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Hi everyone! Today I wanted to do a quick post to share the latest planning supplies I’ve been using for the November planner pages. I hope this is helpful!

This month I’m doing a set of pretty neutral florals, including some of the doodles found in my newest book, Floral Line Drawing. As usual, I’m using Tombow Dual Brush pens to add color, and Staedtler Pigment Liner Pens to do outlines beneath. This combo is really great because as soon as the Pigment Liner pens dry, they do not bleed and can be colored over.

I also am using a couple recent finds, like the pretty washi tape (at a great price) found below and a Falloween scrapbook pad I found at Joann Fabrics. I hope you plan along with me this month!

Floral Line Drawing Book: https://amzn.to/3bu3nKF

Washi Tape Set: https://amzn.to/3BvVWxa

Archer & Olive A5 Notebook, Dotted  https://www.archerandolive.com

Tombow Dual Brush Pens:  https://amzn.to/2KpOXBo  (025, 985, 933, 925, 905, N15)

Recommended Tombow Single Set – https://amzn.to/3mbb0fU

Staedtler Pigment Liner Pens:  https://amzn.to/3bNwhHb

Ruler:  https://amzn.to/3sBJ7hI

Helix Circle and Angle Maker:  https://amzn.to/3szVI4R

Cutting Mat:  https://amzn.to/3kl52WN

Xacto Knife  https://amzn.to/3kkUKG6

Palette https://amzn.to/2ZSlFiW

Eiffel Tower Scissors  https://amzn.to/35PA2aT

Glue: https://amzn.to/3w0gfSr

Rose Gold Binder Clips: https://amzn.to/3vZfXLm

Scrapbook Pad – FalloWeen – https://www.joann.com/dcwv-12in-x-12in-paper-stack-falloween/18273862.html

Links above are affiliate links. Any purchases made after clicking through help support me at no cost to you. Thank you so much for watching and for your support! 💞

Hi!

Lots has been happening lately in my craft room. I was lucky enough to have my husband build a long L-Shaped desk, with part of it being a standing desk as a birthday gift. I’m still working to get my lighting set up perfectly, but have had a few questions on my setup and wanted to share what I have done so far! I’m also going to post a YouTube video soon of the before and after craft room tours, so please follow along if you’re interested in seeing more. If you’re interested in a video on camera or lighting just leave a comment and I’ll add it to the list of upcoming videos!

Lighting

For lighting, I started with a LOT of lighting and have been reducing it down to the right amount that doesn’t crowd the space. Here is info about what I’ve used:

1. I started journaling recordings with a set of these softbox lights. They were on each side of my desk and pointed down at 45 degree angles to the area was equally lit. They provide amazing light, but they’re really large and cumbersome, so I’m working on eliminating these. Softbox lights are great about eliminating glare as you’re recording.

2. I just got this ring light from my Mom as a birthday gift and it is amazing! It will tilt down at a 90 degree angle and it’s large enough to go around my Canon T7i for recording. Since I have been filming on a whiteboard, I did find that it reflected a bit of light on the shiny surface, so I’m ordering this diffuser cover to help. I’ll let you know how it goes.

3. In the photo above I’m also using this smaller softbox light. It is SOO bright, but it’s adjustable. The trick is getting it to be about the same brightness as the ring light (which is also adjustable), so the light washes over the surface evenly. It’s helpful to have two points of light and this also works great to pull aside and do some recording as I’m talking on camera (which I plan to start doing more now!).

Desk and Filming Area

My desk is custom built out of materials from Lowes and incorporates this standing desk. It is a great deal and glides very smoothly. I’d highly recommend it. It does not include memory for different settings, but it’s so easy to move, it’s not a big deal. For cord control, we mounted a power strip underneath the desk and it’s working great to keep everything together. If you’re interested in more details about how to build out the desk, let me know. I’ve found some great paint that works so well too.

1. On top of the drawing portion of my desk, I usually use a frameless white board to film on. They are very cheaply available at hardware stores. Right now, I’m experimenting with some other materials including posters and foam boards. Hopefully the ring light cover I’ve ordered will fix the glare and I’ll get back to using the white board. It’s so easy to clean up if I spill anything or get ink on it. I’m constantly getting out of the lines with Tombow pens and then wiping it off for easy cleaning.

2. On top of the whiteboard I use a Glide Gear overhead mount. This one is amazing and has been working really well, but sells out pretty frequently. If you see it in stock and want to get it, don’t wait. It’s very sturdy and has made a huge difference in filming setup. No more tilted tripods!

3. One of the other items I like to have is a way to mount my phone for quick recording. I’ve attached this phone mount above with my Canon camera for filming so I can do quick videos in 16:9 format.

4. I also have this cheaper phone mount on the side of my overhead mount. It has a small ring light attached that can give warm or cool lighting, which is nice for a spotlight. I mostly use it to mount my phone to the side when I’m looking at a reference image on it. The mount on this one is a bit more wobbly, so I would not recommend it for filming.

Camera

For filming I use a combination of my iPhone (11 pro max) and my Canon T7i. I’m still learning all the Canon settings and working on getting better at recording for YouTube with it. I use a pretty versatile EF-S 18-55mm lens and use a power pack so I never have to charge batteries. It’s so helpful. I tend to record on these cards, which work great. The T7i does limit the length of recordings to 30 minutes, so if you’re doing long recordings you may have to plan a pause and restart so you don’t get cut off. It helps to set a timer if you think you’re going to go over the limit. Bonus: the alarm will help you sync audio up as you edit.

