Changes in the Planner World over the past few year and what is next...

I have been making videos on YouTube for over 4 years now (yikes!) and have been a part of the planner community before that. As with anything trends change all the time.

I thought I would do a little vlog discussing what the changes I have seen over the years are. I thought it would also be quite fun to predict what the future holds for us planner peeps so please do join in the discussion either here or in the Mrs Brimbles Happy Place on Facebook.

December Daily Flip Through (Travelers Notebook) 2016

Last week I shared with you my thoughts on completing a December Daily memory keeping album in my travelers notebook. This week I thought I would share with you my completed flip through. I hope you enjoy it! If you missed last weeks post you can check it out here

Items shown:

Photos printed with the Polaroid Zip Printer from my iphone
Travelers Notebook: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Geekydori
Insert: Made by myself
Dashboard: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MyPrettyWeek
Papers, stickers, Embellishments etc: http://www.mrsbrimbles.co.uk/shop

As well as the above video I thought I would share some of my favourite photos. Well not all of them as some of them have sticky notes over to protect Miss B's identity and they don't look as great with them on but needs must!

I started my journal with a little pocket with a letter in it. I had seen this idea in many flip throughs and it seemed like a good idea. It just has things in it like what we have been through in the year both as a family and wider society.

There are quite a few selfies of me in my journal and there is a couple of reasons for that and it is not pure narcissism. Firstly it is my journal and a documentation of me as well as my family and secondly as a mother I am usually the one taking photos and I feel that it is important to have photos of me for my tiddly to look back on in years to come.

I can't remember exactly when I got my Fuse tool but I know it was all so new to me still and I just wanted to fuse all the things! The benefit of making your own inserts is that you can put what the heck you like in it. I added in some Project Life pocket inserts that I had cut down which I slipped photos and cards into. I also saw on my internet travels people keeping pine needles from their tree so I thought I would do the same. I didn't dry them, I put them in fresh and 6 months on they still look pretty good. It's one of those quirky things that I love and I will probably do every year.

Don't get me wrong I love photos of people but I also love documenting other things that make up my life. As you can see I documented how our Christmas tree looked as well as all the knick knacks on my side board. Normally I am a minimalist in my decor but at Christmas I go all out because I think it looks cozy. I also photographed the radiator with all Miss B's Christmas jumpers drying on them. This was our first year being parents and we went all in so it was cute things like this that were just as fun to document. I also documented activities like ornament making. All things that I hope Miss B will look back on fondly even if she can't remember doing it.

This was our first year as a family as I mentioned so we introduced new traditions like a Christmas Eve box for tiddly. I documented the tradition and what she got too.

I have a fab little app on my phone called Catch Santa which I stumbled across last year and used it again this year. Basically you take a photo of your house, presents under the tree or whatever you want and you then use their app to add Father Christmas in as if he was really there. I do find that it is noticeably fake so I then also edit my photo in either instagram or Little Moments app to give it a filter which helps to calm it down and make it look like one photo. These things I can do in Photoshop but it is so quick and easy to do on your phone, perfect to do whilst nibbling on a mince pie and a really cute and fun addition to your album,

One can never have too much sparkle of fusing right? Oh and snap chat filters. Gotta love me a snap chat filter lol!

I hope you enjoyed a peak into my December Daily and I can't wait to do it all again next year!

My thoughts on doing a December Daily (in a travelers notebook)

A vlog from me on my thoughts regarding doing a December Daily memory keeping project. Is it worth it, did I enjoy it etc.

Also my thoughts on doing it in a travelers notebook!

Flip through coming next week!

Scotcon - Planner Event

Mr B and I have always talked about visiting Scotland and touring. We have always wanted to go to the West coast, Isle of Skye and the Hebrides. I don't know why we haven't been before, probably because we are also so very drawn to Cornwall. Anyways, I was super duper shocked and excited when the organisers of Scotcon emailed me and asked if I would be able to talk at their event. Part of me nearly replied straight back and said no because it was just too far but I chatted it over with the mister and we decided that this might just be the push that we needed to go and explore somewhere that had been on our list before.

We drove for the day, a whole day. With a toddler. Yeah not so fun but we made it all the way from Cambridgeshire to Glasgow in just about one piece.

