The older I get the more I tend to worry, just a little, about keeping my memory. Perhaps that is one reason I keep a journal. I read an article yesterday how doodling can help memory. All the time I thought the doodling I often engaged in was showing how distracted I really was. All this time it’s been an aid to remembering the details of all those boring phone calls. I tended to doodle instead of taking proper notes in school, too. I always wondered why I still managed to have such good recall later about those same notes. …read more

Ok, maybe galore is a bit of an exaggeration. I did get a lot of pens for Christmas this year, so I feel like I’ve got more than I can use, although I know that’s never true with pens. But how do you like what the hot sun did to the pen in my daughter’s handbag the other day? All she did was leave the pen in her bag inside her car, sit outside to eat lunch with a bunch of friends and later that night dug around to find the pen to found this twisted piece of plastic instead. …read more

I’ve just popped in to say a very happy Christmas to all my regular readers and anyone else who happens to stumble by today. Here’s a photo of the lovely gifts I received from family this morning; two journals, a pack of five notebooks, three pens & some coffee. There’s also a bead scoop in there. At least they’re really starting to get what it is I like. What about you? What journal writing related gifts did you receive this year? Please share with links to your blog with photos if possible.
Heather
Photo is my own

Well, free shipping within Australia when you spend over $40 for the entire month of November. So, if you’ve been wanting to buy some cool Intrinsic journals or other accessories to give this Christmas now is a great time to buy. Personally, I love the Intrinsic look with the sayings on the cover. I hope you buy something for yourself while you’re there.
Heather

I was pleased to read on Holly Lisle’s blog yesterday that she found a quiet corner in a cafe and began a piece of fiction by writing longhand in a notebook. The experience left her feeling excited about writing again. Sometimes just something as simple as changing the tool you write with can alter your perspective enough to make the experience feel completely different. This freshens up your outlook and spurs creativity.
Try doing something just a bit different today. Use a different writing implement, write on different paper or in a different journal, use a new colour, or sit …read more

I’ve been reading about the latest SARK book, Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper, for some time now. I read about it before it came out and now that the book is available, too. I own a couple of SARK books and know her style well. I wondered if it was really worth buying. You know the whole thing you go through with just about every book you consider buying.
I couldn’t help making excuses about whether I needed another book on creativity, etc. But, I finally decided to just go ahead and buy the book. I do deserve to treat my …read more

I’m always on the look out for great prompts and other journal goodness, so you simply must try this prompt courtesy of Sue Meyn from Journal Magic. This prompt is from Sue’s free newsletter, which I received today in my inbox.
“Take a few minutes to create a Dialogue with Beauty. If you’d like, you can use your non-dominant hand to be Beauty and experiment with what it has to tell you. You might begin by asking Beauty how you can expand your awareness of beauty more fully in your life…and then see what ‘Beauty’ has to say in response.”
Make …read more

I’ve been preparing to catch a plane to visit my mother, who lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland. I leave early tomorrow morning. There’s all the planning, shopping and cooking for the family I’m leaving behind, but also the packing and planning for myself and the little guy, as we’re the only ones going on this trip. I’ve managed to keep my luggage down to the barest minimum. I’m also trying not to carry too much hand luggage.
I thought hard about bringing my usual journal, but eventually figured the small purple one I purchased recently at Borders would be …read more

I’m probably the last person to know about this website, but here it is anyway. I learnt about Wordle from Shai yesterday. I’ve been playing with different pieces of my own text and my website ever since. You can create your own piece of wordle art and even add it to the gallery. There’s also a forum if you’re really into playing with words in this way.
I like the look of all those words. You can make unique background pages or journal covers for your own use. Really, what you do with this cool journal tool is only limited …read more

I suppose Smiggle stationery has been around a lot longer than I am aware of. The local post office started to stock these cute goods a couple of years ago, but a store finally opened close by. I’ve been in there just enjoying the cute journals, notebooks, tins and other bits & pieces of stationery. I haven’t bought anything yet. I suppose one day I’ll buy stacks and surprise the girls behind the counter. Today I did buy a little black round ring, which is supposed to be a rubber or eraser for those who don’t know what I mean, …read more