My Notebook :: 07.29.11

What I'm reading (& pinning) today:

Martha Stewart :: Beautify a Bulletin Board

Martha Stewart :: Trash Course: A Recycling Station {printable}

Martha Stewart :: Birthday Chart {printable}

Thirty Handmade Days :: Pity Party 47

 

Etsy Store Updates & Addition

As I just posted on the previous entry, I have added an online deals purchased log to my Etsy store.

I have also updated all documents in the store with nicer, matching color schemes. The multi-document packs that are available all match now. I was inspired by design-seeds color palettes and have used some as inspiration to color coordinate my printables.

I also wanted to give official credit (although there is a link at the bottom of the blog and in my Etsy store) to the blog I get my fonts from: Fonts for Peas. All of their handwritten fonts are available for free download and can be used freely with credit given.

New Free Printable: Online Deals Purchased Log

I purchase deals online all of the time. Deals from sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc. that you have to print, always have expiration dates. Usually they expire within 6 months to a year...and sometimes in even less time. It's hard to keep track of everything that I've printed and make sure that I use it before it expires.

I created a printable form to keep track of these deals. I have one version that's really basic that you can download for free here. I have also updated all of the other free printables that I have available for download (except the calendar) with matching fonts and color scheme. Check them out on the free printables page.

I have also created a more "advanced" log that you can purchase from my Etsy store. It comes in vertical or horizontal (your choice) and is set up by month. I am currently using the horizontal document (see picture at very bottom of my example that I'm using in my home management binder). This makes it easy to see what deals are expiring in the up coming months.

My Notebook :: 07.28.11

What I'm reading (& pinning) today:

Young House Love :: Squaring Off

Delightful Order :: Delightfully Inspiring Thursday

eighteen25 :: fab fonts

House of Hepworths :: Hookin Up with HoH #59

Life with the Ellwoods :: Alphabet Wall Picture Gallery

Made by Meech :: Decoupage Metal Star

My Notebook :: 07.27.11

What I'm reading (& pinning) today:

Handy Man, Crafty Woman :: Wicked Awesome Wednesday

House of Hepworths :: I swear, I just wanted to move the TV!

Sunny Side Up :: Get Out the Door List

Young House Love :: House Crashing: Style for Miles

320 Sycamore :: penny tile cabinet backs {how-to}

iHeart Organizing :: Reader Space: Jenna's Drool Worthy Entry

mom & wife :: Passion & Success Poster {printable}

Pinterest Inspired Project: DIY Address Book

Everyone back in Pennsylvania has had an address update over the last few years and my old address book was beginning to look ragged. I really wanted another Real Simple Address Book, but I can't find them anywhere. I bought mine at Target a few years ago, and they no longer carry them. I've been searching for a new address book for the last few months and can't find anything I like. So I became inspired on Pinterest and found this DIY address book tutorial from i love it all.

DIY address book by Monika @ i love it all

I tried to take pictures of the whole process, but I'm so terrible at getting it all. I get too into the project that I'm doing and always forget to take pictures.

Here are the supplies I used:

• self-created address book pages, inspired by Monika @ i love it all
• scrapbook paper
• scrapbook alphabet stickers
• chipboard sheets
• Mod Podge
• wire cutter
• owire
• Zutter Bind-It-All
• guillotine paper trimmer
• corner rounder tool
• foam paint brush

Step One: cut all of the pieces of paper you're using down to size. I wanted my book to be 8" x 8" on the inside and cut the cover a little bit bigger than the pages.

Step Two: use the corner rounder tool to round all papers and chipboards.

Step Three: use Mod Podge to adhere scrapbook paper to chipboard for covers.

Step Four: cut scrapbook paper and adhere scrapbook alphabet letters for title of book. Glue to cover.

Step Five: use Zutter Bind-It-All to cut holes for the owire to go through and then to close the binding.

Step Six: place alphabet stickers on divider pages to indicate the last name letters behind the dividers. I also stapled ribbon along the tops of the dividers to use as tabs. Just something different.

Not super hard, but time consuming for sure. My address book didn't come out as I expected, but with it being my first time using all of my new tools, I'm happy. My pages aren't all lined up and my divider pages aren't all the same size. Oh well...I suppose that gives it character. =]

My Notebook :: 07.26.11

What I'm reading (& pinning) today:

Martha Stewart :: Make Your Own Pet ID Tags

a bowl full of lemons :: Tuesday link party ~ One project at a time... (ORGANIZATION)

Little Lucy Lu :: Mom Cave Command Center

Tip Junkie :: Tip Me Tuesday - Homemade Projects

My Thirty-One Organizing Utility Tote

If you've been following my blog for awhile now, then you probably know I live an apartment. It's only one bedroom, so I don't have an office. As soon as I get a second bedroom, that's what we're turning into. So until then I'm using a "portable office".

A few months ago my mom went to a Thirty-One party. She asked if I wanted anything -- umm, yes please! I had seen on iHeart Organizing and A bowl full of lemons how Jen and Toni use their Thirty-One Organizing Utility Tote.

While I have my mail station and my filing cabinet, I needed something mobile for my home management binder, address book, planner, etc. I loved Jen's idea of putting an open-top file box (the medium size from The Container Store) in the tote to give it a sturdy hold for everything I need to tote around.

(You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.)

Want to see what's in my bag?

The files I have are:

• printables: blank printables that I've created for my Etsy store and have printed to take pictures of. I use all of my printables, so I store them in this file until I'm ready to use it.
• daily plan: blank copies of my daily plan printable -- I don't like to hole punch them because I use them on a clipboard, not in my home management binder.
• to-do lists: these are my filed out to-do lists which are sometimes on a clipboard, but not always unless I'm working on checking things off.
• blog: anything blog related
• blank tab: not sure why it's in the middle or what I'm going to put there yet.
• check it out: when I go through magazines every month (which I unfortunately get a million of...it's truly an addiction) I always have a piece of paper next to me so I can jot down anything I want to check out online or wherever. I then place the paper in this file so I can check it all out when I have the time.
• scan: pages from home & school magazines that I tear out and scan onto my computer in a PDF document to keep for later reference.
• create: anything I find that I want to create
• buy: things that I want to buy
• paper: blank lined paper

I also have my:

• home management binder
• address book (which I'll show you tomorrow...I just made one myself)
• BusyBodyBook planner
• clipboard
• home/storage magazines that need to be gone through

In the front pockets I have colorful markers, scissors, Scotch Precision Cutter (love this for cutting out magazine pages), label maker, stapler.

In one of the mesh side pockets I have tape, extra label tape, and double-stick adhesive. The other mesh pocket is empty for now.

In the back pockets I have Post-It notes, page flags, rubber bands, and binder clips.

I absolutely love my Thirty-One Organizing Utility Tote. It's super durable and comes in such fun patterns. My next Thirty-One purchase will definitely be the Fold-and-Go Organizer. (And now through August 31 everything is 15% off!) Want to purchase some sweet Thirty-One merch? You can shop through my new friend and Thirty-One consultant, Jessica Wright.

This post is not compensated in any way. I wrote it because I wanted to, not because I was asked to by anyone. =]