Book Review: Dot Journaling

Dot Journaling by Rachel Wilkerson Miller

Do you like to make lists? I love making lists, it helps keep me organized, keeps me on track, helps me worry less about forgetting to do something and it feels so good to mark things off my list when they are done. This year I also jumped on the planner band wagon for dates and appointments and have also been trying to keep better track of things like health, diet and sleep habits. In the past I’ve had several calendars, notebooks and papers all over and I’d like to have everything better organized and all together and I think a Dot Journal might be my answer.

In Dot Journaling Rachel Wilkerson Miller will explain just what a Dot Journal is, how to set one up for yourself and how to use it to help you set goals, stay on track and keep organized. A dot journal is a to do list, planner and diary all in one. And you can set one up to perfectly suit your own needs. You can make it as simple or detailed as you’d like. You can even get creative and use your scrapbooking and stationary supplies (like washi tape, markers, pens, stickers and stamps) for a custom look.

In the book Rachel has load of examples and inspiration, you’ll find page layout ideas and calendar set ups for daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. And great ideas of things to keep track of like sleep times, TV shows you watch, exercise logs, shopping lists, meal plans, journaling prompts, chore charts, money and budget trackers and more.

I tried a couple of the ideas in the book and created a single page layout in a small notebook for the month of August that included tasks, goals, events and a mini calendar. I also loved one of the meal planning ideas that used Post It flags to change out the meal for each day. I used some of my Harry Potter planner supplies to create my meal plan page.

If you’re interested in learning more look for Dot Journaling by Rachel Wilkerson Miller at your favorite book shop or visit The Experience Publishing for a list of on-line retailers.

-Heather

Looking for printable journaling items? Check these out on Etsy.

More Ideas For You:

Allison used a long row of tags across her double page spread creating a border that has color, pattern and text, including one tag for her typed strip journaling. There’s a border of flowers between the tags and row of photos for a beautifully balanced design. Visit the Allison Davis for Scrapbook Generation blog for more info.

If you’re looking to include a simple but effective embellishment to your scrapbook layouts then look no further than the humble tag. A piece of paper with cut or rounded corners at the top, a hole tied with some string and you’ve got a wonderful place for journaling, adding a date, a photo mat or just as an easy accent on a page. You can use one tag or fill the entire layout with them, they really are very versatile! So today let’s take a look at scrapbook layouts that include tags.

Beneath each picture you’ll find a link, click it for more info like products used, tips and techniques.

Tags can be a great way to include an interactive element on your page. Here Nathalie added pockets to slip each of her rounded die cut tags into that reveal sweet sentiments when pulled out. Learn more at the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog.

Brianna used tags for the mats behind her photos on this fun travel layout. Tying the tags with twine adds a bit of movement and draws the eye to them. The tags are part of lots of layers that include pattern paper, stickers and chipboard elements. I spotted her idea on the Simple Stories Instagram page.

Jana fussy cut tags, tied white twine and staggered them behind the photo mats on this fun water page. She also included clusters of flowers, a sticker letters title, tiny scattered hearts and typed journaling. Take a closer look over on the Hip Kit Club blog.

Jen used tags as the top part of a grid style design with this sweet Spring layout. There’s a layer of butterfly printed acetate for the background, lots of cute bugs, frogs and pretty flowers with printed journaling cards below the tags, one with lines for actually journaling on. Take a closer peek at the Doodlebug blog.

Victoria Marie created her own tags with pattern paper using an angled corner punch, adding eyelet holes too. Then she “hung” her photo tags with bakers twine from the top of the page. I love her clever title, scalloped border and embellishment clusters, they all add a pretty feminine touch. Watch her process video at the Victoria Marie blog.

A tall skinny tag fills almost the entire page in Taina’s Travelers Notebook. She added a title to the floral tag, stapling a fabric strip at the top and added a few gems too. It’s a perfect balance to the photo and journaling on the other page. Find all the details at the Cocoa Daisy blog.

Jael created 3 large tags from bright pattern papers to fill the background of her layout. One tag has a title and journaling, the others have embellishments and notice how one is tied the other two are stapled hanging from the top. She also stitched around the edges of the tags and well as along the rainbow striped borders. I came across her idea in her Jael Luvs2Create gallery at Scrapbook.com.

Tags can work for modern deigns but also vintage too like this beautiful layout from Sara. She used soft muted colors that compliment the black and white vintage photo, adding tags on either side. She also included gold foiled and printed flowers with wonderful wax seals on the tags. Watch her process video at The Cherry on Top blog.

Traci scrapped the most magical place on earth with some fussy cut Disney inspired tags. She created two rows of tags, running and threading the bakers twine along the top of each row. The tags have fun sentiments and Disney icons and she included two photos cut to fit a couple of tags too. Learn more at the Artsy Albums blog.

I love the deep rich colors Karen used on this stunning layout! Tags are the perfect place for tiny photos, she added two per tag, tying each with rustic hemp twine. She also created a beautiful half wreath from fussy cut floral paper adding in some butterflies among the flowers and on the tags too. Find more details at The Mad Scrapper blog.

Wendy’s layout has a nice balance of hard and soft with rich brown colors, distressed edges, woodgrain papers, flowers and scalloped lace. The tags here were fussy cut from the same collection and used as simple embellishment to nicely balance the floral cluster. Find out more at the Hey Little Magpie blog.

I hope you’ve seen how tags can easily add so much extra details to a layout design and will think about including them in your next page.

-Heather

Looking for scrapbook supplies, we recommend A Cherry on Top.com

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