Learn about the inspirations for the Rising Star Journals
Doggie Days/ Cat Chronicles
As any dog owner or animal lover knows, it can be hard when you lose your dog. They have become part of the family. A dog can offer support, loyalty and friendship. I wanted to create a book that can be used to remember your dog when the time comes, to look back at all the wonderful times you had with your dog.
The important dog in my life was called Sparky, he was my childhood friend. I felt he was always there for me; I could talk to him, I could cuddle him and play with him.
He was one of the family and was very important to all of us. It wasn't easy when we lost him, and not having the company of a dog, the home felt different. He was the part missing from our family.
I created a frame to remember him, with his collar, photos and a poem. I also decided to sponsor a dog as he was a "rescue" and I wanted to give back to the animal charities that had helped to rescue Sparky and other dogs in need.
I still wanted to do more, so as I had enjoyed creating my other book, I decided to put together a Dog Journal, one where dog owners would have all the information to care for their dog and also have something to create a record so that when the time comes, they will be able to look back and remember all the lovely memories they have of the great times they had with their dog.
After creating Doggy Days there has to be a journal for cats too!
Just like a dog, cats are someone's family they bring them joy, connection and love. They are an animal that deserves to be nurtured and cared for.
After creating Doggy Days there has to be a journal for cats too!
Just like a dog, cats are someone's family they bring them joy, connection and love. They are an animal that deserves to be nurtured and cared for.
Be Inspired to plan
What do you think when someone says "planner"?
What do you think when someone says "planner"?
For me, I think "writing, lots of writing, and boring" ... "All planners are the same" ... "The most interesting part of a planner is usually the cover" ... "If I decided to buy a planner, after a few months I would stop using it. The planner would be left collecting dust somewhere".
I wished I had a planner which would allow me not only to be organised but also creative and motivated.
Then I had an idea, what if I created my own planner?
It would have a calendar for a monthly view, and also spaces for each day of the week.
To be able to see clearly what was happening throughout the month, I would add a place to write about events/appointments and a to-do list.
To help keep me motivated I would have a goal for the month.
Finally, what about the creative element?
For this, I decided to include somewhere to add memories through drawing or photos.
The monthly pages would also have images that would relate to each month, and a bright, colourful cover.
Colour Your Mood
Where do we begin when it comes to emotions?
Where do we begin when it comes to emotions?
They can be complex. Sometimes when we are angry we get upset. Some people like to make jokes and laugh but really they are sad. Some people cry when they are happy. It's not always easy to recognise and release these feelings.
I have found it very hard to express my emotions; I would bury them deep inside but I still felt my emotions through my body.
Some of the things would include pain in my shoulders, headaches, and not being able to sleep.
I was never a person who would write journals about how I felt. I would think "What if someone read it", I didn't want people to see what I had written, it would be personal to me.
A few years later, I came across an idea that people had been using, where they would match colours to their mood. Then they would make a pattern, over a period of time. I found this very interesting as a creative person, and also a good way to learn about my emotions.
I thought this would be a great way to help other people learn about their emotions too, without having to write about their feelings. All they would need to do was colour!
I decided to make my own "Colour Your Mood" journal to share, and in my book, I thought I would include a space to make notes, for if a person wanted to look more deeply into their emotions and how they might be affecting them.
There is a unique pattern for each month, which also has a name to make it more fun.
My Dream Journal
When I was growing up, I would always have dreams, each night. I would wake up and remember the dream, sometimes in more detail than other dreams. I decided to search for the meaning of different parts of my dreams. There were lots of different meanings to look at, but which one was the right one? I had no real idea of how to put all these meanings together. It was one big puzzle, how was I going to find the answer to the meaning of my dream?
When I was growing up, I would always have dreams, each night. I would wake up and remember the dream, sometimes in more detail than other dreams. I decided to search for the meaning of different parts of my dreams. There were lots of different meanings to look at, but which one was the right one? I had no real idea of how to put all these meanings together. It was one big puzzle, how was I going to find the answer to the meaning of my dream?
Years later I met my friend, Tina, who had an interest in dreams too. Tina had learned how to interpret dreams, and with that knowledge, she was able to teach me and others how to do the same. I learned about common dreams, symbols, and the importance of writing down your dream. One of the key things I learned was how to interpret and understand my dreams so that I can heal my subconscious mind and move forward. Nightmares are not as scary when you realise it is something you can work through, just by understanding what your mind is showing you.
Then one day I had an idea, what if I created a dream journal which would help other people uncover the meaning behind their dreams? This journal would also act as a guide, a tool to learn from and use. An upgrade from your everyday notebooks. To make this more interesting I asked myself, how could I make this more creative, fun and unique?
The answer to that was to have a space where someone could draw their dreams or if they prefer just add a photo/picture. Dreams can be crazy, why just write about them when they can see their dreams again?