Make Every Day Memorable in Your Journal

Not only do journals keep us organized, they also can keep us motivated and inspired on a daily basis. Meagan (@theillustratedplanner) shows us how to create a beautiful floral ‘monthly spread’ for recording special moments, reminders, gratitude, and reflections.

Kelly Creates Supplies: Creative Journal, Black Fineliners, Metallic Jewel Bullet Tip pens, Aqua Brushes, Deluxe Lettering Kit.

While searching journal ideas on the internet, you may have seen things like “Gratitude Log,” or “One Line a Day,” or even a monthly “Memories Page.” For this month, I decided to create a combination of these three ideas! I wanted to focus on daily gratitude for the tutorial because sometimes my days blur together and it’s nice to create a space that documents each day. 

In my opinion, a Gratitude Log can become repetitive if filled out everyday, as is the same with a One Line a Day page. Memory pages can be fun, but many times they are filled out at the end of the month. For this tutorial, the combination of the three in a super adaptable format will create a daily habit of reflecting on each day. 

Step 1. 

Using the Kelly Creates 03 Size Black Fineliner, draw an outline around the outside edges of your journal 2-pages spread. Then with the 05 Size Fineliner, create a title with your choice of lettering style. I’ve chosen the title of “One Thing Every Day.” 

Step 2.  

With a pencil, draw four equally sized rectangles. These four rectangles represent the weeks of the month. To add some floral illustrations to the pages, I also sectioned off four 7 dot wide spaces. After outlining with my pencil, I traced over with the Kelly Creates 03 Black Fineliner and then erased the pencil lines. The Kelly Creates Deluxe Lettering kit has a ruler, pencil, eraser and Fineliners too, which come in handy when designing journal layouts.

Step 3. 

In the illustration spaces, you can choose a theme that fits with the current month. I drew some floral doodles, but any theme will do! Using the Kelly Creates 03 Black Fineliner, fill in these illustration spaces. You can use pencil first and then trace over with the Fineliner, erasing the pencil later. Or if you’re not confident with doodles or illustrations, then use Kelly Creates Floral stamps and new Ink pad & Block set. 

Step 4. 

Use the Aqua brushes for adding colour to your illustrations. Before the pen ink fully dries, use a paint brush and a little bit of water to create a watercolor effect. For my flowers, I did a quick swipe of color on the petals or leaves, and then immediately followed it up with the slightly damp paint brush. Lastly, use the Metallic Bullet Point Pens to add some metallic elements. If you’re like me and you sometimes color outside the lines, use the Metallic Pens to hide any of these spots! 

 Step 5.  

At the end of each day, or the morning after, section off a small part of your weekly rectangles with the 03 Size Fineliner. In your daily “rectangle” fill it with anything you choose. I’ve included a list of different ideas and examples you can choose in the image above.  

Now I get it, some of us can get super busy. You might not have time to fill out a space every day. When I find that my day won’t allow for a time to work on my journal, I’ll sometimes just make a quick note on my phone or paper pad. Then when you do have time to sit down and work on your journal, you’ll have a list of ideas to choose from. But at the end of the month, you’ll be able to look back and have a great page to reflect on. And hopefully, it makes each day just a little bit more memorable.

You know what? This just might be doable for me….having a month at a glance on a 2-page spread in my journal. I also love the idea of sketching and doodling, with or without color. Thanks Meagan!

For more artistic journaling inspiration, follow Meagan on Instagram @theillustratedplanner

To shop the supplies Meagan used, click the affiliate links below or visit http://www.kellycreatesstore.com