Audio

For audio, I use the Scarlett Studio microphone and mixer along with a basic mic stand and pop filter.

Let me know other questions you have! I’d love to help out more with future posts and videos!

P.S.  Please note that this page has affiliate links.   At no cost to you, a small portion of any products you purchase from these links will help support this page.   Thank you so much!

 

One of my favorite parts of creative planning is all of the wonderful tools and supplies to try out.   I’ve always loved art supplies, and the market is exploding with fun pens and stationery.   Here are some of my favorites that I’d recommend trying out this year!   Click on each to see details.

 

1. I love the versatility of these watercolor pens (plus they’re great with the brushes below!).

2.  If you enjoy watercolor, but would like to make it portable, these pens are fantastic.  Fill them with water and go!

 

3.  My first journaling pen set was the 16 pack of Staedtler Triplus Fineliner pens. These are fantastic, and I soon upgraded to the 36 pack. If you’re looking for ALL-THE-COLORS, check out this 50 pack in a tin case!

 

4.   My go-to favorite for pastel highlights on planner pages are the Zebra Mildliner pens.   This set contains all of the old favorites, plus a pack of new colors too!

5. This one is the stand-by leader for brush lettering, or simply adding color to your planner pages. Here is one of the newer color sets (galaxy). The pen tips are tapered and flexible to help create beautifully contoured shapes.

 

6. Sometimes lettering calls for some highlighting. I love the Pilot gel pens for all the looks they can give! Add a glimmer or make neon-style letters. They just glide over top of other colors and make a fantastic addition to your pen collection.

 

7. If you want to make a splash of colors, check out the new Tombow TwinTONE marker sets. They come in pastel and bright. These have more rigid tips than the normal Tombow Dual Brush Pens, and have two size nibs for outlining and filling.

 

8.   I love the soft colors that colored pencils can add to my journal.  Here is the set to end them all!

 

9. When I want to create clean, permanent, lines on planner pages, I reach out for these pens. They come in six sizes and I love the travel case.

10. Another tool that I use OFTEN is my Helix Circle and Angle Maker. It helps make a variety of sizes of lovely circles and acts as a protractor too. The middle ring spins to create larger circles.

11. If you’re looking for a great adhesive to add items to your journal, this is a wonderful addition to your arsenal. The glue strips aren’t messy and apply so easily!

 

12. If you want to get started in lettering this year, this all-in-one kit by Tombow is a great place to begin!

 

13. I love washi, but sometimes the thicker varities just take up too much space on the page. The thinner rolls are lovely and practical, plus they’re a great price!

 

14. Anyone use french curves? These architect’s friends are fantastic for creating swirls and borders in your journal!

 

15. If you’re ready to add some sparkle to your watercolor journal highlights, these are a great place to begin. I love metallic paints!

 

16. If you love the look of clean lines and shapes, these can help you achieve that quickly and easily. This mega-pack of stencil is made just for journaling.

 

17. If I’m not reaching for the Zebra Mildliners, these are my next in line choice for highlighting. The pastel colors are gorgeous!

 

18. Finally, it’s good to find a journal to use! On this one, I’m torn, so there are two options. I’ve always been a die-hard Leuchtturm 1917 fan. The pages feel rich and I love the cream color. I just picked up a Scribbles that Matter though, and I LOVE how well the brighter pages photograph. You can’t go wrong either way!

Note: Some links above are affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you purchase something through the links here, at no cost to you. These are all products that I use and love, and any purchases made help support my site and newly-found stationary addiction. Thank you so much for your support and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have questions!

 

One of the ways that I love to accent journal or planner pages is to add a quotation.  Often I’ll add one at the bottom of my weekly spreads, or to a monthly “fresh start” page.   Here are a few quotations that fit well with planning in case you’d like to add some motivation to your journal pages!

 

“There is nothing permanent except change. – Heraclitus

“The only journey is the one within.  – Rainer Maria Rilke

“Creativity Is Intelligence Having Fun.  – Albert Einstein

“Whether You Think You Can Or Think You Can’t, You’re Right.  – Henry Ford

“Don’t Let Yesterday Take Up Too Much Of Today.  – Will Rogers

“You Are Never Too Old To Set Another Goal Or To Dream A New Dream.  – C.S. Lewis

“The Only Limit To Our Realization Of Tomorrow Will Be Our Doubts Of Today.  – Franklin D. Roosevelt

“If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.  – Napoleon Hill

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.  – Lao Tzu

“There Are No Limits To What You Can Accomplish, Except The Limits You Place On Your Own Thinking.  – Brian Tracy

“By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail. – Benjamin Franklin

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. – Proverbs 15:22

“The Way Get Started Is To Quit Talking And Begin Doing. -Walt Disney

 

Happy planning!!

 

Supplies Used:

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens

Copper Binder Clips

 

Leuchtturm 1917 A5 Dotted Notebook

 

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pen

 

 

* Note: Some links above are affiliate links. I may receive a small commission if you purchase something through the links here, at no cost to you. These are all products that I use and love, and any purchases made help support my site and newly-found stationary addiction. Thank you so much for your support and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have questions!