Flip through video & photos

Like last month, I needed to simplify the pages and minimize my fine writing and drawing because of a hand injury. Using stencils and collage, from my digital downloads, this month went fast and wasn’t taxing on my hand.

April’s moon is named Pink because of the blooming of the ground phlox flowers. It is also when many trees are bursting with blossoms. Pink is not my favorite color so I wasn’t looking forward to making this month’s pages, but I was pleasantly surprised. I hope you are too.

Here is a flip-through video of April’s planner journal pages. 

As in past months, I used the same stencil and wrote ‘thankful’ in it. On the opposite page I printed, cut, and glued the teapot and cup from the coffee and tea digital downloads. You can find all the downloads in my shop: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/shop. I tied the pages together by using similar colors in the ‘thankful’ sections as the tea art on the right. Then a bit of black pen with lines help integrate the pages even more.

For 2022 I’ve decided to feature a hymn on the cover spread for the month. Usually the hymns have the theme of the cosmos, majesty of God and nature. This month’s hymn focuses on God being the Creator, Lord of all, and the beauty of the world created with the hymn ‘For the Beauty of the Earth.’ The response is awe, wonder, and grateful praise to our God, Lord of all.

Psalm 8 seems quite fitting for the hymn theme this month and is one of my favorite passages I wrote in the front of this journal.

1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
    Your glory is higher than the heavens.
2 You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
    putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
    and everything that swims the ocean currents.

9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Psalm 8 NLT

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

1 Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love.
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee,
praising thee their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive our fear and doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day!

2 All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heav'n reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
blooming meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.

3 Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever bless’d,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean-depth of happy rest!
Known in Jesus Christ our brother,
all who live in love are thine.
Teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.

4 Mortals, join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began.
Love divine is reigning o’er us,
leading us with mercy’s hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife.
Joyful music lifts us sunward
in the triumph song of life.

Pages in my journal

As I’ve simplified my calendar/everyday journal pages it’s changed my journaling habits a bit. I find myself using this journal for planning and then another journal for writing instead of mixing the two. I’ve been using the A5 size dotted journal for both and find it is easier for me to keep organized, which is something I need, so it’s been a positive change the whole way around.

Using stencils and digital download papers made the set-up go much faster for me. Making calendar pages each month has been a fulfilling practice for me and provides a record and guidebook for daily living. It helps me go onward and forward, looking upwards.

May you be blessed with joy!
Valerie

Digital Art Downloads used in the pages above are from my shop

STENCILS:

https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-valerie-sjodin-s/2044.htm

#L711 Mid Century Modern Banners
#L843 Stars Stencil with Stars Mask Edge
#L833 Script Sans Serif Planner Alphabet + Grid
#L578 Spirit Wind Mask

SUPPLIES:

• 160 gsm dotted notebook

• Pentel P205BP2-K6 Sharp Mechanical/Automatic Pencil, 0.5mm, Black, 2 Count: https://amzn.to/3m3lPgX Kneaded eraser: https://amzn.to/3m0wDwp

• Staedtler permanent pen set: https://amzn.to/3yQ2Ixy or

• Micron pen set: https://amzn.to/3jpWOup or other waterproof pen set

• White Posca paint pen/s: https://amzn.to/3hhmV75

• Doodle Dazzles Shimmer Marker Set of 8 https://amzn.to/3t5KU0T

• Cosmetic wedges: https://amzn.to/2IVno1J

• Extreme Elmers glue stick: https://amzn.to/3IZTynk

• Misc. Washi tape

• Tombow double sided tape: https://amzn.to/3aRmnDI

• Color M600 Artist Mica Watercolor Paint, Metallic: https://amzn.to/337mfvp

• Watercolors: (Qor brand used)

• Ruler

• Craft knife

• Spray bottle for water

• Small Scissors - https://amzn.to/2U7BgeS (comes in set of 5)

I only recommend and link to products I've used and am happy with. The above links are affiliate links, meaning if you click from here and order, I get a small commission. It costs you nothing. Win/Win! Thank you!

Featured Word of the Year Blog Posts

For more how-to videos for your word of the year planner journal scroll through these blog posts and read more for inspiration!