Journaling & a paper doll

Now look at that! Don't you just love the sight of a desk covered in craft supplies? :) I sure do! Sometimes I can't even see the table underneath anymore ;) Last weekend I felt happy, relaxed and creative, so I made the most of it. I had loads of Instagram shots printed and it was so great to see my year in 'real' pictures :) All the little moments and beautiful colors were really inspiring. 

I then started my (photo)journal in a brand new Midori spiral ring notebook (the Polar Bear edition). I really like this notebook. It's a good, compact size and I like the simplicity of the cover: it's a perfect base for adding personalized decorations :) Only downside is the slightly thin paper: the ink of my new Parker pen doesn't seep through or anything, but it is visible from the other side of the page. So I should either use another pen or pencil, or think of something else to do with those pages...

After a bit of consideration I decided to have no rules about this journal at all: every blank page will be a canvas for whatever feels right. One of my own pictures, a pretty illustration I found somewhere, doodles, a pattern, an inspiring quote, etc. My initial idea was to have a chronological month by month photo journal... but then I realised I hate rules when it comes to creativity. It's such a mood killer when you disobey one of your own rules and then feel guilty about it, which of course doesn't make any sense at all. 

So, no rules :) 

I ended my weekend with this pretty lady :) She's a paper doll I got ages ago (2 years?!) for my birthday but never got around to assembling. So this weekend the time had finally come - and she's lovely :) Will post a picture of the finished result soon! :)

The Eliza Paper doll was bought here. For those interested from the Netherlands: I got the Midori journal at Buiten de Lijntjes. 

The Last Colors of Autumn

Contemplating projects

As much as I love making my own stamps, there are just some designs that are way too complicated or  pretty for me to make myself. I could try to reproduce them, but I'd know in advance mine will never be as perfect or detailed.

I bought these two gorgeous stamps here, and I absolutely love them :) Also, I've been contemplating new creative projects now my wedding planning days are over ;) Since crochet is still not really an option due to my back problems, I've been considering journalling. I used to keep journals on a daily basis but somewhere along the way I stopped, and it's a bit of a shame really. Especially since I've been photographing on a daily basis for years now, and haven't really done anything with the pictures (apart from posting a few of them online)... 

So maybe a photo journal should be my next project? It would be a lovely use for my new Parker pen (shown below) and all of my pictures...

Well, I'm not quite sure yet and will continue my contemplating for a bit longer. In the meantime, it's a lot of fun collecting inspiration on Pinterest anyways ;)