Yvonne Blair and Cheri Piles Product Challenge using Memories Collection, the Assignment: Day Planners!

We decided to have a product challenge with two of the design team members using the Memories Collection. We wanted to show that although both are using the same product they can be so different based on your personal style. Both projects look so great!

PROJECT #1: CHERI PILES

Hey everyone! I was so excited to be a part of this challenge! I loved the idea of going up against one of my team mates to share and hopefully inspire you! I loved that Yvonne and I have created calendar/day planners using the same collection - MEMORIES, but each of our projects are very uniquely different! 

To create my book, I used the stitched notebook and file folders to create my base pages.

Each month/page I created a pocket using the decorative papers cut on a slight angle. I cut small doilies in half (from my stash!) then added them to the fronts of each of the pockets. For the "TABS" I used the filmstrip paper from the collection, I cut it into a strip then cut the numbers as I needed them for each month!! I think it looks so cool!!

I created Journal cards from the papers in the collections and added some manila tags so I can jot down notes as I need. I love texture and paint so yes, I did paint all of the edges of everything! I love how the bright white paint looks with this book!

To add the file folders from the collection, I cut them to fit the height then using washi tape as my adhesive I binded them to the stitched notebook. You can see how the filmstrip washi tape overlays the seam of the April page and the file folder I added. 

I love the pocket envelopes in the collections and I added one to the back of the file folder.

I loved decorating the manila tags with layers from the embellishments. 

Here is where I added another file folder, again using washi tape.

I added the largest envelope to the back page, this will be a great spot to save important receipts, etc. 

Thank you so much for looking!! I hope you are inspired by our product challenge today!

PROJECT # 2: YVONNE BLAIR

Hey everyone!  I was so excited to be a part of this little challenge.  So fun, I have been on the hunt for the perfect planner, looking everywhere really, and finally realized I was going to have to make my own. 

I really need something to help me keep my self focused and organized, wink.  

I wanted it to be very practical, one that I could really use and of course I wanted it to be pretty too, wink.  

So here is my take on this challenge.  

I started with a notebook that I found at Office Depot.  I liked that it had the fabric around the spirals.

The only touchy part was that my binding machines didn't line up with the binding.  I really wanted to use this so I decided to punch the holes individually with my crop-a-dile.  

Then I made a slit in each hole on the left side and now it will load and unload from the spiral. 

I wasn't sure at first, but I actually really like that I can pull the pages in and out if I need to.

 Here is the inside cover and my "dash board" so to speak.  Lovely little post it notes and flags to use throughout my day planner. I wanted to have a place to have a few of my favorites pics of the moment.  So, I cut a baseball card holder down and applied Decorative Tape to make it easier to punch the edge with the crop-a-dile.  I also covered the inside front cover and pocket.  Added a printout on important numbers to have just in case. 

 This is the front page of the monthly calendar section.  A year in a glance.  

Each month is printed as a two page layout.  I need bigger boxes to write in (not known for small handwriting, lol), places to write notes and what not.  The little "remember this" pennant circle is a handmade magnetic clip.  I just punched out the "remember this" with a 1 1/2" punch, adhered that to a piece of border strip.  Attached magnets to both sides and this clip will work now throughout the whole planner as my page marker.  

 Here is a little peak at the categories I felt I needed to include.  

Love the fact that everything is going to be in one spot! 

 Well, there you have it.  I hope you enjoyed my take on the day planner challenge! 

I am really excited to have this planner to start 2014 with.  I think I am going to add in the last half of this year.  I don't really think I can wait to use it! 

Have a great day and I will be back tomorrow with another fun little project! 

Hope to see you then.

I printed out the calendars from here.  

We hope this has inspired you to create. Have a happy monday everybody!

december list book by Julie

Now I like a good list.

If YOU like lists, I'm sure you agree...one of the best things about making lists, is crossing stuff off of them.

(It's probably close to disturbing...how much I like the crossing off part.)

It's December.  The month of lists.
Party lists.  Food lists.  School event lists.  Regular life that just keeps on going lists.  Christmas shopping lists.  Naughty/Nice lists.  What have you bought for who lists.  Stocking lists.  

Wouldn't it be cool if you could keep them all in one place?

But wait!  You can! (said in my best infomercial voice...)

I used a kraft Moleskine book...I think I got it at Barnes & Noble.

Then I added some Christmas Cottage paper to the front.

I used the red dot washi tape up in the corner...and then added the stickers, just so there was no mistake over whose book of lists it was. ha.

The dooded up piece in the middle is just patterned paper and one of those cute Bingo cards (cut out).

Add a glitter border strip and the joy & delight and December die cuts.

The hexagon stickers are tucked in behind.  Then add the brad.

I sewed here and there on the edges to finish it off.

Confession time:  I tried sewing around the whole edge of the book.  It ended up looking like I was sewing under the influence.  My corners looked terrible......Soooo, on attempt #2, I decided just to sew a little here and there.

I finished the cover off with red & white baker's twine in the binding.

