Whimsy Planner Meetup Review

I have attended a lot of meet ups over the last three years and the Whimsy Planner Meetups in Carlsbad, California are one of my favorites to attend because they usually include a tutorial/ project, a cute handmade gift tag that can be used for my memory book, a snack, beverages and use of the crafting equipment that Michelle sets up for us to use.

If you haven't experience a "Whimsy Planner Meetup"  by Michelle Ledesma Hill, you have been missing out.  Michelle currently charges $10 for her meet ups.

This fee includes the use of planner and crafting tools, a DIY Project, and more.

She provides beverages and a snack. Everyone is encouraged to bring a some snacks to share.  I usually bring a large veggie tray with dip (from Costco) to keep me on my diet and help me avoid some of the fabulous sweet treats that are usually there.

The cool shimmery travelers notebooks are made by 

Of course, everyone brings their planners to work on. It is pretty cool to see the various types of planners that people use.  Travelers Notebooks with monthly and weekly inserts are getting more and more popular.  I took my Leather Quill Travelers Notebook which holds both my water color supplies and my weekly insert so I could work on both.

During each meet up, Michelle offers a fun DIY project that is themed in accordance to which ever holiday may be coming up.  The last one I attended was just before St. Patricks day (March 2018), so ours had a very green theme.  Michelle also made us each a really cute name tag which you can see in the photo below.

There is also the usual gift exchange with the value depending on the limit set by Michelle.  In addition to the the gift exchange, there is usually a swap.  If you have never attended a planner meet up, they usually hold swaps which are items that vary in value.  Most attendees make their swaps  which can be pins, pens, stickers and planner clips.   I like to have a variety of items to swap, because I do tend to run into the same people at these events and want to swap items that they do not already have.  For  the last swap I offered a choice of charms, felt planner clips or a fun travelers notebook dangle. I enjoy collecting the swap items I receive because I have found that they can be unique, as well as functional.  There are so many creative people who are into planner meet ups so the type of items swapped can truly vary. Below is a sample of some of the swap items I received.

The other reason to attend the planner meet ups is that I find that I meet some of the nicest people.

It is also fun to see all the different planners and their uses.  I have one friend who had a planner that
she uses only to plan sewing projects.  It is pretty cool how she lays out her projects.  Another friend uses her planner for budget planning and grocery shopping.  Her planner is an insert because she likes to switch them out each month to keep it from getting too thick.  The "Whimsy Planner Meet Up" is a lot of fun and located in Carlsbad California (very near the outlets).

The price of each of the planner meet-up is incredibly reasonable  at $10.  It is a very casual atmosphere and they are held in an outdoor tent so there is plenty of room for everyone to layout out their planning supplies and work on their planners.

It is also a fun way to meet new people.

Note: I learned a great lesson at this particular meet up from an established artist.  I tend to bring too much stuff (supplies) and always end up not using them.  She explained the best way to get stuff accomplish is to set small goals.  She was right. Now I think about what I want to work on and bring only the supplies needed to do that.  I found that I am taking a lot less supplies with me to these meet-ups and getting more accomplished.  I still find time to meet new people and chat.  Also, I am not sponsored nor associated with Whimsy or Polkadot Studios.  I just love her "Whimsy Planner Meet ups" and the "Whimsy Weekend" crafting weekends.  

The Planner Society - TPS Crop 2017 - Planner Meet Up Event Photos

I thought I would just use this post to share some of the fun moments

we had at the Planner Society 2017 Crop Event (TPS Planner Meet Up Event).

I have to say that Christy Tomlinson and her team spent a lot of time planning this event so that

those of us who attended could have a great time.

While she offered mini-workshops, we also had time to socialize with each other.

 The schedule was loosely followed which I personally loved.  There was also a shopping area so we could pick up stickers, charms, and other planner related stuff.

  The best part was making new friends who share my love of planning.

There were so many funny moments shared with friends at this event.

I found that the TPSCrop2017 event was a very uplifting and empowering event. I learned so much from the presenters and from my new friends.  I am so glad that I was able to attend.