I have never been somewhere where I felt so unbelievably welcome. All the people at the event were so warm and welcoming and I had such a lovely time. I had a stand selling some Mrs Brimbles goodies. I vlogged the event as best as I could and have it here for you to watch:

It was an amazing day and I met some lovely people. Hailey on my table asked if I would do something in her journal for her so this is what I did! It is always so very nerve wracking doing something in someone elses book!

 We had a workshop from Michelle of Uglybug on pocket scrapbooking. I took an old photo of Cornwall to play with. We didn't get much time but I love what I managed to get done in the time and stuck in my travelers notebook insert.

After the event Mr B, Miss B and I went off to the Isle of Skye camping for the week. It was a truly amazing experience made possible by the gentle nudge of attending Scotcon. Scotland, this certainly isn't the last you have seen of us Brim's!

Join the Scotland Planner girls on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1674657566138474/

So here are the new Brimbles monthly sticker club design team members...

As you know from the blog, I recently advertised for a new design team for the Brimbles monthly sticker club. Choosing a new design team is never an easy one but choose I must.

For me a design team is much more than it seems. For me it is about building a fantastic relationship with a bunch of likeminded people who really get me and what I do. I genuinely talk to some of the members of my design team every single day. They are not only on my design team but I also consider them to be friends and a sounding board too. I know that I always get disappointed people when I choose a team but unfortunately I can't choose everyone!

I choose people that I think will be a great fit for me on a personal level along with other criteria like amazing photos or a style that I like. It is not a tangible thing, it is a gut instinct thing.

I was asked on my Facebook group the other day why I don't rotate it more and have more people do a shortened time frame. Firstly that is a lot of admin time but mainly to me that is more of a PR team, they share the goods and that is it. To me a design team is that sounding board, to talk over designs, to tell me when I am going wrong or right not just to share a haul. It is also a thing of trust, there are many other similar businesses out there and I need to fully trust my team.

So errrrm yeah that is just a bit of background. There were many applications and I don't like turning people down. I am not made of money and can't have loads of people. I have also made the decision not to have people on the team who are on other design teams, a slight change than as advertised but something changed and I hope you can understand that.

So I genuinely am sorry if you didn't make the team this time and I do hope that you will apply again in the future.

....DRUMROLL.....EXCITING STUFF......

So here are the new Brimbles monthly sticker club design team members...

As you will see there are some familiar faces on there. I was over the moon when the Brimbles Box (now discontinued) DT members applied for the sticker club. We had a good thing going so it is nice to continue with them (there is no hard feeling to those that didn't by the way!)

Coming soon to this blog.... lots of yumminess!!

New journal and travelers notebook!

I very recently went on an Etsy hunt in order to look for a present for my lovely friend Daisy of My Green Cow. She loves all things planner, stationery and journal like I do and also the colour yellow. I came accross a seller called Dixie Dorie and saw the perfect thing. When it came I had this horrible inner battle...I wanted to keep it because it was so gorgeous. Of course I gave it to Daisy but I couldn't get it out of my mind!

Photo by Daisy: https://www.instagram.com/mygreencow/

I loved the spine on it and I loved that it had 6 elastics. I liked the colour but it was the construction that kept on calling to me. It's kinda weird because it was a 'personal' size and I have always used the 'standard' size.

So one day whilst browsing on instagram the seller posted a photo of the most gorgeous fabric that totally spoke to my soul. I mean it is just so me, so much like the little characters that I draw that I had to ask if she could make me a custom order in my favourite colour...teal with that fabric. She said yes, so I sold a couple of planners in the facebook planner de-stash group that were no longer giving me joy (I was awake when I read the Marie Kondo book lol!) in order to be able to fund it.

See what I mean! The fabric is amazing. I posted a photo on instagram this morning of some doodles I have that I will be sharing on Patreon in the form of collage and design sheets as well as a tutorial and whilst not 100% the same you can see similarities in the style and why this fabric would appeal to me. Here is the photo of my doodles:

Check out my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/mrsbrimbles 

Well it came and it did not disappoint. I thought I would share an unboxing with you so that you can see what it is like. The colour is amazing. I just love anything on the mint to teal spectrum of greeny blues ha ha! It makes me happy.

