Monday, October 6, 2014

Planner Stay Focused Blog Hop {Waffle Flower Crafts}


Hello friends,

Welcome to the Planner - Stay Focused Blog Hop! We have invited some of our planner friends, along with our own Waffle Flower design team, to bring you a fun hop about planners! Some of us are hard-core planner nerds, and some of us have just started. We all have one thing in common, as well as many of you who are reading this post, we are juggling between many roles in life and we want to play them all well. Family is as important as our personal achievement. How do we stay focused?

The main purpose of the hop is to share tips on using a planner to help us get things done so we can spend more time with our loved ones or just playing.

We will be featuring our brand new stamp set called Planner - Stay Focused in the hope that planning can become part of your life if it is not already. No matter how you organize your life, we hope you can find or make something that will work for you to makes things go even smoother.

2014 was the first year in a very long time that I didn't purchase a planner.  I recently acquired a small tablet and decided that digital was the way to go.  It worked pretty well for me for a few months.  I used Google Calendar to track all my submission and Design Team commitments.  I used a calendar connected to my email at work to track all my business appointments.  To do lists were scribbled on post-it notes, index cards, and occasionally the note function on my phone- it was really all over the place, but somehow, I was making it work.

Something happened though at the beginning of this school year. My daughters are in 1st and 5th grades and are becoming more and more involved in school activities.  I had one too many occasions of double booking a child or waking up in a cold sweat trying to remember if I had volunteered to help at a Girl Scout function and whether that would conflict with Sunday School and Cheerleading Practice, that I decided to go back to a paper planner.

After some research and a recommendation from a friend, I ended up selecting the Happy Stripes Life Planner by Erin Condren.
Production and shipping took about 3 weeks.  I seriously thought I might die in the meantime, but I was SO HAPPY when my new planner showed up on my doorstep last week. 

So I am just getting my feet wet again with the planner-thing, but so far, I am in LOVE and the Planner-Stay Focused stamps from Waffle Flower Crafts has made setting up and personalizing my planner even more fun.  Here's a peek inside my real life planner and process. 


Each tabbed month starts off with a two page spread.  I started by noting some of the events- football games, Girl Scout Meetings, Parent/Teacher Conferences, etc...  I also used the stamps included in the Planner-Stay Focused Stamp Set to mark dates for blog posts and other crafty due dates.


After the month at a glance pages, each week has its own two page spread.  Each day is separated into Morning- Day- and Night; however, I am using the top row for Work, the middle row for Family/Kids and the bottom row for my crafty assignments, goals and commitments.  My plan is to take a few minutes each Friday to start thinking about the coming week and filling in the details. 


Each week has a column for Goals and Notes.  I used the Planner- Stay Focused stamp set to add the Work and Personal headers and to add the darling checkboxes to the lines.  There is just something so gratifying about a checkbox.  I love marking things off! 


For this upcoming week, I am trying something a little different with adding a "Due Today" spot at the bottom of each day.  More checkboxes makes me a happy gal!  I am only a few weeks back into "paper planner mode" and already I feel better.  I make sure to check my planner throughout the day to keep me on track with my deliverables and to dos, and at night, I am sleeping soundly once more.


Hop Prize: (The giveaway is now closed)
To celebrate the release of all these amazing planner stamp sets, Waffle Flower Craft will be giving away all 5 of the new planner sets to one Grand Prize Winner. The winner will be drawn from comments left on all of our blogs and announced on Waffle Flower Crafts Blog on Friday, October 10.

I will also be awarding a Planner: Stay Focused Stamp Set to one of my readers.  Just leave a comment to enter.  Don't forget to follow Waffle Flower Crafts on Instagram, Facebook and their blog for even more inspiration (and prizes)! 

Here is a list of the other amazing crafters participating in the Planner Stay Focused Hop:

Katie Gehring - you are here :)

I know this has been a post of epic length, so thanks for sticking with me.  I hope some of these tips and advice shared on the hop today provide you with some useful ideas that you can apply to your own life.  
Thanks for stopping by!
Katie

186 comments:

  1. so many possibilities - I would love to win

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  2. This is a fantastic blog hop! I love this stamp release! -Misty

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  3. This is an awesome collection!! very awesome, I so could use this. very cool.

