• to keep track of your finances
• to draw a treasure map for your kid's next birthday party
• to write love letters you'll never send

Now you can't say you don't know what to use it for. And if you need even more ideas, just use your imagination (or ask me:) ).

Of course, before even starting to fold the pages, I had to test the quality of the paper.

As you can see in the picture above, I tried a few fountain pens, some gel pens, a pencil, two ballpens, and even a watercolour brush (Akashi-ya Sai).

On the next page I tried some normal watercolours applied with a waterbrush. Of course, this paper wasn't meant to take wet media, but still the effects were nice, although I wouldn't recommend trying very wet washes on it; the effect won't be as expected and the paper would buckle tremendously.

Nevertheless, the result was good: none of the pens and brushes I tried feathered nor bled through to the back. My only concern would be for the 2B pencil. Being the paper rather smooth, the graphite might smudge too much if a softer lead is used, but then again it is a matter of choice, one might want this.

Personally, I love how the blue ink from my Lamy Vista looks against that lovely Kraft brown, so I think the next refill I use in my Midori, will be one of these Kraft refills.

You can get yours here.

Planner update on a snowy day

I write this in my blog notebook on Sunday/Monday night; the clock marks 01:37 a.m.

I failed posting something last Friday as I had a slight case of 'hangover-itis'. But that is no excuse. When I redesigned this blog, I set out to write three times a week, no matter what. I was going to be organised and disciplined and get the post drafted by hand a few days in advance. Being at home, I do have the time to do this and even prepare the pictures that will go on each post.

I suppose Xmas Holidays is what happened. Seeing I would be away back home, everyone else busy with their lives, there was no point in writing about planners and notebooks. It was time to make the most of being with my friends, enjoying the beautiful weather and tasty cuisine.

I've been back for two weeks now and I'm still struggling to get back on track, not only with blogging, but also with updating my planner. No, it is not the common 'planner fail' case this time. It is just me, either being lazy, either forgetting about it.

Yes, next (this)week is looking empty on my planner, except for the moveable 'rent' sticker and a weekly appointment I pencilled in a while back.

And it's not that I'm totally free all week! I'm already meeting somebody tomorrow, a friend is back from his trip, and I have to do a few trips to the post office, not to mention other stuff I have to do.

Then why can't I shake off this lazyness and just write all those appointments down?

I suppose unconsciously, I want there to be other plans for me to write down. Plans like buying one-way tickets back home and starting new jobs and happier, warmer lives away from all this winter land.