Currently | January Edition

We're nearing the end of the month and it seemed like the perfect time to capture my Currently status. This is a project I've wanted to do for a while and decided it was time to make me some pocket cards.

So I did.
I've been testing out this design particular design and I'm finally happy with it.

Each of the 3x4 journal cards has a different set of Currently prompts, allowing you to pick and choose what to document. You can document the same prompts each week or choose something different. You choose your method, there are four different cards!

CURRENTLY | JANUARY EDITION

This is me sharing my real life me.
I'm far from perfect, for sure. I don't think that most people who meet me would think that Monika lets cuss words fly. But I do. And I'm not proud. My husband utters nary a cuss word, ever. Me? I'm the lady with the potty mouth and have been known to drop some doozies more than once in a day.

Currently Journal Cards

Not pretty.
The no cussing theme been my "unofficial" item I'm tracking this month, too. You can grab two free Tracker journaling cards here. For this month, I'm 26 out of 28 days for my No Spend month. Go me!

JOURNAL CARD ON A BOOK RING

When creating this Currently journal card set, I wanted to be sure to leave room at the top of the card to punch a hole so I could add them to a book ring. I've actually been been adding lots of journal cards to my book ring, mainly journaling cards to document my gratitude.

Grateful Journaling Cards  |  Floral Journaling Cards

I've really been enjoying this new way of documenting and am pretty sure that I'll dedicate one ring to my Currently cards and another book ring for gratitude journaling. 

Things That Make Me Happy

Ever come across a journaling prompt that could have you writing for days? I ran out of room on my journal page, but I could add so many more things to my "things that make me happy" list, so here goes: the perfect nude lip, Country Living magazine, hearing my girls sing, lunch dates with Zach, walks with Rooster, cuddles with the kitties, morning chats with my Sweetie, my feather pillow...

SETTING UP MY LISTERS JOURNAL

I printed the Listers Gotta List challenge prompts onto sticker paper and trimmed the headers to make a title page for my journal. Then, while I was watching television one evening, I hand cut and rounded the edges of all the prompts I chose to answer and added them to my travelers notebook. I'm using my Chic Sparrow Mr. Darcy, this is the insert set I'm using, which is available in 3 sizes and comes with an embellishment kit.

 

MY LISTS

I love how journaling gets me to thinking about the little things, how I'm able to tell my story in little snippets each time I put pen to paper.

Grateful Journal Cards

crochet heart gold paper clip

 arrow paper clip

shipping tags

love card

LISTS FOR DAYS

Want to see more of my January Listers Gotta List journal?

If you love listing challeges as much as I do, here's a peek at all my other list journals and mini books over the years.

Take Risks

It's scary to take risks, it's not for everyone, it's not always the answer. But, just know that if you're willing to do the work the risk is already diminished. Be strong, believe in yourself and do it.

For the last several years, I have curated the Sunday Photos series, featuring one my photographs  along with a quote or some inspiring words that touched my heart. I'll still be sharing words that speak to me in this space each week, just in a new format.

See you next week with another Sunday Quote!

Hello February | Free Download

Typically, February is the month of love. For me, though, I want you to love me all the year through, with all your might, in my good days and bad days. I don't need flowers or gifts or poems. What I do need though, is a warm hug, an encouraging word, knowing you are present when we are together. There is nothing like the gift of time and connection. 

That said, our special February date is actually on the 15th. And yes, there's a story to tell about this one. And when I print out my journaling card and add it to my journal, I'll tell you all about it!

HELLO FEBRUARY

Take a few moments and document how you will greet February, how you will treat the next 28 days, how you plan to take this year and make it yours. My plan is to document my year by capturing precious moments in words. Photos are worth a thousand words, yes, but writing it all down has to be worth at least a million words, right?

Missed out on the Hello January Card?

Get It Here

FREE DOWNLOAD

Download your free Hello February journaling card here.
Find other free downloads from I Love It All here.
And for more Print At Home ideas: journal cards, planner pages, art prints and calendars are in the I Love It All shop as instant downloads!

Thankful For...

I am thankful for, and I can't believe I'm going to say this, my girls' growing independence. I do miss their sweet little baby faces, I cannot lie. But, to see them growing up and growing into themselves, it's a powerful thing. Too much for this Mama sometimes.

THIS WEEK IN MY GRATITUDE JOURNAL

This week, I journaled in my mixed paper journal. I don't usually journal every single day, and didn't this week either, but I was able to document two stories that I'm glad to have down on paper.

And if you've been journaling for some time, you'll get what I'm saying here. Ever been stumped on what it is you can be thankful for? Well, I recently bought some Happy Planner stickers, using a coupon of course, and didn't think I would have a use for the meal planning stickers included. And then, I got to thinking about them and decided to use one of the stickers as a journal prompt.

And now I've documented my thankfulness for a full pantry.