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  4. Digital is great but a physical planner just makes it so much better!!

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  5. thanks for the chance, love this set

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  6. For me a physical planner would come handy more so than a digital. Love the hand held planner rather than my large calendar that hangs on my kitchen pantry door.

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  7. The stamps look incredible. I love personal calendars that have weekly sections with also a month at a glance. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  8. Lovely stamps. I am jealous of the cute calendars...mine is so blah

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  9. I also have a Erin Condren planner, I cant wait to use these wonderful stamp sets! Thank you for sharing all the wonderful information and for the awesome chance.

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  10. Nice release. I use digital, but these are cute!

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  11. I try to use a digital one but I did not work, did not notify me or something always happened to me the best option is the physical that I keep checking it daily and do not pass me any appointment

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  12. I had gone digital with my planning and it just wasnt working for me (a long time paper planner user) - so now I'm researching to find a new planner for the upcoming year and finding these stamps and so many options - well I'm excited. Thanks for the chance to win

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  13. I love my planner, and I love these stamps to go with it I hope to win!

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  14. Can't wait to order my own Erin Condren Planner!

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  15. I love my planner and yours too! Would love to have these stamps!

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  16. Love the level of detail....and the check boxes ;-)

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  17. Your planner looks great! I am trying to decide which kind to buy. I definitely want a new one!

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  18. Love your planner ideas. Just ordered mine- can't wait to get it!

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  19. I can see so many possibilities with the stamps in this new release and I am so excited at the chance to win one of the sets! Finally stamps for those of us paper planner people!!!! LOVE IT!

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  20. thank you so much for the great ideas!!

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  21. Thank you for all the new ideas. Now if only I could get myself organized.

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  22. What a fun way to stay organized! I love the chance to be creative at the same time too.

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  23. thanks for sharing your planner and it's uses.
    Waffle Flower came up with a great system for planners - something we've needed for a long time.

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  24. Great selection of stamps to create your own planner.

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  25. I have an EC Life Planner and I love how you've used these stamps with yours! :)

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  26. Thanks for sharing your system to organizing your days/weeks.

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  27. This is simply, awesome! Way to stay organized! ;) I just recently bought a planner and I too, am trying to fill it in! I was in the same boat as you, using everything digital but found it doesn't always compare to seeing it on paper. ;) And what better stamps to use, than these?!! Thanks for sharing!

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  28. These are really fantastic! I love the big squares with lots of room to add what you need! Great organization tips!

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  29. awesome.. love how you used this set.. thanks for sharing..

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  30. This hop is so timely for me, I just got my first Erin Condren planner this weekend! Love the stamps.

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  31. This is such a useful blog hop, thanks so much for sharing!

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  32. Love ! It's a perfect life planner !
    Thanks for the chance to win !

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  33. I would love to win! love the stamps

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  34. Like your organization, would love the stamps!

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  35. Looks great! Thanks for sharing!

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  36. Love these idea and the cute little stamps!

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  37. Thanks for sharing love the ideas!

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  38. Great ideas and stamps. I would love them for the planner I always make. Thank you.

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  39. Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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  40. Thanks Katie! That system looks really good for keeping your life from getting too crazy (if that's indeed possible)! The stamp sets look like they would help in trying to do just that! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  41. I love your headings and customization!

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  42. great planner...really cute! Thanks for sharing!

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  43. Neat use of these sets and great ideas.

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  44. Thanks for sharing your planner with us!

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  45. Ah yes, I tried digital too...just did not work for me...paper is for me the way to go...and I agree....those check boxes are so nice! I particularly like the hearts...colour them bright red/pink when done! I KNOW it will make me smile! :-) TFS!

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  46. Thanks for your great ideas. Love your cover.

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  47. No more post-it notes!! :-) Using the stamps can really help customize a planner fit into any life style! Love it!!

