Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Another Flex Binder experiment I created was one in a B6 size.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHjepyEH8Dw%5B/embedyt%5D

B6 = 7 inches long x 5 inches wide

My cover measures 7 1/4 inches long x 6 inches wide.

All the paper comes from 7×5 cheap notebooks from Walmart.

I’ll be taking this one with me when I travel in case the plot bunnies attack!

When I started using a Traveler’s Notebook, I knew I wanted a Bullet Journal-style collections section, but it was going to have to be a separate notebook. I started one in the Chic Sparrow Wide TN (“Collections”), and have been working on filling it up.

It’s taken me longer to fill up the first notebook than I initially thought it would to be honest. I’m currently up to page 78 of 99 in Collections #1, so it won’t be too much longer. Also, Collections #1 is more for long-term lists.

Cover of my 1st Collections Notebook

Table of Contents

Ran out of room on the TOC, so I started an Index in the back.

Blog Posts on Deck list

If I have multiple posts ready to go, I put them here so I have a reminder.

List of Blog pictures and videos needed.

This is really handy, since I batch sessions of filming and taking pictures.

My Bucket List, which is an upcoming post.

My Blog Editorial Calendar set up

During #onebookJuly2016, I did add a second collections notebook to the CS Maverick TN I was using, with the idea of it being for more short-term / temporary lists.

2nd Collections notebook

Very messy Table of Contents

I left the next two pages blank as well, for the Table of Contents to continue.

An example of my Running To Do list

Blog Post Ideas list

Other Collections pages, where I noted things that would need to be transferred post-#onebookJuly2016. I still haven’t done that…shame on me.

This post was originally written June 23. It’s now Sept. 21. I still have not finished the first Collections notebook. I think I’m on page 83 or 85.

YouTube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTV6YQd5IO0

If you have long term lists, how do you keep track of them? Phone app? Loose-leaf paper? Post-its everywhere?

© Cori Large 23 June 2016

The pink pencil case was made for Mel, but the while flex is mine. Her’s was blue.

I forgot to take a picture of it.

When a friend of mine was going to Greece for work, she told me she needed a notebook to take with her. Preferably something compact.

Since I’m a huge fan of the mini flex binders, I suggested one of those. Unfortunately, the mini flex wasn’t compact enough. I had recently scored a clearance deal on the regular size flex binders because the covers had been damaged.

The most damaged one became my guinea pig. I punched a few pages from one of those refrigerator notepads and used that paper as my template.

Using my paper cutter, I trimmed the plastic covers down and used my All-Purpose shears to cut through the ring mechanism. Once all the cutting was done, I punched more paper to fill it up.

I sent Mel some pictures, and asked her was color she wanted. She wasn’t getting my prototype white one!

I made her a blue one and she also asked me to find a pencil case to fit on the rings. A two-ring case didn’t exist. So I found a cheap one that I could put those metal rings into and make it into a ringed case.

Here’s what she had to say about using it:

It came in handy while traveling for work, and making notes about various tourist attractions and hotels that were available.

The pencil case not only held her pens and sticky notes, but she was able to put all the business cards she received in there so she wouldn’t lose them.

One issue she had, and Mel emphasized that it wasn’t anything I did, was the sticky notes she brought were almost too big for the pencil case. She said she should have checked that before the trip.

I (Cori) will be travelling in the fall and plan on taking a mini flex with me for notetaking and general writing.

© Cori Large March 17, 2016

Over the past couple of months, I’ve posted quite a bit about what non-traditional inserts are available out there for Traveler’s Notebooks. I don’t always remember to add the same information, for which I apologize, and I’d like to do another one where I give some quantitative information and measurements, information I like to have myself. Starting from the smaller sizes, I’ll be going through an listing the stats on my Traveler’s Notebook Inserts.

Quick note: I’m adding where I purchased these various notebooks. This is not a guarantee that they will be available in your area.

*Kate Spade Small Notebook*

Measurements: 4 ¼” long by 3 1/8” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 32 sheets, 64 pages.

Features: unlined, sewn.

Bought from: Bealls Outlet.

*Composition Book*

Measurements: 4 ½” long by 3 ¼” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 80 sheets, 160 pages.

Features: lined, sewn, cover has a space to label it.

Bought from: Wal-Mart.

*Midori-Style Passport Insert*

Measurements: 5” long x 3.5” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 32 sheets, 64 pages.

Features: this one was lined, other have blank or grid paper, kraft paper cover which can be customized, stapled.

Bought from: Came with my ZLYC Passport TN.

*Poppin Pocket Notebook*

Measurements: 4 7/8” long x 3 3/8” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 32 sheets, 64 pages.

