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Chocolate Musings

Set your goals - make the plans - artfully create your life - live it beautifully. Grab the good chocolate and find your muse.

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Home » Get Organized & Start Planning » Page 4

Why Record Your Completed Tasks?

November 16, 2021 7 Comments

Why Record Completed Tasks? Here's what I discovered when I started writing down the things I accomplished - how it helped motivate me and improved my self-care | ChocolateMusings.com

Why record your completed tasks? Isn’t it enough to do a bunch of tasks and feel satisfaction at the time? In this post, I’ll describe how recording my completed ’10-minute tasks’ each day reduced overall overwhelm, led to a feeling of accomplishment, and refreshed my mindset. Which, in turn, resulted in more motivation to keep going day in and day out.

Read this post to find out more about my 10-minute task list. Here’s the original spread vs. the new spread in my current bullet journal. Most of the tasks are the same!

I love this mind map format for task lists – because it makes them feel equally important. I don’t do the same task every time because it’s at the top of the list.

Table of contents

  • Create a 10-Minute Task List
  • Don’t Plan it Out
  • Why Record Completed Tasks
  • Add Every Accomplishment
  • Create a Go-To To-Do List
  • Give Yourself Some Credit
    • Pro Tip:
  • Today for My 10 – My Recorded Finished Tasks
  • It Doesn’t Take Long to Record Your Completed Tasks
  • After-the-Pen Examples of Recorded Completed Tasks
  • Take The Challenge:
  • Moms Need Timeouts Too!
  • Question:

Create a 10-Minute Task List

When I started bullet journaling, I remember a conversation with my husband where I felt dejected by all that I had to do and never felt like I got anything done. I know you’ve been there, too. No matter how hard you try, your to-do list grows faster than you can cross items off of it.

That’s when I came up with the 10-Minute Task List. If I found a snippet of downtime, I’d refer to the list of repeating chores and to-dos and see how much I could get done in those few spare minutes. Seeing how much I could do during those few clusters of minutes felt terrific. But then, the next day, I’d feel that same frustration by having too much to do and not seeing a dent in the tasks. That’s why I started recording my completed tasks.

Have 10 Minutes? 10 Minute Task List in Mind Map form in My Bullet Journal - Go to Collection reference for getting tasks done in a short amount of time | ChocolateMusings.com
Original Spread
Have 10 Minutes? 10 Minute Task List in Mind Map form in My Bullet Journal - Go to Collection reference for getting tasks done in a short amount of time | ChocolateMusings.com
New Spread

Don’t Plan it Out

In his original bullet journal format, I know Ryder Carroll uses a list format to jot all his tasks down. It’s what helped him manage his overwhelm. Similarly, recording your completed tasks creates an irrefutable record that you did get something done, even when you feel like you didn’t.

However, these 10 minutes don’t require you to plan beforehand. You take advantage of a sliver of time and furiously work from a suggested list. Getting done what you can. Then the fact that you record it afterward focuses your attention on what you did, instead of looking at a half-crossed-off to-do list.

Keep in mind I’m not saying that you shouldn’t keep a running to-do list. Instead, I’m saying to keep a tally of everything you did in a separate “Ta-Da” list so you don’t compare the overall task list to what you accomplished.

Why Record Completed Tasks

When the feeling of overwhelm and defeat kept coming back day after day, I realized that I needed to write down what I did. When I’d glance over the list of ‘done items’ later on, I had to acknowledge that I did more than I remembered. And that’s a good feeling.

Blue Box #inmy10minutes - list out all the things you accomplished - you might be amazed at how much you actually got done vs. what you think you got done. That's why it's important to jot it down!Read about the other benefits in this post | ChocolateMusings.com

Give yourself credit where credit is due, and write down what you do during your 10-minute task sprints. This is part of my self-care regimen and the effort to be kinder to myself. We can all afford to be a little kinder to our minds.

When I started writing my finished tasks, I noticed a reduction in my overall overwhelm. It wasn’t that my to-do list was shorter. It was that I was giving myself credit for the effort that I was putting in. It’s been said repeatedly that we are not kind enough to ourselves. Recording your completed tasks so you can briefly bask in the accomplishment creates a gateway for building confidence and self-esteem and living a life where you’re more gentle with yourself.

Why Record Completed Tasks? Here's what I discovered when I started writing down the things I accomplished - how it helped motivate me and improved my self-care | ChocolateMusings.com

Add Every Accomplishment

Give it a try. If you do a 10-minute task sprint and get 2 or 3 things done, start making a list of all the things you did. Add every accomplishment to your ‘look what I did’ list. Then see what effect it has on your mental state. Test it, and see if it reduces your overwhelm and lifts your spirits.

You might find the motivation to keep going. Just like an object in motion tends to stay in motion, a person motivated stays motivated.

10-MInute Task List in Mind Map Format - List of tasks you can do in 10 minutes or less | ChocolateMusings.com

Create a Go-To To-Do List

I created a go-to to-do list with tasks I could do around the house in 10-minutes or less. This 10-minute task list in mind-map form was the catalyst for helping to reduce some of the overwhelm I felt daily because it all felt like ‘too much.’ Your task list will likely be different than mine.

After working on the to-do list, I created a little space in my bullet journal to write down the tasks I did in those 10-minutes. Recording those completed tasks certainly made me feel better, which helped reduce my overwhelm. Writing it down provides proof (to me) that the week isn’t wasted, and it turns into a personal show-and-tell of the things I was able to get done.

Every once in a while, I’ll call out to my husband, “I’m going to do a 10”. And immediately understands that I’m going to clean fast and furious or take a break for a few minutes to try and feel like I was accomplishing something. He loved the idea and noticed a difference in my anxiety levels afterward. I could also tell that my focus level increased following a 10-minute break.

Weekly Bullet Journal Spread with a place to write my 'ta das' (I call them #inmy10minutes) or things that I've done. It works as a confidence boost and adds to my self-care | ChocolateMusings.com

Give Yourself Some Credit

If you struggle with these same thoughts, try recording the things you get done (no matter how small they are). Make a list for the week of the menial (but finished) tasks you did all week long. Give yourself some credit. This process will work wonders for your overall view of yourself, especially if you record your finished tasks consistently for a few weeks.