During the event, Christy shared with us how she taught herself all the computer programs that she needed to know to run a business.

She has achieved everything in life by working hard and working smart.  I was so inspired by her speech that once I got home I signed up for a couple of college classes that I need to up my computer skills.

There was also a beautiful moment when people were encouraged to write about someone who inspired them.

I think it started as a way for people to nominate someone for a prize but with all these amazing women in one room, it was more of a gratitude moment. The nominations were read out loud and they were so moving. There was not enough time to read each item written but it was the act of appreciation that was truly moving.

                       

 I forgot how important it can be to appreciate people and let them know they are appreciated.  Sometimes, I get so busy with work and school that I forget to look beyond my schedule and be in that moment instead.  It was really wonderful to see how much women can support other women and how they share their knowledge and skill set with others to make this world a better place. Again, I was truly moved by the experience and really found the entire weekend to be a wonderful experience. I really look forward to next years' crop and hope I am able to purchase a ticket before they sell out.

Note:   I will upload pictures of the various kits, swaps, and more from the crop next week.

 Disclaimer:  I am not associated with "The Planner Society" organization, nor was I paid to do this review.  I paid for my ticket with my own funds and these are just my memories and opinions of the event.  My experience may differ from someone else's.

Minion Super Hero Planner Meet-up at Hearts-n-Crafts Etc

The Minion themed Planner Meet-up at the Hearts-n-Craft Etc. store in Covina, California was a fun opportunity to spend the afternoon with other like-minded individuals who also enjoy working on their planners or travelers notebooks.  Pamela Heck Milligan-Hersey put a lot of effort into making this a fun event for us.  The theme for this event was "Minion Super Hero's" which meant that she and Tee (the owner of Hearts-n-Crafts Etc. store) would be making some pretty cool decorations.  After all, it is a scrapbooking and card making store that stocks some pretty fabulous merchandise.

They even had a cute photo corner where you could take a pic with this adorable Minion Frame.  I had Pamela Heck Milligan-Hersey pose with it so I could take a picture to show you.

We learned to make the above Travelers Notebook out of cardstock and paper.  It also holds sticky notes, which we also learned to make. Who knew that rubber cement is good for making sticky notes? It was a surprise for me.  Below is an example of one made by one of the attendees.  It looks great!

The table centerpieces were darling and reflected the Minion Super Hero theme in a cute way.

They actually made enough that each of us was able to take one home. My daughter loved the one I brought home which was the Batman themed minion.

Along with the Super Hero Minion Center Pieces, we also got a planner goody bag which was also decorated in the minion theme.

Here are only some of the planner goodies we got at the Minion Super Hero Planner Meet-up which included: stickers, die cuts, a mini travelers insert kit, planner clips and more.

Instead of the usual planner swap where we give out a small planner related item to each person, Pamela decided to try something new.  She had us make 5 mini make-n-take sets.

The first one was a Halloween Themed Card taught by Sandy Irvine.

All the parts needed to make the card were included in the packets.  It was so fun to see how each person had a different card using the same parts.

Here is another "Make-n-take" tutorial was done,  we learned how to decorate these

adorable animal card frames.

There were more projects, this was just a sampling.  Those who wanted to participate got to show the others how to make the project.  This was an amazing idea which we really liked. I can't wait to see what Pamela and Tee come up with at the next event or class.  You can follow the Hearts-n-Crafts Etc Facebook page to see what upcoming events they are having in the store.

You can find pictures from other planner meet-ups and a variety of planner photos by using any of the following hashtags on Instagram:

#plannernerd

#planner

#journal

#plannercommunity

#theplannergirl

#plannerlove

#plannermeetup

#travelersnotebook

#planwithme

Disclaimer: I am not associated with "Hearts-n-Crafts Etc" store nor do I work for Pamela.  I paid for my ticket with my own funds and had a great time.