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  48. Great post! I can understand why you went back to paper. I had to do the same thing. Overbooking and bad scheduling made life impossible. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I am starting to see the appeal of an EC planner and love the look of it.

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  49. Thanks for sharing your tips and ideas :)

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  50. I'm new to blog hopping, but love this 'hop' and the idea that the stamps are practical and attractive. I'm a lefty and have always wanted a planner that goes from right to left--these stamps might left me make one!

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  51. I have an Erin Condren planner also so it was way cool and so awesome to see how you used these stamps in your EC planner!! Way to go - I loved your ideas and I am glad you shared!!!

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  52. Thanks for sharing such wonderful tips. My Erin Condren planner is in production. I can't wait to get back to a paper planner. I hope to get a WF stamp to use with it.

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  53. I really like the way you've personalized your planner. I use monthly and weekly pages all the time in my cheap-o (but works for me) planner. Thanks for the good ideas and letting us play along.

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  54. I thought to go digital, too. Quickly, I found out that I could do it but that I preferred paper. For some reason I find more pleasant.

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  55. Great ideas for using these stamps in the planners...thanks for all the pics.

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  56. Super fun planner! Thanks for all the tips and tricks.

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  57. This looks like such a fun planner. Love all the tips and stamps. Thanks!

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  58. Great way to integrate the stamp set with your planner.

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  59. Very cool ideas! Thanks a lot for sharing :)

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  60. I love seeing your Erin Codrin's planner! So colorful :) Though I am using Digital Planner, I still need a real planner :)

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  61. My new life planner just arrived last week too. I'm looking forward to getting back on track and organized.

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  62. This is the greatest blog hop! Thanks for the chance!

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  63. Great ideas! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  64. I just found out about the planner community and it's so hard not to buy everything I see in sight. I think I'm going to make an exception for these stamp sets though, they're so versatile!

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  65. I will be organized in 2015 - thank you for the inspiration!!

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  66. Love how you have weekly to dos on the side of your week. I NEED that stay focused stamp set now!

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  67. Loved how you have shown how you are using your planner. I have been contemplating buying a planner so this is the push that I needed!

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  68. I really like the stay focused set. I can already see many uses for it!

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  69. What a great blog hop and thanks for the tips and advice.

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  70. I'm definitely gathering some goo ideas for my planner. Love the stamps for sure!

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  71. Seriously loving all of the great ideas for an organized life on this blog hop~~

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  72. Neat! I kinda like the option for a running list like you're showing in the margins of your Erin Condren planner. I think it's the one I'm leaning toward. Decisions, decisions.

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  73. Awesome! Thanks for a peek inside your planner!

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  74. it's funny b/c I've started to let things slide a bit and am forgetting things, so this hop was so well-timed for me! thanks for your ideas!

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  75. This looks AWESOME Katie! I hope you're loving that planner!!

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  76. This looks AWESOME Katie! I hope you're loving that planner!!

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  77. I love the way you've organized your planner!! I don't have anywhere near the activities you have, but would like to start using a planner...maybe more so to make me keep focused on personal things I want to do more than outside activities!! I also do not like the idea of using a digital planner...I just NEED to SEE it up front & in my face. And the stamp sets will just make it that much more fun!

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  78. Love how you altered your planner to suit your needs!

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  79. Nice Peek into an Erin Condren planner!

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  80. Thanks for sharing all of your ideas:)

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  81. For me I think a paper daily planner would be better. I don;t know why. Maybe it's that I could take it with me wherever I go. Anyway, thank you for some great ideas!

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  82. I wasn't sure I would use the monthly calendar but you shared some great ideas and tips..thanks for sharing

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  83. We share a love of the EC planner! I love mine too. After years of trying to be digital, I had to come back to paper and i'm loving it.

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  84. I love your use of stamps and ink color.

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  85. I like how you customized the sections of the planner with the stamps.

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  86. like the sectioning idea, will try it out! thanks for sharing

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  87. so many possibilities and so many ideas from all the great designers!! thanks for them and the opportunity to win.

