Hi again, it's me Emma, I'd like to share with you today what I have been doing with the Summer Days collection which is one of the fabulous new simple stories releases. Now, I'm from the U.K. and you may be aware that we are all pretty much obsessed with the weather! Mainly I think because we often manage to have all four seasons in one day! I myself am at my happiest when the sun shines and that's why this Summer Days collection is perfect for me to use in my summer planner! 

There are so many items that come with this collection, papers, stickers, washi tape, bits & pieces, brads and chipboard stickers. This is what I find so wonderful about simple stories as you can find everything you are looking for, all co ordinating and working so beautifully together! 

As always I set up the front pocket of my planner first. I have used an assortment of the bits & pieces, chipboard stickers and cut out some of the elements from the 12x12 collection kit, they are full to bursting and I think look fabulously summery! 

I've then made a dashboard using paper & elements from the 12x12 collection kit and adding extra details with a black fine liner. 

I like to tie everything together by tucking papers into the Large side pockets and I use a border punch to just pretty up the edges. I have also slid the sticker sheets in here so I always have them at hand. 

I've used lots of the stickers and bits & pieces on my May monthly spread and the gorgeous washi tape...I'm a sucker for washi tape and I'm never disappointed with the choices that Simple Stories release, you will nearly always find that you can mix and match with all their other collections! 

I decided to make some fun paperclips with the decorative brads, it was super easy, just poke the split pin through the top end of your paperclip and then squeeze tightly once you've opened it. They actually hold in place really well! 

You'll notice on my monthly spreads I like to use the monthly date stickers, I also add these on my weekly pages, I find it handy when I'm planning things that I don't have to flip through to find dates, it's all there at the top of my page for me. 

I pretty much always have a doc it journal tucked into the back pocket of my planners, I like the idea that they are always at hand if I want to quickly do a couple of pages. 

A fun way to add some base colour to the pages is by using watercolour, I like to get a piece of clear cellophane and add splashed of paint to it, then press it onto the pages and it leaves an awesome organic splodge!!...yep! that's my technical term for it!! 

My handwriting is dreadful so I tend to journal in pictures, avoiding having to write!...I use pictures I print out, bits & pieces, washi tape and have fun sticking it on the pages. 

I hope I've given you a few ideas on how you too could use the Summer days collection in your planner or for journaling. 

If you would like to see more pictures of how I use this collection over the summer months then please pop over to my Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/heartsbyemma