Prepping a Midori for Traveling

Update: I added a supply list to the end of this post for anyone interested in what products I like to use. Please note, the Amazon links ARE affiliate links and if you chose to shop with me, I send you a big hug and thank you for supporting this blog. I linked a few non-affiliate links, also to finish up with list.




When we went to Oregon at the end of August, I brought along my first Midori Traveler's Notebook. I'm going to share what I packed and what I learned. For starters, it totally depends on the type of vacation you are going on. We typically take our three kids (currently 6, 4 and 2), so we are always moving and pretty active. That means, I keep it pretty simple. My goal is to WRITE IT DOWN! All the cute stories, things we did, funny things said go in my notebook. My second BIGGER PICTURE GOAL is to have something when I get back home to build on. It will become my mini-album of our vacation and I don't have to rewrite the journaling.

I ordered a standard Midori insert with blank pages. I downloaded the August Daisydori printable that Cocoa Daisy offers. Currently, I believe they only offer a high quality printed version in the standard size. (This might be the way to go, if you can get it in time for your trip!) See it here at the Cocoa Daisy website. Otherwise dip into your paper stash, cut some down to size and use that! I also brought along my favorite pen (currently a black Signo). Now, I also packed my August Take 10 Kit, stamps, ink, adhesive, scissors; aaaaand I used none of that. If you know you will have lots of downtime, go for it.

I printed the Daisydori and pasted pages right into my notebook, purposely leaving blank pages here and there for more photos. 

I had these Mambi Sticks that were perfect! I packed those and did use them as as journaled, to mark what day it was.

I pre-stamped the second page to set up a quick summary page to help myself keep the days straight. This was a life saver.

We swam every afternoon, if I wasn't in the pool, I was sitting on the side writing.

If not then, I tried to catch-up in the evening. I always packed it, in case I had some time to write. 

I had fun with doodling and different handwriting, to let something stand out. For instance, a great kid quote or the name of a place we visited.

I hope this helps and inspires you to pack a Traveler's notebook on your next trip! I love the size. It's perfect to on-the-go!

I'm still filling in the photos and when I'm done, I will share the final product. See these two posts for more process: 

Midori 1

Midori 2

Supply List (Please note: These are affiliate links. Thanks for supporting this blog.)
Click on Image below to order.

Midori Traveller's Notebook - Standard Size (My Favorite Size)



I just ordered this one to add to my collection I am starting.  I'll come back later with a review after I get it. It comes with lots of extras that I also wanted.


Midori Standard Insert - These are blank on the inside like mine.


Midori Standard Insert - with grid. I also love these.


Black Signo Pen - my favorite journaling pen.


Iris Case for holding your supplies while traveling. I like to buy a set of them for keeping different kits together.




and of coarse your favorite scrapbook kit from Take 10 Kits. Use this Code for 10% off: Take10

www.thestudio29designs.com

Cocoa Daisy Printed Midori Insert


-Holly

Take 10 Tuesday: Pocket Page Layout Tip

Have you ever rearranged the order of the cards in your layout AFTER you are completely done creating the layout??? I know, it sounds crazy, but sometimes, this crazy tip can really boost your layout's balance.

In a nutshell, my process typically goes like this:

1. Pick out photos and arrangement using the Project Life App

2. Crop or resize photos and edit, if needed.

3. Print photos.

At this point, I've put my physical pictures into the designated slots per my Project Life App "plan". (Side note: I use "place holders" for my cards in the App that won't necessarily be the actual cards I use) Then come cards. Then come embellishments. And finally, journaling.

Here was my PL app plan for this layout:

 

And after I've done my embellishing and journaling, here's where I'm at:

A few things happened. I replaced the top right photo (3) with a different one I liked better. I added a digital title "Foster Beach, Chicago" to the bottom left photo (2).  The title made me want to move that photo to a top slot and I also tried out rearranging the 3x4's, which changed it to this:

 

 

Photo 3 felt a little off-balanced in that position, so I moved it to the bottom right. But doing that changed a string of other decisions and I ended up with this final layout. I really like the balance it created. The three heart stamps on cards 1, 8 and 3 now create a visual triangle that I liked.

 



I see pocket page layouts as a whole with lots of parts. You want the whole page to flow nicely, but as you work, you are looking at each part individually. So, sometimes, the "whole" needs rearranging after the "parts" have been created.

So, the next time you complete a layout,  step back and see if moving the cards slightly (or not so slightly) gives you more balance.

Miss my post that featured this layout from the July Take 10 Kit? Find it here.
Thanks,
Holly Genc



 

Take 10 Tuesday | Resize Your Stamps

Disclaimer: Many stamp companies have copyrights on their images. Please seek permission from the company before altering their stamps in any way.

The Studio 29 Designs Blog has a weekly "Take 10 Tuesday" Post and this week is my turn. Go check out past posts for more crafty tips.

Have stamp that is perfect for your layout, but need it to be a different size? That happened to me in my last layout I posted about here. I have a quick and easy solution that I whipped up with my scanner, printer and Photoshop Elements (PSE). I have a Canon Pixma one-in-all, that I used (love it.)

That ADORABLE Scoop stamp is still available, kids. Go get it here. I imagine using this stamp a TON this summer. Here's a step-by-step of what I did. There are tons of great tutorials out there for PSE basics, so please check some out if this isn't quite making sense.

1. First, stamp the image onto white paper and scan it as a jpg.
2. Open the jpg up in PSE. 
3. I scaled my image down to a mini version and reset the CANVAS SIZE to 4x6 (because I knew I would print one a 4x6 piece of white cardstock). I made the resolution 300 for good printing.
4. Make a box around the scanned image with the selection tool. 
5. Copy and paste it. (Ctrl C, Ctrl V on a PC). It will automatically put your pasted image on a new layer.
6. Right click on that new layer and select "duplicate layer".
7. This third ice cream cone is where I filled in colors I liked with the paint bucket tool. Copy and paste that color combination. Then, repeat from Step 4 with new colors.
8. After you've filled your canvas, save as a high resolution jpg.
9. Print and fussy cut.

This took me roughly ten minutes from start to finish. If I'd been more ambitious I could have used my silhouette to cut out all of them. That seemed like too long of a process for my need at this time, but what a good idea if you need a lot of them.

Take 10 today to be crafty.

Holly Genc