Pro Tip:

You don’t have to create a 10-minute task list if you don’t want to. You can use your everyday task list instead. I promise you’ll be surprised about how fast you work when you focus and are trying to beat the timer. I love creating a mind-map-style task list, so one section doesn’t seem more important than another section.

Today for My 10 – My Recorded Finished Tasks

Here’s a classic example of when I started doing something, I kept going after the 10 minutes was up (but not much longer) because I felt so motivated. This one was probably two sets of 10 minutes.

First of all, I took a deep breath. Then, I cleaned the bathroom sink and the mirror. After that, I cleaned up and organized all the kid’s toothbrushes and toothpaste, discarding dried-up tubes of toothpaste and old toothbrushes. Next, I picked up tissue scraps from the floor, scrubbed the toothpaste off the counter, and cleaned the toilet.

Onto the floor next, which I scrubbed. Following the floor, I checked and arranged their shampoo and soap bottles in the bathtub. Six minutes down.

Recorded task list - a fun way to doodle your day & record the things you accomplished | ChocolateMusings.com

I could stop there, but I decided I had a few more minutes and gladly made my way to the kitchen, where I quickly emptied the dishwasher and filled it with spare dishes in the sink. I cleaned out the baby’s high chair – we had rice, and it was a mess! But it looks great now. Lastly, I swept and scrubbed the floor.

Whew! Don’t you just love that feeling of getting all those nagging tasks done?

It Doesn’t Take Long to Record Your Completed Tasks

Once I finished the myriad of tasks, I took one more minute to jot them all down. It’s amazing to look back each week and feel a sense of accomplishment when otherwise I might have criticized myself for not using my time wisely. Recording these finished tasks changes my perspective and reduces my daily overwhelm and anxiety. You don’t have to create this sheet of doodles. Making a list is good enough.

These 10-minute tasks have really changed my life. I only wish I had thought of it sooner. I’d love to know what you do in your 10 minutes. Use #InMy10Minutes and tag me @ChocolateMusingsCreates on Instagram.

After-the-Pen Examples of Recorded Completed Tasks

Here are some real-life examples of my recorded tasks using #inmy10minutes. One week, I cuddled with my little one for 10 minutes. Another week, the whole family was sick, but I made an effort. In other weeks, I recorded a long list of completed tasks. Consistently recording my 10-minute efforts is what makes the difference, and I give myself credit for the efforts I put in.

#inmy10minutes accomplishment box - where I take 10 minutes, do as many tasks as I can then I write them all down so I can give myself a little credit | ChocolateMusings.com
Even when the week is rough like this one - I love seeing whatever effort I made. Recording completed tasks gives a sense of pride and motivation to keep moving forward | ChocolateMusings.com
Purple #inmy10minutes recorded completed tasks. Seeing this list of things I did, gives me a boost to keep going - give credit where credit is due and recognize all your efforts | ChocolateMusings.com
Blue Box #inmy10minutes - list out all the things you accomplished - you might be amazed at how much you actually got done vs. what you think you got done. That's why it's important to jot it down!Read about the other benefits in this post | ChocolateMusings.com

Take The Challenge:

Here’s your challenge – just try it out for a week and see if you have a cleaner house and an improved mental state.

  • Take 10 Minutes
  • See How Much you Can Get Done
  • Record What Your Completed Tasks (this is the important part)
  • Be Proud of Yourself
  • Repeat

The key is to write it down and give yourself credit. It’s not important what you got done in those 10 minutes. What is important, however, is letting yourself see your successes and recognizing your efforts. Try it for a week.

Instead of taking 10-minute bursts, take the challenge at work or at home. After each hour, use one minute to list all the things you got done. Keep a running tally of your ‘Ta Das’ or completed tasks. Review it at the end of the day and end of the week. Give yourself a pat on the back because you deserve it.

#InMy10Minutes Challenge - take 10 minutes to do as much as you can, then record the tasks you finished. Repeat each day. The effect is more than just a cleaner house. It changes your mental view point as well. Try it out. | ChocolateMusings.com

Moms Need Timeouts Too!

Sometimes, instead of cleaning, I take 10 minutes and put myself in ‘time out.’ Moms need timeouts too. And some days, instead of doing tasks, I take 10 minutes to restore my mental health by reading a book that I wouldn’t read otherwise. It is a book I want to read, and I do it for fun. Sometimes I take 10 minutes to cuddle with a kid who needs attention. It’s hard to slow down when there are so many things happening. But if they need it, use your 10 minutes and give them all that attention. Remember to record it – those are important moments. They’re not a task, but they need to be written.

No matter what I do during these snippets of time, I make sure to record these completed items because writing down these finished ‘tasks’ reduces my overwhelm and gives me confidence. Then I look back over the week and realize how many things I got done. If you try this challenge, I think you’ll find that you get more done than you realize. Give yourself a little credit. This is why I record my completed tasks because it helps me do more and feel better about myself.

Question:

What do you do with your 10 minutes? Let me know!

Remember to plan your life so that you live beautifully, and don’t be afraid to try something new and find your inner muse. ~Tricia

7 Comments
Filed Under: #InMy10Minutes, Artsy Planner Spreads, Blog, Bullet Journal, Get Organized & Start Planning, Planner Spreads Tagged: #InMy10Minutes, 10 minute tasks, 10 minutes, changing my life, how do I get everything done?, in my 10 minutes, motivation, motivational, quick cleaning, tasks, to do

Chalkola Acrylic Marker Review (Bullet Journal Version)

October 19, 2021 Leave a Comment

Chalkola Acrylic Marker Review - for Bullet Jouranalists | ChocolateMusings.com
Chalkola Acrylic Markers in a Glass Jar | ChocolateMusings.com
Cover Lettering with Chalkola Acrylic Markers - the markers went 6 months untouched | ChocolateMusings.com

I’m excited to review these Chalkola Acrylic Markers. Just a heads up, I reviewed these markers for use in my bullet journal and on paper. I love to use a lot of art supplies when I bullet journal. Sometimes I branch out and use the supplies outside of a notebook (a few of which I’ll highlight, here) but in general, I tend to stick pretty close to my notebooks and paper. I hope I cover everything you’d like to know in this Chalkola Acrylic Marker review – especially when it comes to bullet journaling. If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them in the comments below.

