My Friend Court

How I setup My Journal to Be More Productive

8/14/2017

'Today, I am sharing with you how I setup my journal to help me be more productive. I use to be an avid agenda user (possibly even a hoarder of them) but since I am no longer teaching in the classroom, my schedule isn't as tight and rigid, so I have gravitated to a semi 'bullet journal' method of planning things.

Bullet journaling helps me focus on routines and my todo's rather than having to adhere to a tight schedule of things all day."

Bullet journaling helps me focus on routines and my todo's rather than having to adhere to a tight schedule of things all day. And that is what I am all about these days - developing and living by healthy routines. I'm good with routines, and terrible with schedules. Timelines/schedules stress me the eff out and are often met with pressure and expectations (this is what goes on in my head).

Now, this may sounds like crazy talk to you, but it is something I have learned about myself. We're all creatures of habit, so routines are healthy for everyone...but some of us are just free spirits and need to be able to move/work through the world without a set timeline. (These said people are probably also a little scattered with their thoughts -like me- so maybe this post will help them see how I organize mine.)

My Favorite Journaling Supplies :

Tips to Get started:

My first tip is to find a journal, or agenda that you love and will want to use daily. And really think about it. Ask yourself,

How big do you want your journal to be? Pocket size? Able to throw in a bag? Big enough to sketch in? etc.
What kind of pages do you want? Blank? Lined? Graphed? Dotted? Dated? etc.
What kind of binding/material? Spiral bound? Hand sewn? Leather? Hard back, soft back? etc.

I like using journals with blank pages and that will lay completely flat. I also like to be able to fit it my day-to-day handbags. That's why I designed this 'Make your Mark' Journal exactly this way. To be able to write, plan and sketch freely all in one place, and on the go...this journal is perfect for just that!

My second tip would be to think about the functionality of your journal and how you'll actually use it before you start writing in it.

What are you going to be using it for? Personal or professional? Or a little bit of both?
Should it be broken down into sections? What should they be?
Do you need a calendar?
Do you need a page for everyday?
How long will you set up this journal for? (meaning, mine is set up for fall 2017 only. Once I hit January, I will either start a new section or probably just a new journal by then.)

I will use this journal for all things MyfriendCourt and StudiOH, Shoppe! I don't have it separated into two sections, though, more so by the month. To help me brainstorm monthly post, emails, goals, etc. You can see a bit below.

My third tip is to have fun with it! Especially when it comes to setting and tracking your goals in your journal. I feel more motivated when I look at my journal and it is filled with happy, positive reminders that I CAN ACHIEVE MY GOALS! Color and stickers really help with this :)

Lastly, just keep it simple. Find a way, anyway to keep yourself motivated and on track as we round out 2017. I know I still have goals to meet, and I am determined!

Let's do this!

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Leather Star Boots - DIY or BUY

7/31/2017

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Leather Star Boots have been popping up all around me lately. Does that ever happen to you? You keep seeing something over and over, so you just take it as a sign that you gotta have it! Yeah, well that's exactly what is going on with today's post.

But seeing as I like to make everything, I knew Leather Star Boots would be a simple DIY that I could do for a fraction of the cost. AND without have to shell out the big bucks for novelty shoes that won't get worn on a daily basis.

Below I am sharing with you exactly how I made these cute star booties, as well as a pic with a link where to buy the ones that I was originally inspired by. (You know, if DIY isn't your thing.)

This will be the first of a new series I am starting called DIY or BUY!

Leather-Star-Boots_DIY-or-BUY_My-Friend-Court_ASOS

This DIY is more time consuming than anything. It will take you a while to cut out all those little stars, but if you can cut out stars, you can do this DIY!

(YOU CAN DO IT!)

Supplies :

Leather Booties [ mine are suede and I got them from Ross for $19 ]
Metallic Leather [ purchased from Tandy Leather ]
Leather Glue [ Eco Flo Leather Glue ]
Heavy duty scissors
Star shape template [ 3 star shape sizes PDF download below ]

star-shape-metallic-booties.pdf
File Size:	6 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Step 1 : trace and cut out your stars

Download the PDF above with 3 different star shapes. Also, you can use any shape you want, stars, hearts, rainbows, polk dots, get creative!