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  88. I've tried to go digital, but I rather have a paper planner. I love the new stamp set "Stay Focus" from Waffle flower.

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  89. Thanks for sharing with us. So many great ideas.

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  90. cute planner! LOVE LOVE that new stamp set! Thanks for sharing!

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  91. I love your planner! And these new stamps are perfect for adding a unique touch! At the bottom of my planner, where you put your "Due Today" notes, I keep my dinner menu for the day. When I plan menus for the next week, that helps me know which nights are busy, so I need a quick meal, which nights need a crockpot meal, and when I will be home early enough to do a little something extra…and which nights need to be leftovers or take-out!

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  92. Love these new planner stamps - I think they could work really well for me!

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  93. SO excited about his blog hop as I’ve just been looking into getting a new planner for 2015!

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  94. Thanks so much for sharing.. Great ideas. :D

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  95. Love this hop, can't stop even tho my St. Louis Cardinals are on TV

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  96. How I would love to win these stamps!!

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  97. Thanks so much for sharing all this information, it's just what I needed, I have always used a planner, but never was happy with it and now with this hop, I have found so much valuable info. TFS,

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  98. The Stay Focused set is going to be a MUST for me! I’ve been using an Erin Condren planner for 3 years and absolutely love it.

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  99. Thank you so much for the great ideas!!

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  100. I hate to sound like a child but please pick me, pick me. I want one so bad.

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  101. Amazing projects... Love the stamps! They are perfect!

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  102. Wow, this is fun!! Don't have to hunt for the comments form. Awesome planner!!

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  103. Thanks for this awesome blog hop! I love following these hops and finding new awesome creative crafters!

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  104. Awesome way to use the stamps! Great inspiration!
    ~God bless~

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  105. Imagine how much space I could free up in my brain with this organization!

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  106. great use of the stamps! and thanks for the chance to win :)

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  107. These stamps look great for personalising your planner.

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  108. Wow! So many Great Ideas you used for your planner and the stamps! I love the monthy layout and how you used the stamps with it...
    Thanks for the chanch to win and the Great HOP!

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  109. These stamps are making me want to invest in a paper planner again!!!

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  110. I love the idea of using all my pretty inks on my pretty planner!

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  111. Lots of great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

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  112. I love how colorful your planner is! Those stamps are a great addition.

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  113. I love how you use your planner and how you've personalized it! this stamp set is simply gorgeous and let everyone to get the best!

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  114. Thanks for all the great tips! You look like you have the paper planner down flat!

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  115. I totally hear you about checking off things - it's feels so good :) thanks for sharing you planner with us! This stamp is a definite 'need'!

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  116. I love using a paper planner, and this stamp set would be awesome!

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  117. This is a great collection and a paper planner is a must in my book!

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  118. Love the family photo and stamp sets. Great ideas. Thanks.

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  119. I'm just loving this stay focused stamp set. It's versatile to any style planner you use and type of organizer you are.

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  120. I love how you put these cute stamps to use! Where you did the due today is great with the check mark boxes!

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  121. You give a lot of wonderful ideas. Thanks

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  122. These sets are fantastic and you have given us some amazing ideas. My filofax is crossing it's fingers and toes it wins some of this goodness:D

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  123. I am loving this style of paper planner. I've been rolling for the last couple of years with just a calendar on my wall, but it's just not getting it done anymore! Too many things going on with my girls and school, dance, choir, volunteering, work, GACK! Your planner looks nice and full, like mine will, when I finally get my act together and get one.... ;-) Thanks for sharing!

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  124. Thanks for sharing your planner ideas! Your planner is colorful and just makes me happy.

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  125. what a great planner and so colorful which would help me stayed focused so much easier. Thanks for the chance to win such a great prize

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  126. GAH! Seriously LOVE what you are doing! Waaaay better than digital! You show off this stamp set beautifully,and I need to practise my handwriting-yours is gorgeous!
    Love everything about this,thank you for sharing such a personal thing x

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  127. Great ideas, love the stamp sets.

