How to Make a Simple Planner Header in Silhouette Studio

I'm going to go over how to make some simple stickers for your planner using Silhouette Studio. I'm very new to the Silhouette world and also to sticker making. I learn by searching for each step I'm trying to do. Never in one place have I found how to do such basic stuff so I'm going to throw some of that together for other newbies like myself. This is part one. 

How to Make a Planner Header in Silhouette Studio

First, turn on your registration marks so you know where to place your items. I found it works best for me if I just use the default settings for my Silhouette Cameo, but you can play around with them if you feel comfortable. 

You need to know the sizes of the stickers you want to make. The example I'll use today is a column header. I'm working with a classic Happy Planner so my header sizes are 0.25 x 1.50 inches. 

1. Draw a rectangle. The size/shape doesn't really matter since you're going to resize anyway. Make sure the object is selected. 
2. Go up and click on the Scale button. This can also be found under "Object" drop down menu. 
3. Change the width and height. Now, to make sure your silhouette doesn't accidentally cut and give you white space in your sticker, you can make this part a little bit bigger than usual. I do 1.57 width and 0.27 height. 
4. Don't forget to hit apply. 

Now you have your header box. 

To give it some color, click the line color button and pick whichever color you want the outline to be. Click the fill color window button and pick your fill color. 

Next you need your text. Click the text button, type whatever you want your header to say. Click outside the text, then click the text again to select it. Resize the text to fit. Choose your color etc. 

When you cut your stickers, you don't want the letters to get cut out so pick the 'Cut settings' box then select your text. Choose the 'No cut' option. Then select your colored box and do the same thing. 

Now, put your text on your box. You can use the align window to align the text and the box the way you'd like.Once that is done, drag your mouse to select both objects. Right click and 'group' the items. The last thing you need to do is create another rectangle to be the cut line. Make this one 1.5 by 0.25. Line it up to where you want your header to be cut. Drag your mouse to select everything and group again. 

Now you have one, ready-to-cut header. To make copies, hit 'ALT' and click on the object. When you drag the object there will be a duplicate behind it. Do this as many times as you want.

Let me know if you have any questions or anything you like to see in particular in part two. 

Thank you! 

10 Things I've Been Doing Instead of Blogging

Lately, I've been going through a lot of life changes. Some is personal life, some is work life. And so my blog has taken a hit. I didn't mean for it to happen so soon in my new blog, but it is what it is. I'm bad at keeping on a strict schedule, I'll admit it.

I'm at a weird cross-roads where I miss blogging but I don't have the desire to actually do it.

So here you have it - the things I've been doing instead of blogging.

1. Sleeping more.

2. Watching a lot more tv.

3. Forcing myself to eat healthy food like broccoli and hummus.

4. Getting back into Fusion, my exercise class twice a week.

5. Cuddling and playing games with my little girl.

6. Watching movies with Friends.

7. Watching Friends with husband.

8. Playing with the two cats and two dogs now in our household.

9. Playing way too many games on my phone.

10. Still trying to eat that broccoli and hummus.


Hope to get back at blogging soon!

My Personal Planning Essentials

I've recently fallen in love with all things planning - the planners, the stickers, the pens, the Washi. I want it all. I'm still new to the planning scene, but there's something so exhilarating about writing something in your planner in the coordinating color with a decorative sticker. It just warms me up inside. Here are my favorite planning essentials that I never want to live without again. 

1. My Personal Planner

Ironically, my personal planner is actually from a website called 'Personal Planner'. This was my first time paying a chunk of money for a great planner and I chose this website one because I could pick  which month to start the planner, how I wanted the layout, what I wanted at the bottom of each page, and what I wanted in the back of the book (eg. blank pages, lined pages, coloring pages etc.) It's really been working for me so far. I've been using it since November 1st. The cover is personalized with my name as well. 

2. Blogging Planner

This is a new-to-me planner, so I don't have much to say about it yet. I'm really starting to like the 3 section spread that I've heard so much about (as my personal planner has an hourly schedule). This is The Happy Planner from Me & My BIG Ideas. Since it's very new. I'm only starting to use it in March to plan blog posts and such. I can't wait to dive in and really make use of it. 