By the way, Chalkola sent me these acrylic markers, but with no pretense. They just said they liked my art on Instagram. So any opinions are mine & mine alone. You can learn more about my disclosures here. By the way, check me out on Instagram @ChocolateMusingsCreates

Table of contents

  • About the Acrylic Markers:
    • Colors in the 20-Color Pack
  • The Basics: How to Paint with Chalkola Acrylic Markers
  • Questions I Asked as I Reviewed the Acrylic Markers by Chalkola
  • Chalkola Acrylic Marker Review – Bullet Journal Cover:
    • What I Learned From the Notebook Cover Experiment
    • What I’d Do Differently
  • How Well Do They Clean-Up (After a Mistake)?
  • Inside the Notebook – Marker Review
  • Bleed Through Review
  • Reactivating the Markers Six-Months Later – Will They Still Work?
  • How Do Six-Month Old Markers Work?
  • Summary – Chalkola Acrylic Marker Review

About the Acrylic Markers:

The Chalkola Acrylic Markers I received came in a pack of 20 colors with an easily reversible 3mm bullet tip or chisel tip. They have a new 1mm extra-fine tip that I’m excited to try. But I used the 3mm tip markers equipped with the bullet tip for my test.

Find the Markers Here:

  • Amazon
  • Chalkola Website – Use this link for 10% off!

Colors in the 20-Color Pack

  • Candy Apple Red
  • Deep Cherise Pink
  • Electric Pink (?)
  • French Rose
  • Sherbet Orange
  • Warm Ivory
  • Orchid Purple
  • Taffy Pink (?)
  • Pineapple Yellow
  • Luminous Yellow
  • Lime Green
  • Royal Blue
  • Soft Blue
  • Turquoise
  • Emerald Green
  • Coffee Brown
  • Bright Gold
  • Metallic Silver
  • Pitch Black
  • Milky White (which is written there, I promise!)
Chalkola Acrylic Marker Swatches + Paint Marker Product Review | ChocolateMusings.com

The coffee looks more like a coffee diluted with a lot of creamers. I couldn’t tell the difference between taffy and electric pink. I’d love to see another shade of red or green instead of the selection of pinks. Overall, I like the quality and intensity of the colors. They’re semi-opaque, but you can add extra layers for a more opaque look.

Close up of acrylic markers in my bullet journal | ChocolateMusings.com
Chalkola Acrylic Markers Color Swatch Bullet Journal Spread | ChocolateMusings.com

The Basics: How to Paint with Chalkola Acrylic Markers

Before starting, activate all of your markers.

To activate your markers, shake the marker with the capped side upright several times before removing the cap. The box recommends shaking for 30 seconds per pen. When finished, remove the lid and press the marker’s tip up and down quickly several times on a piece of paper to get the ink flowing.

The box recommends using these acrylic paint markers on rocks, wood, metal, plastic, glass, ceramics, porcelain, and fabric. But you know I’ll test on other materials including my faux leather bullet journal cover and, of course, paper. I’m excited to see how they work in my notebook as well.

When finished, recap tightly and store them in a horizontal position.

Box Front View of the Chalkola 3mm Acrylic Paint Markers | ChocolateMusings.com
Back view of the Chalkola 3mm Acrylic Markers - Instructions on How to Activate | ChocolateMusings.com
Colors in the Chalkola 20 count Acrylic Paint Marker Box - Marker Review | ChocolateMusings.com
Colors in the Chalkola 20 count Acrylic Paint Marker Box - Marker Review | ChocolateMusings.com

Questions I Asked as I Reviewed the Acrylic Markers by Chalkola

First of all, I wanted to see how Chalkola acrylic markers worked on all sorts of surfaces (including the faux leather bullet journal cover). I don’t do a whole lot of other crafting, so I am sure these markers have many other uses – more than what I tested.

With watercolors, I know how to blend colors and transition from one color to another. But I wasn’t so sure what would happen with these Chalkola acrylic markers, especially on my bullet journal cover. So that’s what I set out to do.

  • Which Materials are best for the Chalkola Acrylic Markers?
  • Are the markers easy to use?
  • Is the paint permanent after it dries?
  • Does it rub off or wear off easily?
  • Can I remove the Chalkola Acrylic Paint after it dried – even from my bullet journal cover?
  • Can I fix mistakes (remove paint) while wet?
  • How quickly do Chalkola Acrylic Paint Makers dry?
  • Could I easily blend the colors?
  • What blending technique should I use?
  • If I used the marker tips to blend, how easily do they clean afterward?
  • Do the marker tips stain? (Meaning does the tip of the Chalkola Acrylic Marker self-clean, or does the tip continue to look dirty from the other colors.)
  • How would the colors look on a dark surface?
  • How well do the markers work after 6 months of non-use?

Chalkola Acrylic Marker Review – Bullet Journal Cover:

Since I bullet journal, I of course want see what I can use in (or on) my notebook. So I decided to paint the cover of my faux leather notebook Tumbitri Meri. If you’d like to know more about the Tumbitri Meri notebook I’m currently using, you can read (or watch) the review here.

The company logo was debossed in gold on the front cover – which I figured would be a good test on different surface materials for these Chalkola Acrylic Paint Markers.

Tumbitri Meri Notebook in Purple 220 Pages, 160 GSM comes with gold ruler with templates - great for bullet journaling | ChocolateMusings.com

What I Learned From the Notebook Cover Experiment

Painting the cover of my new bullet journal with Chalkola Acrylic Markers would help me learn several things about them. In this experiment, using the Chalkola Acrylic Paint Markers on my bullet journal cover, I discovered in real life how the markers performed.

Here’s what I learned:

  • The ink dried quickly, so I had to work in small sections.
  • The colors blended easily if I pushed down on the marker to release a little more paint. Like combining other water-based markers (like Tombows), the shades blended easier if I used the lighter color to mix. I used darker colors over the top of the logo to hide it better.
  • After mixing colors, I’d scribble on a piece of paper off to the side and clean the marker’s tip. It worked like a dream, and even the white marker didn’t stain. So every time I colored, the color was pure instead of muddied with another color.
  • The colors are not entirely opaque but become less and less transparent with each additional layer.
  • I found that if you add a base layer, let it dry, you could color over it again and enhance the color. You could blend with other colors at that point as well.
  • The markers needed multiple coats to cover dark surfaces.
  • If they started streaking, you could wait for them to dry and go over the same area again without a problem.
  • After letting the acrylic paint dry for a couple of minutes, I gingerly touched the paint. It was not tacky in the least. There were no visible or textured raised areas like you might find when painting with acrylic paint from a tube.

