Creating Plans : DIY & Crafts, Study Tips, Journaling and Productivity
Creating Plans : DIY & Crafts, Study Tips, Journaling and Productivity
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DIY Crafts

Bujo & Planners

I have always been a person who procrastinates (and I kind of still am). So, I wanted to create a process for myself by which I would be motivated enough to not only make to-do lists, but also to finish everything I wanted to do on that list. 

I use a combination of my planner (it used to be my bullet journal in 2021) and Google Calendar for this process. Here is my Three-Step Process on how I stay ahead of my to-do list. 


How to make a To Do List that helps you complete your tasks (My three step process)
How to make a To Do List that helps you complete your tasks (My three step process)



DISCLAIMER - This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommended. You can read my full disclosure here.




    First Step - Task List

    The first step begins the night before, wherein I make a list of things to do (i.e., the task list) for the next day. I do this step just before I go to bed. 

    I do this so that I remember what all I wasn't able to complete during the day and add it to the list for the next day. I make this list in my planner (in the weekly section). 


    Make a task list on the night before
    Make a task list on the night before 

    Second Step - Priority List

    The second step is done the next morning. In this step, I first review last night's to-do list and update it with any new tasks I receive in the morning. Then I decide what the most important tasks for the day should be, so that I can finish them on a priority basis. Thus, I prioritize the most important things to do that day from my to-do list. 

    I use a memo pad on my desk to write down my priority list tasks, so that it is visible to me at all times and also, it is fun to tick off. I try to limit my tasks to 5, so that it will not overwhelm me. 


    Make a priority list of the most important tasks for the day
    Make a priority list of the most important tasks for the day


    Third Step - Time Blocking

    For the last step, I use Google Calendar. You could also use Notion as an alternative option. In this step, I allocate time on an hourly basis to the items on my Priority List, so that I can have a fair idea of how long I will take to finish my tasks. This is also called Time Blocking.  

    This step helps me decide whether I will have time for some non-priority tasks as well. It is also important to keep some time as buffer, to account for any unforeseen events happening. 


    Use Google Calendar/ Notion to do time blocking for the day
    Use Google Calendar/ Notion to do time blocking for the day


    Conclusion

    Making a to-do list is easy. Following through is the hard part, which is the reason why I came up with this 3 step process.  So, this is how I try to manage my time on a daily basis. Let me know in the comments if you found this useful. 

    Don't forget to follow me on my Instagram, where I put up bite sized informative posts from time-to-time, and my YouTube channel, for study and stationery related content. 

    Keep creating! Keep planning! 💞

     

    If you are an OG reader, you can probably tell by now that I am a stationery and craft supplies addict, and from what I have seen on the internet, many of you also share the same passion; which brings me to the topic of this blog post - Affordable stationery and craft shops in India.  

    In this article, I will dive into some of the most affordable online shops, (most of which I have purchased from) from which you can buy stationery and craft supplies. I will link each shop's website and show you what my favourite items from the respective shops are. 

    I've also included discount codes for some of the stores, which you can see in the respective paragraphs! :)


    6 AFFORDABLE Indian stationery and craft shops you need to check out!
    6 AFFORDABLE Indian stationery and craft shops you need to check out!



    DISCLAIMER - This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommended. You can read my full disclosure here.




      Inkarto

      Affordable stationery and journaling supplies - Inkarto India
      Affordable stationery and journaling supplies - Inkarto India


      Inkarto India has tons of trending stationery, like pastel stationery, transparent sticky notes, journaling supplies, washi tapes, etc. at extremely affordable rates. I have purchased from them multiple times, so I can vouch for the fact that their items are top notch. 

      They also have hobby related items, like resin craft supplies, paint and canvas supplies, wax stamping supplies, and so on. My favourite items from Inkarto are the wax stamp and beads. 

      This is their website - https://inkarto.com/

      I do have a detailed video on my YouTube channel on my first purchase from them (and a few YouTube shorts as well!) 




      Craft Villa

      Affordable crafting supplies - Craft Villa India
      Affordable crafting supplies - Craft Villa India 


      Craft Villa India has remarkable crafting supplies, like origami paper, card stock, EVA foam sheets, a variety of stickers, and so much more. The quality of their papers, GSM-wise is outstanding, especially their craft book, which is of 180 GSM. Their craft papers also come in various patterns, which makes it all the more interesting. 

      Use my discount code CREATE20 to get a 20% off on all their products above a minimum order of Rs 300!

