eclp – Pure Sugar

Planner Freebie | Banner Event Labels

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Carol — 3 Comments ↓

Happy Monday! It’s been a while since I got a planner freebie up here and today I was reworking some of the stickers that I love to use in my own Erin Condren planner, so I thought I would share.

This time of year is always crazy with school concerts, field trips, appointments, and various activities. Add to that my work schedule (I am back to working part time at a local library), and just all the usual everyday things that need tending to and it doesn’t leave much time to decorate my planner. I’ve been relying on my two favorite labels: the colorblock hourly stickers and these banner event stickers. In the hourly planner, they take up approximately an hour’s worth of time. Of course, they would also work in other planners, too! I used colors that coordinate with the current EC hourly and horizontal scheme (though I think it will be slightly different for the 2016-2017 editions).

Download your free printable right here:

FREE Printable Banner Event Stickers for your planner

As usual, my free planner printables are for personal use only and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Use an electronic cutting machine like a Silhouette Cameo to cut your stickers, print them out on regular printer paper and then cut and paste into your planner using a tape runner, or else print them on full-sheet labels and just hand-cut the stickers.

2017 Erin Condren Life Planner Sneak Peak

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Carol — 1 Comment ↓

Can you hear me singing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year?” OK, that’s a bit of an exaggeration but I always get excited for the launch of the new line of Erin Condren planners. I have been using an EC since 2011 and over the years there have been many changes and many additions. This year is no exception, so let’s get on with it, shall we?

First of all, I think the biggest change is the addition of a neutral color scheme option. If you work in a professional environment, the blacks and grays will definitely look slick. (But there’s also just that hint of color, so it’s not boring.) Also, this choice is great for people who love to decorate (me!), but don’t always want to match the pre-selected color scheme. For example, in my currently hourly planner the month of July has a green color scheme, but I’m going to want to do red, white, and blue the week of 4th of July, so I’m going to have to cover every bit of green. If I go with a neutral next year, I can do what I want! And what about that handlettered font? This one just might be calling my name…

Neutral Erin Condren colorway

Of course, there is still an option for bright, cheerful colors. I’m not in love with the watercolor splash along the top. I know it is very trendy right now, but it seems a little 80s to me. Probably because I am old enough to remember them, LOL! Also, as you can see in both colorway photos, there are three options for layouts: classic vertical, horizontal, and hourly. Currently I have an hourly planner, but as I have gone “back to basics” I’m once again considering a horizontal. I have plenty of time to decide, though, since my current planner runs through the end of the year.

Bright Erin Condren colorway

Another change this year is you can choose your coil: silver, gold, rose gold, and black. I’m kind of excited about the black coil, but I’m concerned about paint chipping off — this has been an issue for the metallic coils in the past. I am also a curious what the upcharge will be.

Now, let’s talk about covers. There are so many new covers this year, including several new metallics. In addition to these Life Planner covers, there are some new designs from the launch of the Teacher Planner. I have no idea how I’m going to choose! Good thing they are interchangeable so I can pick several!

New Erin Condren Covers for 2017

The new planners will be available for purchase on June 1. If you’d like to save $10 off your purchase, sign up through my referral link and then check your email for the code. I’m not sure what pricing will be this year, but in the past, a basic planner sold for $50. I can’t wait to see what other goodies will be announced!

Free Printable | Colorblock Event Stickers for EC Hourly

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Carol — 2 Comments ↓

Free Colorblock Event Stickers

TGIF and Happy April to you! I am still trying to catch up from Spring break and Easter weekend, but I am just popping in with a free planner printable for you guys today. It’s been a while since I posted one. But first, I have to tell you today’s exciting news…

We loved seeing how everyone is planning their #April! Congrats to @planwithcarol, who shared her #TeamHourly #ECLifePlanner for #ECFanFriday! Next week, we’re switching things up with a #handwriting challenge! Write out your fave quote using your EC Pens or Markers to be entered to win! ?

A photo posted by erincondren (@erincondren) on Apr 1, 2016 at 12:17pm PDT

I won this week’s #ECFanFriday contest! The theme was “monthly layout.” I rely heavily on my monthly as an overview to help guide my weekly planning, so I was very excited and inspired. I won an e-gift certificate for myself and one for a friend, which was super cool!

