I have had a few emails/PM’s regarding this planner that I made a few months ago. I thought my tutorial this month would be the perfect time to give some specifics and encourage you to create one of your own. It’s a very simple project – but I just hope that I inspire you to run with the CONCEPT of it. I think it’s an idea that truly sets you up for success.
Supplies:
10 pieces cardboard
The amount of pieces is up to you. My planner has a total of 10 pages. One cover, One for every two months, one for postcards, one for anniversary, and one for just because cards. If you didn’t want your planner to share a page amongst months – then you could always add as many pages as you want. If you don’t have lots of dates to send cards for – you could triple up the months. Completely your call.
Paint & Paintbrush
Scraps @ least the size of your album in length.
Monthly Calendar w/Lines (PDF from yours truly available)
Index Prints
Adhesive
Pen
A few embellishments to add here and there
The painful truth is that we all forget birthdays. We have. If you say you haven’t then either A) you are lying or B) you are my husband’s grandmother who in the 13 years I’ve known her has never missed a family member’s birthday. EVER.
She inspired me to create this planner. I remember having an organizer back in high school that was similar to this. It was by this artist Marjolene Bastin who drew the cutest little fuzzy bumblebees. (off subject sorry) So, using that idea – I decided to make one a little hipper, a little cooler, and a lot more personal.
Gather the Dates (Birthdays & Anniversaries, etc):
Think of the obvious ones. Your spouse, boyfriend, parents, children, best friend etc.
Reach out and find them. Send out a mass email to everyone you would actually want to mail a card to. Don't be embarrassed or shy - just be honest. Let them know that while you may have sucked in the past @ remembering birthdays...you now have a solution to not only remember but to be on time. When racking your brain for "who" to send this mass email to - think family, friends, work buddies, your spouse's work buddies, Internet friends, your children's teacher/coach *Don't forget to ask for anniversaries and/or their children's birthdays if applicable.
Start a list - categorized by month of all the birthdays/anniversaries that you remember and that you requested via email. As the individuals respond, jot the date down next to their name. If they don't respond do your best to @ least remember the month, and make a special note of it. This would also be a nice time to update your address book - and ask them for their address as well. I mean it doesn't really look to snazzy if you remember their birthday, make/buy the card, then go to mail it and realize you have to email them or call them for their address. Just go ahead and knock that out too!
Gather Photos – Using the list of people that will be listed in your planner – print some photos of them to add a personal feel to your planner. I used the software that coordinates with my printer to print my images. I chose a size that is a tiny bit bigger than index prints, and I was able to print them all at one time. This is something you can be getting together while compiling all the names and dates.
You don’t have to print BRAND NEW photos – go through all those index prints you have in your photos from getting them printed. Cut some of those out…
Most likely you will not have room for photos of ALL the individuals listed in your planner. So go with the fun ones. Your favorites. (favorite photos, not people. The people should be loved equally)
*Just think all this hard work will serve as a quick reference for all your Christmas cards this year. You did promise you would get them out earlier this year right? Heck - I promise to get them out @ ALL this year.
Choose a Size
I personally recommend at least 8x8 – since this is going to be a home for cards. If you have an album that you have yet to use – or that could use a major makeover, go with that. I used http://www.fontwerks.com/Store/view_product.php?product=ch-846&cat_id=17 Fontwerks 8x8 album.
Thick cardboard – or even the 12x12 cardboard would work perfectly. I have been told some scrapbook stores have an ABUNDANCE of these – and I’m sure would be willing to give them to you for free or at an extremely reasonable price. It is often times in your online scrapbook orders too – to keep the paper from getting bent.
If needed cut pages down to the size of your choice.
Paint the Cardboard
But before painting, consider possible themes you might want to go with. You might want to go with a traditional calendar feel. February = red & pink, October = orange March = Green…
When gathering your patterned paper consider that theme as well. You could even go with a numbers theme – and use all your number paper/stamps.
With the cardboard pages, you will simply paint them in the color of your choice. (Round the corners of the cardboard if you like!
After you’ve painted the cardboard – choose one for your cover and you can embellish that in the end. The reason I say at the end, is so that you are able to work with the other side freely without fear of damaging your cover.
