Posts in Blogs

Here’s my unusual and simple set-up for my Word of the Year journal, including a flip-through video

Art in real life, Word of the Year, Blogs, TutorialsValerie SjodinJanuary 26, 2026Art in real life, Archer & Olive, journal set-up, 2026 Word of the Year, Word of the Year, 2026 journal, Playlist Comments

2026 Music Playlist for the Year

Making a playlist of songs to listen to in 2025 was one of the most meaningful Word of the Year activities I did, so I’ve done it again for 2026.

Art in real life, Planner journal, Word of the Year, BlogsValerie SjodinJanuary 10, 2026Art in real life, gratitude, comfort, Archer & Olive, planner, journal set-up, 2026 Word of the Year, Word of the Year, 2026 journal, Playlist Comments

2026 Color Revelation of the Year

I didn’t expect a paint color palette to be prophetic, but this year it’s bringing revelation..

Art in real life, Planner journal, Word of the Year, BlogsValerie SjodinDecember 31, 2025Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, Archer & Olive, 2025 journal, planner, journal set-up, 2026 Word of the Year, Word of the Year, color of the year, pantone color of the year Comments

A New Beginning and Word for 2026

Beginning a word for the new year in a new way

Art in real life, Planner journal, Word of the Year, BlogsValerie SjodinDecember 28, 2025Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, Archer & Olive, 2025 journal, gratitude journal, Commonplace journal, Commonplace, Washi Tape, planner, journal set-up Comments

In the Sanctuary of my Garden

My garden has become my sanctuary this year with all the beauty, learning, and yearning.

Art in real life, Blogs, garden journalValerie SjodinJuly 19, 2025Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, taking a break, garden journal, garden Comments

On taking a Reflective Pause

A few months ago I took a planned pause from blogging. Now I’m gently re-entering and recognizing a new season of life is a new beginning…

Art in real life, BlogsValerie SjodinJune 19, 2025Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, taking a break Comments

Using Stencils to add beauty to your dotted journals

Learn how to add beauty, color, and pattern to your dotted journals using stencils. Video tutorial, tips, and discounts included.

Blogs, Stenciling, StencilGirlValerie SjodinMarch 25, 2025art journaling, bullet journal, mixed media painting, StencilGirl Products, StencilGirl, Valerie Sjodin, StencilGirl Products stencils, NEW stencils, Stenciling TutorialsComment

Visual Blessing Squares 3 + Celtic Inspiration

Visual blessing squares #3 + FREE Celtic Knot tutorial and PDF download + Celtic course special

Art in real life, Blogs, Visual Blessing SquaresValerie SjodinMarch 17, 2025Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, Archer & Olive, vignettes of beauty, Celtic knot, Celtic tutorial, Celtic courseComment

Visual Blessing Squares 2

Gathering snippets of art and nature from my studio and around the house and bringing them together in a flat lay format has brought more joy and gratitude than I imagined. This is #2 in the series.

Art in real life, Word of the Year, Blogs, Visual Blessing SquaresValerie SjodinFebruary 13, 2025Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, Archer & Olive, 2025 journal, gratitude journal, Commonplace, Visual blessing, vignettes of beauty Comments

Visual Blessing Squares

Gathering snippets of art and nature from my studio and around the house and bringing them together in a flat lay format has brought more joy and gratitude than I imagined.

Art in real life, Word of the Year, Blogs, Visual Blessing SquaresValerie SjodinJanuary 20, 2025Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, Archer & Olive, 2025 journal, Commonplace, Visual blessing, vignettes of beauty Comments

Gather - Arrange - Photograph - Write

Happy New Year! Beginning this year with a back to the future activity of gathering, arranging, photographing, and writing…

Art in real life, Planner journal, Word of the Year, BlogsValerie SjodinDecember 31, 2024Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, Archer & Olive, 2025 journal, gratitude journal, Commonplace journal, Commonplace, Washi Tape, planner, journal set-up Comments

2025 Word of the Year journal

Exploring my word for the new year by looking up synonyms, Scripture, and quotes about my word…

Art in real life, Planner journal, Word of the Year, BlogsValerie SjodinDecember 10, 2024Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, Archer & Olive, 2025 journal, gratitude journal, Commonplace journal, Commonplace, Washi Tape, planner, journal set-up Comments

Granddaughter Fairies - Art in Real Life #20

Children inspire art! Drawing and painting granddaughter fairies and revisiting the inspiration children have given me.

Art in real life, BlogsValerie SjodinNovember 5, 2024Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, #mygardenjournal, garden journal, garden, Vego, garden art, Archer & Olive, Granddaughter fairiess, granddaughter fairies, fairies, pencil and watercolor Comments

Set up for my 2025 journals

I’m using 3 main journals for the year: planner, diary, and commonplace journals. Here’s how I set them up, along with some tips, and Washi tape inspiration.

Art in real life, Planner journal, Word of the Year, BlogsValerie SjodinOctober 25, 2024Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, Archer & Olive, 2025 journal, gratitude journal, Commonplace journal, Commonplace, Washi Tape, planner, journal set-up Comments

A NEW Journaling Idea for 2025

Here’s my journaling plan and new idea for the upcoming year, where the past meets the present in a visually pleasing way that prompts gratitude and hope.

Art in real life, Planner journal, Word of the Year, BlogsValerie SjodinOctober 18, 2024Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, #mygardenjournal, garden journal, Archer & Olive, 2025 journal, gratitude journal Comments

Changing the way I journal + Exciting News!

Exciting news! I'm an Archer & Olive ambassador! Also settling down after transitions and difficult few years. As part of my transition, I’m changing the way I’m planning my journaling.

Art in real life, Planner journal, Word of the Year, BlogsValerie SjodinOctober 11, 2024Art in real life, Artful living, gratitude, comfort, #mygardenjournal, garden journal, Archer & Olive Comments

April 8th Eclipse - Bible Journaling Revisited

Blogs, Bible journalApril 4, 2024Bible Journaling, Bible Journaling Eclipse, Bible journaling online class, Bible journaling Psalm 19, Great American Eclipse, Bible journal, Eclipse Comments

NEW Vintage Book Stencil Collection

NEW Vintage Book Stencil Collection Reveal!

Create the look of old books with these NEW Vintage Book stencils from StencilGirl® Products! Six videos including 5 tutorials to inspire you and show you how one stencil can be used for various sizes and mediums to create that incredible that Vintage look in your art journals and cards.

Blogs, Stenciling, StencilGirl, VintageValerie SjodinJanuary 11, 2024art journaling, bullet journal, mixed media painting, StencilGirl Products, StencilGirl, Valerie Sjodin, StencilGirl Products stencils, NEW stencils, Stenciling Tutorials, Vintage Stencils, vintage style, stencil tutorials Comments

A new beginning - at the end of myself

I’m just going to be transparent here. It’s been a hard journey the past few years. After rallying in 2020-2021 I began to lose my hope and vision. This post tells a bit of my journey from desolation back to consolation.