A couple of years ago, I was running a trail near my house.
This trail isn’t paved, it’s full of dirt and tiny pebbles, is alongside a hill, and has cactus and succulents growing everywhere. In the summer, on occasion, rattle snakes are often seen slithering across the path.
Well, I was getting my run on. And as I was running, my foot must’ve rolled on a rock and I lost my balance. I was going down. It happened so fast that I put my arms out to catch my fall and just like that snap.
I broke my ring finger. Badly too. It wasn’t a break where I could get away with putting a splint on it.
The doctor had to pop it back into place and I had to see an orthopedic surgeon. It gets worse. I actually needed surgery and had pins sticking out of my finger. I couldn’t use my left hand for four months!! Let’s not forget, my finger went through two months of physical therapy too (I couldn’t move it whatsoever). All of this for one finger!
Really though, I was literally inches away from falling into a pile cacti. What’s worse – landing on all those thorns (and no broken bones) or breaking my finger (and avoiding the thorns)? Such a conundrum.
So anyway, here’s my layout for the week, a layout full of cacti and succulents! Check it out.
Supplies
- Notebook
- Ruler
- Cactus/Succulent Stamps
- Ink Pad
- Acrylic Block
- Fudenosuke Brush Pen
- Green Brush Pens (195, 277, 245)
- Pink Brush Pen
- Drawing Pen
Step One
First, I started this layout by stamping four planters onto the bottom of the notebook, I used this acrylic block and this ink pad. Next, I stamped various succulents and cacti into the planters. Instead of using a traditional ink pad for the stamps, I decided to color them in with various green brush markers (195, 277, 245). For more stamping tips, tricks, and techniques visit my class on Skillshare and receive two months of classes for free.
Step Two
Second, with my pink dual brush pen (pointed tip) and ruler, I drew out eight squares.
Step Three
In the last box I lettered the month in green and added some “thorns” with a black drawing pen.
Step Four
Last, I lettered the days of the week into each square with my favorite go to brush pen, the Fudenosuke Brush Pen.
