2 Quick & Easy DIY Projects: Personalized School Bullet Journal & Mandala Painting

  Bullet Journal

A Bullet Journal is similar to an ordinary planner. You don't want to stick with some ordinary planner, try making it you, new, and FUN. This journal is specifically for you, it helps to organize and collect special entries in your daily life. There are no rules to creating you personalized Bullet Journal except - one. The only rule to live by is using the key in the beginning of every Bullet Journal.

Materials Needed

- Notebook (lines, bullet grid etc.)

- Variation of colored pens

- Variation of colored markers

- Rulers

- Cool pictures

- FUN!

Step by Step Process with Pictures 

Let's start off with what kind of journal you'd want. Every beginner would think, "Oh! I have to buy this expensive moleskin journal." No, you don't have to go out for just a journal. The notebook you purchase can cost up to $1.50. But for my personal taste having lines going through my paper is what I preferred rather than a bullet grid journal. It isn't hard, just choose what suits your taste.

FOLLOW ONE RULE

 That one rule is to only follow the 'Keys' in the beginning of your Bullet Journal. An example is in the picture to the right.

Shaded circle = Task

x = Task Complete

> Migrated

< Scheduled 

Cancelled

An open circle = Event

A dash = Note

Star or * = Priority

(You can always add more for other reasons)

Every book has an index so why not add  an index in your journal to keep track of where things are located? It's simple as 123 and ABC. 

The next process is one page introducing the month. Decorate how ever you want it, don't hold back.

For the month of May I chose the theme as blue. I chose a bunch of different shades of blue. 

 One way you can log your To Do's is by writing down your priority down or things you need to do but might forget and and have minor things on a different piece of paper.

This Bullet Journal is personally for my school life. Another way you can log things is by using this format. On the right side I have a calendar of the month the wrote down the days that were important to know. On the left are the projects due that month 

One other thing you can do is making a songs list of what type of songs you like during through out the month. With my school, I tend to have the things I need to pass. 

FAQ's

How do I use it daily?

I suggest you use it everyday because you will have To Do lists and events coming up 

Why use a Bullet Journal?

By using a Bullet Journal you can freely track down what ever that pleases you unlike a regular planner.

What pages do you tab?

The pages you can tab are the pages you use on a daily & the pages when a new month has started. This ties back to the reason why an index is created in the beginning of your Bullet Journal.

What if I make a mistake?

DON'T WORRY! We are human, that's what we are suppose to do. If you have any mistakes here are a couple tips and tricks to cover it up.

1) Color it in or doodle something 

2) Tape some art or pictures on it

3) Use stickers or some tape that has fancy design on it

Mandala Painting

Mandalas are abstract designs that are usually circular. It's a spiritual and ritual symbol in Buddhism and Hinduism to signify the universe. Or in other means, it just looks really cool in your bedroom, living room, work space, or just even a cool gift to give someone. 

Materials Needed

- Canvas (buy what ever size you want)

- Acrylic paint (choose the colors you will need)

- Paint Brushes 

- Pencil
- A reference mandala (OPTIONAL)

Step by Step Process with Pictures 

For my mandala painting I started off with a black paint as the background color. You can choose what ever color you want.

Start off with small half circles then start to build out lager half circles. You can start to fill in places just by adding lines and more dots.

Just continue to build on top of the layers. I added these leaf type of shapes on top of the larger half circles to add - flare.

When you feel like your done or when you've painted up all over your canvas. You should have an ending product just like the picture on the left - or an even better one.

FAQ's

Does it have to be a spiritual or ritual?

Technically, you can say it's spiritual or ritual but now and days people like to create mandalas because they are beautiful.

Can mandalas be only painted?

It's up to the creator, which is you. Whether it's drawing it with a pen or pencil, digitally, or carving it out on a block of wood. There are endless ways to create a mandala.

How do you make a perfect mandala?

A mandala is to signify the universe and within one of those universe there comes earth. Although our world isn't perfect, it's for you to decide whether or not it's perfect.