Read more about the process I used to paint the notebook cover in this post.

What I’d Do Differently

  • Next time I won’t be as shy about blending colors. Knowing that I can quickly and efficiently clean the marker tips makes all the difference in confidently mixing colors without worrying that I’ll ruin the tip or permanently stain it.

If you want to decorate your bullet journal or planner cover, I’d say these acrylic paint markers are the way to go. Check out how I used these markers in my September Leaves Theme. I even blended small areas of color directly on the paper.

Step 9: Add finishing details - here I added wispy tendrils at the base of the feather in white acrylic marker | ChocolateMusings.com
Cover Lettering with Chalkola Acrylic Markers - the markers went 6 months untouched | ChocolateMusings.com
Step 7: If you used a template, remove the vinyl or tape to reveal your design. | ChocolateMusings.com
How I painted my bullet journal notebook cover with acrylic markers - step-by-step pictures | ChocolateMusings.com

How Well Do They Clean-Up (After a Mistake)?

I colored outside the template lines a few times (gasp!) but removed the color with water and a Q-tip while the paint was still wet. The paint didn’t bleed under the template as it was not overly wet, so it stayed where I put it. In my second experiment (6-months later), I pushed down too hard and got a big blob of paint on the notebook cover. It cleaned up nicely with a few swipes of a wet Q-Tip.

If you mess up on an area where the paint’s already dried, use a bit of water or rubbing alcohol and a Q-Tip and rub at the mistake. The color will start to fade away. You might, however, see a different result based on the type of surface you’re painting.

Six months later, the paint looks great on the cover. I take my bullet journal everywhere in my purse. I would give the durability an A.

Inside the Notebook – Marker Review

Not only did I use the markers on the outside of my notebook but I also used them inside. Don’t worry, I’ll give you those details for this Chalkola Acrylic Marker Review.

In one case, I covered most of the page with paint (teal future log pages + argyle sweater cover page). If I colored slowly, I reduced the streaking. Probably because the paint was drying so quickly. One nice thing that I could cover the entire page in color and the page didn’t buckle as it does with watercolor. And for a layered design look like the argyle sweater cover page, just wait until the paint is dry and color over it. Since I use notebooks with thick pages, I had no trouble with bleeding.

I had trouble writing over the paint with my regular gel pens, but fineliners seemed to work just fine. I also used some lettering pens (Fudenosuke and Pentel Touch) which worked well over the markers (page with boxes & yellow box).

As far as testing on black paper, I did a pretty terrible job about documenting how the colors showed up on black paper vs. white paper, but I did notice quite a bit more streaks on dark paper. The dark paper required more layers just like the dark notebook covers. I think if I slowed down those streaks would go away and if you let the paint dry in between layers, the coverage would be better. When I get some 1mm pens, I’ll test it out better on black paper.

Blending and pen test with acrylic markers | ChocolateMusings.com
Argyle Sweater Bullet Journal Cover Page | ChocolateMusings.com
Fun painted future log page with full color paint | ChocolateMusings.com
Full Color Pages - No Wrinkles! | ChocolateMusings.com
Full page coverage using acrylic markers - without wrinkling | ChocolateMusings.com

Bleed Through Review

The markers didn’t bleed through in my regular notebook. It does have thicker pages (160gsm) than a Leuchtturm or Exceed notebook. So I also tried a notebook with super thin pages (the thinnest pages I could find!). As you can see from the first and second pictures, the markers ghosted but didn’t bleed through on this thin paper any worse than the regular pens I use on it.

Acrylic Marker Test vs. Thin Page Notebook - how did they do? | ChocolateMusings.com
Thin Paper vs. Acrylic Markers | ChocolateMusings.com
Acrylic Marker Test in a Thin-Paged Notebook - Still Fares Great! | ChocolateMusings.com
Ghosting vs Bleeding - What's the Difference? | ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #ghosting #bleeding
Fading to fall leaves September Bullet Journal Plan with Me - Creative & Productive Bullet Journal Ideas & Spreads | ChocolateMusings.com

Find the Markers Here:

  • Amazon
  • Chalkola Website – Use this link for 10% off!

Reactivating the Markers Six-Months Later – Will They Still Work?

After an unexpected break from all things creativity (2020, am I right?!), I came back to this half-finished post and decided to dedicate a portion of the review to how well the Chalkola Acrylic Markers faired six months after opening them and activating them.

When I cracked open the box, I half expected each marker to be completely dry. After shaking them and ‘re-activating’ them, they seemed to work better than I expected. I think the markers laid horizontally (for the most part) during my six-month hiatus, which probably helped.

There was only one marker that I had issues reactivating. That was (I think) the electric pink. That was the only marker I switched the tip from round tip to chisel tip and left it that way. Not sure if that had anything to do with it, but that’s what I observed. I was able to coax the changeable tip out and could see that the paint had dried around where the tip met the reservoir.

I soaked the tip in a bit of water (hey! it was that or the trash can at this point) and stuck a pin down the marker tube to see if I could break up the dried paint. Amazingly, it worked. I could tell that the marker wanted to roll over and die, but it reactivated for my little experiment. I figure if I worked at it a little more, I could restore it further.

How Do Six-Month Old Markers Work?

All of the swatches below were done after the 6-month period. Certainly not like new, but I was surprised that they weren’t completely sealed over.

Chalkola Acrylic Markers Color Swatch Bullet Journal Spread | ChocolateMusings.com
Cover Lettering with Chalkola Acrylic Markers - the markers went 6 months untouched | ChocolateMusings.com

In good fashion, I created another cover with the markers to test blendability (is that a word?) and the flow of the markers. As you can see, I struggled a bit with the blue on the end. I had to make a pool of ink in a couple of instances and dip the markers into the pool to get the right amount of ink. Sometimes I pushed too long and hard to get more ink flowing and created ink blobs, but even these large blobs cleaned up with a Q-tip.