Features: lined but its wide ruled, sewn, has a cover sheet for labeling.

Bought from: TJ Maxx and/or Bealls Outlet (I’ve picked them up at both stores).

*PaperCraft Notebooks*

Measurements: 5 ¼” long by 3 1/8” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 28 sheets, 56 pages.

Features: lined, sewn.

Bought from: Big Lots.

*Moleskine Pocket Notebooks*

Measurements: 5 ½” long by 3 1/2” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 40 sheets, 80 pages.

Features: lined, title page for labeling, I’m not sure if it’s sewn because I can’t see the threads.

Bought from: TJ Maxx.

*CaseMate Notebooks*

Measurements: 6 7/8” long by 5” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 40 sheets, 80 pages.

Features: lined but wide ruled, sewn, fits in my homemade B6 very nicely.

Bought from: Wal-Mart.

*CarolinaPad Notebooks*

Measurements: 7” long by 5” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 80 sheets, 160 pages.

Features: lined, sewn, variety of cover options.

Bought from: Wal-Mart.

*Webster’s Pages Traveler’s Notebooks*

Measurements: 8 ¼” long by 4 ¼” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 16 sheets, 32 pages.

Features: comes in packs of 2, one ruled-one grid, and thicker paper.

Bought from: Joann Fabrics.

*OCS Notebooks*

Measurements: 8 ¼” long by 5 5/8” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 40 sheets, 80 pages.

Features: interesting covers, ruled but wide ruled, comes in 3 packs.

Bought from: TJ Maxx and Mashall’s.

*Piccadilly Notebooks*

Measurements: 8 ¼” long by 5” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 50 sheets, 100 pages.

Features: sewn, ruled, back pocket, comes in 3 packs.

Bought from: Barnes and Noble.

*Punch Studio Notebooks*

Measurements: 8 3/8” long by 5 5/8” wide.

Sheets/Pages: 40 sheets, 80 pages.

Features: lined but wide ruled, stapled, variety of covers, pages have header space for a title.

Bought from: Marshall’s.

Author’s note: Keep in mind, a larger size notebook can be cut down to a smaller size. All of the bigger ones in my stash will be cut down as needed for my narrow Traveler’s Notebooks.

I hope this post was helpful! I know having this information on hand (it’ll be going in my TN) will be handy when looking for more inserts (like I need more!).

© Cori Large 19 June 2016

 

Two months ago, I learned that a product I love was on clearance. That product is the Mead Shopping OrganizHer notebook. I ordered 50 of them and have started to use some of them. And by some I mean 7. I have given 4 away. So I’m down to 39 still wrapped up and waiting to be used.

Here is the list of how these are being used so far:

1. Given Away—Philip
2. Given Away—Mom
3. Given Away—Ann
4. Shopping Lists & Coupons (the original intent of this product, separate post coming)
5. Knitting & Crafting Notes
6. Fictional Work: Theatre Troupe
7. Fictional Work: The Ultimate Recycling Machine
8. Fictional Work: NaNoWriMo 2015 piece
9. Fictional Work: National TTMM
10. Became my new EDC-refillable notebook. I retired the original one I bought a year ago, because it was starting to fall apart.
11. Given Away-Inlaws

This is how it’s going at the moment.

YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/_hjy4oyd8wM

© Cori Large March 4, 2016

It’s back!!! My wonderful Chic Sparrow Maverick in Golden Brown is finally back in my hands! Hubby let me open my birthday present two days early, so I had the whole weekend to play with it and set it up.

Recap: Chic Sparrow Narrow / Standard size Maverick Deluxe (has pockets) in the Golden Brown color, with 2 pen loops.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I was becoming paranoid that I might now like it because of how long we’d been apart.

So here’s my set up:

Yellow Paper House 2016 Monthly Booklet

Booklet of Daily pages, a month’s worth—my own design

Three empty notebooks: 1 cut down Piccadilly that’s become another Collections book, and a set of the Webster’s Pages Traveler’s Notebook inserts.

With all these inserts, he’s very much a “Chunky Monkey” to use Jennifer Harvey’s (Owner and Creator of Chic Sparrow) phrase.

In my pen loops, I’ve got a red calligraphy marker/pen and in the other one, I have my black sharpie pen.

I had forgotten how bulky and heavy the leather was! Even rewatching my own unboxing video didn’t help. The ZLYC leather I had been using was much much thinner and I could only fit 3, maybe 4, notebooks in it. And even then, the ZLYC was not as chunky as my Maverick. So I’m going to have to get used to the weight of this one. I’ve been smelling it a lot (fellow Sparrow owners know what I mean).