      If you are into crafting, origami, card making, decoupage, scrapbooking, you have to have a look at their website. My favourite item of theirs are the vintage papers. I cannot get over how gorgeous they look and can't wait to use them. 

      This is their website - https://craftvilla.shop/
      You can also follow them on Instagram and YouTube.  

      Also Read: Affordable Indian Craft supplies haul from Craft Villa






      Check out all the things I got from them -





      Itsy Bitsy


      Affordable hobby crafts store - Itsy Bitsy India
      Affordable hobby crafts store - Itsy Bitsy India


      Itsy Bitsy my go-to hobby crafts store. Their hobby supplies include resin crafts, candle making, jewellery making, mandala art tools, alcohol inks, fluid art, modelling and sculpting, mixed media, wood craft, etc. 

      Use my discount code CREATE5 to get a 5% off on all their products. 

      I got into resin making with their products, but my favourite item from Itsy Bitsy is their chalk paint. The consistency of the paint and the huge assortment of colours to choose from is what makes them stand out. You can read my blog post on how I upcycled an old ink pot with their chalk paint. 

      This is their website - https://itsybitsy.in/?ref=-7C1jdjS32mMK_

       

      The Curated Store India


      Affordable kawaii - The Curated Store India
      Affordable kawaii - The Curated Store India


      If you are looking for Kawaii stationery or just Kawaii stuff in general, this is the place to go to! I have purchased from them once and the items definitely meet the brief. 

      I bought memo sheets and notepads from them, but their variety covers Kawaii stationery (like sticker sheets and washi tapes), kawaii journaling supplies, plushies, diaries, bags, etc. You should definitely check them out if you are into Kawaii. 

      My favourite items from The Curated Store are the Kawaii washi tapes. 

      This is their website - https://thecuratedstoreindia.com/

      You can check out the things I got from them in this video - 

          


      Crafters Corner


      Affordable craft supplies - Crafters Corner
      Affordable craft supplies - Crafters Corner


      If you are an avid crafter, you should check out Crafter's Corner. Their crafting supplies include craft punches, charms and embellishments, shakers (to put in resin crafts), etc. They cater to a variety of hobbies like clay, candle making, quilling materials, jewellery making, tote bags, flower making and the list goes on. 

      Use my discount code CRAFT5 to get a 5% off on all their products.

      They also have a blog in which they share craft and junk journaling ideas, from which you can take inspiration. I do want to try transferring a pretty picture onto maybe a coaster or a glass bottle, so my favourite product would have to be the transfer me sheets. I will post an update once I get around to doing it.   

      This is the website - https://www.crafterscorner.in/


      Craft Gully


      Affordable craft supplies - Craft Gully
      Affordable craft supplies - Craft Gully


      Do you want to make macramé crafts, or make your own Christmas ornaments? If yes, then check out Craft Gully. Along with the general crafting supplies and tools (like clay, candle making, embellishments, etc.), they also have crafting supplies for quilling, flower making, scrapbooking, decoupage, card making, jewellery making and resin. 

      Even though the other shops mentioned on this list also provide similar crafting supplies, you can check out Craft Gully just to get some crafting ideas. They also have a blog in which they share craft ideas. 

      I certainly plan to try jewellery making, so I would say the jewellery making supplies are my favourite from this lot. 

      This is the website - https://www.craftgully.com/

      Conclusion

      So that was a compilation of my list. I hope you got some crafting ideas and found the places to get your craft supplies from. Let me know in the comments if there are any other places you shop your crafts supplies from. 

      Don't forget to follow me on my Instagram and my YouTube channel, where I put up craft related content from time-to-time. 

      Keep creating! Keep planning! 💞

       
      I wasn't able to post this last year since my exams were around the corner, so I had to wait a whole year to post this coffee themed bullet journal spread in October. Even though the ongoing theme for October bujo spreads is autumn or Halloween inspired, I felt coffee to be a more apt theme for many reasons. 

      One, in October my coffee intake increases manifold since it is always the month before my exams. Two, if I did a coffee theme in October, I could draw a cup coffee instead of the 'O' in October! (See my cover page 😁)






      DISCLAIMER - This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommended. You can read my full disclosure here.



        Also read : how to make a bujo spreads in vintage theme, India theme, cozy home vibes theme, chess theme, Christmas theme and retro theme. 


        Coffee Themed Quote Page 

        Coffee Quote Wall Sticker
        Coffee Quote Wall Sticker



        For my quote page, I found this cute wall sticker on Amazon with a coffee quote, which said "Coffee is always a good idea". I really liked the lettering and the design of it, so I decided to recreate it as the quote page for my bullet journal. 



