Dutch Door Layout - Perfect for Vacation Journaling

Next week is Thanksgiving, and many of us are off work, or traveling to visit family and friends. This may have you wanting to depart from a typical "structured" weekly layout, and use something a little more flexible to help capture memories. 

A good solution in your DIY Planner is a Dutch Door Layout:

The Dutch Door Layout allows you to use a consistent header across multiple pages. Because the functional planner space is slightly less than you would normally get from a full page, it makes sense to use this for atypical weeks where your time isn't quite as structured.

I used my HP Sprocket to easily create a really fun mosaic with a picture from our trip last year. I'm even bringing my photo printer with so I can print photos each day to add them to my planner!

Where are you going on your next vacation?

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

Planner - Leuchtturm 1917 Dot Grid Planner, Hard Cover

Brush Pens (Large) - Tombow Dual Tip Brush Pens, there is also a nice Starter Kit here

Brush Pens (Small) - Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen, FLEXIBLE TIP

Photo Printer - HP Sprocket Photo Printer, I also recommend buying extra photo packs right away, as printing is addictive 😂

DIY Planner Movie Tracker - Template UPDATED

I recently updated my DIY Planner Book and Movie Tracker Template to make it slightly less cumbersome to trace.

I wanted something that was a lot less time consuming to add to a planner. The "film" look was cute, but SO time-consuming. I like the "ticket stub" look a little better.

NOTE: The planner template is available HERE until 11/01/17 as a freebie. 

After that, I plan on moving it into my shop where it will no longer be free. So, download it while you can! 

What movie is next on your "To See" list? 👇

Easily Add Photos to Your DIY Planner

Today on Instagram I posted a Friday Introduction Page from my DIY Planner, and I was able to add photo to really make it pop.

My Secret Weapon: an HP Sprocket! It makes adding photos to my DIY Planner so easy. It uses photos directly from my phone, so I don't have to choose between an instant photo or taking a shot on my phone. There are two drawbacks though: 1) The photos tend to print a little on the "pink" side, so I adjust the tint before I print (which is VERY easy to do) and 2) I recommend taking any extra photo sheets out of the printer when you're done. I left some in the printer for a couple weeks unused, and they were too "curled" to print properly.

I went thru my first pack of photo prints SO FAST I also recommend you order extra photo packs too - printing photos is kind of addicting 😂 .

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 recommendations)

Photo Printer: HP Sprocket , uses an app to print photos quickly and easily

Photo Paper: ZINK Photo Paper, the printer doesn't use ink, so you DO need to use special paper to print photos

Brush Pens: Pentel Touch Sign Pens, FLEXIBLE TIP to be able to produce thick and thin strokes

DIY Planner Page - Daily Notes with a Purpose

Now that I've started a new planner, I wanted to try and be more focused with my time. Previously I would have a weekly layout for general items, and a basic daily notes spread so I could write down things I had done each day. (Because I'm getting older and it's starting to get TOUGH to remember what I did yesterday 😅 .)

Here's the video; I'll explain my reasoning below:

I divided my activities into 7 different categories. These are areas that are important to me, my business and my family. Some to make sure the house doesn't fall over, and others to make sure *I* don't fall over!

You can pick as many / few as you'd like, and make them personal to your situation. 

I've used:

• Errands
• Business (Development)
• Creative Pursuits 
• Household Duties
• Meals
• Practice / Reading
• Me & My Family

(I also have small columns at the start and end of each row to make of awake and asleep times too.)

By dividing my activities into these categories I can try and make better decisions about how I spend my time. The categories are flexible enough, so I can "veg out" watching a TV show after my Little Dude is in bed, because YES! I need some "me time" each day.

Do you think this strategy might work for you? 👇

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

Notebook - Leuchtturm 1917 dot grid hard cover, my last notebook was a dud, and I'm so glad I ordered a new one because the page quality is SO MUCH better 

Pens (Small) - Stabilo 88 FIneliners, my new favorite pen for my planner. The tips are durable enough I can write from a variety of angles (which is important when using different lettering styles)

Pens (Brush) - Pentel Touch Sign Pens, Flexible Tip, great for practicing letter forms too