I would rather use these markers when they are fresh and newly activated, but what else can you expect from acrylic markers? In general, I was pleasantly surprised that they worked at all and were easy to reactivate for the most part.

Summary – Chalkola Acrylic Marker Review

Find the Markers Here:

  • Amazon
  • Chalkola Website – Use this link for 10% off!

The markers are straightforward and easy to use. Once they’re activated, there is not much effort to start creating. I haven’t tried extremely hard to remove the paint, but it doesn’t seem to scratch off or rub off easily. If you like a variety of supplies for your bullet journal, I would definitely add these to your list!

I’d love to know what you thought of this review and if you’ve tried acrylic markers in your bullet journal or notebook. Leave me a comment below!

  • Tutorial: How Watercolor Paint with Markers in Your Bullet Journal
  • Beginning Lettering Supplies
  • April Plan With Me 2019- Recipe Art Inspired
  • September Leaves with Acrylic Markers- Planner Set Up

Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Blog, Bullet Journal, Creating Art - Watercolor, Painting & Drawing, Get Creative, Get Inspired, Get Organized & Start Planning, Pen & Marker Reviews, Product & Book Reviews, Tutorials & How To Tagged: acrylic markers, bullet journal cover, new bullet journal, product review

Functional Book Dutch Door Bullet Journal Theme October 2021 Plan With Me

October 14, 2021 Leave a Comment

Bullet Journal Extended Monthly Log + Dutch Door Book Theme | ChocolateMusings.com

In this post, I’ll share how I turned a Dutch-door monthly log-type layout into something I hope to be quite functional. And as a bonus, my bullet journal theme this month is books that complement my bullet journal quote list.

I occasionally return to this style – trying to marry more form and function into the monthly log layouts. But first, let’s back up and answer a few questions you might have. The only thing consistent throughout my years of bullet journaling is that I like to try (and re-try) new things. I decided long ago that I was not looking for the perfect layout. My perfect layouts were ones that I didn’t tire of and used.

I discovered I was not too fond of the same layout every month. So I decided to experiment with different themes and combinations of techniques. Since I gave myself ‘permission,’ I have enjoyed using my bullet journal each month.

Bullet Journal Dutch Door Book Theme | ChocolateMusings.com

Table of contents

  • What is a Dutch Door Layout in Bullet Journaling?
  • Beyond Dutch Door – Why a Book Theme?
  • Product Links
  • How I Used Dutch-Door Layouts This Month
    • Habit Tracker
    • Monthly Log
    • Weekly Pages
  • Using Books in My Dutch-Door Theme
  • Things I Learned While Creating a Book-Themed Dutch-Door Bullet Journal
  • Your Thoughts on Dutch-Doors

What is a Dutch Door Layout in Bullet Journaling?

“Dutch Door” in bullet journaling removes part of the page by cutting or folding pages. In functional bullet journaling, you can leave a piece of the page stationary throughout the month (or part of the month) and still turn the pages like usual. For instance, if you have a cleaning list every week and don’t want to copy over the cleaning chart, you might cut your weekly pages so you can always see the cleaning chart graph but mark it off on that week’s page.

For purely aesthetic reasons, you might use a dutch door to reveal part of a design. Such as cutting out a window to show a pattern on the next page. Or cut the page to look like falling leaves like I did in my November 2019 bullet journal.

Beyond Dutch Door – Why a Book Theme?

I don’t know about you, but the turn of the seasons from Summer to Fall makes me want to curl up under a cozy blanket, sip some hot chocolate, read a good book, or watch a great series. Last year, I also did a book theme for October, but that’s when I went through a tough time, and the theme never made it into the world. I guess this month was to revive that idea because I liked it so much.

You can, of course, use this theme any time of the year. The colors I chose to paint the books on the welcome page are deeper and classified as more ‘fall’ colors. That’s one way you can modify a theme to be more seasonable – change the theme’s colors.

By the way, if you’re looking for other great theme ideas for Fall – check out this post.

Not all thoughts are black and white - that's why we have grey matter - Bullet journal brain dump page | ChocolateMusings.com

Product Links

Plan With Me October 2021 Supplies
  • Acrylograph Acrylic Markers – Archer & Olive
  • Archer & Olive Notepads
  • Craft Knife
  • Cricut Basic Tools
  • Cutting Mat
  • Daniel Smith Watercolor Paints
  • Dr PH Martins Iridescent Calligraphy Ink
  • Kimberly Watercolor Pencil Neutral
  • Lemome Notebook A5 Dot Grid
  • Metallic Acrylograph Pens
  • Papermate InkJoy Pens (all versions)
  • Pentel Touch Pen
  • Princeton Heritage Synthetic Sable Paint Brushes
  • Sakura White Gelly Roll Pens
  • Scribbles That Matter A5 Notebook
  • The Pigeon Letters Paint Brushes
  • Tumbitri Meri A5 Dot Grid Notebook
  • Washi Tape – Black & White Striped
  • Winsor & Newton Fineliner Pens – Pack of 5 – Waterproof (Assorted Sizes)
Video Set-Up
  • Blue Yeti Microphone
  • Canon PowerShot G7x Mark III Digital Camera
  • Photography Lights (I use these for my everyday drawing!)
  • Scissor Arm Mic Stand/Video Camera Stand

How I Used Dutch-Door Layouts This Month

I may or may not have gone a little crazy this month with the dutch doors. The thing is, I want them to work practically. I know there are a few ways I can improve them in the future, but I think I’m onto something.

Habit Tracker

For the habit tracker, I must admit that the form exceeds the function on this page. I stuck a black page behind a stack of books I cut out for the welcome page and liked it so much that I had to figure out a way to keep it. I love the peek-a-boo effect for the habit tracker. Now let’s hope I use the tracker.

When using a design on my dutch doors, much like the leaves, I love to use both sides of the page, and the stack of books is no exception. But hey! I’ve discovered that I won’t use my bullet journal if I’m not excited about it. It can’t all be about function with me. Many people wonder why others use themes in their bullet journals. This is why I love to use themes in my bullet journal.

