Names of the monthly moons have been prompts for the individual months this year. It’s helpful to have a theme, especially when ideas are hard to come by.

July’s moon is called the Buck Moon because in the mid-summer buck’s antlers grow to their fullest. This year I have more of a personal interest in July’s theme because we now have a place in the mountains and meadows where wildlife is plentiful. After the snow melted, elk would come and feed in the morning and early evening before retiring to wherever it is they go for the night. Now that it is beginning to get warmer, the elk have migrated to higher ground and the deer have been visiting more, with families including fawns. They are beautiful and elegant as they pause and look knowingly before they leap up to the meadow.

On my monthly calendar page below, I referred to one of my Bible journaling pages featuring the deer from Psalm 42. I simplified part of it and included the deer here below, along with the Buck Moon monthly marker from a digital download in my shop.

Since 2016, the deer has been a personal symbol of mine. That year I had two unusual encounters with deer. They prompted me look up the symbolic meaning and gain personal significance. Deer symbolizes grace, compassion and natural beauty. The deer uses gentleness to lead and guide through love and understanding, wisdom and innocence. In the Song of Songs, deer and gazelle are symbols of the joys of love.

Years ago, I was asked what to do with a journal once it is done. The question surprised me, and I bumbled around for a response. I could give a better answer now because I’ve made many journals over the years, and revisit them often. Journals can be a place to bring together feelings, study and research, experiences, words and imagery that reflect our lives, and help us process. I even refer to my calendar journals for inspiration and reference material. Here is a page from my journal from 2016 that makes this month’s theme even more meaningful to me.

Weekly Calendar pages

This month I simplified the pages even more than usual by using a straightforward layout for the month’s cover page, and less stencils than normal. It was a joyful time as I felt the rhythm and flow that comes from a process of repeating a good habit each month that is visual. I finally got to the place of simplicity and ease as I finish the final pages of this journal. Next month I’ll be starting a new journal to finish 2022. But for now, this is enough.

I hope you enjoy the flip-through video of June’s planner journal pages

I am Thankful

Beauty in nature and the restorative qualities it brings us is something I am seeking and experiencing this month. As I look at the weather, I see it is very hot in places around the world, but where we live it’s been unusually cold and often rainy. Times of sunshine inspire me to venture outside, pause and close my eyes as I feel the warm sun gently kissing my cheeks. I am thankful.

Workflow page

For my work page, there are things I need to accomplish every month, so it is good to see them all in one place. In month’s past, I wrote a quote, a verse from the hymn, or verse on the right side, but this month I need more space to put my list of to-do’s and check boxes. I am painting a new journal as I design a new course. It’s been a long time, but I am so happy to begin again after a long hard year.

Hymn of the month & cover page

Fairest Lord Jesus

Lyrics

3 Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.

4 Beautiful Savior!
Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine.

1 Fairest Lord Jesus,
ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

2 Fair are the meadows,
fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer
who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Anonymous, 17th Century

This month may you be comforted
with the beauty around you and with hope!
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
#s578 Spirit Swirl 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

• 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

• Finetec F2400 Metallic Paint Box Opaque Pearlescent Paint 24 Colours https://amzn.to/3lcKXmN

• Watercolors: (Qor brand used)

• Gelatos https://amzn.to/38ql93o

• Stiff flat bristle brush to apply Gelatos

• 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!