Do you Bullet Journal?

I started a Bullet Journal July 2016. I really wasn't sure how to even do this but if you search online and on Pinterest, there are a million posts about it. I'm not artsy in any way. My writing isn't very good either. I'm rather messy when it comes to writing. But it's something I want to improve. I'm not as creative as most people bullet journaling. I'm still rather new as I've only been at it for about 8 months. 

I'm a "list" person. I ALWAYS write lists on pieces of paper. To Dos, Shopping lists, pretty much anything I need to remember. I also would get a hard copy planner/agenda every year. I went the Erin Condren route the first time (twice) (loved, but pricey), then I tried Plum Paper Planners (loved this one and a bit cheaper), then decided on a Bullet Journal. Because then I could do ANYTHING with that! I could track whatever I wanted, wherever I wanted, all in one place! 

So if you look up starting a Bullet Journal or Bullet Journal Supplies you will find that there are two pretty popular journal recommendations. Leuchtturm1917 and the Moleskine dotted journal. For my first one, I couldn't find either of those in stock in a store and I was too excited to start and needed something NOW. So I went to Barnes and Noble and got this one for my first. (I think they may be out of them now because I can't find them on their site). But basically it's called "Deconstructed Journal by Studio Oh". 

I really like the way it went from July to the end of December. I filled it in those months.

So come January, I was starting a new one and was super excited to be a "real" bullet journaler and use a Leuchtturm1917. I've been using it now since January 1st. I'm not sure I like it better. I do like the dotted grid. But then I also don't. I'm not the best straight writer. I tend to slant and slope so the dotted grid is a bit of a challenge for me. I also think the Studio Oh journal lays flat better when opened. 

I do like that the Leuchtturm1917 has 2 ribbon place markers, Pre-printed Index pages in the front, and numbered pages throughout, whereas my Sudio Oh one doesn't. But none of those things are major for me and I think I could sew a ribbon in if I really need to. (or I'll just make a neat bookmark!) The Leuchtturm1917 is a bit bigger, but I'm not sure that is a plus for me. And a definite plus that the Studio Oh has over the Leuchtturm1917 is that the paper is thicker! And the covers are prettier. So I think from now on out, I'll be using the Studio Oh journals instead. And I'll get to use more than one in a year and I love picking new journals out, so this is a plus for me! 

Ultimately, you can use any sort of notebook or journal you want. I'm glad I tried something new, but I think I'll be going back to my original. 

Anyway, I thought I'd share my Bullet Journal Experience thus far! Do you Bullet Journal? There are so many posts on Pinterest to get you started and keep you going! I find new stuff all the time. And I love that the Bullet journal is completely customizable to YOU! 

Little of this and that

I've been blog lazy. I'll admit it. First off, I'm not a good photographer. Even though I have an ok DSLR camera, I don't really know how to use it. I don't like pulling it out of the closet and trying and trying to get a good picture. I use my phone camera. All.the.time. So as to what I've been up to in the past few months, I'm going to just barf up all my phone pics for you. If you'd like me to follow me on Instagram, feel free.  I always post what I'm doing on there. My username is: jennewby71. I think that's what you need? I'm not even sure! So here you go….here's all my stuff I've been doing:

These were a couple "tooth fairy" pillows I made for a good friend's kids who came to visit me on their trek from CA to RI.

This is a blanket I was working on for a Christmas gift, but then realized I'd never finish in time and I was thinking that I really really love this that I may want to keep it for myself! ;) Pattern found here. 

Here are a couple wreaths I made for two November Birthday friends. 

When I was making all the advent calendars and pillows, here's what my sewing area looked like.

My BFF quilting friend, Crystal, loves Halloween, so for Christmas I made her a Halloween Countdown calendar.  I totally winged the whole thing and literally pieced it as I was going. No plans. So yeah, I primly should have planned better…but oh well. I was trying to get so much done for Christmas. 

 I learned how to hand embroider (via youtube). I'm still learning. It's fun. I love doing it while I watch TV.

I made lots of crocheted snowflake garlands.  This one is mine. 

I decided I'd make my sister an Anna Maria Horner Feather Quilt 2 weeks before Christmas. Yeah, she got a  Sephora gift card instead. This is a project I realized I'd NEVER finish in 2 weeks. So now it will be her Birthday gift in August. (if I finish it by then!)

I have around 5-6 friends pregnant right now. So I'm working on crocheted baby blankets for them. 

We got a new small sectional and we are using a small side table as the coffee table. I have a mug rug for my drink but my husband doesn't, so I made him one. I have no idea why I prefer mug rugs over coasters, but I do! 

I'm working on some Valentine's Day pillows now. This has been keeping me busy. I have several friends that have put in orders that they want to purchase. Again, I sit by the fire at night, watch TV and hand embroider and it's my favorite thing to do right now! 

ok, So I caught you all up on pretty much everything "crafty" that I've been doing lately. Hope everyone is doing great and having a great new start to the year! 

A whole bunch of pillows

I finished making a bunch of Christmas pillows. I sold some to friends and I have a few left over that I'm giving as gifts to teachers for the girls. I might have to make a couple more, but that's ok! They are so fun to make and I'm really enjoying hand embroidery! (the piece of fabric included in the picture is what the backing fabric is) Pattern found here.

It's that time of year again!

I've been SO busy. Like, super super busy sewing. I've been sewing 6-8 hours every day. I made a bunch of Advent Calendars for friends this year and got those off and out to them. 

You can find the pattern HERE

Halloween Pillows

Here's what I've been working on for the past few weeks. 

Some were gifts and some I sold to friends. 

They are so fun to make! 

You can find the pattern here. 

I plan on making "Christmas" ones, "Grandparents" ones, "every holiday you can imagine" ones, and "teacher" gift ones! 

(And I taught myself how to hand embroider! Thanks YouTube!)

A Wedding Quilt

My cousin got married last month and I wanted to make them a quilt for their wedding gift. She has red sofas so I knew I wanted to make one that she could have out every day on her sofa. I got to use all my Rouenneries by French General that I had bought YEARS ago! 

A Quilt for a Good Friend

One of the best friends I met in the Navy had a birthday in June and her husband took over as the Commanding Officer in a fighter jet squadron in July. I knew I had to make her a quilt. It's one I wanted to make her for a couple years now. Anyway, I finally finished it and sent it off. It's pretty much the same as the other Anna Maria Horner patchwork quilt I made last year. I will never tire of these beautiful fabrics.