The planner bandwagon has been circling for quite some time � and I'm finally ready to jump on! It's past time to put some effort into organizing my calendar, to-do lists, project ideas, and so on. Where to start? There's a world of planners out there! My number one priority: I want lots of my pages to be Gelli� prints :)
It's the ultimate mash-up! A customized planner filled with Gelli� printed pages! A hybrid planner/art journal. The best of both worlds. That's how I envision it.
I also want to be able to rearrange the pages and add more as I go � including different types and weights of papers, in a variety of sizes. A totally flexible approach. To be able to take a page out, work on it further, then put it back � in a book that opens totally flat!
Good news! I found the perfect system at my local Staples � 'M by Staples' Arc System Project Planner...customizable notebooks.
The Arc system's binding is made of individual plastic disks that fit into specially punched pages. The pages lift out and press back in � so you can easily add or rearrange pages. Different types of covers (in several sizes) are available. There's even a clear cover so you can showcase your Gelli� print as the cover art! Larger disks can be purchased to accommodate more pages, and smaller disks for fewer pages. It comes with lined pages, but different types of pages and accessories are available. You can truly design your own system.
What I like best is that you can buy the punch � making it possible to convert any paper into an Arc compatible one. It's not inexpensive, but it's well worth the cost if you want to customize your planner and include your own printed papers.
There's a smaller, light-weight punch � available at a lower cost � that's mobile and easy to pack.
If you want more info, check out the Arc system at Staples. I'm here to show you how cool it is to use with Gelli� prints!!
If you print on copy paper or card stock (8.5" X11"), you'll find that cutting the print down the center will give you two pages (8.5"x5.5") � perfectly sized for the Arc planner! And if your original print was created on an 8"x10" Gelli� plate, you probably have blank margins on three sides of each cut page.
The blank margin space creates a great opportunity to embellish the pages. Washi tape, rubber stamps, collaged ephemera, doodling, and painting are all potential ways to take advantage of this space.
Or create Gelli� prints intentionally for use in your planner � and if desired you can eliminate the margins when you print. Print overlapping layers to cover the entire paper. And of course, you can always cut down a print so that you get one planner page from a piece of copy paper. Let your printed image tell you how to use it.
Most of my prints are created on one side of the paper, leaving the back blank. That means I can use the other side for any purpose, such as calendar/diary entries, journaling, favorite quotes, collage and drawings. I also use these pages as a sketchbook to capture ideas and inspiration for new pieces of art.
Another option is to create a Gelli� print on the back side. Easily done! If a one-sided print is already in your book, simply pull it out, print on the back and reinsert it into the planner. Being able to take pages in and out is an extremely convenient feature!
I'm crazy for this system! So now I'm going through my stash of prints looking for pieces to 'Arc'. Sometimes a section of a print is all I want to capture and save in my book. Not a problem! Just trim the print, then punch it and stick it in. Or glue it to the back of a page. Another option is to create pockets on prints to slip papers into. More fun!!!
There's an obsessive, addictive aspect to working in this type of planner. It's an ideal 'catch-all' for scraps of paper, bits of ephemera, photos � and endless opportunities for incorporating washi tape, rubber stamping, stickers, doodling, and drawing on your Gelli� pages!
Here's another fun thing I've discovered: Flipping through assorted Gelli�-printed pages serves as a great reminder of the various techniques that were used to create them. Recalling a technique you want to explore further is a perfect way to jump-start your next printing session! There's much inspiration to be found among a compilation of prints. I can't wait to do more "thick &thin" prints, and "painterly layers"! With so many different Gelli� techniques to work with, it's easy to lose track of some of them � and GREAT to revisit them!
Now, off to schedule some Gelli� printing time on my calendar! I need more pages!!!
Are you using a planner? If you do, are your Gelli� prints in it? We'd love to hear if you're into planners, so please leave a comment and tell us about it!
Have Fun and Happy Printing!
Materials Used in Today's Blog:
Materials Used in Today's Blog:
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