First of all, I want to thank you for joining me each month for the planner journal set-up. We’re halfway through - the time of year I’m tempted to quit, or at least taper off. If you have been setting yours up this year, those feelings may be creeping in. It’s totally normal, and I'm giving myself more grace and space to do what works for now. No guilt or unnecessary pressure allowed.

This year has been particularly challenging for me with hand pain, limitations, surgery and recovery. Thankfully I’m mending well and the light is burning bright at the end of that tunnel. Experiencing this process of healing has caused me to notice a pattern. In times past when I’ve experienced pain, loss, and limitations, it has been like being in a dark tunnel and then coming into the light and a season of inspired creativity and newness has followed. These thoughts and new ideas keep niggling at me in the back of my mind, and I sense some blog posts coming that explore how negative experiences in our lives can be the soil of new growth and beauty.

Meanwhile, for June, the full moon is called the Strawberry moon because June is the month strawberries ripen. Berry season here in the Northwest is a favorite with green plants growing and an abundance of yumminess.

Weekly Calendar pages

Pulling out the stops for criteria this month, I used more mixed media than usual and just went with the flow. Because my hand is still healing, I kept my pen work to a minimum, used my sponge for watercolors, stiff brush for Gelatos®, stencils and collaged berries and leaves from painted tissue/deli paper I had in the studio, and incorporated the digital downloads as collage. You can find out more in the video below.

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

I am Thankful

Eating berries and angel food cake with my granddaughters this past weekend reminds me of this page - being thankful for the children in my life and the good times together with family and neighbors. There have been quite a few unplanned and sweet meetings I’m writing down in my ‘I am Thankful’ pages.

Workflow page

As you see, this page could be title anything. For me, it is where I list my art work tasks for the month with check boxes. There are things I need to accomplish every month, so it is good to see them all in one place.

After stenciling the gold stars on the page, I cut out shapes from painted tissue/deli paper and glued them onto the pages, along with the Strawberry moon header I wrote ‘Art Workflow' on. Then I followed with a black micron pen, tying it all together. Easy and fun!

Hymn of the month & cover page

This is My Father’s World is a hymn that begins by encouraging me to look up at the night sky:

This is my Father’s world,
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.

The words bring comfort, inviting me out into nature to listen and be with God:

This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

This song also speaks to the evil and the hope in our world:

his is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

I’ve written these lines from the song in my journal and I’ve been humming and singing the hymn.

This is my Father’s World

Lyrics

1 This is my Father’s world,
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas—
His hand the wonders wrought.

2 This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.

3 This is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

Maltbie D. Babcock
1901

Journal page details

This month may you be blessed with hope and light!
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
#s714 Leafy Doodle Verge
#L736 Leafy Doodle Border
#s795 Swallows take Flight

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!