Empress Bat's Journal: chiyogami designs

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Plan with me - Hobonichi Techo Cousin A5 daily layout

Last week I shared with you how I use the weekly pages in my Hobonichi Tech Cousin A5, you can read that post >> here <<. I still use Filofaxes, including an A5 Malden in purple that I use for work and of course Little Purple, however I am really enjoying using the Hobonichi and will probably use one again next year.

Speaking of Filofaxes, If you are interested in reading about filofaxes and how people use their organisers I encourage you to visitPhilofaxy.

For anyone who has not seen the daily page of a Hobonichi Techo Cousin A5, this is what it looks like before the pen. I like the Tome River paper which is thin but sturdy and is really smooth to write on and fountain pen friendly.

I like function first in organisers and diaries as they are productivity tools that I rely on to ensure I do not forget all the things I need to do. I like to add some creativity to the pages as well to brighten my day.

The first thing I do is add some time line washi tape over the top of the times printed on the page. I like the times easy to see and I find this washi tape just right for a time line,

I then lightly block out areas on the page, for the schedule, a to do list, a memo and my journal/scrapbook.

I have a great sticker book I bought from Spotlight (you can see a bit of it in the below photo. It has bullet point strip stickers which are ideal for the to do list section on my daily page.

From the same sticker book I add a fun quote sticker on the top right, and a note to self sticker as a header to the note or memo section of the page.

With days of the week Washi tape I bought from Chiyogami Designs I added 'Wednesday' - days are printed on the page but just as for the printed times the print is very light and I prefer the day name to be more prominent.

I finish setting up the page by ruling lines and shading every second hour on the schedule section, rule the pencil lines with a thin tipped black felt pen, add the journal heading and some more stickers.

The page is ready for me to use and I had fun setting it up. Please note that when I am really busy I do not necessarily set the page up as tidily but the general layout with these sections is how I usually set up each week day. On weekends I use the pages in a different way, for shopping lists, recipes and notes.

In the journal section I will write a short note about the day, add some pictures I draw and colour with watercolour paint or photos I have printed out.

I am interested to know how other people use their Hobonichi planners and I am happy to promote blogs as well. Leave me a note in the comments section.

Plan with me - Hobonichi Techo Cousin A5 weekly layout

Since one Book July I have been using the Hobonichi Techo Cousin A5 for my every day carry planner. Don't worry that does not mean that my favourite Filofax, Little Purple, has been relegated to a dusty corner of my over flowing book shelves!

I am using Little Purple as an information storage system, in the File of Facts manner at the moment and if I could get the exact Hobonichi style layout on Tomoe River paper pre-made for a personal sized filofax I would be using Little Purple for everything! (Yes I could print my own inserts on the Tomoe River paper, but last time I tried that the printer ate the paper as it is so thin!). I will do a post in the future of Little Purple as a 'file of facts' set up ...

Which reminds me . ..If you are interested in reading about filofaxes and how people use their organisers I encourage you to visit Philofaxy. Say hi to them from me!

Anyway, back to the Hobonichi.

I have been working out how best to use this organisation tool and have watched so many videos and flicked through so many images of how people use their Hobos (apparently that is what the cool kids call the Hobonichi diaries). I really need my organiser to be functional first, and if I can make it also aesthetically pleasing that is a bonus. I do like both function and beauty, but overall an organiser is a tool and so its function is important.

I added stick on tabs to differentiate sections in the Hobonichi as I found it difficult to use quickly if I could not find the right section fast. This is how the week spread looks before I add things to it.

I am starting to get in the swing of using this book as my every day carry organiser and am contemplating using one all of next year. Again, if I can obtain pre-printed Hobonichi style, cut and punched Tomoe River paper for Little Purple, I would use my filofax, but I have been unsuccessful in that search so far.

I use the weekly pages to give an overview of the week ahead and future planning. As I do also like things to be aesthetically pleasing and cheerful, I do add some stickers and washi tape to the layout! \

The washi tape I use is from Chiyogami Designs - I purchase from them as they have a huge range of tape, are a local Aussie small business and, have the most amazing friendly reliable customer service.

So back to the weekly spread.

I work fulltime and under a flexi time system meaning my start and finish times are not always the same. At the top of each day column I leave room for my work times which is a back up record in case the electronic record I have to use for work has a conniption!

On the far left column I have an overview of things coming up, list days off and also if I am on call that week I will not only add it to the week (using washing tape) but also note it on the side. Can't forget if it is written everywhere, right? ..right?!?

I then draw (or tape) a horizontal line about two thirds of the way down the page. This leaves the top part of the columns for my schedule where I add meetings and appointments and the bottom part of each column for noting tasks as they come in against the day they need to be done. I use a kind of bullet journal system with the tasks and will add an arrow to something if I did not get to it and it needs to carry over to another day.

I mark the weekend off with stickers - when a week is tiring it gives me a moment of joy to see the decorative weekend columns ahead!

On the bottom of the weekend columns I leave room to note anything coming up the next week that I need to remember and maybe prepare for.

