Kitted Out!

Recently, I shared some tips and techniques for Creating DIY Planner Kits From Your Own Stash, with Amy and Jenn over at the Planner Squad. Over the last week, I've finally had the time to sit down and make something with the kit that I created and I am thrilled with the results. Want to see?

The base for the kit was a small ring-binder, which came with some standard (rather boring dividers) which I replaced using some of the bright, colourful cardstock that I had in my kit. You'll notice that I didn't add tabs, as I like to move my dividers around when I'm bored! Normally, I'll use clips on the tops or sides of my dividers as 'bookmarks' instead. 

I've added some cute notes to the dividers/dashboards - and the front pocket is the perfect size for a small set of alpha stickers, die-cuts and a few additional embellishments.

The binder is perfectly sized to hold a set of lined notecards, so after punching them all to fit, I decorated about a third of them using the craft tapes, stickers, tags and stamps from my kit. I love including a wide selection of embellishments when I make mini-albums, because I love how wonderfully fat these little beauties become when full!

This beautiful, button clip is easily my favourite item from the kit (the chevron washi from DoCrafts is a very, very close second) because it's stunning! I bought it at a local haberdashery such a long time ago, but wasn't sure how to use it. It looks so lush in the binder - and I'm thrilled to have found the perfect spot for it! 

I'll be using the rest of the kit to decorate the remaining notecards, but I think I'll also end up using some of it for cards (it's such a bright, happy mix of colours!) So, I've stored some of the more substantial cardstock and embellishments in the little binders that I use for 'Keeping Kits' and there's a small selection in the binder, to use 'as and when'. 

I'm really looking forward to using the binder - and am wondering whether I might use it as the basis for a small mini-album all about my planning obsession! Watch this space! 

One Binder To Bind Them All {Plan With Me}

I've received so many questions recently (via the blog and social media) about my new Color Crush Planner and how I intend to use it. So, I'm starting a new 'Plan With Me' series this morning - and each week, I'll be sharing ideas and tutorials for customising (and more importantly, utilising) your planner.

Whilst I am new to the 'Planning Community' I have never, ever been without a hard-copy diary (or, more recently, my little Filofax) and a stack of lists, usually scattered around my work space and on the backs of envelopes; in small notebooks and written into the corners of magazines!

Although I, usually, like to think that I'm organised I know that hunting down a list that's been lost in a stack of paperwork is counterproductive - as is procrastinating by writing another one! I am hopeful that, having 'one binder to bind them all 'will help me to remain focused on the task at hand!

I have a feeling that working out what to have where will be an ever-evolving process, but that's exactly why I love working in a binder system. It's changeable and that's absolutely wonderful for someone who becomes bored very easily.

In the meantime, I thought I would start with an overview of my set-up and then, over time, show the sections in a little more detail.

Inside Cover/Front Dashboard - 

For the moment, the left-hand side of the inside cover is housing the sticker sheet that came with the Color Crush, a couple of cute journalling cards from Sodalicious (sadly, the store has now closed) and some of the little Planner Clips that made with this month's Counterfeit Kit 'Planning For Perfection'. (I've been using the kit - almost exclusively - to set up this month.)

 

On the right-hand side, there's a customised dashboard (see my Stamped Planner Dashboard Tutorial) over-laying the first of the Color Crush sections 'Write It Down'. I've added a cute calendar card using the Amy Tan 'Stitched Felted Paper' that I had in my kit.

Isn't it beautiful? I love the fact that each little calendar is customisable. That's going to bring me a lot of happiness throughout 2016!

I'm keeping all of my lists in the 'Lists To Love' section. So far, I have a mix of inserts in there - Websters Pages 'Lists To Love', Filofax 'Coloured Note Paper' and some customised lists from the Dear Lizzy Serendipity Collection.

This is the section that I am currently using the most often (in fact, I haven't really been using the other standard sections) so I'll definitely be back to show this one off in more depth and will be mulling over options for each of the other sections 'Write It Down' 'Memory Keeping' and 'Staying Inspired'.

Calendar -

Having transferred from my trusted (but old and battered Filofax) I'm currently using my 'Academic Diary - Week On Two Pages' rather than the inserts which came with the Color Crush. This is the 'Calendar Overview' and I've added a small Stick On Gem for the birthday of each member of my family. I love the way it sparkles in the sunshine!

Having been adamant that I wouldn't start decorating the calendar section, I must confess that I've had a complete change of heart. It's so much fun - and it makes checking off exercise sessions and chores that much more cheerful!

I'm slowly, but surely, starting to work out how to customise my planner to suit my own needs so I hope you'll come back to visit as I share the progress! x