My Bullet-Smash-Junk-Scrap-Loaded-Journal/Planner!

I've been working on a few business ventures lately and found I was having a few too many moments in need of a soft goosfraba whispered into my ears. I take a lot of deep breaths lately because I am bound and determined to be a successful wife, mom, Mawmaw, writer, blogger, business owner...(Whew! a mouth-full to say and to do!) But, I can do it! I know I can! 

I had this old job search organizer, which is 17 years old. I used it back in the days of wife-ing, mom-ing, working on my career, going to college, volunteering... (Whew! Another mouth full!) Anyhow, I was extremely organized back then, and I haven't used this thing in years. Every time I had thought of throwing it out, the hoarding upcycler in me just couldn't do it! 

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Each page has a pocket. Great for organization, and for inserting lots of goodies. 

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I'll be covering the front, back, and each page with some pretty scrapbook paper. But the front and back had a smooth cover film on them, so I pulled that off.

I took the spiral ring off the book to make it easier to work with.

Paper Crafting Supplies

To add durability, and flexibility in my possible decorative direction, I painted the edges with some pretty matte pink paint.

I gathered a bunch of leftover scrapbooking papers and supplies.

I traced the back of my scrapbook paper for size, and cut it out.

Glued the paper on with glue sticks, (I had dozens left over from some previous projects with my grandchildren.)

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I glued scrapbook paper, cutouts, and embellishments onto each page.

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I had taken the pocket pages from an old spiral notebook bound for the trash, and I covered those as well. I will be adding these with some sort of string or ribbon.

 

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I created some bullet journal pages that would suit my needs. These are just a few of them. I also have one for my Ebay listings, my blogging, meal planning...

The clear pages were part of the original organizer, I will use the one for business cards, and will probably use the large one for pens and markers. 

I added some clear pockets for keepsakes. (Another yard sale find)

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I will be adding more memorabilia, photos, and journaling tidbits as I go, but I really like where it's going so far!

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I have saved nearly every card I have ever received, and I took some of the more special ones to use in my book. I cut them up to use parts and pieces. They serve as both, special reminders and as decorative accent! I love it!

I created pockets using parts from the cards. 

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More parts from the cards. I am creating tabs with some of them that coordinate. I am really enjoying this process; very therapeutic as well as constructive!

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I am a huge fan of yard sales, and I found these little plastic page saver sleeves for a dime. There were 8 in the package, and I had a few left from (of course) another project. I slid some card stock down into the sleeves, and punched holes in the card stock to match up with the holes in the plastic sleeves. I will add these in with some ribbon.

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I like the last page as is, so I won't be covering it with scrapbook paper. I'm sure I will embellish the heck out of it though! 

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The front so far - I haven't added my closure yet. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to use. I've been searching my craft room for the solution because I'm standing strong in my self-challenge to use up my left-overs on this project!

 

 The back so far.

So, this is what I have so far folks! I love every bit of where this is going. I love the perfect imperfections in using the old book with tatters and tears. I will continue to juxtapose the old and the new to create my book of organization and memory keeping!
 I am excited to use this
 bullet-smash-junk-scrap-loaded-journal!

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Until next time! 
May your blessings be many and your troubles be few!

Weeping Tree Sonnet

When I was just a little girl, I would lean my back against the trunk of the willow tree in my grandparent's backyard. Shaded by its branches, I would set pen to paper and write my childish poems. I felt protected by the tree that seemed, always, to be crying. In this sonnet I have intimately juxtaposed the life of that tree and the lives beneath that tree, with the emotions of generations to come in my family tree. And humbly, I rejoice that they have wept for me!

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The sonnet is my favorite form of poetry, so when my college professor challenged me to write a sonnet, I was ready!

 I knew I specifically wanted to stay true the idea of sonnets of old, written mostly of love and philosophy. I wanted my sonnet to have iambic pentameter, and have four quatrains with an ending couplet, using the abab, cdcd, efef, gg rhyme scheme. I was asked to finish my poem in one week; it took two. This particular sonnet is included in a published work The International Library of Poetry's, Tracing the Infinite. My profile and poem are featured as the first work in the book.

I'm not sure why, but for too long a while, I had quit writing. Today while doing some much needed spring cleaning, I came across the book. With some emotion, a sigh, and a smile, I decided I would take the poem off the shelf and share it with you!



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Weeping Tree

Your tears water the seeds beneath my bones
Traveling the Earth, joining ancestry
Binding the knowledge of yesterdays gone
Graciously promising infinity

Binding futures with your fountain of tears
Branching the heavens in search of our roots
Gracefully keeping in touch with the years
Winds whisper wishes of splintering truths

Locked away skeletons, hidden for shame

Silently pay homage to memories 

Eroded by storms of blood and its stain

Smothering images of destiny

In awe of explanations there may be

Humbly I rejoice you have wept for me

Michelle E LaDuke

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© Michelle LaDuke 2015