This is how I use the weekly pages in the Hobonichi Cousin Techo A5. My scheduling and task system sits on these pages so decoration is minimal and functionality is the focus.

I would be interested in hearing how others use their Hobonichi planners or if they have found someone who sells a similar set up on Tomoe River paper prepunched for a filofax personal!

One Book July - Hobonichi Cousin - week day layout

Are you doing One Book July? Let me know how you are going and if you blog feel free to share your blog link in the comments.

As I mentioned in a post a few days ago I am attempting One Book July. Although I am maintaining the use of my purple A5 Filofax Malden as my work organiser, I am keeping everything else in a Hobonichi Techo Cousin A5.

That means that the Hobonichi needs to have my daily schedule, my to do lists, my memos and notes and my journal. How is it holding up?

Using washi tape I purchased from Chiyogami Designs, as well as Tombow pens, Papermate Flair, Uni Pin black pen and some stickers I think I have managed to get a layout for the day that will actually be able to fit in everything!

For me functional has to take precedence over pretty for a planner, so any aesthetic additions are added as part of or after my functional layout.

Have a look here I am happy with this page and think I can fit my Monday in here quite well!

Although I am thinking that layout is a bit busy - so maybe more how I have set out Tuesday or the more minimalist Wednesday

I will let you know how I go with these pages!

Meanwhile where is Little Purple, my favourite Filofax?

I am taking the time to sort out my purple Malden personal sized and getting rid of superfluous bits of paper and sections I do not use anymore.

Starting at the front pockets, there is so much junk in there! This may take some time!

Hope everyone has a great week.

One Book July - Hobonichi Cousin - shopping list

I use a lot of different planners, notebooks and filofaxes to keep track of everything I do and want to remember. I also need to keep a separate work notebook, which is an purple A5 Malden, but I do not need to have all my other things in different books, I just find it easier to stay organised that way.

You can see a brief post about all of the different filofaxes I use over in the Philofaxy blog.

Despite a set up of books that works well for me, I am keen to try the One Book July challenge, and I have decided to use my Hobonichi Cousin A5 for this.

I usually do shopping lists in a separate filofax that has my budget and receipts in, however for One Book July I decided the shopping list can easily go in my Hobonichi.

We are shopping on the weekend, so I have used the Saturday page, which has ample room, to write down our grocery list.

The Hobonichi Cousin has an abbreviation of the day of the week, but I prefer it more obvious, so I have used days of the week washi tape that I have bought from Chiyogami Designs to add the day name to the page.

I do not always decorate pages as to me a diary/planner is a tool to keep me organised. Sometimes though I may sketch on a page, and sometimes just because I feel I need the extra inspiration I will decorate a page with stickers and washi tape and other ephemera. On this page, for example, I have added star washi tape and a gold foil sticker to remind me to make time to relax this weekend!

I have not finished writing out our shopping list, but as you can see there is plenty of room left over on the page for a To Do list, notes, journalling and a brain dump.

Don't worry, Little Purple has not been forgotten, it is just having a little holiday on my desk!

Art Journal - Mixed Media - arch to fairyland

A page from my journal for June 2018

Using watercolour paint, gel medium and pens I bought from the Mixed Media Store and a collage of Japanese paper which I bought form Chiyogami Designs

A glimpse of my purple Malden personal filofax

This gorgeous Filofax has been used daily since 2012, it is the only one of my large collection of Filofaxes and notebooks that I have named. This is Little Purple.

For more posts about filofax and other planners please see this page >> here <<

Whether I use it as my primary diary/organiser/planner, or whether I use it for lists and information (as in the old 'file of facts') it has been used every day. Thrown in bags, dropped on desks and working like the little amazing purple powerhouse it is. The cover just looks better and better with the slight scratches and stains it gathers on the way.

The rings are perfect and have stood up to the test of time, opening and closing and lots of paper stuffed in them! I have so many tabs and clips and all sorts of things stashed in Little Purple.

Currently I have a day to a page, and lots of lists, information and note pages crammed inside. For the diary section I use printables that are provided for free by Philofaxy and I print these on Tomoe River paper. This paper is very thin, like paper in a traditional bible, and is fountain pen friendly and strong. What I like about this paper, other than it being ink friendly, is that as the paper is so thin I can fit heaps of pages in my organiser!

I have a page at the front after a clear plastic dashboard that uses Alice in Wonderland illustrations by Sir John Tenniel. This has no functional purpose other than I like it and it makes me happy!

I edged my day to a page pages in month groups, with Washi tape from local Aussie washi tape seller Chiyogami Designs.

Here is my Filofax Malden personal sized in purple in all its stuffed goodness.

I have a cute little maneki neko in gold hanging from the bottom ring. It makes me smile to see it.

I use tabs both on the side and the top of pages to divide different sections. I use a silhouette machine to cut out tab shapes from adhesive paper. I made a tassel from lilac embroidery thread and a glass bead which I have attached to the clasp.