What I love about blank pages are all the opportunities for journaling. I've used pages like this one before and every time I use it, I end up doing something different. This time, I added some washi tape  and then layered a paper strip and a die cut.

And if you love that watercolor speech bubble journal card I snuck in there, no worries...I'll be adding that to the shop this week.

WHAT IS #ILOVETHURSDAYTHANKS

What is #ilovethursdaythanks? It's a way for me, and you, to connect with other like minded souls. Those of us that find joy in documenting our thankful thoughts and grateful moments. Those moments that sometimes could be so quickly forgotten, those thoughts that haunt us and won't let us go, those words that touched our heart when we needed them most, those people who made a difference just by being there.

2019 Gratitude Journal

Join us over on Instagram and share your #ilovethursdaythanks. Especially sometime after 2:30 today when there's something fun coming to my IG!

Art Journaling with Stamps and Ink in My Travelers Notebook

On a windy and cold day earlier this month, I sat down and binge watched a new-to-me mystery series on Netflix, Case Histories, and pulled out some ink, stamps, watercolors and brushes, stencils, washi tape, tags, journaling cards and die cuts. In other words, I thoroughly enjoyed myself lounging on the couch with a cup of coffee and my art supplies!

If art journaling is your thing, you may want to take a peek this post. There are lots and lots of photos - don't say I didn't warn you - if you're looking for more ideas and inspiration. I'm using this Gratitude Journal, but you could use any travelers notebook.

USING STAMPS AND INK

I'm lucky enough to have a healthy supply of stamps from my days as a member of the My Mind's Eye Design Team and they seemed a perfect way to add some fun to my journal pages.

Before

I wouldn't make a dime with my stamping expertise, or lack of, but I've come to terms with it and embrace the imperfections. I tell myself that it gives my pages an eclectic, artsy flair. {wink, wink}

After

How could I not use this page to document our fun impromptu date day? I got lucky, both that my page was pre-embellished and ready for my thankful thoughts, but also because it was a really lovely day with my sweetie.

And while the ink was out on my desk, I just kept on stamping. I randomly flipped through my journal, choosing a few pages throughout, stamped and called it done.

I'll probably pull out my colored pencils, relax and color in the butterfly when I get to this page.

I even stamped on a mini shipping tag, which leaves me plenty of room to journal my grateful moments.

COMING SOON

Stay tuned, I have tons more sample pages of this Gratitude Journal and can't wait to share. I used washi tape, die cuts, stencils and journal cards. Fun stuff.

If you'd like to learn more about gratitude journaling, contact me or read through a few of my posts.

Here's a post where I embellished a travelers notebook Gratitude Journal a few years ago, it's still one of my favorite journals to flip through.

The Flame Within Us

Not to worry, we all wander. But, paraphrasing John Muir, that does not mean we are lost. Think back to those who have encouraged you, prayed with you, lifted you up with their kindness and be thankful for the reignited flame within you.

For the last several years, I have curated the Sunday Photos series, featuring one my photographs  along with a quote or some inspiring words that touched my heart. I'll still be sharing words that speak to me in this space each week, just in a new format.

See you next week with another Sunday Quote!

What Makes Me Thankful

I give equal time to just about all my Gratitude Journals, so I was a little freaked out when I opened my journal and found this page waiting for me to write my thankful thoughts. Welcome to another #ilovethursdaythanks roundup.

THIS WEEK IN MY GRATITUDE JOURNAL

My plan was to journal about a phone call I had recently received, a phone call that was a significant turning point. A conversation I've been waiting on for years and years. And this phone message form was there waiting on me, like God knew all along that this phone call was going to happen and it was going to be this journal I opened to journal my thankful thoughts.

God has a plan, friends.

MY "OTHER" GRATITUDE JOURNALS

This week, I also journaled in my travelers notebook journal, where I added a journal card to the page with some washi tape. I used another piece of washi tape to attach a paper pennant that has some private journaling beneath it.

Journal Card Set  |  Travelers Notebook in 6 Sizes

Here's a little loop video I made showing you how it works:

I added a new journaling card set to the shop yesterday and I need to print and test it out to be sure cut lines were correct. I also like to work up a few project to showcase how to use the cards to share in the listing as well.

So here's what I came up with: a great way to take a moment to reflect upon a long-time friendship, a friendship that has sustained so many seasons of my life. She's a keeper with a heart of gold.

Blue Grateful Journal Card  |  Floral Journal Cards

And I love it! If you do to, you can see more of how I've used my book ring journal card Gratitude Journal. 

WHAT IS #ILOVETHURSDAYTHANKS ?

What is #ilovethursdaythanks? It's a way for me, and you, to connect with other like minded souls. Those of us that find joy in documenting our thankful thoughts and grateful moments. Those moments that sometimes could be so quickly forgotten, those thoughts that haunt us and won't let us go, those words that touched our heart when we needed them most, those people who made a difference just by being there.