        Coffee Themed Quote Page
        Coffee Themed Quote Page


        Coffee Themed Cover Page

        Since I made this spread for October, I thought I'd draw the 'O' in the shape of a coffee mug. I wanted the spread to look simple otherwise, so I just attached some dark brown grid washi tapes to the edges and added a coffee sticker and some coffee bean doodles here and there. 


        Coffee Themed Quote Page
        Coffee Themed Quote Page



        Coffee Themed Habit Tracker

        For my habit tracker, I wrote out the habits I wanted to track and then drew tiny coffee cups for each day. It was definitely a time consuming process though! I again added coffee stickers and grid washi tape to fill up the empty spaces. 


        Coffee themed habit tracker
        Coffee themed habit tracker


        Coffee Themed Monthly Spread

        My monthly spread was very minimal, with just a few coffee stickers and some grid washi and some coffee doodles around the edges. 


        Coffee themed monthly spread
        Coffee themed monthly spread


        Coffee Themed Daily spreads

        I went with daily spreads this month, since this month was entirely dedicated to only my studies, I didn't have much of a to-do list. (I have a separate journal as my study planner)

        This month, I started doing 'Interstitial Journaling', as a way to boost my productivity and efficiency. So, that is what I used my daily spreads for. 

        And throughout the daily spreads, I used my coffee stickers and floral stamps to reduce the monotony of just plain journaling. 

        Coffee Themed Daily spread
        Coffee Themed Daily spread


        Journaling supplies I used to make my coffee themed bujo 

        1. Coffee stickers - I used these decoratively in my daily and weekly planner.  

        2. Grid washi tape - I used these to fill up empty spaces in my bujo. I used the colours brown, dark brown and light brown. If this is beyond your budget, you can get washi samples from this Instagram store called Washi Sabi. That's where I got mine from. 

        3. Alphabet stamps - I used the stamps to write the date for my daily bujo.   

        4. Floral stamps - They are basically wooden block stamps with a floral design. Again, they were used decoratively and as a space filler.  

        5. Faber castell Ecco pigment pen - I used it to draw doodles and writing the quote. 

        6. Luxor fine tips - This is what I use always to write in my bujo, whether it is a to do list, or journaling. 





        So this was how my coffee themed bullet journal spread turned out. I hope you enjoyed it and got some inspiration for your own spreads. 

        Please tag me on Instagram (@creating.plans) if you recreate my spreads, to get a shout out from me. Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel, for study, planning and stationery related content. 


        Keep creating! Keep planning! 💞


        I honestly find it pretty hard to start studying. I have mentioned before that I have the attention span of a squirrel. I might be sitting in front of my books, but I keep wandering with my thoughts a lot of the time. In a previous article, I did mention I started using distraction logs to keep my thoughts in check, and it worked to a certain extent. 


        How to actually start studying using a Study Trigger
        How to actually start studying using a Study Trigger



        DISCLAIMER - This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we recommended. You can read my full disclosure here.




          How I found my study trigger - the back story

          I was not able to achieve my optimum efficiency in my study sessions. One of the things I did was to create and implement a routine. As a part of the new routine, I forced myself to wake up at 5 am everyday to study. 

          Also, a huge shoutout to my dad for waking me up; he used to wake up at 4.45 am to make tea for me to wake me up. And I have to say, it was EXTREMELY hard. I've always preferred studying at night and I have been used to waking up between 10 and 11.30 am. 

          This routine creation in itself took my exam preparation up a notch. I felt that since I was anyway awake, I might as well use that energy to study. Now, this is where the study trigger came in. 

          Since everyone in my family wakes up very early, it tends to get a little noisy for me. (And I am hyper sensitive to noise when I am studying). So, I started listening to study music to block out all the noise while I was studying. 

          Since I was studying well whenever I put on study music, I started incorporating it more and more into my study routine. 


          What is my study trigger?

          So, as I mentioned above, I started to playing a specific Spotify playlist (Thomas Frank’s Sunday study playlist) whenever I sat down to study. 

          This was a habit that I subconsciously built. It happened over a period of time, because I kept needing study music to help me focus and to block out distracting noise from the surroundings. 

          About 3 weeks after I got into this routine with study music, I played this specific playlist accidentally. When I heard the familiar study music, my thoughts immediately went to my books and I actually felt like studying. 

          That was when I realized my brain had been wired into understanding that Thomas Frank's study music playlist meant it was study time. 