So many pages! Here you can see the edges of my Malden pages: day to a page, shopping lists, volunteer information, pets and vets information, wish lists, measurement conversions, maps, ... a useful and aesthetically pleasing organiser - Little Purple!

See more about Little purple in this post >> here <<

REVIEW: Chiyogami Designs washi tape

My third review for the year! I will only review stores that I have personally used and vouch for, and I prefer to review small home businesses as these are the ones that need the most exposure.To recap on this year's reviews, I posted two in February: one about Galaxy Aromatherapy and the other about Beaded Webs.

Today's review is about a favourite washi tape supplier, one that I purchase from frequently, Chiyogami Designs.

If you have been reading my blog of late Batlings, you will notice my obsession with washi tape. I use it in my filofax, on pegs to decorate them , and even on pendant blanks to create trendy costume jewellery. I love washi tape so much I even have a board about it on Pinterest!

So as washi tape doesnt grow on trees..( actually its usually made from rice paper, so its more likely to be growing in .. er.. rice paddies..??), I needed to find a store that sells a good range of high quality washi tape at affordable prices. I was so happy when I discovered Chiyogami Designs as they are that store!

Chiyogami Designs sells from an ebay store, the store has an amazing range of washi tape that is added to regularly. Each time I visit their ebay store page I find more washi tape delights. They also have a facebook page, if you are a fan of washi tape make sure you like their page, as new items in their ebay store are often featured there, you will get the scoop on their new listings as a fan of their page!

The tape is always reasonably priced, good quality, a wide range to choose from, packaged well, and sent fast. The store owner is friendly and reliable , and is also a DIY crafts person type. What more would you want in a washi tape supplier I ask?

Some of my favourite washi tapes so far from this store are:

You may recognise this cat themed tape
from the pendants I made?

I use this tape in my filofax on all my herbalist notes
for the qualification I am studying!

Purple trio of tape!

If you like washi tape as much as I do, please check out this Australian based store, for affordable, quality, and large variety of washi tape!

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About Me: I work full time, I am also studying for a therapist qualification in Naturopathy specialising in Herbalism, I have a small craft 'business', I am co-admin of an auction page on facebook to help other small hobby businesses, i maintain my own 'store' facebook page, I blog at least once a week and I maintain a facebook page created to support small home businesses and hobby sellers

............................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................... Please visit me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat handcrafted gothic goodies at bargain prices. see me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat ...Please visit me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat handcrafted gothic goodies at bargain prices. see me on etsy! www.etsy.com/shop/empressbat

Washi Tape Wonders: things to make with washi tape

I really like washi tape.

If you have read my blogpost about decorating wooden pegs, or my post about setting up my filofax you will see references to the tape and see how i have used it.

The tape comes in all sorts of colours and patterns, with a low level adhesive making it both decorative and useful.

For those yet to experience the wonders of washi tape, allow me to elucidate.

Washi tape is a type of decorative masking tape, traditionally made from rice paper, first created in Japan by the company Kamoi Kakoshi Co.Ltd. and sold as MT masking tape. It dates back to 2006 when a group of artists approached the company with an art journal featuring illustrations created from masking tape.

Many companies make and sell versions of the original MT masking tape, and it is generically referred to as Washi Tape.

There are so many designs of washi tape to chose from; patterns, pictures, and solid colours in matte or metallic finishes.

The tape has a less sticky adhesive just like masking tape, so it is easy to remove if you have made an error in placement, or if you only want it stuck temporarily; the adhesive is however still strong enough to stay put on paper, envelopes, diaries, and all manner of things if you wish it to be a permanent decoration!

I use it as a temporary label on the plastic freezer containers I store left overs in. I stick a piece of washi tape on the lid and write a description of the container's contents on there. The washi tape remains on the lids in the freezer and only comes off when I peel it off prior to washing the containers up.

Tonight I just received a bulk order of Washi tape, and am experimenting with using it on metal pendant blanks to create novel pendants for costume jewellery. I will write about that in another day's post. Here is a sneak peak at a few I am working on. Two are using a cat themed washi tape from Chiyogami Designs, and the other is a postmark/letter themed washi tape I picked up a few years ago.

pendants with washi tape

I use washi tape in my filofax, on pegs to decorate them, and as I mentioned , I am also trying out what washi tape will look like on a pendant. It is great in scrapbooks and the less formal Smash books, as well as pretty on packages to decorate a gift!

I have a lot of washi tape but it isn't wasted, I use it for so many things!

some of my washi tape

There are so many uses for washi tape, I am still finding uses for it, and find it such a versatile craft supply.

In case you are looking for some lovely washi tape designs at very low prices, I buy most of my washi tape from Chiyogami Designs , they have an ebay store and I have always found them to be reliable and honest sellers, with an amazingly diverse range of washi tape as well as Japanese print origami paper.

Do you use washi tape?

What do you use it for?
Please feel free to comment.

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Pages

Anyway, back to the Hobonichi.

So back to the weekly spread.