The seller also sent me a couple of other items too which was incredibly generous and very kind indeed. I absolutely love them! In true Anna style I have been busy making inserts and I will probably do another post when I am all set up and ready to go!

Whilst we talk about inserts, I was also sent a couple of inserts to share and review with you so I have included those in my haul too. Check out the video to see everything:

The shops mentioned are as follows:

Travelers Notebooks and Bow Charms: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/plannercandeebydixie
Dashboard: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GeraldineJayneCrafts
Inserts: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/paperpenandplan

As I said I will be sharing my set up on these soon so be sure to come back to check those out!



PLEASE NOTE: I was given this / these product(s) in exchange for my honest review and opinion, the fact that I was given these does not alter my opinion in anyway. This review is my own personal opionion on the product / company, given in good faith and has not be sponsored or endorsed. None of the links are affiliate links. Unless otherwise stated, all photography is my own.

Little Rainbow Moon Mystery Kit Unboxing - June 2017

I was very kindly sent the Little Rainbow Moon mystery kit (June 2017 edition) to review / show & tell for you guys. I hope you enjoy! Please do check out Little Rainbow Moon shop for these goodies and more: https://www.etsy.com/shop/littlerainbowmoon

PLEASE NOTE: I was given this / these product(s) in exchange for my honest review and opinion, the fact that I was given these does not alter my opinion in anyway. This review is my own personal opionion on the product / company, given in good faith and has not be sponsored or endorsed. None of the links are affiliate links. Unless otherwise stated, all photography is my own.

I am a working artist and proud of it! / Brimbles Art & Journal Creative Team Call

I thought I would let you in on some really exciting news!

As you may probably know by now from all my posts on social media and my email (if you are signed up that is / a box subscriber) that the Brimbles Box has now been discontinued. June was the very last box to go out. This is not a sad thing by any means, some people think it is but for me it is not. Believe me whilst I enjoyed doing the boxes they were a crazy amount of work and it feels quite nice to be free of them. If you missed that email you can read it here. The past boxes (what is left of them) will remain up for sale in my shop here until they are sold out but once they are gone they are gone for good.

The Brimbles Sticker Club is still going! Some people are a bit confused by that but the sticker club will still be going out every month. You can grab your July Club here.

There will be design work and admin work surrounding the sticker club but believe me, no where near as much as with the boxes so that leaves me with a bit of time on my hands, that and Jon's working hours at his job has changed giving me more time. What will I do with that time? Well you know me, I don't like to be idle, especially with Miss B starting pre-school soon.

Soooooo I have decided to enter the realms of Patreon. That is a little bit scary but also really exciting. I am an artist and proud to be one and I would love to share more of what I do with you. If you would like to check out my page and what I am offering you can head on over to: https://www.patreon.com/mrsbrimbles

Have a little watch of my video, it's probably easier for me to explain it to you that way...

I do hope you will take a look at my page even to just say Hi! and reassure me that I am doing the right thing lol! I will still be creating on YouTube but I can't afford to spend all my time on it. Whilst I do get paid for my posts the pay isn't loads, I will be dead honest with you...some months I get nothing, some months I get £60 which is their minimum pay out threshold and some months I get £100. On average I get £50 which isn't a lot when you think I didn't get anything until year 3! All those hours I put into it. The money I earn literally feeds my family so I need to do a combination of things to make a living. YouTube, On line courses, Pareon and the Mrs Brimbles online shop. 

In line with my Patreon and Online courses (more of those will be coming in the future) I would like to have a creative team and here is the call out...

Brimbles Art & Journal Creative Team Call

Do you love getting creative in your journals and notebooks? Are you social and like to interact with like-minded creative people? Do you enjoy sharing photos of your journals? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you just might be the right fit for the Mrs Brimbles Art & Journal design team.

Let me tell you what it is all about…

Every month I will be creating content via my Patreon platform. This will be a mix of art journal and art lessons as well as journal inspiration. This may be in my journal as one spread, several spreads or it could be a stand alone piece of art. There will also be digital copies of some of the artwork created that month that will be available for you to print and use in your journals and mixed media projects. This could be collage sheets, journal cards, anything created by me! (strictly reserved for personal use - no commercial reproduction).

