New Hobonichi Cousin

I'm really feeling the relief of a brand new year and a fresh start! 

My main goal is to spend as much time as possible outdoors and with my camera. In November I started walking each morning and I've really been enjoying it. I have coffee with friends at Starbucks almost every day and it's a nice way to get some fresh air AND exercise. These photos obviously aren't from my walks but they are my favorite winter colors. 

I finished my 2017 Hobonichi Techo pretty strong! I didn't miss a single day since August, when things got busy, I was away from home or felt stressful I made a note in my phone of what I might want to write about and when I had time, I went back and filled in the days. That approach worked really well for me. It became something I genuinely looked forward to working on each day! I'm using the monthly page to write a seasonal quote about the month and track the weather and moon cycles.

For 2018 I went with the larger Cousin because I wanted more space to include photographs, practice hand lettering and use lots of stamps + washi. I realized I can walk to Rite Aid and have photos printed really inexpensively on nice quality paper. I have a Canon Selphy printer but I don't love it. Walking for photos = fresh air and encourages me to get the photos off the camera! I  have a 64GB card with close to 15,000 photos from just 2017. I don't know why I don't share or do more with them so that's definitely a big goal!

I recently took advantage of the Makerist sale and picked up a few hoodie patterns. My goal is to eventually make this one. I'd like to sew a bit more but I'm just not sure what. I definitely find fabric shopping more fun sometimes than actually sewing. ;)

I did recently make Pattydoo's Lynn out of some hilarious Christmas fleece from Joann Fabrics and *loved it*. It's currently in the washing machine but I'm going to do a blog post about it soon. I lined the pockets and hood with some bamboo fabric and it is SO soft. A total snuggle fest. I'd like to make it again but I haven't quite figured out how to lengthen it and take in a sides a tiny bit. 

I hope you had a Happy New Year!

Hobonichi Techo 2017

In August I began using my Hobonichi again. Life slowed down a bit and I didn't need the agenda/planner layout of the Happy Planner! I also wanted a bit more space to collage, stamp and write more. I like to work on it before bed or first thing in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. I got my first fountain pen, a Lamy Safari in Petrol, then Eric surprised me with a rose gold Lamy LX for our anniversary which I absolutely adore. 

I've really enjoyed journaling so much that I decided to go big in 2018 with the Hobonichi Cousin. I was so excited when it arrived, it feels more like a big squishy notebook! But I think I will miss the compact fat size of the techo a tiny bit. I am looking forward to having all the space, especially to practice my lettering! I've been really obsessing over some of the traveler's notebooks on Instagram and have pinned a lot of inspiration here. I love all the unique stamps, washi and ink options out there. I especially love the very full and layered pages of some journals!

I haven't had any time to sew lately but I picked up fabric to hopefully make a few gifts. And maybe a hoodie for myself! :)

Winter Gray Lodge Walk

In between rainy weather, we've had a few nice days to go for walks around Gray Lodge. This is my favorite time of year to visit! I love all the migrating waterfowl and how nice the light is. Lately we've been seeing the same ferocious little sharp shinned hawk along one of the walking trails, it's always fun to see if he is there!