Memory Keeping with "Day By Day" #001

Introducing memory keeping using "Day By Day" stamps.

Introduction

This year's memory keeping is using an Art Spiral sketchbook. It's a drawing paper type of paper, but I don't have to worry about bleeding through, so it's a notebook I've been using for many years to stamp samples of new stamps. ( ↓ I uploaded it to Instagram at least in January 2017!)

I considered using the vertical format of my previous Traveler's Notebook, but especially since I haven't been going out much since the COVID-19 pandemic, I thought that the format with the week divided into equal parts might leave me with too much space, so I decided to try using a blank notebook freely. When I was looking for a horizontal size that wasn't too big or too small, I thought, "I'll try using the Art Spiral that I always use!" and have been using it since January. The Art Spiral comes in various sizes, but I use the 142x185cm size.

Sorry for the long introduction... First up, here is the page for the first week of January.

I keep my memory in a format that starts on a Monday, so the first page only contains January 1st, which was a Sunday. I cut out some patterned paper and pasted on the number "2023" on it.

(By the way, this pattern paper was designed by Igloo*dining* for a previous workshop. What do you think of the 365 series of paper items?)

I had previously stamped the trio of Hana-chan, a rabbit and a bear in a kimono ( this is the blog from that time! ), so I cut and pasted them down. Each of the three stamps is a single piece, but I stamped them so that they overlap slightly to create a sense of unity. It's a little time-consuming, but not difficult. As usual, I worked on this during a brief moment of relaxation in the evening, so the images are a little dark...

Then stamp the stamp you want to place on the back. There are steps in the masked area, so be careful not to move it, and stamp lightly and firmly. Once you've finished stamping, gently peel off the masking paper.

In the image below, Hana-chan is in front on the left, and the rabbit and the bear are in front on the right. The impression changes depending on which one is in front. I used the one on the left for this memory keeping page.

---- As a side note, I used sticky notes as masking paper. I stamped the sticky part of the sticky note so that I could use it to temporarily hold the mask in place, and then I cut only the necessary parts (overlapping parts) along the lines.

● The sticky part doesn't have much adhesive power, so when stamping from above, you need to hold it down with your hand to prevent it from slipping. When masking large surfaces, masking tape is sometimes used, but because it has no adhesive power, it can be peeled off without damaging the paper, which is great!

● If you cut only the necessary parts, make sure you cut the parts where the stamps will overlap properly. Cutting out the whole thing is difficult and time-consuming. However, there have been many times when I was a bit lazy and didn't cut out the overlapping parts, and it didn't go well. Slow and steady wins the race...maybe!?

I had intended to keep the memory keeping quick and easy so that I could continue for a year without putting too much strain on myself, but I got too excited. But it was fun!

My desire to record the little things that happen every day remains unchanged, so I would like to continue with memory keeping while continuing to search for a method that suits me and my lifestyle.

Tomorrow I'll be introducing Memory Keeping with "Day By Day" #002... the second page! Please check out my blog again! Thank you!