Honor Your Tools

Today, my BDJ Dare to Be Creative deck tasked me to Honor Your Tools:

”These are the objects that allow you to do what you love to do every day. What are your favorite tools for work? Your desk essentials? Draw them and write what you like about them.”

Since I cannot draw to save my life, I will share photos of my desk and preferred tools:

Standing desk from Mangkakahoy- I love working while standing, so this is the ideal desk for me.

Tulip Etimo Red 4.00mm crochet hook from Oh My Yarn!- This crochet hook lets the yarn glide effortlessly for a smooth and easy crochet experience.

A6 Journal and Vegan Leather Sleeve from Noted Journal PH- This handy notebook is perfect for self-expression and serves as my pandemic diary.

0.5mm Gel Pen from Muji- This pen is my favorite for journaling on both my bullet journal and daily journal.

Slim grid notebook and vegan leather sleeve from Noted Journal PH- This notebook is the ideal size for me and it serves as my bullet journal for my schedule, tasks, and habit trackers for workouts and bible reading.

My tools all deserve to be honored as they serve me well and allow me to be my best everyday!

Journaling Workshop

I am a firm believer in paid workshops because it is human nature to consistently practice something that has been bought with hard-earned money. I joined a paid journaling and memory keeping workshop by local journal maker and YouTuber V of Noted Journal PH. I wanted to restart my journaling journey but I needed some help, so I enrolled in this afternoon webinar for some inspiration.

I received the journal kit prior to the workshop day itself, so I was able to get acquainted with the journal and its vegan leather cover that will be my emotional dumpsite in the coming months. During the workshop, I discovered that I am more of an essay-type diarist. I express myself better with words rather than photos. I may have this blog to document my everyday life, but there is something magical about putting words on to paper. The art of letting go with a pen and notebook is therapeutic, and I am happy to rekindle this habit during the pandemic.

To be honest, the past few weeks have been challenging. I was getting cabin fever, and my partner who lives in another city had the dreaded Covid-19 virus. While he did not need to be hospitalized, it was still a tiring ordeal. We had to keep our relationship alive through video calls and chats. While we were able to lean on each other during these difficult times, I wanted to strengthen my emotional ability through journaling. I noticed a positive change already in the two days that I have been journaling, as I realized that I can control my emotions through daily journaling.

Let me end this blog entry with the output I made during our journaling workshop. I do not normally use photos and stickers on my spreads. It was refreshing to change my journaling style for a day and meet fellow diarists. It is also nice to meet V virtually and interact with her! I am really grateful for this experience and I hope that similar opportunities will be available in the future to develop my passion for journaling.

This post is not sponsored. I am just a happy Noted Journal PH customer! To support V and her brand, visit her website, and learn how to journal via her YouTube channel.

Noted Journal

I recently treated myself to the slim notebook bundle from local brand Noted Journal PH. I chose this shop because of the following:

• It is a woman-led small business that sells handmade vegan leather notebooks and journals.

• They have a reputation for delivering quality notebooks among the local planner scene.

• They have a slim notebook bundle with a vegan leather cover which is perfect for customization.

I was not disappointed with the journal. On top of that, I also won a passport journal and two vegan leather desk bins from their recent giveaway. I am truly lucky to have chosen this shop!

I wasted no time in customizing this within the day of receiving it. I used my Crafts Delight stickers (another local, woman-led small business!) to turn the grid notebook into a 2021 planner. It was an easy and relaxing process. I am happy because the notebook lies completely flat, and the gel ink I use does not bleed through its pages.

This is not a sponsored post, I am just genuinely happy with the slim notebook bundle and handmade goodies that I won. I hope that you will consider Noted Journal on your next journal purchase. You surely won’t regret it!

Drawing Deliciousness

I spent my Monday reading, working out, and updating my Traveler’s Notebook. I have previously shared how I was pleasantly surprised with my return to creative journaling, and it has sort of awakened my inner diarist again. It is a welcome change, and it is glorious to have my hobby back.

Since my mom cooked sopas for lunch (it was delicious!), I was inspired to whip out my TN (traveler’s notebook) and drew my yummy meal. 

Yes, I did have both coffee and hot chocolate! The rainy weather made me crave for comforting drinks, so I made both to satisfy my drowsy urge for caffeine and good vibes.  

My second illustration depicted my epic breakfast last Sunday. I bought bicho-bicho (traditional Filipino donut) and bananacue from a street vendor along UP Diliman during my brisk walk. You have to give it to them for their ingenious merchandising. 

I plated it this way at home, and yes, both treats were HEAVENLY and simply satisfying after a long workout.  

I am glad to be back to journaling. It has become second-nature to me again. Indeed, the best art moments are those which are spontaneous and unplanned. I look forward to more delicious meals and colorful illustrations ahead!