Planner Friends Meet Up - Summer 2017

The Summer 2017 "Planner Friends Meet Up" was a fun opportunity to discuss the trends in planning, stickers and so much more while enjoying a fun lunch of pasta and pizza (BJ'S Restaurant Pizza) with other fellow planner lovers.   This particular event was more of a social gathering than the traditional Planner Meet Ups where we all sit and plan on our various planners and traveler's notebooks.

The Planner Friends Meet Up Event is normally held at Michaels' or JoAnns which are centrally located in Orange County.  However, the Spring, Summer, and Fall events are special and held at larger venues to accommodate more people.  This particular event was held on July 22, 2017 at the:

BJ'S Restaurant & Brewery,

30652 Santa Margarita Pkwy # F, 

Rancho Santa Margerita, CA 92688

The event was organized by Tammy Santana,

who planned this lovely event that had a fun "Kate Spade" theme with some amazing prizes which included:

Kate Spade Purses and Kate Spade Planners

The staff at this BJ'S Restaurant are especially helpful and joined in when requested.

Angel, Crystal and our fun waiter.

Each person who attended got this really cool sheer nylon swag bag filled with fun planner items.

Here is one of the things that was included in the bag:

1.  The 1st packet had:

• Sticky Notes
• Washi Tape
• A decorative pen
• cute die cuts
• shoe shaped clip

2.  The second packet had a piece of decorative papers and

a 8 /2" by 11" Sticker Sheet with these cool stickers.

3.  The next packet was a kit from @amessofgoodies that includes:

• 1 Black and White Polka Dot Pocket TN Folder
• 1 Black and White Striped Ribbon Paper Clip Bow
• 1 Black Bow Card Stock Kit (3 pieces)
• 1 White Bow Card Stock Kit (3 pieces)
• 2 White Pockets 
• 2 White Rectangle Pockets
• 2 Black Rectangle Pockets
• 1 White Frame
• 1 Black Frame
• 1 White Paper Clip Bow
• 1 Black Paper Clip Bow
• 20 Black Decorative Dots

According to her instagram, she spent time using her Cricut creating these fun goodies for us.  I just love how people use the Cricut to make such cool things.

4.  The next packet was some stickers from www.rainbowbunnyco.com (she also has an Etsy shop).  I love her sticker collection and have quite a few of them.  She sells some that are small enough to use inside of a Hobonichi Weeks, as well as the larger bunny sizes.  In this packet we got:

• 1 rainbowbunny co sticker sampler
• 1 die cut bunny
• 1 inspiration card

5.  The next packet is from Paper Panduh.  If you are a fan of Paper Panduh, you should know that she has a new sticker subscription box (which is sold out for July 2017).   My advice is to keep an eye on her site and see when she opens the subscriptions up again. Anyway, she included this gold embossed washi tape roll in our swag bag that has list headers like:

• To Buy
• Errands
• Due
• To Do
• ASAP

Paper Panduh

Personally, I love washi that has quotes or headers that I can tear and use.   They are so great to have on hand.

6.  The next packet had a sticker sampler from Green & Lyme.  Green & Lyme is known for their very cute clips and for their planners.  I have one of their gold, silver and pink planners.  If you want to see what her planners look like just click on the words "Green&Lyme Planners". They are really pretty in person.  Anyway, she included a sticker sampler that can be used for box headings on the daily planners.

7.   There was also a packet with some cute die cuts but it did not have a name on mine.  This packet had a journaling card and a cute die cut octopus.

As you can see, I got a lot of fun planner supplies and goodies that I can use in my planner or Travelers Notebook. This particular event did not have any pop up shops, although we could purchase additional paper, stickers and other items from the collection that was in the planner swag bags.  Also, we did have the traditional gift exchange.  The value of the gift was to be $25 minimum to participate in the gift exchange.

The highlight of the afternoon was the Kate Spade drawings.

@plannerbecky guarding the Kate Spade Planners

  Tammy had a bunch of drawings for the Kate Spade purses and planners.

Below are pictures of just a few of the winners of these fabulous prizes.

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