Back in Franklin Covey Compact

What the ever-loving-eff?! Here's my explanation in a nutshell: I miss pre-decorated pages and beautifully colored tabs... That's it! I couldn't hold out any longer. If there were an option for A6 size, I'd buy a room full of the pages. Franklin Covey makes a "pocket" size which has the same A6 hole punch, but the pages are too narrow to match any other pages available out there. I'm NOT going to hand make all other pages- not happenin'.


I've resurrected my custom-made planner and have adopted Franklin Covey's daily pages. The best feature is the "daily notes" page on the right hand side. Perfect for a right-hander, and more perfect to journal in daily. I have a journal in my first planner from the same Etsy shop, which is simply filled with Franklin Covey compact lined pages. Having a separate journal meant I would only journal sporadically; sometimes months would be between entries.  Now I will have pre-dated entries, meaning if you drop your binder you won't cry as long putting it back together.

Here are both together, the further one is my previous journal:

Since the planner lacks in card holders, I love that my VDS card holder fits nicely on one side- its bulk helps in keeping the pages away from the pen loop when closed. I like taking this card holder out prior to shopping - it holds all necessary cards and small amount of cash- and I can keep my planner in my handbag.

 Franklin Covey makes a nice card-holder/pouch insert which holds other less-used cards.

I have been journaling every day now- 

Beautiful tabs for their month on two pages:

I purchased the frosted side-tab dividers from DividersRUS on Etsy, and asked that their Personal Wide size be left un-punched. I trimmed them and hole-punched them myself. I kept the fly-leaf that came with it, in its original size to keep pages from getting caught into the back pocket with my card-holder. I bought the bottom-tab dividers from a store that is no longer open on Etsy.

I still LOVE the grid paper I get from Handy Forms . I originally found them on Etsy but can't find the link there, luckily it's easy to find on Amazon.

In about a month I'll be receiving my custom VDS and will post photos of it here and on Instagram. Meanwhile, I'll be enjoying this beast :) 

Custom-made hand-tooled leather planner

Swoon. I'm obsessed with this new custom planner by JMR Custom Leather on Etsy. I sent 30mm Krause rings to him use in this beauty. Just LOOK

beautifully braided stitching on the edges 

J.Mark Rhoades (he goes by Mark), the artist who made this allowed me to share some insight into his inspiration:

My craft is old school leather carving/tooling. The designs are actually hand carved and tooled into vegetable tanned saddle leather. Everything is done pretty much one at a time. Most leather products that people are familiar with from retail type stores are actually embossed/stamped with  hydraulic presses in mass production facilities. Mass produced embossing simply cannot achieve the depth, texture and detail of hand craftsmanship. My patterns are derivations of "Sheridan" style carving that was developed by master saddle makers in Wyoming.
I began tooling leather as a hobby a few years ago and made items for family and friends. Over time, I began selling a few custom order items. I am still employed as a full time college professor, so this limits the number of items that I can offer for sale. However, I hope to expand the business very soon and will be launching my own website Star Mountain Leather in May. -
J.Mark Rhoades

Krause rings, and fits Franklin Covey compact sized inserts, elasticized pen loop

front

back

My planner collection

Gillio Amica next to big daddy JRM Custom Leather planner

The big honking planner on the left I bought from JMRCustomLeather on Etsy. I use it for work, and it has huge rings. Luckily I don't have to carry it much. The personal sized planner on the right is my first Gillio planner, and it is so squishy and beautiful.

Big honkin planner

M
y new day planner. If you don't love day planners, you will not understand my glee over this indulgent purchase. I've had day planners ever since they were invented in the 1980's. My favorite store to go to used to be McWhorter's. I'd rather buy pretty paper and pen than clothes, and that's still true today. Recently I've been buying used binders on eBay since no one seems to use these anymore, which is fine by me. This is my first newly purchased planner in decades, so I decided to splurge a little.
Without further ado, I present My Favorite Leather Planner Evar. The man who made it has a store on Etsy, and he made this after recent surgery on his hand. (aww!)

The front

Inside flap

1.5" rings hold a lot

The back holds a notepad and a pen

The outer back

Looks good on my new desk