Studio 5 Contributor Kelly Brown shows five ways to plan, track and journal your summer fun.
It’s almost summertime, and I am planning for a fun-filled season! With so many exciting things to accomplish in a few short months, planning and goal setting are vital. I’ve long been a fan of the “bucket list” concept, and creating a summer bucket list helps motivate me towards meeting my goals and having a memorable summer.
A summer bucket list can have a theme, or be completely random. Here are some fun ideas for creating your own bucket list for this year:
Destinations to visit
Books to read
Activities to try
Festivals/Parades to attend
Chores to get done
Projects to complete
People to visit School Stuff (learn times tables or read 5 new words, etc)
Recipes to try
Once you’ve decided on your list, creating a fun chart to track your progress will encouraged you and your family along the way. Of course, this is the best part…making an adorable décor item with function is always inspiring!
Here are five fun, creative ways to track your summer bucket list:
Bucket of Summer Fun: This simple idea goes back to the bucket list basics! To create this tracker, start with a small colorful metal bucket (I got mine from the dollar store). Print each of your bucket list goals on a piece of coordinating colored paper and cut the goals into strips (about 1/4×2.5″ in size). Adhere goals to the flat side of clothespins with a tape runner or good adhesive. Add patterned paper strips in the same size to the opposite side of clothes pins so that both sides are covered. Add ribbon or other embellishments as desired. Use sticker letters to label your bucket. You can also add tags or additional embellishments to dress up your bucket. Attach decorated clothespins around the top of your bucket, as goals are completed during the summer, remove the clothespins and place them in the bucket. By the end of the summer, your bucket will be full of the fun you’ve had!
Single Theme Bucket: If you’ve created a themed bucket list, this is a great solution to track your progress. The best part is… it is a breeze to create! All you need is a pail or bucket (mine was $1.49 at Michaels), a tag or title, ribbon, and something to represent your theme. You can fill your bucket with books to read, sheets of school work to complete, crafty project pieces, gardening tools to use, ingredients for recipes to try, etc. Each time you want to accomplish a goal, pull an item out of your bucket and get to it. By the end of the summer, your bucket should be empty.
Pin-able Summertime Wall Hanging: If you’re looking for a way to chart your bucket list progress that will make a big statement in your home, this is the project for you. Follow these simple steps to create this interactive chart:
1. Spray paint a large cork board. You will need to apply several coats because the cork absorbs the paint. Allow the board to dry well. For a distressed look, rub the edges of the board with the sharp edge of a ruler to flake off some paint.
2. Cut patterned paper (I used My Mind’s Eye’s brand new line) into sixteen 4×6 rectangles. Distress the edges of each paper by rubbing a dark ink pad along the edge.
3. Print or handwrite goals on solid cardstock and cut to 1.75×3.75. Leave an area to write the date when the goal is completed. Attach goals to patterned paper using adhesive.
4. Attach 4×6 goal cards to cork using basic tacks in each corner.
5. Decorate the board as desired with a title, ribbons, embellishments, buttons, etc.
6. Take a picture or journal about each goal as it is completed. Cut the picture/journaling spot to 3.75×4 and adhere it to the coordinating goal card.
7. When the summer is over, you can compile goal cards into a summer mini book. The board can be reused for years to come!
Sheet Pan Chart: Make your summer plans “pan out” with this customizable chart. Start with a basic cookie sheet (make sure your magnets will adhere) and add patterned paper and embellishments as desired. Make it over-the-top or keep it simple, personalize it for your needs. Print goals on coordinating cardstock and adhere each goal to a magnetic strip. Start with all of your goals in the “to do” column and move them to the “did it” column as they are completed. You can display your chart on an easel or hang it with a decorative ribbon.
Waterfall Envelope Memento Keeper: If you want to go beyond the basic check off chart and really record your summer, this chart will do just that. It can be created using any top-flap envelope. Adhere patterned paper to the front of each envelope and then attached envelopes together so that flaps are open and easy to access. Connect envelopes together using colorful brads or staples. For a fun
decorative look, you can sew or staple strips of folded ribbon into the edges as well. Print goals on paper strips and adhere them to each individual envelope, then as goals are completed, fill the envelope with mementos, journaling cards, tickets, or photos from the event. At the end of the summer, you can remove the brads and assemble the envelopes into a summer flip book of memories!
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