Create Pockets
Arrange your painted cardboard pages in the order that your book will go in.
Gather your patterned paper and coordinate it with the colors/months and decide what will go where.
Adhere the patterned papers (whether they were scraps you want to use up) or brand new paper you have been dying to use. Cover at least half of the cardboard so that it can support the cards properly. You can round the top two corners to give it a folder look – or leave them as they are.
(i apologize PROFUSELY for this HIDEOUS photo - but I know you get the idea)
Use the adhesive method of your choice all the way around the edges EXCEPT FOR THE TOP. The more closely you stick to the sides – the more room you will have inside your pocket.
When choosing the method of adhering your paper to make the pockets take into consideration that you want to make this nice and durable. I myself am a staple girl. Its easy, quick, stronger and a lot cheaper than adhesive. But a nice strong double sided tape will work just as well.
Since my album was pre-made – it came with the three holes punched and three jump rings. I chose to use only the top jump ring because it didn’t move properly – it was stiff – and I wanted to be able to flip it over easily while adding things. Decide what is best for you and your planner.
You cool girls with a bind it all machine could totally use that on this bad boy. It would be perfect.
Make it a goal that every time you sit down to scrapbook, you make at least ONE card with the leftover scraps from the page or project you were working on.
The cool thing is that I can add cards that I make into it at anytime...that way when the first of the month comes and its time to send cards - they are ready and waiting on me.
YAY ME.
(said in my best London Tipton voice)
My children and I have mail night at least once a month. We live 10 hours away from 95% of our families and friends. So we have to set this time aside for communicating with our loved ones. Its not enough to THINK about them. We have to make it real. So, during mail night, I review my planner for the upcoming month and make cards or write a letter to the people I have listed. I add a stamp and IMMEDIATELY put them in the mailbox. (If not right then, the next morning) Consider it done. Not only DONE, but on time. If you want to complete the card/letter, stamp it – and put it back in the coordinating month and send it closer to the time – you could do that to. Just don’t be like the old Ashley and create the card, write the message, stick a stamp on it – and never mail it…because let me tell you – your best friend won’t want to hear it.
Add the calendar + Fill in the Blanks
Now that this planner is starting to come together with the painted pages – and pockets, you need to add your calendars.
If you are using the PDF file that I have provided for you – simply print those out and attach them with their designated page/pocket.
I have the word document that I used to create this. Its is very basic – but I will gladly email it to you if you like so you can make adjustments to cater to your style/direction.
Just a thought:
List the due dates of your expecting friends in pencil so you are aware of that fast approaching date. You can be ahead of the game on a shower gift/card. Once the baby is born – be sure to update your planner in pen to show baby’s birthday!
Now, get a nice pen – and fill in those dates.
Include the Photos
Whether you printed a page full of fresh index prints – or decided to use some that were already printed and on hand – cut those out and place them on the pocket of the month they belong to.
Use your stash and add some fun stuff. Add cupcakes or candle stamps. Star stickers. Anything in your stash - make it yours. Make it fun. You will be the one looking at it - do your thing.
Make a Home for Stamps
Using a clear pocket from an old Dayrunner– I created a spot for stamps on the back. Again – another step that will eliminate any possible excuses for not mailing these cards and letters!
Additional Photos:
As always - if you have any questions - or need me to explain anything further feel free to ask!
Product Suggestions:
http://www.sistvboutique.com/product_p/563.html
http://www.fontwerks.com/Store/view_product.php?product=ch-846&cat_id=17
http://www.kimemories.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=ShopKI.ProductDetails&productid=4424
LOVE
Posted by: Courtney DeLaura | October 09, 2008 at 09:47 AM
you are SO a mind reader...I was just thinking Ineeded one of these. Where can I buy one of those birthday reminders, I wondered? DUH I can make one! OMG GENIUS
Posted by: Judean | October 09, 2008 at 02:54 PM
this is awesome! I want to make one now!!!
Can someone post the link to the finished original planner?I'd go to your gallery, but I don't know who posted this! LOL.
Posted by: Kimmy | October 16, 2008 at 12:11 AM
I absolutely love this idea. I am one that always forgets to send cards! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Katie | November 25, 2008 at 11:12 AM