It feels really good to start off the new year by art journaling in the Hobonichi. The format of the Hobonichi Techo and the constant reminder to put in something wonderful each day really helps give a sense of purpose in keeping this journal.

To recap, this is a A6 Hobonichi Techo English Planner. Although it lack the detailed timeline bar, the check boxes on top, and has a different type of format from the Japanese Techo version, I feel that this layout allows more blank spaces for writing and drawing.

I wanted to start this year with a bang, so I figured I’d buy a lottery ticket to test my luck. Well, if I had won, this ticket won’t be stuck to this page now ;). I love cutting out cute pictures from beautiful brochures and flyers, especially in the city of Taipei where there are many artists showing off their trade.

Another popular thing among Hobonichi Users is to find out your “word of the year” from the Hobonichi Website. Clicking on the image will display a word that represents you and the usage of the Hobonichi Techo!

Mine is “白”, which means “white” or “blank space”. It represents endless possibilities and urges me to put in things that amuses me or enlightens me into my journal! The Japanese word “面白そう” also has this Kanji in it, which means “interesting” or “amusing” things.

I love painting small doodles of what I ate using watercolor. The Hobonichi techo has also become a notebook where I write down quotes I really like. It’s a place where I wanted to put in everything that is special to me. And I know I can always refer back to it and find tidbits of amusing entries each time I re-read it.

I continue to put down washi tape samples into the journal. Each washi tape will eventually run out, and I really want to preserve the initial strips of it for my own admiration.

Well, here is the end of part 1 of my January flip through! I will be sharing part 2 soon and also start introducing my favorite pen tools I use in my hobonichi! Please feel free to comment and let me know what else you’d like to read about~

Stripey the Grey Striped bear Craftholic Pencil case says “bye”~