Christmas file folder planner

I'm planning ahead for Christmas this year and want to make most of the gifts I give. I decided to make some of these Christmas file folder planners - limiting myself to things I have on hand. The idea has been around for awhile and they are very easy to make.

I ended up using some of my favorite papers and snowman sticker but I'm OK with it because I know these will get some use. I left mine fairly simple because I'm planning on them being a purse planner.

Here's all three planners:


I embellished the front of one:


The inside of the stripped cover:


The inside of the ornament cover:


The inside of the green cover:


If this has inspired you to create your own planner, please leave us a comment and a link to your blog.

I'm off to decide which planner I want to keep. I had an idea but I love them all!

Included below are the instructions and where I found the calendar & page inserts.

Instructions:
1) Use a two pocket folder without the three ring holder. Mine had the three ring holder but it was stapled in so I gently took it out.
2) Optional: I chose to make my folder shorter so I took off about 2 in at the top. I went just above the top staple - my folder has 3 staples.
3) Fold the folder open so that the outside's are touching and the pockets are out.
4) Find the mid point of one pocket side and gently score from the top of the folder to the bottom. Do the same thing on the other side.
5) On one pocket side, fold so that the outside edge meets the middle of the folder. Repeat for the second pocket.
6) Attach a ribbon or string to the original outside edges of the folder. This will be used to tie the folder closed.
7) Cover the folder, outside and in with your favorite papers. I used a glue stick, others have used glue, mod podge or other adhesives.

I chose to line the inside of the folder with one sheet of paper and not do the pockets. A lot of people line the inside of each pocket and the pockets with different coordinating papers.

I found the calendar and other sheets at Organized Christmas. I trimmed 1/2 in off each side and the bottom. Leaving the 1/2 in at the top so that I could fold over my colored paper. I trimmed the white sheets to three inches across. I made the colored backing 4 x 9 inches and folded over a 1/2 so the total height is 8.5 in. I used brads to hold everything together. I recommend flat brads or staples - I didn't use those and it's a little bulky at the top.

Iowa county fair

This year I decided to enter some items in the community section of the county fair. I took two pictures and two scrapbook pages that were judged together. I was pretty happy with my results considering I've never had anything judged.



The red matted picture of Buddie had a comment of "nicely presented Blue". At first I wasn't going to enter this picture because he had the doggie hollow eye but I love the pic. I'm glad the judges could see past that.

The ornament picture had a comment of "no center of interest red". Whatever I love the picture and will enjoy having it on my wall during the holiday season.

The scrapbook pages had a comment of "good craftsmanship well done Blue" I think these were the only scrapbook pages entered so the comment made me happy. Plus I had 2 things that were cut over both pages.

All in all it was an interesting experience. Next year I will be more particular about the pictures I take if I take any. I really want a pink ribbon so I need to research what's needed to get that. Hopefully I can plan ahead. =)

Forget Stella, Martha got her groove back...

I'm feeling a bit like Momma Bear from Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  This morning when I went into the craft room and started working, I discovered many of my assorted adhesives were bone dry.  Hmmm, I haven't made anything in a long time, how could that be?  Oh yes, my birthday last week...and I received many beautiful handmade cards from my family.  Oh well:  twas for a good cause (and like any good crafter, I had refills handy...the men just don't know how to change an empty roll.  See, you thought that just happened in the bathroom.  Nope, it happens everywhere!)

This first card is one I was "hired" to make.  That's something I've started to do for friends:  they need a specialty card?  They ask me and I make one.  I've not decided how to charge for this.  So far, we've been working on a bartering economy and it seems to be working just fine.  Buzz is apparently entering the battle of his life:  cancer.  ENOUGH I say, enough with this blasted disease!
These cards are creations of my own challenge.  I decided rather than put away the supplies that were sitting in my scrap basket of leftovers, I would just use what was there.  Most, if not all, were from a CTMH set called Perfect Day.  The base colors are pastel and a bit too "blah" for my own personal preferences (I prefer more of the earthy tones).  But I do like how they turned out.



Oh no, the children have found me...I guess that's it for today.  But just like Arnold, I'll be BAAAAAACK I promise!