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  128. Katie, thanks for your ideas on planner. I'm also subscribing to your blog now that I've seen some of your awesome cards.

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  129. Thank you for sharing! I couldn't do without a paper planner either -- I wanted to go fully digital but there's something about writing things down and seeing them in real life that just works. I'm so grateful for this blog hop, it's showing me some lovely new blogs to follow :o)

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  130. Love the EC Planner and I love how versatile this stamp set makes it

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  131. I would love to win the stamp sets!

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  132. Since I am not a digitally driven person, the Erin Condren planner looks like a great option for me. Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity to win!

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  133. These stamp sets are so "Awesome", anyone with a planner system would love to use these. I love the way you utilized these stamps for your own planner. Thank you for the great ideas and for sharing with us!!

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  134. These seem to blend well with EC's planner. I would to get my hands on these stamps

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  135. I switched to the ECLP a few weeks ago as well and am really loving it. Still trying to decide exactly how I want to use it and these stamps might be just what I need!

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  136. I like the way you organized the pages. Thanks for sharing.

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  137. Thanks for your inspiration. Excited to start on the Erin Condren planner.

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  138. Love how you used the stamps in your planner. I've gotten frustrated with my phone calendar and having to quickly look up appointments/schedules. I've been making a planner myself that meets all my needs...thanks for the great ideas!

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  139. I've always had an unhealthy obsession with planners, it's my coping mechanism for having a disorganized mind. Glad Plannerdom is growing!

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  140. Your planner and organization method are cheerful, unique and quite conducive to staying focused. Thanks for sharing so many great tips. Totally enthused by this blog hop. Ready to start even before these awesome stamps are in my collection. Cheers, and best wishes for many "check marks" in your boxes.

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  141. Wow! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

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  142. Love seeing your planner used with the new stamps!!

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  143. What fun to see how each person does things so differently but beautiful all around! Great job! :)

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  144. I love your organization system and the way you utilized the stamp! Thanks for sharing! Oh it's not lengthy, just nice! They are useful tips and I learned a lot!

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  145. Love this planner! I so need this for 2015!

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  146. LOVE what you did with your planner! I may just have to get one of these. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ~Ashley W
    proudusmcwife@gmail.com
    http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com

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  147. Thanks for the chance to win! Love your set up!

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  148. I agree! There's so much joy in being able to check off something in your list. It's like you feel so accomplished right?? I love this blog hop!! This is teaching me a lot! :D

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  149. I love to see all of the color and creativity those stamps add.

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  150. I am currently not using any planner, but would to try start using it. I like the Kikki.k planner so much so nice.

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  151. love how you use the stamps to colourify your planner further & having that long week of checklist! looks so rewarding to accomplish so much! :)

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  152. Love this stamp set! I also use an ECLP and I love it!!

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  153. I have an EC Planner, I love these stamps!!

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  154. Thanks for sharing your planner and a chance to win stamps! These stamps would make a fun addition to my moleskine bullet journal. I didn't mean to intrude, but I love that you showed a page with Holiday Labels on your to do list. It is SO nice when they are done ahead!

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  155. Your handwriting is so beautiful! That curly, cursive font... ugh so jealous! This whole planner is cute, from top to bottom! It doesn't matter who wins, I'm still going to buy it after! (maybe around boxing sale day... ;) )

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  156. Thank you for sharing how you're using this calendar stamp set.

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  157. How on earth did I miss this? So happy you are enjoying the EC planner! I need this stamp set, methinks...haha!

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  158. I have an ECLP so thanks for giving me ideas. I LOVE This!

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  159. Great planner. Thanks for being a part of the Hop

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  160. I love how versatile these stamps are. Thanks for sharing you process.

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  161. Thanks for all your tips on how to stay organized with less stress.

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  162. Love that planner and would love those stamps to use in one!

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  163. Thanks for the chance to win. Looks like a fun project!

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  164. Thanks for sharing your fabulous planner.

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  165. TFS....have just ordered my planner and the stamp set and am inspired by your planner!!!

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