One of the stickers I use in my monthly layout, as well as my weekly layout, are these small, 1/4″ event boxes. They fit perfectly, and in the weekly the sticker takes up the space of a half-hour. I created this set using the more muted tones of the hourly and horizontal planners. I find them to be highly functional. Sometimes I’ll put a time in the block of color, or I’ll put the initial of a family member who has something going on (extracurriculars, for example).

Download my FREE Colorblock Event Stickers Here

They’re simple, but I’ve come to realize that it’s just my style. I hope you enjoy them!

Catching Up

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Carol — No Comments ↓

Once again, life has gotten busy! You know how it goes. Oh my goodness, where to even start? It’s not like too much has been going on. Just lots of everyday life kind of stuff. Over the last week I’ve been busy with copywriting work, which has been wonderful! At this time of year a little extra money is definitely welcome.

I’ve also gone a little crazy with some new Erin Condren orders (thanks to referral credits)! Last month they had an amazing sale — 25% off anything on their website. I had been thinking about purchasing a horizontal planner to use as a daily journal, so I went for it. Now maybe your’e thinking, Carol, didn’t you buy a horizontal back in June, then decide to sell it? And you would be right. I immediately regretted it, but the deal was already done. So, after thinking long and hard I decided to purchase another one. I also picked up a couple new covers and extra folders.

My other purchase, just yesterday morning, was the new hourly planner. I am really looking forward to this for 2016! Earlier in the year, there was a customer survey with several possible changes. An hourly planner was one of them, and I was all for it! I’m looking to simplify my planning, so this should work well. I absolutely love my washi and stickers, but I’m craving a little more order, especially as our family gets busier. So I’ll save my crazy decorating for my journal and keep it simple in my planner. At least that’s the plan.

A photo posted by Carol Bancroft (@carolwrites) on Nov 10, 2015 at 12:26pm PST

Of course, I’m also thinking about my favorite holiday — Thanksgiving! It kind of snuck up on me this year. Hard to believe it is next week! Once again, I’ll be happily hosting it. I need to start my list of dishes and hit the grocery store.

The kids are great. Report cards should be out any day now, and judging by the work they have brought home I have no worries at all! Laura started Daisy Scouts and seems to love it. Of course, two of her best friends are also Daisies, so I’m sure that has something to do with it 😉

This morning I went for a mammogram. Oh, the joys of getting older! I suppose it’s a rite of passage for a 40-year-old woman, though — right? It actually wasn’t horrible, and I know it’s so important. Everything is normal, so it was nice to leave the appointment knowing that. Plus I got to wear this awesome “spa” robe, LOL!

Otherwise, I’m just doing my thing! I have to get back to a couple crochet projects I started. I’ve just been tired at night and zoning out in front of the TV. The time change earlier this month kicked me on my rear, like it always does.

Well, I ought to attack the three overflowing laundry baskets that are currently staring me down. Oh! And if you’re a tea lover, be sure to check back tomorrow. I have a review going up that I think you’ll enjoy! Have a great day!

Life Planner Launch Day!

Posted on June 9, 2015 by Carol — No Comments ↓

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Erin Condren products. Up until now I have never gotten in on all the excitement of “launch day.” However, with the new horizontal layout option that’s available, I couldn’t help but jump on it!

My current Life Planner goes until the end of the year, and I don’t plan on giving that one up. I’m going to continue using that one to keep track of my family’s schedule and I’m going to use my brand new, shiny, horizontal LP as a journal and personal goals planner. So do you want to know which design I picked?

I have admired the foil planners in years past, but never really felt the need to have one. But this year? With personalization in metallic foil too? Oh yes! I had to have it. I fell in love with this color (peacock), and the decision was pretty easy. I can’t wait to get it — you can be sure that I’ll share every detail with you!

In the meantime, if you’re considering an EC Planner, you can sign up for an account using my referral link. You’ll get an e-mail with a coupon code for $10 off your first purchase of anything on her site. I’ve always been happy with the Erin Condren products I’ve ordered, and this will be my fifth Life Planner, so I feel good recommending it as an organization tool!