To mitigate our frustration, Amy went to yoga and "sweated out her rage", and afterwards we reminded ourselves of the following tenants we offer to you, fellow makers, in case you've endured your own copycat or two.
Be kind to each other out there, folks.
Love, Moxie
Gather Your SuppliesStacey uses the MoxieDori Compass Protractor, the Mandala Maker, Faber Castell pens and her bullet journal to make her mandalas.
MoxieDori ships free within the US on orders over $35. The Compass Protractor and Mandala Maker are exclusive designs of MoxieDori and are only sold at MoxieDori.com and the MoxieDori Etsy Shop. Both tools come with written directions and there are easy to follow how to tutorials on the listing pages. Amy and Kris at MoxieDori provide excellent customer service and are available for questions. Main Guidelines and CenterStacey first marks the center of the mandala using the center hole of the MoxieDori Compass Protractor. She then uses the hash marks to divide the page into eight equal parts and connects opposing hash marks with a straight edge.
Next, Stacey uses one of the circle cutouts on the compass protractor to create a design in the middle of the piece.
Supporting Guidelines and Concentric CirclesWhile mandalas are usually drawn using circles divided into 16 equal parts, Stacey's intricate creations have 32 equal parts. In doing this, she creates a complex structure to support her smaller elements and detailed shading. She uses the Compass Protractor to divide the circles in 32 pieces.
Pen to PaperOnce the framework is penciled in, Stacey took a fine nib pen, such as the one in this Faber-Castell Pitt Artist pen set, and made permanent the mandala elements on her grid. She starts from the center and works her way outward.
Keep on GoingNext, Stacey chose any elements she liked and placed them around the circle, using the guidelines to space them out equally. This Mandala Making Pinterest Board has a ton of gorgeous mandala elements for inspiration.
Shading, Outlining, Accentuating and TexturizingStacey explains that she turns away from the mandala and goes back to it so she can see where she needs to outline, accentuate, shade or texturize. While this isn't mandatory in the mandala making process, Stacey creates stunning mandalas using these techniques.
Stay in the MomentStacey suggests that you don't become overwhelmed with the big picture. Don't fret about mistakes. Just concern yourself with the exact element and row that you are working on. The mandala will unfold itself to you. If you would like to learn more from Stacey, visit her YouTube channel or check out her lovely Instagram account @thoselildetails.  
Summer is coming to a close and it's back to school we go! So grab your bullet journal and let's get organized. Join us in creating bullet journal layouts that will help you manage your family schedules, lecture study notes, activities, meals, playdates, deadlines, routines, appointments and school calendar, kid-friendly self-care layouts, homework trackers, chore trackers, a how to pack a lunch layout, and more!
1. During the School Year Weekly Spread #1
This weekly spread combines the schedules of both the adults and children in your family. The basic vertical layout contains, organizes and tracks in one quick to make layout. Just place the Vertical Weekly Layout behind your page and trace the spread. Add color coded task boxes (lavender for me, aqua for the kids) and a packed lunch meal plan using the Mini Set of Stencils. Create a chore, homework and self care tracker for the whole family using the Journal Rule and you're good to go. You have it all covered and everyone is set up for success.
2. Future Planning for School
Never forget a school event again. I don't know about you but the school, classroom, and PTA calendars HAVE to be in one place or I inevitably make goofs. Who likes to make a Thing One costume the night before? Answer: No one. Kimmy Ly of BumbleCreated.com penned this simple and gorgeous yearly outline for her son's kindergarten year. All of the things in one place.
3. Flexible Meal Plan
If you know what you're having for dinner next Tuesday, more power to you. I, however, am not that person. This flexible meal plan layout contains 20 go to meals that I can choose from every day at 4:00 when I'm standing in front of my open refrigerator with the omnipresent question, "What's for dinner?"
4. During the School Year Weekly Spread #2
Di Lara @themonsterofstationery designed this weekly to include daily school notables, meal plans and next week. Everyone's information has a place on this two page spread and can be easily seen at a glance. The clean look and detailed sections of this layout makes it soothing and purposeful.
5. Self Care for Kids
The first week of school is a rough transition for the whole family. In times of stress, we turn to the book, "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" This tender book teaches about compassion, self care and kindness. The "Fill Your Bucket" layout is an outgrowth of this book where my children can brainstorm activities or experiences that help them go back to center.
6. Student Planner made with a $1 Composition Notebook
Share your love of bullet journaling with your kids. They can make a bullet journal to keep track of their activities, chores, schedules, deadlines, homework, projects, volunteer time, reading log, sports activities and everything else in their busy lives. Click on the video below to learn how to use the Composition Notebook Stencil to create a bullet journal using a one dollar composition notebook.
7. Kids Chore Tracker
Musical Chores is a spread designed for kids to see how much time is required for their chores. In my home, we do all of our chores to songs that the kids choose. They take turns picking a song. When the song is over, the chore is abandoned. (Usually we have time to spare.) The half note represents half of a song and the the whole note represents an entire song. In doing this, the kids have input and control while knowing that there is an end in sight. Seeing the chart helps to reassure them that the chore list has a definite end and they know beforehand how much is expected of them. It's been a game changer for our house. The MoxieDori Journal Rule makes creating this and similar chart layouts quick and easy.
8. Meal Planning Weekly Spread
Di Lara @themonsterofstationery has created this compact meal planning weekly spread. Organizing a meal plan ahead of time removes some of the pressure from the dinner time hour. Once things are written down, you can grocery shop knowing what dishes you are making that week. When you get home from work and school, you'll know that the ingredients and recipes are all ready for you. Your family can make dinner together and chat about your day.
9. Daily Rhythm Time Blocking
As a teacher and a mother, I find that children understand things better if it is written down. Time is definitely one of those things. Creating a "Rhythm of the Day" layout has helped my children to understand that we are under time constraints. We have a schedule to keep, places to be, and deadlines to meet. We all have to be mindful of how we are spending our limited time to make sure that we aren't stressed when it is time to transition to a new event. Tools used: MoxieDori Journal Rule and Brush Lettering Tracing Strips.
10. Packing a Lunch Graphic
Teach your children how to pack their own nourishing lunches by creating a Packing a Good Lunch Graphic. Provide them with choices that are best for your family. We pack our lunches the evening before to avoid rushing in the morning. Treat yourself and pass along this chore.
11. Student Note Taking
Students need to be overtly taught how to take notes. The Student Planner Note Taking Stencil was designed to create note taking layouts based on the Cornell Notes Method. Using this method, students will learn a proven, methodical, consistent way to take notes during class, phone calls, business meetings or lectures. The video below demonstrates how to set up this note taking layout.
Back to School can be an easier transition with a little bit of preparation. Including the whole family in the process will increase their ownership and participation. It will also provide everyone with tools they can use to control situations that feel out of control. Check out the MoxieDori Back to School Bullet Journal Pinterest Board.
If you'd like to learn more about bullet journaling, we host a great bullet journaling FaceBook group called Bullet Journaling Tips and Tricks. We'd love to have you join! We also have a Beginning Bullet Journal blog post for folks who want to learn the basics. Enjoy! |
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March 2023
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