Handmade Day Planner/Life Organizer/ Day Runner

I'm back!  This time, with something a little different, okay, maybe a lot different.  Some handmade projects (well the first of two I will be sharing currently).  And I have to say that I am very very very proud of this one - although it is a prototype, and will be going through improvements the next go around. What is this lovely project you may be asking yourself.  Well..........

TADA!  Can you guess what it is?  I was very proud of myself, this cover was made by my hands, I took pices of chipboard cut to the dimensions that I wanted, and then adhered to a beautiful shopping bag that I received from a LSS when I purchased supplies months ago (I recycle everything, that how I ended up with the ever so enduring nickname "Little Indian" from my husband).  Also, the cool thing about this..... It has a plastic cover on it, to protect it from getting ripped, beat up in my purse, and wet (any guesses as to what it may be?)  How about another clue:

Any guesses?  Okay I'll just tell you!  I made my own planner!  This is what it looks like when I open it

On the right side is the organizer, and the left side, is a mini brag book - primarily because people always ask me about my husband, want to know what he looks like, you know the drill.  And I never have photos!  Cardinal sin of a scrapbooker really.  Here is what the left side looks like

Really it is a six page mini album incorporated into my Day Ruiner Runner.  I was also able to use up a good portion of my stash in this project which was a plus.  And the right side:

 I planned it so that when you open it, you get a whole month view for the year, where I can put special dates, vacations, etc.  Once you flip through that, before you get to the weekly spread, you get this page to the left.  It has holes I cut into it, where I slipped a split pack of sticky notes, and some place markers.  Very useful for a day planer may I add.  I got the idea from Kathy Orta, she has a tutorial on her Ustream, but the sample item is found here.

After this little holder page, you come to the weekly planner part.  I created the planner pages and printed them at home after looking at several examples and picking out what would and would not work for me and then combining what would work for me.  Each week is a two page spread - the left side is the date/appointment keeper, and the right side is a to-do list style for each day of the week.  I also have places to put notes. Jot things down whatever. 

And this everyone, is my super awesome day planner.  Overall dimensions are made to fit 8.5x11 pages - which is what my planning pages are.  The mini book on the left side is slightly smaller in order to fight nicely inside.  The overall book dimensions are 9 W x 11.5 L x 1.5 D.  And honestly, the only thing that I can say is that this planner rocks, and I am so proud of myself for making it entirely with my own two hands.  Scrapbooking Industry 2, Scrapbooker 1, Day Runner Company 0.

Again, if you want tutorials, love what you're seeing, leave some love and let me know!  I always appreciate comments, they warm my little beating heart!


Supplies:  DCWV, Tim Holtz, Chatterbox Inc (Patterned Paper); Bazzill (Cardstock); Martha Stewart Scoreboard; EK Success, Stampin Up!, Spellbinders Labels and Nestabilities (Punches, labels); Stampin Up! Butterfly Prints (Stamps); Basic Grey (Rubons); Me and My Big Ideas (Dimensional Embellies); Binding (Zutter)

Mini Album Scraps Stick Pin Swap - My First Stick Pin Creations

By now, you all know.  I love Swaps.  So here is another swap, which I joined at Mini Album Scraps - which in case you are wondering, is a Disney World for papercrafters.  Seriously, so many beautiful and unique projects put together by some of the most talented ladies ever!  They are friendly, open, and welcoming.  And the best part: such clear and precise rules that are easy to follow which enhance your swapping experience.  Why do I put that there, well because if you have swapped at all, there is always the christmas grinch who ruins it for everyone.  (Off my soap box and shout out).  They are hosting a stick pin swap, and I have never done stick pins, and although I am unsure of what I will be using them on, I wanted to do it, so, I did.  And here is what I came up with!

Supplies: Krazy Glue (Adhesive); Corsage pins (Pin); Beads

Aren't they beautiful?!?!  I just loved how they turned out.  Just so pretty, Very simple, I know, and I have plans of more elaboration in the future, but nonetheless, I like how they turned out.  And as part of the swap, they needed to come with packaging:

The matchbook, I made by cutting a 3/5 Inch x12 inch piece of paper and then scoring at to have a half inch thickness (I placed foam in the inside below the snowflake border to place my pins in).  The snow flakes were put on a piece of acetate and then cut to fit in the window.  Fun, simple project that was really enjoyable.  If you would like a tutorial on the packaging, please leave comments and let me know!

Supplies: Making Memories, DCWV (Patterned Paper); Bazzill (Cardstock); EK Success Snowflake border, Marvy Uchida Snowflake, Carl Snowflake, EK Success Snowflake, Spellbinders Mitten Shapes, Spellbinders Label Four Die, Carl Tree (Punches); Unity Stamp Co (Stamp); Stamin Up! (Ink)

Quick Mini Project: My Version of the Sizzix Index Folder Die and Index Card Keeper

I like to follow blogs and company releases - mainly to fuel my addiction.  Well, this next project is the sample of utility and feeding my addiction.  If you are a fan of Sizzix (Like myself) you will have noticed that they are releasing a new scoreboard die - The Sizzix Scoreboards XL Die - Index Folder.  Yummo.   I NEEDED this die, Like badly, I hadn't even noticed that this little guy has not been released yet.  So I went looking, and was able to figure it out on my own using my handy dandy Martha Stewart Scoreboard.  I made a few changes so that there were holders on each side of the box (so the index cards would not fall out).  Now the reason why I needed this?  As some of you may know, my hubby and I are doing very long distance at the moment - I have started my PhD work, and he is finishing his military service.  So, while on my break, I will be joining him, and at his request, so should his favorite recipes that I make.  I DO NOT want to carry a huge photo box of recipes to and from our current states of residence.... just the favorites.  You know his favorite cookies, dishes, and the holiday must haves.  But at the same time, I wanted to be able to keep them together.  Voila, this was born:

I absolutely love the way it turned out!  But, I will be honest with you, I added the Patterned Paper, AFTER I have cut out and scored the blue paper.  This would work SOOO much better if you adhered them together (Or even used a single sheet of Double Sided) then did the scoring and all that.  Also, one of the benefits of the Sizzix Scoreboard dies, is they are meant to work with heavier materials (such as chipboard) that I was not able to do with this.  So eventhough I found a cheapy way of doing it, I will still be investing into the Die when it comes out.  Why you say?  Well I get lots of requests for my recipes - generally from the same people.  And although I protect my family recipes, this would be a great little inexpensive gift!

