Archives for April 2015

~ My Midori ~

April 21, 2015 by

 When I was in Florida in February, I discovered an interesting little journal/planner that I just couldn’t stop thinking about. It’s called a Midori.They’re not new, and I have found that there is a Midori obsession out there. Just doing a quick search on Pinterest or YouTube will verify that. There are videos from a guy’s point of view to a scrapbooker’s dream, and everything in between. Intrigued, I had to have one, so I treated myself to this Traveler’s Notebook for my birthday this month. I was so excited when it came. They are just a piece of leather (brown or black), with an elastic band down the center. Each one comes with one blank book. You buy whichever inserts you want, according to what you want to use it for. They are an empty canvas, ready for you to create on.  Here is a look at my Midori so far.

 

Midori traveler's notebook

 

Midori traveler's notebook

 

This is it, in all it’s chunky goodness!

Midori traveler's noetbook

Midori traveler's notebook

 

 

Midori traveler's notebook

 

This is a zipper insert to hold my pen/pencils etc…, the other half is in the back of the midori.

Midori

The books are all plain like this. Of course, I couldn’t leave mine that way, that’s part of the fun!

Midori traveler's notebook

This is a file insert.  Then my first book is a by-the-month calendar.

Midori traveler's notebook

 

The green tea bag came in my order. The clear pockets were an add on.

Midori

Midori traveler's notebook

Midori traveler's notebook

 

The next book is just lined paper, I use it to  journal, write notes or lists, keep track of “what I learned”.

Midori

Midori

 

Midori traveler's notebook

 

The middle book is watercolor paper. I ordered this one and a mixed media paper from this shop on etsy.

Yes, you can find places to order handmade inserts to fit the different Midori sizes, and even buy a”faux” dori.

Midori

 

This is a pocket insert.

 

Midori

 

Then a blank page insert that I sketch in (this isn’t great paper for sketching on though, but I already decorated the front and back covers, so…I’m using it anyway!).

Midori

Midori

 

You can never have to much washi tape on hand.

Midori traveler's notebook

Midori

Midori inserts

 

This is how the inserts come…

 

Midori traveler's notebook

 

and there it is, I actually have four books in there now, but I took out the little leather change pouch. It’s amazing how much you can fit, and for those that know me, you know I “HAVE” to stuff it full!

Midori

 

This is the fountain pen that the Beekeeper made for me…

Midori..and this is an antique pencil sharpener (made in Germany), that I bought at the Marketplace, it fits in my zipper insert with my eraser perfectly.

made in Germany antique pencil sharpener

So, that’s my Midori! I love it, just wanted to share.

Filed Under: Art Journaling, The Inspiration Room, Visual Journal

~ What I Learned in March ~

April 7, 2015 by

art suppliesSometimes you have to really stop and wonder, “what did I learn this month?”. This was one of those times. It seems the months that I’ve kept an ongoing list, I don’t ever get around to actually linking up with Emily Freeman, over at Chatting At The Sky, to share my learning experiences. This month I started a list at the beginning of March, but I didn’t keep up with it, so I had to think back over the month….and yep, I learned a few things alright. Unfortunately, I missed the link up, but I decided to post this anyway.

vintage suitcase

1. I found out a little about how the show, “The Antique Roadshow works”. How they pick what and who goes on the air. How the experts know the info. What happens after your stuff is appraised for $$$$. Just in case you have some family heirlooms you’re curious about, check it out here.

2. (This may have happened in February) okay it did, but it’s worth mentioning here now. My sister introduced me to a new store, Soma. I don’t know where I’ve been! Well, honestly I do pretty much just shop T.J.Maxx, but whatever! We were at the outlets in St. Augustine, and I bought the most comfortable pair of pajamas ever! I wish I could wear them all day, and I might have a couple days at my brother and sister-in-laws place in Florida, just saying.

3. So after 8 1/2 years of marriage, 12 1/2 years of “togetherness”, I learned that my husband, the Beekeeper, doesn’t like egg noodles! WHAT! Who doesn’t like egg noodles? Well, my husband apparently. So from now on his dishes will be perched upon rice, preferable wild rice I’m told. Okay then!

Golden Retriever

4a. There is room in my heart to love yet another golden retriever.

4b. It’s a lot harder to housebreak a puppy without 5 kids in the house to help take turns taking the puppy out. I don’t think this needs an explanation.

sheart5. This one has actually been an on going learning experience since January and will continue. I’ve been taking Christy Tomlinson’s,  SheArt workshops, and I’m learning a lot about mixed media and enjoying every minute.

power plant

6. My hubby gave me an overview of how electrical power plants works as we drove by this one, which sits right at the end of a nice little lake and I always think “this is so ugly and why is it right here?” Now I know, and I’ll try to appreciate it more the next time. (Life with an electrician)

Marketplace On Chestnut

7. I learned that, yes,  if you wait patiently and ask nice enough for long enough, and are willing to pay the booth rent you can have the biggest and nicest space at the antique store. I also learned that we had enough inventory to fill it. Now to keep it filled for the busy summer season. Fun, Fun!

So, nothing mind boggling, but it was only March in NY. What have you been learning?

 

Filed Under: What I Learned