I traced my star shapes onto leather using a sharpie marker and then used my heavy duty fabric scissors to cut them out.

Like I said before, the hardest/longest part of this DIY is cutting out the stars. They are pretty small, and it will take a while (a solid 30-45 mins...and beware of hand cramps, owe!). Try to cut your lines as straight + clean as possible.

Hint: Cut a little past the corners of the star to create clean 90 degree angels on your stars.

Step 2: Play around with Placement

Before you get to gluing, take the time to layout your stars on your booties. If your boots are suede like mine, they will stick without sliding off so you can get a pretty good idea of what the final outcome will look like.

Step 3: Glue your stars down

Use leather glue and a sponge paintbrush to glue down your stars one by one. Seriously, play around with the placement of the stars before you start glueing. If your using leather glue, it is going to be a solid bond once glued down, so you will be committed to the placement. Once placed, make sure all edges and corners of your stars are firmly glued down.

It will dry within hours, but to be safe, let sit for a complete 24 hours before taking them out for a spin on the disco floor!

And if you aren't up for the challenge, you can get these Leather Star Boots from Asos that are VERY similar. Orginally, $127 dollars but on sale for $50 right now!

And tell me, which one would you go for- the DIY or the BUY? Let me know, in the comments!

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The Best Water Brush + Aqua Watercolor Brushes

7/26/2017

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Let's talk about the Best Water Brush / Aqua - Watercolor Brushes out there. I am sharing with you some from my collection, as well as, which ones are my favorites and why. If you have a set of aqua brushes that you use and love, please share with us in the comments- I am always looking for new products to try out!

What is a Water Brush // Aqua Brush?

Just so we are all on the same page, when I say water brush or aqua brush I am talking about the paint brushes that have a water reservoir in the handle of the brush. I honestly first discovered my love for these brushes when I was teaching elementary school art. They we’re really great for the younger kiddos learning watercolor but also just real fun and easy to use! (and great for traveling).

What do you use Aqua Brushes for? And what kind of paints can you use them with?

I use Aqua Brushes for watercolor painting, of course, but they are also great for brush lettering or anytime you need to keep your brush continually wet and flowing. I use them with watercolor paints, gouache, inks and acrylic paints. AND- you can actually put liquid watercolors and inks directly into the handle, this is perfect for brush lettering!

Aqua-Flo Brushes by Royal & Langnickle

First up is actually the same brand I used in my classroom, not the same exact brushes- but the ones I use myself.
I found these Aqua-Flo Brushes at my local Hobby Lobby. They come in a pack of 3 which is nice. These have a pretty wide brush tip, so I use them more filling in large spaces with color or if I want to get a big area of my page wet, etc.

Sakura Large Long Tank #8 Water Brush

Sakura makes great water brushes. I like them because they are small in size and come apart making it easy for travel. There is a insert for you to use so you can keep the water in the handle, but still screw apart for compact traveling.

I got this Aqua Brush from Hobby Lobby.

Pentel Assorted Aquash Water Brush

I love this set of Aqua Brushes and you can pick these up at Walmart! (I've had folks tell me they don't have art stores near by, and it maybe because I live in the city- but my local Walmart has a pretty decent arts and craft aisle. That with Home Depot and you got it all! And at a much better price than the fancy art stores!)

I love the variety in the brush tips (the middle -messed up looking- long one is my fav) and the wider shape handle.

I have used these a lot for brush lettering. They still are a wider tip, but I like fat fonts. :D

Arteza Water Brush Set of 6

Okay, so this set of water brushes and the ones below we're both impulse buys on Amazon Prime....BUT err muhh gosh! Totally worth it!

I LOVE these. I have used them non-stop since they arrived in the mail. They work awesome, never get clogged and have the BEST variety of brushes (tip sizes and shape).

You can order this water brush set here.

Water Brush Pen Set

Lastly, these cute and awesome and PINK Aqua Brushes. Also, ordered on Amazon Prime :D And also, another great buy.

I keep these in my little travel art supply kit that I keep in my purse. I love these because- pink, but also the brush tips on these are really smooth to paint with and I like how small the smallest one is. Perfect for tiny little details and skinny brush lettering.