Book + Dutch Door bullet journal theme - Habit tracker | ChocolateMusings.com

Monthly Log

How many times do you write down an appointment in your bullet journal? The idea behind this dutch-door monthly bullet journal layout is to eliminate at least one of those times. Instead of writing an appointment on my monthly calendar and a weekly page, I’ll use the weekly pages for specific to-dos and looser notes for the week. Meetings and day-specific items have their section, so I don’t have to skim through notes and to-dos to know that I have a dentist appointment on Thursday.

Using a clear numbered sticker down the left-hand side of the page, I split the page into sections. The first page keeps appointments, school notes, errands to run, and a cleaning chart. If I flip the next page over, I use the same numbering system from the previous page but track daily notes and goals and have space for one line per day.

These pages keep all the things that are either calendar-related or that I do daily. That way, I don’t have to copy those items over and over to a weekly page. This reason right here is why I love the idea of a perfect dutch door theme.

Bullet Journal Dutch Door Book Theme - Flip Out Pages | ChocolateMusings.com
Bullet Journal Book Theme - Flip Out Pages | ChocolateMusings.com
Bullet Journal Monthly Log Pages | ChocolateMusings.com

Weekly Pages

Since there is no need to record appointments on my weekly pages, I wondered if I needed them. But I’ve tried eliminating weeklies in my bullet journal, which didn’t go well. Even if I skip a week of using my bullet journal for one reason or another, I always return to it and use the weekly pages for journaling, ideas, task lists, and general information specific to those weeks.

I continued the scalloped book dutch door theme, indenting the pages a little more each week and adding stickers to the first week’s left edge. These pages will be primarily task-related instead of appointment-based. I left them open and did not separate the pages into specific days. I’m trying to follow Laura Vanderkam’s advice to focus on a week instead of a day.

Bullet Journal Monthly Log Pages | ChocolateMusings.com
Bullet Journal Weekly Log Pages | ChocolateMusings.com

Using Books in My Dutch-Door Theme

Beyond the first dutch-door book stacks featured on the welcome page in this month’s bullet journal, each page in the monthly log and weekly pages has a scalloped edge that reminds me of stacked books.

Yes, I could have cut the pages in a straight line and achieved the same function. But I trimmed the indented pages into the curved outline of book spines. So I could continue with the book dutch-door theme in my bullet journal. The scalloped edges add just a little flair to the pages and, quite frankly, make me happy.

There are many possibilities to combine a book theme and dutch-doors in your bullet journal. It’s like a bullet journal book inception. You could go deeper and deeper.

Things I Learned While Creating a Book-Themed Dutch-Door Bullet Journal

While creating this dutch-door bullet journal theme, I learned the number one thing: I need some serious practice using an Exacto Knife. Especially with those curved edges I added for the book spines. After cutting out the dutch-door on the welcome page, I reverted to scissors for all the weeklies.

The second thing I learned while creating this theme, I love using templates for repeating shapes. Since the scalloped book edges for the weeklies, I cut out a template from a notepad and used that edge to create all of the weekly pages.

I learned this month that I need a visual calendar when using a monthly log. But I ran out of room on my page, so I added a flip-out set of books with a calendar.

The fourth item I learned about this month’s theme was to use flip-out pages when you run out of room on your page. What’s nice about the flip-out pages is that you can also use them on subsequent pages. So if you don’t want to cut pages like a dutch-door, a flip-out page is a great alternative.

The fifth and final thing I learned when creating this theme is not to be afraid to cover it up. I covered up a messy mistake on my brain dump page called “Not all thoughts are black & white. That’s why we have grey matter.” I love the look of the torn pages and the contrast on the page. Some of my favorite pages have come from trying to figure out how to fix a mistake.

Your Thoughts on Dutch-Doors

What are your opinions on Dutch Doors in your bullet journal? What concerns do you have? If you’ve tried it, I’d love to know what worked and what didn’t.

Oh, and by the way, if you have ideas on more ways to use books and dutch-doors together as a bullet journal theme, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Artsy Planner Spreads, Blog, Bullet Journal, Get Organized & Start Planning, Plan With Me 2021, Planner Spreads Tagged: book, Bullet Journal, dutch door, October, pirate theme, plan with me

How I Painted My Notebook Cover with Acrylic Markers

October 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

How I painted my bullet journal notebook cover with acrylic markers - step-by-step pictures | ChocolateMusings.com

It’s time for new cover art for my bullet journal! In this post, I’ll show you how I painted this gorgeous & whimsical feather on the cover of my faux leather Tumbitri Meri notebook using Chalkola acrylic paint markers.

By the way, Chalkola sent me these acrylic markers, but with no pretense. They just said they liked my art on Instagram. So any opinions are mine & mine alone. You can learn more about my disclosures here. You can also check me out on Instagram @ChocolateMusingsCreates

Table of contents

  • New Bullet Journal Notebook Cover – Painted of Course
  • About the Acrylic Markers:
  • Bullet Journal Cover Art Inspiration
  • The Basics: How to Paint the Notebook Cover with Chalkola Acrylic Markers
  • The Process: Painting the Bullet Journal Cover With Chalkola Acrylic Markers
  • Coloring Outside the Lines (oops!)
  • Finishing Details
  • The Result
  • What I’d Do Differently Next Time I Paint My Notebook Cover
  • Summary

New Bullet Journal Notebook Cover – Painted of Course

When I moved to a new notebook by Tumbitri Meri I wasn’t sure what to do with the cover. I liked the smooth feel of the outside, but love to customize my books. With its 220 thick pages, I imagined I’d use it for a while. After receiving some acrylic markers, I decided to try painting the cover of this notebook.

The cover is faux leather and deep purple (their stock on Amazon seems to fluctuate between colors available – but I always get the thicker paper option no matter which color I choose). I wasn’t sure if the markers would rub off the debossed gold logo on the front or if the logo would stand out too much after I painted it. (Spoiler – the markers did great!)

If you’d like to know more about the Tumbitri Meri notebook I’m currently using, you can read (or watch) the review here.

For my last notebook cover, I created a lovely textured silver vinyl sticker with my Cricut using my word of the year to remind me of my goals every time I picked up the book. I love the idea of customizing my notebook to help me focus.

Bullet Journal Cricut Cut Cover Art + Word of the Year | ChocolateMusings.com

My word of the year was ‘consistency,’ and whew, was that a doozy to stay consistent in 2020. Although, I have to admit that having it as a constant reminder on the front cover of my bullet journal kept me on track more than I might have otherwise. Honestly, I think without that reminder, I would have derailed more than I did – which is saying a lot.