(If you would like a tutorial on this, please leave comments and let me know!)

Supplies:  Pink Paislee (Patterned Paper); Bazzill, Joanns (Cardstock); Stampin Up! (Ink); Spellbinders Labels Twenty-One, Labels 5 (Diecuts); Bleeding Cowboy (Font)

The continuation of my Swapping Addiction: Toilet Paper (TP) Mini Albums

You may not be able to tell yet, but I am addicted to swapping.  After the stockings I created, I decided to join more swaps, and more swaps, and more swaps.  This next share, came from an online forum community I like to hang out at - Scrapjazz.  I have been here for years, I feels like almost an eternity really (and not in a bad way).  Anyway, one of the awesome ladies over there, decided to organize a TP mini album swap (Thankyou Lindsay such a great idea!).  I didn't really have a use for a TP mini album, but the idea sounded like so much fun, that I just could not resist!  We were matched with partners, and all of them had the same theme "Favorite Things" - each album was different as they were based on the preferences of the partner - My partner was Lindsay.  She likes the colors Black and Pink - and this is what I came up with:

The nice part of this project: EVERYTHING was from my stash and scraps - seriously, I did not have to crack a single piece of brand new unused paper or other supplies.  If you have lots of scrap paper you want to use up, I suggest making TP mini albums.  Not to mention that you get to repurpose those TP rolls that you just through away.  Seriously, I'm pretty sure I am hooked on this whole swapping thing.  It is a Blast.  And to give a little shout out to my partner (Virginia) who sent me mine (which I LOVE) here are some more beautiful TP mini album pictures:

 I am in LOVE with that handmade flower, it's gorgeous! and Pretty!

 Isn't that Owl just the cutest?  I love it!

 Love those tags!  They all look the same, and they ALL look perfect.

My Very First Swap

Hello ladies,

I am here to share my experience with you of my first swap.  I realize that some of you may be pros at Swaps, and some of you may be wondering what I am talking about (like I was).  And some may even think "swaps aren't for me" which is what I thought!  But I'm pretty sure that I am hooked!  It's a great way to meet other crafters from everywhere really, and find uses for all those fun little paper crafty things you want to do but don't because you aren't sure if is useful or not!  Well the swaps make it useful!  I go turned onto swapping by a good friend of mine, Nichole - who is a very very very talented Stampin Up! demo, her work is just beautiful and I always admire the things she makes especially for swaps.  Every time we get together, I am excited to see what she it working on.  So I decided I wanted to try swapping, because really, anything she does it awesome and try worth in my book.  This decision lead to these:

Supplies: DCWV Holiday Collection The Christmas Stack, GCD Animal Fanatic, Bazzill (Paper); Stampin Up! (Ink), Spellbinders (Label); Simplicity Halloween Trim (Fur Top); Stampin Up! Tags Til Christmas (Stamp)

I have been dying to make these forever really, I love them and have had a similar idea for ages, but simply did not want to go through the trouble of designing it myself.  The template was created by Claire Brennan and can be found here.  Because I was lazy, I converted it to an SVG file to cut with my Cricut and Sure Cuts a Lot - took a little more work, but a lot less by hand cutting! And here is the inside

Scrappy Area

As some of you know, the past few months have been months on transition and stalled transition.  A move from our little home, to my mothers, to California all within a 4 month frame.  I can honestly say that my little bit of scrappy heaven space has suffered greatly. I've gone to my own room, to an unused room, and a shared space.  This particular photo was taken mid crafting between projects.  It's not ideal, but it is still a crafty and creative space.  The best part.... that bookcase.  I'll be honest, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the expedit cubbie bookcase.  It's got some nice design elements, but I can put all my stuff into boxes and straight into the cubbies creating a streamlined clean look.  Heaven.

Major Life Changes

That's Right.  I've started school again, and with that has come some mixed emotions and feelings.  It's been nice to have a year off.  Scrapping every day, seeing my man everyday, being unstructured and unscheduled.  But, not all things last forever, and back to structure, separation, limited time.  I'll be honest, I prefer this way of life much more.... if I only had more time for scrappy fun and paper play.  I know.... It's not like I'm good at keeping up on posting anyway.  But, I do want to be.  Really.  But, Time. Is. Limited.  Very Limited.  I have been giving this much thought, and although I fall asleep at my books regularly, and often have candy and redbull by my side for instant energy.... I still want scrappy and paper play to be part of my regular life.  And I love sharing with you all, even if I do not do it very much.  Sharing my creations with others and getting ideas from others for new creations, bring me joy, and my small and growing family joy.  It's good times all around.  So, I did what I am good at.  Research.  Lots of it.  And More of It.  And my conclusion:

It is possible to have both an active craft life and an over active academic life.  Hopefully, I have found a system that will work for me.  The solution.  Scheduled Posts.  Oh. My. Goodness.  This will change my life.  Stay tuned for more!.