Of course I love Christmas, with all it’s seasonal magic, family time and gifting, but my absolute favorite time is right after the holidays when the new year starts. I love using what I’ve learned from the past year to start again with a fresh plan. This year was full of a lot of ups and some major downs for me-and maybe you too- and I am really looking forward to this new decade and all of the possibilities that lie ahead in 2020. I’m not sure if you’re into planning, but I definitely live and die by my day book and all of the lists and notes in it. Planners are little time capsules. I’ve been keeping a planner for nearly 20 years, and as much as it helps me with the day-to-day, it also helps me as I look backward to see how far I’ve come, how much things have (or haven’t) changed, and set new goals for the future. If you’re interested in getting more organized for the new year, below is a collection of some of my most favorite planner resources. I have also included a FREE printable PDF of the project planning page I use for special projects and custom orders. I hope you find some new inspiration to kick off 2020 more organized and ready to go!
Like I mentioned above, I’ve been a planner nerd since 2001, and I still have every single one. My mother used to buy me a very basic planner every year for Christmas. This year I will be using a handmade planner compiled of bits and pieces from my extensive paper collection, but I’ve previously loved and would highly recommend this three-ring binder version from paper craft designer Heidi Swapp similar to the ones here.
In 2019 I tried the Get to Work Book from goal achievement expert Elise Blaha Cripe. While I loved the concept of regular day planning as well as project planning in one book, I found I didn’t really use it. I conduct my life and crafty business on a very event and project based schedule, but it turns out I like to keep those things separate. I never used the grid pages for keeping idea sketches and I am not a vertical column planner. Otherwise, the planner quality was fabulous, but I learned the layout just wasn’t for me.
If you used to be a gal who kept a diary and are looking for a way to get back to not only writing about your daily life, but also being able to schedule while you do it, then bullet journals might be for you. Archer and Olive notebooks look divine with their dot grids and paper that can withstand mixed media. Check out the Archer and Olive Instagram, which is full of inspiring pages daily.
Not ready to deep dive into the planner world? No problem, here is a collection of excellent FREE printables courtesy of Day Designer to get you started toward a more organized life.
As promised, I have created a FREE digital printable Project Planning Page which you can download and use again and again to get those projects organized in the new year. The FREE printable project page is what I use when working on a project or custom order request. Not specific for quilt or sewing projects. Use the Project Planning Page for whatever special projects you want to tackle in 2020 or beyond! The project and client information is helpful with any communication regarding the project; the sketch and note section provides a great space to work out ideas; the fabrics and supplies checklist keeps everything organized; and the progress notes section helps keep you on track throughout every step.
Reminder that the Stars and Straps Quilt Pattern is FREE to download for just two more weeks. I will be taking the pattern offline to add additional sizes for 2020 at which time it will be re-released for sale along with my growing collection of digital patterns.
I hope you enjoyed this planner roundup of ideas and it helps you move forward into the new year with an even more awesome mission for 2020. I know I’ll be working hard in the coming month to make some big changes over here, and I hope you’ll be as excited to see what’s new in 2020 as I’ll be to create it! Have an inspired end of 2019. See you back in 2020 for some new projects and inspirations! xoxo Janice
Inspiration and resources are linked where applicable. All written work and photographs are original content and are copyright protected; kindly give due credit by linking back to my website or source website if you use or share.
(©2019, Janice Bailor // laruedefleurs.com)