          My study trigger is my study music playlist
          My study trigger is my study music playlist

           

          Analogy to understand how a study trigger works

          This might be a weird analogy, but have you heard that some smells trigger certain memories? For example, Youtuber Mridul Sharma in many of her travel videos has mentioned that she tries to use a new perfume for each new place she travels to. So after the trip, when she uses the perfume again, she is reminded of that place. 

          So, just like a smell can trigger memories, certain actions can trigger your brain to get into study or work mode. 

          How to build a study trigger?

          Do something that you will exclusively do only during or before your study/ work session, so that over a period of time, your brain gets the message that it is time to study when you do that specific activity. Doing something that is reserved exclusively only for when you study.

          Examples of Study triggers

          It need not necessarily be study music that triggers you. Maybe you could make a special kind of tea or coffee for you to have during your study session. Make it something you don't normally drink, like chamomile tea or cold coffee, so that it can be an "only study thing". Or it could be lighting a specific scented candle. It could be anything at all. 

          You could even have a specific area or desk allocated only for your studies. As in, when you sit in that specific place or at that particular desk, you should not allow yourself to do anything other than studying. 

          It could be hard at first, especially if you have a hard time concentrating like me, or if you are getting into studies after a long time. But slowly, your brain will start getting the message and you can build this up into a productive habit over a period of time.  


          Do you need to use a study trigger to study?

          Maybe using a study trigger sounds weird, but you should give it a try. It is, of course, not necessary for you to use a study trigger. If you are able to study and focus on that without this, that is great. But, if you need an external factor to get you started, then using a study trigger could be a great option. 


          Let me know in the comments whether you already do this, and if you do, what is your “study trigger”?

          Don't forget to follow me on my Instagram, where I put up bite sized informative posts from time-to-time, and my YouTube channel, for study and stationery related content. 

          Keep creating! Keep planning! 💞


           
            Do you like making DIYs and origami? Are you a craft lover? Are you looking for good quality and affordable craft supplies in India? If yes, I am glad you've stumbled upon this article! I want to introduce you to an affordable online craft store I recently discovered - Craft Villa India. 

            (By the way, you can use my discount code CREATE20 to get a 20% off on all their products above a minimum order of Rs 300!😁)

            Best quality affordable Indian craft supplies - Origami, vintage paper, EVA foam sheets, stickers and more
            Best quality affordable Indian craft supplies - Origami, vintage paper, EVA foam sheets, stickers and more


            Disclaimer - Craft Villa kindly gifted me all the things mentioned in this blog post. This, however, is not a sponsored post and all the opinions mentioned are my own. 





              About Craft Villa India

              Before we get into the haul, let me tell you a little bit about them. 

              Craft Villa India is an affordable Indian craft supplies online store. They are an entirely made in India brand and all their printed paper materials (like vintage paper, craft paper, origami paper) are eco-friendly, acid free, skin friendly and safe for kids. 

              They also share cute crafting ideas on their YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram accounts, so do check them out there! 


              Vintage Paper

              Vintage papers in 8 unique patterns by Craft Villa - great quality & best for crafts
              Vintage papers in 8 unique patterns by Craft Villa - great quality & best for crafts

              Buy vintage paper - https://craftvilla.shop/shop/craft-villa-retro-a4-size-vintage-paper-pack-of-20-sheets/

              I want to start by talking about my favourite item from this entire haul - vintage papers. If you are an old time reader, you would know that I love vintage paper and vintage journals, so much so that I made an entire vintage themed bullet journal spread. If you're thinking of doing the same, go for this vintage paper without hesitation. 

              The quality of this paper is impeccable, and the best part is that it is eco-friendly. This paper can be used for letter writing, calligraphy, journaling, scrapbooking; I could go on and on, there are so many ideas! Each pack comes with 20 A4-sized sheets; it contains 4 unique designs with 5 sheets per design. 


              Designer Craft Paper

              Craft Villa India's designer craft papers are great for scrapbooking
              Craft Villa India's designer craft papers are great for scrapbooking

              Buy designer craft paper - https://craftvilla.shop/shop/spot-stripes/

              These are patterned papers and Craft Villa has such unique prints! I got their 'Floral pack' and their 'Spots & stripes pack'. The designs have my heart; they are just so pretty! Each pack contains 20 A4-sized sheets (10 unique prints of 2 sheets each). 