3. Great pens

You can find my favorite Staedtler Triplus Fineliner pens here on Amazon. I have the pack of 10 but really want the pack of 20 as well. I use them to color code everything - my work shifts, husband's work, stuff regarding the children, fun things, bills, due dates, etc.

4. Stickers & Album! 

I don't know how others organize their stickers, but I would be lost without my album from Anxiety Aids! 

I'm just a beginner when it comes to stickers, but I'm already obsessed and wish I could keep expanding my collection. I have two orders on the way at the moment and I can't wait. 

I don't decorate my planner completely with a full weekly spread (yet!), but I do love to decorate mine a bit. 

My album and a handful of stickers are from Anxiety Aids. The rest of my stickers come from the following shops: Budget Friendly Plans - Now Paisley Prints, It's Just Paper Co & Planner Mania. I'm happy to say those are all Canadian Etsy shops with amazing stickers and I'm happy to recommend any of them. 

What are your planning essentials? 

What I Love and Hate in a Blog

I'm sometimes guilty of following too many blogs, and thus not being able to keep up with them all. So many blogs are just that good. There are also so many blogs that turn me off. I might get a little hate for this, and some are super picky things, but here are a few things people do when blogging that turns me off of their blog:

• Subscribe Pop-Up. If there's a pop-up as soon as I click on your blog it's a huge turn-off. I like to get to read a bit before you're bugging me to subscribe.
• Captcha. They're getting harder to decipher, and after the third attempt in a row I'm tempted to unfollow. 
• Too many giveaways and reviews. I'd rather read a real blog about a real person, and not a bunch of products. Do it in moderation and I have no problem with it. Same goes if you're only ever doing linkups. 
• Too-Long paragraphs. Break it up. If it's too long, I start skimming, then I might lose sight of what the post is really about. Then I have nothing to comment. And I click away and go on with my day. 
• Too much happiness. If you're super happy, good for you. But if you're blog is nothing but sunshine and rainbows and you never write about one negative or bad thing that happens, then it just feels like you're a lie. I mean, sometimes your car breaks down or your kid gets sick. Complain, dammit. 
• Music. If music starts up as soon as I open your page, I'm out. 

While I'm sure I could go on, I'd also like to dive a little bit into things I absolutely love in a blog:

• Realness. If you write about real life - the good and the bad, I'll love you for it. 
• Humor. If you can make me laugh, I'll never leave you. Even if you don't constantly make me laugh, as long as I can tell you have a great sense of humor, I'll still never leave you.
• Nice photos. Of cute babies and stuff. And a photo of you somewhere. If I can't find a photo of you, how can I be sure you exist?
• Blog design. If you're blog is super tidy and organized and pretty to look at, I'll look longer. No fancy blog design required. 
• Variety. If you're blog is full of random stuff, I tend to enjoy it more. Even though blogging these days seems to be all aimed towards consistency and niches. 
• Acknowledging the little people. If you take the time to respond to comments or tweets or Instagram comments of big or moderate bloggers, that's good. But if you also take the time to respond to the little people who aren't blog famous or on their way to it, you're amazing. Some people only socialize online with people who can further their blog or business and I hate that. (PS, I don't mean every single comment. Obviously not everyone has time for that.)

What are some of your favorite or most hated things when it comes to other people's blogs?

Free Printable: Daily Planner

As you may have already guessed, I am a huge fan of any kind of printable that helps keep me organized. Even with my own planner from Personal Planner, I still find myself wanting something bigger to keep track of my daily tasks and reminders, especially for when I'm at work. 

It took a long time of using free printables online, before I finally whipped up my very own daily planner printable! I used one of my favorite blue/green color schemes and some fun block text to throw this baby together. 

I definitely have plans to make other planner printables in the future, but in the meantime, you can download the PDF for this baby for free right here: 

Just in time to start planning your week. I hope you enjoy!