Another month is here! Time to create a layout to make note of all the wonderful memories you make this month.

First, I created a watercolor background and painted lettered on that. I was concerned about bleed-thru with the watercolors, so I created the piece by cutting a 5x7 sized sheet of HP LaserJet Premium paper and working from there.

When laying down the water background to place the plastic bag on, I used my Finetec watercolor to add some extra metallic sparkle to the background.

Next, I created the layout for my daily entires. I wanted to do a different layout from last month, so I tried to fit them all on one side of my planner

Unfortunately i completely FAILED at this. At the last second I thought I would add some more lettering so it wouldn't be so boring. UGH! I forgot to tape down the watercolor piece before I started, so I awkwardly added it in the middle (but them kept bumping it around).

Because October has 31 days, I created a long skinny 31st entry all the way at the bottom of the page, but forgot it was supposed to be there and ended up drawing my vertical lines too long.

No matter though, because the bottom of the page was out of frame anyway, so your couldn't even see what I was working on <eyeroll, face palm>

We'll see if I keep up this layout. I have a feeling, due to the smaller size of the boxes I might have a difficult time keeping my thoughts in the space provided.

How about you? Do you use some sort of Memory / Gratitude Tracker in your Planner? 👇

MATERIALS USED (the following contains affiliate links, which do not increase an item's cost to you, but does pay me a small commission if you are so kind as to make a purchase based on my recommendation)

Markers: Tombow Dual Tip Brush Pens, I have all 96, but this is a great starter pack

Paint Brush: Pentel Aquash Brush, in this piece I used two different sized brushes, so do yourself a favor and get the 3-pack

Metallic Watercolors: Finetec Metallic Watercolors, Gold Palette (though this set is fairly compatible for a more reasonable price)

White Paint: Dr. Ph. Martin's Bleed Proof White, the most opaque white paint on the market

Paper: HP LaserJet Premium , it's 32lb, so it holds up to watercolors well

Black Pen: Tombow Mono Drawing Pen, I used the 03 size here, but also use the 01 and 05 regularly too

Hooray for a new month! (AND the first blog post on my new website!)

Recently I started creating a "Gratitude Log" in my DIY planner for each month. Normally I letter the words first, then I add boxes all around the rest of the spread (one for each day of the month). Buuuuuut because I was trying to be "slick" for my video I estimated how much space I thought the letters would take and I tried to plan my boxes first.

BIG MISTAKE! I got flustered half-way thru 'September' because I didn't leave myself enough room and completely forgot how to "bounce" my letters <face palm>.

I also took it a step further and recorded the full layout of the Gratitude Log. This was my first video recording from this height, so please excuse my nose and crazy hair in some of the shots. Next time I know to not lean in and also braid my hair before hand! 😂

Comment and let me know what you think! I can also create a digital version of the layout if people are interested.

Below are some of the products I used to create this layout. NOTE: these are Affiliate Links, so while the item price to you doesn't change i do receive a small commission if you are so kind as to make a purchase from my recommendations.

Brush Pens - Sakura Koi Brush Pens (I usually use Tombow Dual Tips, but from my DIY Planner, these stay "wet" a little longer for blending)

Blending Pen - I did use the Tombow Colorless Blender for this

Notebook - I really love my Leuchtturm 1917 hardcover dot grid.

Fine Tip Pen - I usually use Staedtler Fineliners but I recently discovered the Tombow Mono Drawing Pens and really like the 03 for making boxes and 01 for writing in my planner (That one isn't an affiliate link 😉 )

Metallic Accents - were created with the Gold G2 Gel Pen from this set