              I am so excited to try out scrapbooking and journaling with these sheets. Reels and pictures of everything will be up on Instagram! 💫


              Self Adhesive Glitter Sheets

              Craft Villa India's self adhesive glitter EVA foam sheets are ideal for DIY crafts
              Craft Villa India's self adhesive glitter EVA foam sheets are ideal for DIY crafts

              Buy self adhesive glitter sheets - https://craftvilla.shop/shop/glitter-sheets-self-adhesive-multi-sheet-a4/

              These are EVA foam sheets and are ideal for making DIY crafts and collages. Each pack contains 10 sheets, all in different colours. My favourite is the black one. Comment down below which is yours!

              Check out this tutorial on how to make a DIY wall hanging room décor.


              Designer Paper Pack Book

              Craft Villa India's designer paper pack, of 180 GSM, is useful for cards and decoupage art
              Craft Villa India's designer paper pack of 180 GSM, is useful for cards and decoupage art

              Buy the Designer Paper Pack Book - https://craftvilla.shop/shop/craft-book-royal/

              In this book, you get 32 sheets (comes in 16 unique designs of 2 sheets) of printed paper in beautiful patterns. I love the gold foil and floral prints the most - both shown in picture above! 

              The sheets are bound together in a book format and are easy to tear off, which makes it easy to organize this (no flying papers! 😁) The papers, which are in the size 12" x 12", are of the thickness 180 GSM. They are perfect for making cards and decoupage art.


              Origami Papers

              Craft Villa India has origami sheets in plenty of pretty and vibrant designs
              Craft Villa India has origami sheets in plenty of pretty and vibrant designs

              Buy Origami Papers - https://craftvilla.shop/shop/craft-villa-pack-of-20-origami-printed-sheets-for-kids-10/

              Perfect for your origami craving fingers, this is a pack of 20 sheets of origami paper of 80 GSM each. (80 GSM thickness is ideal for origami papers, since it makes folding easier.) The papers are sized at 6" x 6". They have plenty of other designs on their website to choose from. 

              Check out how I made this heart organizer with their origami paper!





              Happy birthday banner

              Pretty, neon-coloured happy birthday banners from Craft Villa to pep up your loved one's day!
              Pretty, neon-coloured happy birthday banners from Craft Villa to pep up your loved one's day! 

              Buy the Happy Birthday Banner - https://craftvilla.shop/shop/party-supplies-combo/

              This banner comes as a set of 13 neon-coloured flags, 1 ribbon and 1 needle. It can be reused many times and is very easy to put together. I'm definitely going to be using this banner for my sister's birthday! 😁


              EVA foam glitter stickers

              EVA foam glitter stickers from Craft Villa India come in various shapes and colours
              EVA foam glitter stickers from Craft Villa India come in various shapes and colours

              Buy EVA foam glitter stickers - https://craftvilla.shop/shop/new-card-combo-3/

              These are self adhesive foam stickers, and they come in a variety of shapes, like stars, smileys and butterflies. You can get a combo of 5 sticker sheets here. I think the smaller ones, especially the alphabet stickers will look great in mini journaling spreads. I'm also planning to use them to make cards for my family. 


              Stickers

              Craft Villa India's fun emoji and star stickers to brighten up your day
              Craft Villa India's fun emoji and star stickers to brighten up your day 

              Their sticker packs also come in cute designs. I especially love their emoji stickers. I'm currently using these stickers to pep up my planner and make it more interesting. See my planner here. 

              If you are a parent, these stickers could be a great way to improve your child's learning and training, like by giving them a star sticker every time they do well. 


              Glitter Ice cream sticks (big)

              Glitter ice cream sticks from Craft Villa India come in colours ranging from silver and gold to blue and green
              Glitter ice cream sticks from Craft Villa India come in colours ranging from silver and gold to blue and green

              There are such amazing ice cream stick crafts that can be made, like pen stands, phone stands, jewellery holders, etc. The possibilities are endless. Craft Villa has coloured glitter ice cream sticks, which make it even more fun to work with. They could make for cute borders in journals. They are also great for decorative purposes. 

              You can watch the entire reel of the unboxing here - 




              Given the quality of the products, I think you get value for money at Craft Villa India.

              Whether you are a crafter, or you want to get your children into origami or crafts, as a creative hobby, you should definitely check out their collections. 

              They have many more items on their website such as magnetic sheets, neon papers, glitter borders and project sheets. It is an absolute haven for crafters. Check them out here. 


                                   Get 20% off on your Craft Villa India orders using the code CREATE20


              Please do mention any queries you have in the comments section :)
              Keep creating! Keep planning! 💞


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              Hi! I am Praarthana, a soon-to-be CA from India, with a passion for bullet journaling, creating DIY crafts and sharing study tips. My aim is to give you ideas to creatively plan and organize your life, while working towards your goal!

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