200+ Word of the year ideas to inspire and motivate you | ChocolateMusings.com #wordoftheyear #wty #words #motivation

Check out this post for ideas to choose your word of the year. Whether or not you display your word on your bullet journal cover is up to you.

About the Acrylic Markers:

The Chalkola Acrylic Markers I received came in a pack of 20 colors with an easily reversible 3mm bullet tip or chisel tip. They have a new 1mm extra-fine tip that I’m excited to try. But I used the 3mm tip markers equipped with the bullet tip in this tutorial.

Find the Markers Here:

  • Amazon
  • Chalkola Website – Use this link for 10% off!
Chalkola Acrylic Markers in a Glass Jar | ChocolateMusings.com
Chalkola Acrylic Markers - Marker Bouquet in a glass jar | ChocolateMusings.com
Chalkola Marker Swatches in my Tumbitri Meri Bullet Journal | ChocolateMusings.com

Bullet Journal Cover Art Inspiration

I found inspiration from my Arrows & Feathers Board on Pinterest then created my own version in ProCreate on my iPad. Follow me on Pinterest and find more Bullet Journal Ideas & Creative Inspiration!

The Basics: How to Paint the Notebook Cover with Chalkola Acrylic Markers

Before starting to paint your notebook cover, activate all of your markers.

Using my Cricut machine, I cut non-permanent vinyl and applied it to my planner cover. Making sure to use the scraper tool (or a credit card) to scrape along all the edges to seal down the template and prevent any paint bleeds.

I had a vague idea of how I wanted to apply the paint, but my goal was to create a painting that felt whimsical and flowy (is that a word?) and not too rigid, so I didn’t plan too much.

  • Step 1: clean and apply the template (if you're using one) | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Step 2: Use a scraper tool or edge of a credit card to smooth out and adhere the design to your notebook cover. | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Step 3: Apply the design template to your notebook cover, after painting, you'll remove the template (unless you decide to keep it as an outline). If you decide to keep it, don't color over the outlines - Remove the sticky film after you apply the design to the cover. | ChocolateMusings.com

The Process: Painting the Bullet Journal Cover With Chalkola Acrylic Markers

The ink dried quickly, so I worked in small sections of the feather. The colors blended easily if I pushed down on the marker to release a little more paint. Like combining other water-based markers (like Tombows), the shades blended easier if I used the lighter color first and blended in with the darker color. But since these markers were (mostly) opaque, I could go back and lighten areas if I used too much dark paint on the notebook cover.

Continue to work in small sections and blend colors near each other on the color wheel to create blends instead of muddy colors. I used darker colors over top of the logo to hide it better. But I don’t think that was necessary. The colors are not entirely opaque but become less and less transparent with each additional layer.

After mixing colors, I’d scribble on a piece of paper off to the side and clean the marker’s tip. It worked like a dream, and even the white marker didn’t stain with the other colors I mixed with it.

  • Step 4: Choose a color and start painting your notebook cover | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Step 5: Paint the cover in small sections, blending colors two at a time. The paint will dry and you won't be able to blend if you try to cover too much area too fast | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Step 6: Continue blending colors on your notebook cover in small sections - the paint dries quickly, so work fast and in small areas | ChocolateMusings.com

Coloring Outside the Lines (oops!)

I colored outside the template lines a few times (gasp!) but removed the color with water and a Q-tip while the paint was still wet. The paint didn’t bleed under the template as it was not overly wet, so it stayed where I put it.

Finishing Details

After letting the acrylic paint dry for a couple of minutes, I gingerly touched the paint. It was not tacky in the least. There were no visible or textured raised areas like you might find when painting with acrylic paint from a tube.

I quickly removed the vinyl template. The result was a fun, colorful, whimsical piece of art on the cover of my bullet journal. Since I covered up a portion of the logo with the acrylic paint in the feather, I decided that this particular design needed an outline. The gold did just the trick. It comfortably covered the outside area and hid any mistakes I wanted to cover.

Once I let that dry (which didn’t take long at all), I added a few wispy tendrils at the bottom of the feather and outlined the spine in white using the white acrylic paint marker.

  • Step 7: If you used a template, remove the vinyl or tape to reveal your design. | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Step 8: Clean up any mistakes or fill in gaps - here, I chose to fill in the feather with gold paint | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Step 9: Add finishing details - here I added wispy tendrils at the base of the feather in white acrylic marker | ChocolateMusings.com

The Result

I’m thrilled with the result of my painted bullet journal cover. Even though I liked the vinyl sticker from last notebook (and could do that again for sure), I LOVE the look of the colorful feather.

Step 10: Done! Admire your work after painting your bullet journal cover | ChocolateMusings.com

What I’d Do Differently Next Time I Paint My Notebook Cover

There’s not a whole lot I think I do differently next time I paint my notebook. I think I’d go over the luminous yellow and lime green areas a second or third time if I were to do it all over since the dark background showed more from those colors than the other ones. The gold and white had no coverage issues.

Next time (and yes, there WILL be a next time I paint my bullet journal cover with acrylic markers), I won’t be as shy about blending colors. Knowing that I can quickly and efficiently clean the marker tips makes all the difference in confidently mixing colors without worrying that I’ll ruin the tip or permanently stain it.

If I painted more carefully, I could use the vinyl template as the outline for the feather instead of removing it.

Summary

If you want to decorate your bullet journal or planner cover, I’d say these acrylic paint markers are the way to go. Check out how I used these markers in my September Leaves Theme. I even blended small areas of color directly on the paper and was super impressed by how it turned out.

The markers are straightforward and easy to use. Once they’re activated, there is not much effort to start creating. I haven’t tried extremely hard to remove the paint, but it doesn’t seem to scratch off or rub off easily.

I carry my bullet journal everywhere in my purse. After using the book for six months, I’ve seen a little bit of wear on the paint, but nothing extreme.

