Leah O’Neil's Blog Posts

07.22.18
Hey there creative friends! Welcome back to the Simple Stories blog. Leah here with you today showing
you a glimpse into how I’m using my traveler’s notebook to help keep my brain organized during the
chaos of moving house. What I love about using a traveler’s notebook (a.k.a. a TN) during busy times like
this is how portable and customizable it is. When running around the house packing, or out running
errands, I can easily carry it with me and open it up to jot down a quick reminder or list before I forget.
 
I used the Good Vibes collection to decorate the projects in my TN that I’m about to share with you. The
vibrant colors and sentiments to remind me to keep up the good vibes are exactly what I need to see
throughout these next few weeks until the move is over.
 
I’m currently only using three inserts in this TN. I want to keep the bare minimum of what I need in here
so I don’t get overwhelmed and can easily find where I need to go when I open up a notebook. I’ve got a
monthly calendar insert where I have several lists and reminders listed on the monthly intro page. For
example, I made a list of accounts I need to change addresses for, and then because I am a list addict, I
made a list of lists I need to make before the move. I can’t help myself! There’s so much to do and keep
track of during a move.
 
 
Also in this monthly insert, I decorated the July monthly spread with lots (and I do mean lots) of stickers.
I actually challenged myself to see just how many stickers I could use up from the Good Vibes pack of
4x6 sticker sheets. You know how it is when you need a good dose of creative fun to procrastinate the
heck out of what you’re supposed to be doing. Well sticker explosion happened this time (#noregrets).
Having a monthly view in my planner right now is crucial because it lets me visually see exactly how
much time I have before the move and plan out how I’m going to fit everything I need to get done into
that time frame. I also have a daily insert in this TN that I can use to expand on each day’s tasks into
more detail. For example, if I write “pack bedroom” on the monthly spread, then on the daily planning
page, I can write out a more detailed list of the areas within the room that need to be tackled.
 
 
Most importantly (to me), I designated an entire insert in this TN to my plethora of moving-related lists.
I know for a fact I will use up this notebook during this move. I’m listing out everything I can to get as
much info out of my head as possible so I’m less stressed. I’ve got an expanded list of all the accounts
and places I need to change our address for, things I need to buy for the new house as soon as possible,
things I want to buy for the house eventually, things I’ve seen while online shopping that I can’t afford
but want to remember to pin to my “Dream Home” Pinterest board…a list of zones within the house
that need to be packed, a list of general to-dos. You get the drift. Lots of lists, and some notes too. I
wrote my new address down in here and a few other important details that I need to reference often.
 
 
Also to help me keep important documents organized during the move, I’m using this clear document
storage pouch (I think I purchased from Amazon a long time ago). I’m stashing documents in here that
don’t fit or have a place in my TN, such as forms that need to be filled out and mailed, my lease
agreement, printed confirmation and/or account details, a move-out cleaning checklist for our current
apartment, and a few other miscellaneous files. The pouch is clear so I dressed it up to coordinate with
my TN, but also so that none of my private information is visible. I cut down a couple of my favorite
12x12 papers from the Good Vibes collection and used a non-permanent, double-sided adhesive tape to
secure them to the inside of the front and back of the pouch.
 
 
For the most part right now, I am exclusively using this TN and document keeper to keep me organized
and sane throughout my upcoming move. Moving can certainly be stressful, but it really does help to
keep your thoughts and important moving-related information organized and in one place. I also tried a
new thing called “starting early” so I don’t have to worry about getting everything done at the last
minute. This is very unfamiliar territory for me, but I’m going to embrace it and thank my pretty planner
for helping me get stuff done. I’ll report back about how I survived on my Instagram in a couple of
weeks.
 
Until next time creative souls, happy crafting (and list-making)!

Supplies
06.27.18

Hello everyone, welcome back to the Simple Stories blog! Leah here and I've got my TN all set up for summer with the Hello Summer collection and I'm excited to share it with you today. I am loving the bright colors and super fun patterns and icons in this line – they were perfect for brightening up my TN setup for July.

It's been awhile since I went a little heavier on my TN pocket décor. Maybe it's the season, but I was feeling the urge to make my setup more fun this month, even if it means my front pockets will be less functional for now. Although, all the extra die cuts and decorative pieces will be great to pull and use when decorating my lists and planner layouts throughout the month.

The patterned papers from the Hello Summer line truly give me all the good summer vibes! I cut some of my favorites down to the size of the TN inserts and wrapped them around the existing notebook covers so that all the inserts would coordinate together. For the front cover, I added some extra layers and die cuts for more interest and dimension. How cute is the little chipboard flamingo sticker?

I love how this TN pocket bookmark/sticker holder project turned out! The base of it is the 12x12 "Just Chillin" patterned paper. I took the similar flamingo patterned paper from the 6x8 paper pad and cut out a piece to create the pocket. Cutting around the head and necks of the flamingo gave the pocket a fun extra touch. I fussy cut all the flowers from the 12x12 "Paradise Found" paper and stapled one of the pieces at the top of this pocket for decoration, but also to hold the stickers more securely in the pocket so they will stay in place if my TN is turned upside down.

Overall, I am loving everything about the Hello Summer collection and can't wait to keep using it in my TN all summer long. Have you picked up this collection yet? The Simple Stories blog and social media channels are loaded with inspiration using this line right now, if you haven't seen enough to make you love it already! Until next time creatives, happy crafting!

Supplies
06.01.18

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Simple Stories blog. Leah here with you today to show you a new planning setup I’m trying out in my A5 Mint Blossom Carpe Diem planner. I’ve been playing around with different planner inserts lately, and am giving daily inserts a try this week. The beauty of the Carpe Diem planner inserts being undated is that you can switch up your inserts any time.

I love using daily inserts, but I still like being able to see a weekly view. I used the grid paper from the Basics Inserts pack and stuck one sheet in at the start of the week to write out my weekly tasks and goals. I love planning on grid paper because it's so easy to draw lines and shapes on a layout. The grid lines really help with spacing and writing neatly as well.

 I love how this little weekly habit tracker turned out. I wrote in reminders for daily habits I'm trying to improve upon. I will color in a square for each day of the week I remember to do these things.

Several of the stickers from the Carpe Diem sticker tablets fit perfectly within the grid paper lines. Using stickers on this paper is a fun way to emphasize messages or reminders, or to separate your layout into sections.

For the first daily page of my week, I used a few stickers from the Planner Basics sticker tablet, such as this tab sticker that works really well as a tracker. In this case, I drew lines to represent 24 oz. of water since that’s the size of the tumbler I carry around with me everywhere. These tab stickers would be so fun to draw or stamp shapes onto to make a variety of trackers. For example, you could draw little hearts or boxes to color in.

 I primarily used the Bloom sticker tablet to decorate both of these layouts. The Carpe Diem sticker tablets are loaded with SO many stickers. Carrying just one around with you gives you ample possibilities for decorating several layouts on-the-go. I cut the back cover of the Bloom tablet so that I could tuck it into the back pocket of my planner. I’m also carrying the Bloom Bits and Pieces pack in a Carpe Diem Plastic Storage Pouch. I love finding easy ways like this to carry supplies with me to use while I'm away from home.

Simple Stories has been releasing more and more sticker tablets lately. There’s one to coordinate with nearly every collection, but there are also several basic sticker tablets that have come out recently. One of my favorites is the one full of nothing but number stickers to date your undated inserts. Do you have a favorite Carpe Diem sticker tablet right now? They are so versatile and give you so much value for your money.

Thank you all for sharing your time with me here on the blog today. Until next time friends, happy planning!

Supplies

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