YouTube video link: https://youtu.be/l3wGd1g-_ac

© Cori Large 15 May 2016

With as many flex binders I have, I have been asked how I stayed organized with them and don’t forget what is in which binder. And the honest truth is, I keep a list. The list gets updated whenever the contents change.

Here’s a quick list of what is in each regular size flex binder:

Pink/Magenta/Berry: general notebook, just full of notebook paper

Black w/ Pink Tiger Stripe Duct Tape: full of dividers; another catchall; address book

Red: I’ve moved my non-fiction books that are on my Goals list to this notebook: Bobbin Lace Workbook, Genealogy Workbook, and the Recipe book. The Journal Prompts book will eventually be added to this one.

Purple: Crafts by Cori paperwork

White 5 subject w/ Real Tree ® Pink Camo: Nutritional Anthropology class notes

Green: Goal setting and progress updates

These notebooks do change out their contents fairly often. Or I combine things and leave some of them empty.

© Cori Large 3/4/2016

Once again I happen upon the Mead OrganizHer Shopping Companion notebook (aka the Mini Flex) on the Mead website and it’s on Clearance. When I informed my husband of this, his response was “How many are you going to buy?” If you’ve been following my blog and YouTube channel for awhile, you know I LOVE my Mini Flex. Some would say I’m obsessed. I prefer the term enthusiast.

I called the Customer Service number to ask if it was possible to buy them by the case. Yes, you read that correctly. I wanted to buy a case of Mini Flexes. The very helpful lady on the phone informed me that they only had the purple cover available (the color I don’t have). 868 of them were available in fact, at $2.99 each.

So guess how many I bought?

50 of them. Not going to lie, I did briefly consider buying all of them, but that was too much money. I got free shipping and used a 20% discount code. Ultimately, I paid $119.36 for 50 brand new mini flexes.

My friend, Canyon, asked me why. Other than my automatic response of Why not?, the only thing I could come up with is that I love this product so much that if it is being discontinued by Mead, I’m going to need enough to last me for the rest of my life.

Yes, I know I’ve made my own Mini Flexes from full size Flex Binders, but it’s just not the same. To paraphrase, one of my favorite quotes: Some call me obsessed. Over-prepared. Maybe even a little crazy. But I know what it’s like to lose out on a favorite product by missing a clearance sale.

YouTube link for the Unboxing Haul: https://youtu.be/frJLtxgUb_A

My enthusiasm for this product has not changed. Compare to the initial unboxing video of my first one: https://youtu.be/frJLtxgUb_A

© Cori Large Jan 5, 2016

 

This post is literally a month late, but oh well! I received two very nice binders for Christmas, and now I’m suffering from Binder Indecision.

My Every Day Carry is my Day-Timer portable Rose Gold planner. It goes everywhere with me.

Other notebooks in use: my Mini Flex and a 3-3 format notebook from my MIL.

Newcomers to the picture: Day-Timer desk size Malibu in Teal/Aqua and my cousin-in-law’s vintage (20 year old) A5 Filofax Finsbury. The Binders I received are A5/Classic/Desk size. So I can use the same size paper in both binders.

Dilemma? Love the color of the Malibu, but the A5 Filo functions better.

• Personal inserts fit the rings for the A5.
• A5 and personal insert holes fit the rings of the Mini Flex.
• A5 holes fit the holes of a standard 3-ring binder.

Now that I have the A5 in my hand, I have a better idea of what I’m dealing with.

12/26/2015-morning: Philip has given me the okay to return the Malibu. I’m looking into an Electric Blue A5 Finsbury on Amazon.

12/26/2015-afternoon: After a trip to Hobby Lobby, I believe the universe wanted me to keep the Malibu. I found packs of 100 sheet, 7 hole punched paper, for $3.99 each. So the Malibu will be used for my Spring class.

1/3/2016: During a trip to Walmart, I found more packs of 7-hole punched paper!!! Why have I know seen this before?

In conclusion, the A5 will be used for my writing notebook and the Malibu will be for class notes.

© Cori Large 12/25/2015-1/3/2016

Creating a Page Marker for Your Planner

Not every set of inserts comes with a page marker. And not everyone wants to spend money on unpunched plastic ones from Target.

When I needed a quick page marker for my Mini Flex, I took a paper bookmark I had gotten from the library…

…punched it with the appropriate punch…

…took my scissors and snipped the holes so that the bookmark could be added or removed like paper in an Arc notebook…

…and inserted it into my Mini Flex.

Now this page marker isn’t going to last forever, but that’s okay. It is a quick fix with materials I had on hand.

And because I have a punch for my portable size Malibu, I can make another on for that planner as well.

© Cori Large October 29, 2015