I am looking for creative team members who will be able to watch my content and who will then create ‘something’ using some of the methods etc that I have shown. Your creations can be anything, it doesn’t have to be in a journal, it could be any mixed media project. You will be required to download and print the digital artworks / collage sheets and use those in your projects.

In addition to my Patreon I also have online courses that I run via my website. There is not a regular schedule to these, they are posted on an ad-hoc basis. As part of the Brimbles Creative Team I would be looking for you to take my past courses (at your own pace) and my future courses when they go live. Courses are self paced so you can do them online at any time. For future courses, you will be given advanced access so you are able to start the course before it goes live so that you can get a head start on your creating.

With regards to the Patreon content, I would be looking to receive photos of your creations on a regular basis with a blog post once a month.

In addition to receiving access to my Patreon and Courses as part of the creative team perks, you will have a permanent discount code for 25% off any purchases you would like to make at www.mrsbrimbles.co.uk/shop

The Brimbles Art & Journal Creative Team is open to creative journal keepers and mixed media artists everywhere.

Being on the creative team also means that you will also get exposure for your blog / social media and your artistic talent! You will also have ‘presence’ on my blog for ever. The design team will run until 31st August 2018 and either party can resign / withdraw at any time without notice or reason.

What is required of you…

• You will be required to create something(s) as a result of watching my monthly Patreon content which will also include the use of my digital ‘print at home’ artworks. From your creation(s) you will submit a blog post with photographs for inclusion on my blog: mrsbrimbles.blogspot.com once a month (timetable to be agreed with the final team). With the same post (possible tailored to your audience) shared on your blog too and of course I will link back to you at all times.
• You will be required to share at least 3 photos on your social media accounts regarding my Patreon content. This could be an ‘in progress’ shot of your creation, stylised photo of the collage material you have printed and perhaps your finished project / page.
• You will be required to be active in the Mrs Brimbles Facebook group(s), sharing your creative posts in the group and helping to admin the group.
• With regards to the courses I run, you will be required to share photos on your social media as you work through the course. A blog post per course will also be required.
• Input ideas in to future courses and content

Interested?

If you would like to apply please send an email to: mail@mrsbrimbles.co.uk with the subject CREATIVE TEAM CALL APPLICATION and include the following information but please keep it fairly brief and not reams and reams as I do read them all.

• Your Name
• Are you on any other design team? Please let us know who and what is required of you. Please check with that team regarding their policy on conflict of interest BEFORE submitting your application.
• Country you live in (just so we know, this is not what we will be basing your submission on!)
• Links / Addresses to your Blog, YouTube and social media accounts (Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, instagram etc). Please note that you do not need to have all of the aforementioned social media accounts, if you do that is great. The only prerequisite is that you have a blog for sharing your DT creations on. Your blog doesn't have to be long standing or have a huge following but you do need to have one.
• What do you do creatively and why?
•  Tell me a bit about you and why you would like to be on the creative team / what you could bring creatively to the team?
• In your application please include photos of any of your creations that you think represents your best work. Please submit no more than 5, mimimum of 3, those 3 ideally being journal pages or artwork.
•  

Closing Date for submitting your application is Sunday 18^th June 2017.

Please note that I will not get back to you confirming the decision until after 18^th June – I will need time to think and read through them all. I may get back to you sooner but don’t panic if you don’t hear until after 18th. You will know I have received your application as you will receive an email auto reply.

The successful applicant(s) will be emailed and will be announced on my blog and social media and you will be required to share your photo so we can all see who is who but you don’t need to worry about that until you are on the team.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch. Please email: mail@mrsbrimbles.co.uk using QUESTIONS – CREATIVE TEAM as your subject line. I will get back to you as soon as I can.

On application close, I will assess all of the applications together and then choose, which is most likely going to be very difficult! Just to clarify I will be selecting based on your creativity and the best fit for my style and not on your Country or the fact you don’t have a YouTube channel etc so please do not let that deter you from applying.


Good Luck and I can’t wait to see your entries!!

p.s. if you need any help or advice on how to apply to be on mine or any other design team, please read my blog post here: http://mrsbrimbles.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/how-to-appy-to-creative-design-team.html