2019 Gratitude Journal

Join us over on Instagram and share your #ilovethursdaythanks, follow me @iloveitallshop.

Listers Gotta List Focus Challenge

After all the fun I had with the December 30 Days of Lists challenge I felt like I wanted to do another listing challenge for the new year. For the month of January, I'll be joining in with The Reset Girl and her monthly #listersgottalist tribe. You can see my lists over on Instagram, too. 

SETTING UP MY LISTERS JOURNAL

I printed the challenge prompts onto sticker paper and trimmed the headers to make a title page for my journal. While I was watching television one evening, I hand cut and rounded the edges of all the prompts I chose to answer and added them to my travelers notebook. 

I'm using an A6 insert, this is the set I'm using, and  I’ll keep it simple this motnh with just the list prompt stickers and my lists. 

back of cover page sticker folded over

 journaling card  |  heart crochet paper clip  |  shipping tags

arrow paper clip  |  grateful journal card  |  love & laughter journal card

arrow paper clip  | bear card  |  washi tape ring

LISTS FOR DAYS

If you love listing challeges as much as I do, here's a peek at all my other list journals and mini books over the years. 

Alphabet of our Love List Ideas

The first time I ever shared the Alphabet of Our Love journal, I had been blogging for less than a month, it was my 7th blog post and it was over 8 years ago - June of 2010. We've come a long way baby! After I gifted the journal to my #1 sweetie, which he loved by the way and I still see him occasionally flipping through it, he urged me to add it to my shop. He said that it would

This little journal is the gift I created for my sweeetie all those years ago to celebrate our 12th wedding anniversary.

That Was Then...

...And This Is Now

With 27 pages: a dedication page for you to write a love note to your sweetie, followed by one page for each letter of the alphabet, you're able to jot down a memory, a special moment, an unforgettable experience, a joke, a shared tenderness to celebrate the love of your life.

Here are some of the pages from the journal I gifted to my Mr. wRight:

The letters are placed randomly, one to a page, and there are a variety of font styles and colors so each page is a surprise. You can find it here - with a choice from over 10 colors and even the opportunity to personalize the heart with your initials.

ALPHABET OF OUR LOVE 

Today, I want to share pages from Alphabet of Our Love journals shared by two I Love It All Brand Ambassadors. I'm so honored to have these two ladies on my creative team! Not only will you be inspired by their innovative approach to using the alphabet to celebrate their love, you'll see that although Kate and Sarah are each using the same journal, in the end they have personalized it and made it their very own treasured keepsake, true one-of-a-kind gifts.

Meet Kate
First up is Kate Ware, a friend first from social media whom I have had the pleasure of meeting in real life and hosting in our home. She has the most adorable pups, is an amazing photographer and a crazy talented memory keeper.

Here's what Kate had to say when I asked her how she created this little treasure:

by using my hand writing, stamping the key words, using bits and baubles from different vendors, photos, and also asking Mike to play along and fill out some of the book as well (he’s a keeper!).

You can connect with Kate on Instagram and you'll also see her lovely posts over on the I Love It All Facebook page, too.

Meet Sarah

Next up is Brand Ambassador Sarah, who caught my eye with her super fun Happy Planner posts. I'm a planner girl, but of a different sort. I adore my Filofax and keep it more on the functional, non-decorated side, but if you're a fan of pretty stickers and getting stuff done then you should definitely check out Sarah's IG.

Here's what Sarah says:

I'm not working through my journal in any certain order, just as ideas pop into my head!

Sarah will be gifting the Alphabet of Our Love to her husband this Valentine's Day and over the next few weeks she'll be sharing a few pages with her followers. I am so looking forward to seeing how this little journal evolves and you will be, too.

globe

Check in with Sarah on her Instagram page and also on the I Love It All Facebook page, too.

ALPHABET OF OUR LOVE LIST IDEAS

If you've been wondering if you could ever come up with enough reasons for each and letter of the alphabet, have no worries...I made a list! It's just a little something to get your creative juices flowing and to give you new ideas and insight on how to think outside the box. Don't let those letters intimidate you, jump in and you'll be surprised at how the words start to the flow once you jump in and begin.

JOURNALS FOR DAD, MOM + THE GRANDS

After several requests from customers, I even added an option to gift it to the other loved ones in our life...Dad, Daddy, Mom, Mommy, Grandpa, Nana...you get the idea. Such a fun way to get the grandkids involved in a gift for Mamaw, even using their own handwriting if they can. 

QUICK LINKS

Original Alphabet of our Love
Personalized Alphabet of our Love
Alphabet of our Love for Daddy, Mom and the Grandparents

find the Alphabet of Our Love here 

and use the coupon code 

ALPHABETLIST 

for a 15% discount on your purchases.

NOTE |  Coupon code must be entered at time of purchase. Refunds cannot be honored after purchase has been made. Thanks for your understanding!