  • Tutorial: How Watercolor Paint with Markers in Your Bullet Journal
  • Pirate Theme February 2019 Planner Preview
  • April Plan With Me 2019- Recipe Art Inspired
  • Fall Leaves with Acrylic Markers

Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Blog, Bullet Journal, Cover Art, Creating Art - Watercolor, Painting & Drawing, Get Creative, Get Organized & Start Planning, Pen & Marker Reviews, Tutorials & How To Tagged: acrylic markers, bullet journal cover, cover art, new bullet journal, notebook cover art, product review

Wooden Directional Sign & Apple Orchard Inspired Weekly Layout

October 5, 2021 2 Comments

What do a bullet journal, a weekly layout, wooden directional signs, and an apple orchard have in common? they are my inspiration for this fall weekly layout in my bullet journal.

Or at least what I think an apple orchard should look like since I haven’t ever been to an orchard. I think they would be slightly magical, the apple scent forever lingering in the air. Juicy, ripe fruit hanging so low on the bowed branches begging to be plucked from the green canopy of leaves.

The wooden directional sign & apple orchard weekly layout is perfect for celebrating fall’s cool, crisp nights, and dreaming of delicious, hot, steamy apple strudel with vanilla ice cream. Or change it up and use directional signs in a travel theme. Whatever you do, directional signs don’t have to be perfectly drawn, and by the same token, you can adapt them to your unique style.

Previously Published 10/11/2017

Apple orchard weekly bullet journal theme - fun, easy and adaptable to your style. | ChocolateMusings.com

Table of contents

  • Apples, Apples Everywhere
  • Apple Orchard & Wooden Sign Weekly Layout Sketches
  • Wooden Directional Signs Weekly Layout
  • Even More Inspiration

Apples, Apples Everywhere

Inspired by the apple pie on my October monthly welcome page in my bullet journal, I decided to continue the theme on my weekly log with an apple orchard feel. 

Can’t you just hear the sound of the first bite of a crunchy apple and taste the sweet juice as it coats all of your taste buds? Yep. I’m salivating. Though I need to still visit an apple orchard, I think they have big wooden signs (with pretty handwriting on them…because that’s a thing…right?), wooden apple buckets, and apple creations everywhere the eye can see. If that’s not how an orchard really is, then I might just have to live in my fantasy world.

Wooden Directional Signs Weekly Bullet Journal Layout - Fun, whimsical signs point the direction to each day of the week, leaving plenty of space for appointments, to-dos and notes. | ChocolateMusings.com

Apple Orchard & Wooden Sign Weekly Layout Sketches

Sometimes when you want to recreate it’s easier to see how it all started so here are the sketches for this week’s layout. As you can see, the directional signs I chose to create for this weekly layout were really rough and varied, as though they’ve been outside in the elements for ages.

I love adding dimension and shading to my pages, so any time I can add the effect of dimension to a drawing, I will. Adding the sides/bottom to the sketch makes it easier to add shadows later as well.

Weekly Bullet Journal Layout Sketches - Wooden Directional Signs & Apple Orchard Inspiration| ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #weeklyspread

Wooden Directional Signs Weekly Layout

First, I used directional signs point towards each day of the week. This layout is a clever way to fit two weeks to a page if that’s what you need. If you like to keep one week to a spread, use the opposite page for weekly task items, to-dos, or notes.

Using the shape of a tasty apple is a good place to record your meal plans. While using squares/rectangles is fine, keep in mind that it’s ok to change it up every once in a while.

The apple basket acts as a mini-tracker for laundry or workouts (or insert your own goals – I struggle with completing those two tasks – so everybody else does too right?). The cut apple focuses your to-do’s right to the ‘core’ of your weekly tasks. Another directional sign points you in the way of next week. Only good things can come when exiting the apple orchard.

  • Apple orchard weekly bullet journal theme - fun, easy and adaptable to your style. | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Apple Orchard Bucket Doodle in my Bullet Journal | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Wooden Directional Signs Weekly Bullet Journal Layout - Fun, whimsical signs point the direction to each day of the week, leaving plenty of space for appointments, to-dos and notes. | ChocolateMusings.com

More Ideas to Use Wooden Sign Doodles in Your Bullet Journal – Not Just Weekly Layouts

The directional signs can definitely be used for weeks at the beach or camping. Modify the colors and shape a little and you have a directional sign pointing to the North Pole!

The basket could be for hanging laundry on a sunny day, or gathering leaves. Or it could be the gathering spot for a collection of toys on a toy-themed page! It would be absolutely perfect for a bucket list collection. I love a versatile page. Modify a few things and voilà a theme that looks completely new!

What other ways could you see adapting this theme through the year?

Feel free to choose the elements you want to include – any or all. I don’t mind. I would love to see it if you post it on Instagram! Tag me @ChocolateMusingsCreates.

Apple Orchard Ideas

Here are some more ways to include apple orchards into a fall theme:

  • First of all, who has a fall bucket list? I love these seasonal lists of things to do, food to try, and places to visit. Use the apple bucket as inspiration for detailing your fall bucket list. What a fun spread idea!
  • No Bad Apples – use it as a brain dump page. I LOVE different names for my brain dump pages.
  • Doodle an apple with increasing bite marks as the header to a weekly page
  • Apples are still all the rage with back-to-school themes.
  • Apples + Bookworms for a clever reading page. Although, you might not want to eat any of those apples.

Even More Inspiration

Check out my travel Pinterest board for more directional sign ideas. I hope you find something to inspire your planning and motivate you to create something fun.

2 Comments
Filed Under: Artsy Planner Spreads, Blog, Bullet Journal, Plan With Me, Plan With Me 2017, Planner Spreads Tagged: apple, apple orchard, Bullet Journal, bullet journal spread, October, plan with me, Weekly Layout, weekly spread

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About Me


Hi! I'm Tricia, the creative behind ChocolateMusings.com, I know how it feels to lose your inner muse. After years of darkness (which I call the dark ages of my life), I found my inner muse hiding in the forgotten corners of my soul, I vowed never to lose sight of her again.

Bullet journaling helped reignite the passion for art and living life again while organizing my days. I also discovered modern calligraphy and watercolor. Since then, my use of the bullet journal system has evlolved and I call it 'creative planning'. Here on the blog, I show you how to use your planner to ignite your inner muse and explore creativity and art while staying beautifully organized and living a joyful life.

I invite you to grab some good chocolate and dive into my musings. Let’s ignite your inner muse.

Read more on the about me page. You can also find my policies and disclosures here.

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