Magically Disappearing Days

Yesterday, I took a trip over to one of my new (to me) favorite blogs Mint and found the start of new series called Howdy Do It. Both Ellie, of Mint, and Margot, of Pitch Design Union, teamed up to take turns on each other's blog each Monday and share useful tips, tricks, and short-cuts to help out independent designers working freelance and/or running their own businesses, like myself. I don't want to give too much away and re-cap their posts from this week. Afterall, I'm sure you'll want to read each one for yourself, but I gotta say I found solidarity in what these two smart cookies had to say. While reading Ellie's post, in particular, I found myself serveal times saying "wait a minute, did I write this?".

You know, working from home and on your own can be both exhilarating and terrifying. Especially, when that long list of to-do's is all up to you and you alone. My days start early. They end late. The breaks are few in between and still the time just seems to vanish. Poof! It’s gone. And it’s starting to make me a little nervous; like I’ve been busy working all day, but what did I really get done?! So many tasks take longer than I anticipate and time is a precious commodity in my world. So, Ellie suggested keeping a time log for one day just to keep track of where your time really goes. And the best part is that she has, oh so generously, shared some adorable pdf's to download and print out our own pretty logs. You know, something to entice us with.

I think its a great idea. The pdf's came out super cute. And I'm definitely going to give these time management sheets a try. I’m really looking forward to the continuation of this series, if for nothing else than to know that I'm not alone and that other empowered women are facing similar obstacles.

Drum Roll Please...

Thanks so much for all your help! You searched for the perfect blank journal and found quite a few for me to choose from. Now its time to share the best of the best. Coccinellidae, you must have read my mind! The utrecht journal, while a little large for my needs, was exactly what I had in mind and I had a lot of fun browsing Writer's Bloc too. Congrats on being the big winner! I'll be dropping your thank you gift in the mail this weekend.

1. Exacompta journal refill, graph
2. Utrecht recycled hardcover sketchbook

Find Me My New Journal and I'll Send You a Free Gift!

A few years back I read this fun book called How to Make a Journal of Your Life. It exposed me to the idea of incorporating visual and verbal art in to one journal; don't just write your short story draw your images to accompany it in the very same book. It's been something I've always thought of from time to time but I never got around to putting it into action. And now, through entering the blogosphere I've been discovering just how fun it really is to mix visual images with words. So, yesterday I decided that it was finally time to introduce my words to my drawings and to make a go at cohabitation.

Easier said than done. Being the lover of books and paper that I am, I decided that I needed a new journal - a fresh start for a fresh adventure. And I can't just use any old journal either. I don't want one that's already been decorated. I'm a print maker; I wanna decorate my own! Well, do you know how hard it is to find a blank journal in this town? They don't exist. They only thing I could find was a kraft colored spiral notebook, but I'm not really a spiral notebook kind of gal. I want a bound journal. I did revisit the cereal box journal that I talked about a little while back. Problem is my sewing machine is old and tired and I'd like a journal with far more than 16 pages. So, that's out. Then I thought why not recover a composition notebook with parcel post paper. That would be the perfect journal size. Problem is that the paper is so darn thin my inks would run through several pages at a time.

So today, while I was supposed to share gorgeous pictures of my newly decorated journal and tips of how to personalize each page that would leave everyone ouu'ing and ahh'ing at the cuteness of it, I've got nothing. And because I've got nothing when I really want something I've decided to enlist your help and reward you accordingly. If, over the course of your online browsing, you come across a plain bound book ready for personalization and under $20 leave the link, your email and your favorite card from Birdcage Cards' shop in the comment section below. Whoever finds the perfect journal for me first- the one that I end of buying - will receive their favorite note card and a matching bookmark for free.

Here's the fine print: The contest will end Thursday, June 11th at midnight and be announced the following Friday. If no one finds the perfect journal for me (one that I'm willing to buy) I will pick a winner from whoever came the closest to meeting my requirements. Each person is allowed to leave up to 2 links per comment but no more. Your favorite note card from Birdcage Cards' shop can be from a set but if you are the winner, you will receive just one note card from that set. It is okay to pick your favorite note card from the new summer line even if it has yet to be listed in the shop.

April Freebie

Here at Birdcage Cards I firmly believe that others out there love to read as much as I do. So in honor of one of my most beloved hobbies every order placed during the month of April will receive a free personalized bookmark! Shown above is my favorite, grey with yellow zinnias, but I want you to decide yours.

When you place an order with Birdcage Cards just let me know your favorite colors, if you'd like your name printed at the bottom and whether or not you'd like your bookmark to match your order. For instance buy a set of Plumage stationery and receive a matching bookmark with your name printed on it for free!

I know life can get a little hectic and sometimes its hard to find the time to sit down with a book. So, consider this a little reading incentive; something beautiful to tuck between the pages.