Here's the inside:

I added some more patterned paper...and then I thought, wouldn't it be cool to have a place for receipts?

So I added the envelope.  (After making it pretty.)

Because I wouldn't want my book to get all squashed up in my purse without being pretty first.

There you go.  A place for all your lists.

Groceries...don't forget...gifts to get...cookies to make... :)

And receipts too.  Because I can never find those darn things after Christmas when I need them.

Enjoy!

my blog :)

Now and Then Mini by Yvonne Blair

 Hi everyone!  I hope each and every one of you had a very happy Thanksgiving!  It is so crazy to be in the full swing of the Holiday season again! It sure doesn't feel as though a whole year has passed, lol.  

Today I am sharing this fun mini featuring Now and Then!  This line is amazing. The colors are gorgeous.

I plan to use this book to highlight some everyday memories.  Things that we tend to overlook and take for granted.  You know what I'm talking about.  Those everyday moments like a stop in to Starbucks, an afternoon you snuck away for a girl's lunch, those little moments that kind of get lost in the shuffle of this very busy time of the year.  Just in case you want to make one to...I have directions for you.  

 Cover:  

Chipboard 5 ½ x 8 ½ cover with-

Now and Then Floral (a) 8 ½ x 12

Now and Then Wood Grain (b) 1 ½ x 8 ½ 

Now and Then Words (a) 2 x 8 

Embellish as seen in photo.

 Page 1:

Now and Then  Damask 6 ½  x 10

Fold in half to become a page 6 ½ x 5 pocket page.

Embellish

 Page 2:

Now and Then Collage (a) 8 x 12 

Score at 4 ¾, fold…there will be a piece left over, then fold that piece back as a flap.

Embellish as seen in picture.

Page 3:

Now and Then Floral (a) 7 x 8

Fold to become 3 ½ x 8, adhere on top and bottom…open edge will become pocket. 

Now and Then Words to 4 ¼ x 6 ½ will become insert for pocket.

 Page 4:

Now and Then Words 8 x 10, fold in half to become 8 x 5 which will become a pocket.

Embellish as seen in picture.

Page 5: 

Now and Then Wood Grain 5 x 12.  Score at 7” and fold up to create pocket, then fold down small amount to become flap.  Embellish as seen in picture 

 Page 6:

Now and Then Red Flower (a) 8 x 10, fold in half to create a pocket.

Now and Then Newsprint 4 x 5 to embellish front side.

Now and Then Floral (a) 3 ½ x 8.  Fold in half to create pocket on back side of page 6.

Page 7:

Now and Then Newsprint 7 x 12, score at 4 ½ and 9, fold to create pocket and flap. 

Page 8:

Now and Then Work 8 x 7 ½, score at 5” and fold over to create flap

Back Cover: 

Chipboard 5 ½ x 8 ½ Cover with Now and Then “Bee” on both sides.

To put the book together I used the Cinch.  Love this tool...so easy to use!  

I hope this will inspire you to create something to help you remember those everyday moments that seem to get lost in the shuffle at times.  Have a great week! Thanks for stopping by!

To visit my blog click here.

How to cut 27 pages for your journal book with tutorial by Cheri Piles

I am so excited to finally show you the inside of this journal book, Yes, I am going to be using it as a journal. If you missed the tutorial on how to create the binding on the spine you can see it HERE --> BOOK BINDING TUTORIAL.

I love this collage paper, I can just imagine writing in this journal with a nice black pen, I'm on that mission to find the PERFECT pen :)

This page folds out! I will show you in this tutorial how to create this so the tab will lay flat so you can open your page! I love that diamond stamp, I stamped it onto the top and bottom of each of the long narrow journaling cards. 

These papers are all sooo soo pretty and fun! I love all of the colors!!

You know it's true!! You make my heart sing!! This could be about anyone... or in my case - Chocolate, coffee... whatever works right?!?

I used this stamp in the center of each of the tags, I just thought it was so sweet!

HOW TO CUT THE PAPERS TO RE-CREATE THIS BOOK:

Essentially you will end up with 54 journal pages front and back! Here is a little template on how I cut them.

I used the following sheets of paper from the Now & Then collection 9 sheets one of each paper for my inside pages from the collection:  Floral, Newsprint, Damask, Collage, Red Flowers, Clocks, Bee, Wood Grain & Words.

Your going to cut 7 inches from the top on all 9 sheets.

Then with all of your 7 x 12 sheets:

Cut off 3 1/2 strips - These will be your 9 journal cards.

Fold the remaining side in half. - These are your 9 folded pages.

With your 5 x 12 sheets:

You need pull out the following four papers: Floral, Clocks, Wood Grain & Words papers - These will become your 4 tags {See the below Diagram.)

With the remaining pages you will create "fold out" pages as shown in the diagram above. 

To make your tabs on the pages that fold out: Score your tabs 1/2" and only apply adhesive to the bottom part that will be on the page itself. That gives the tag enough wiggle room when you open the page so it will open flat enough for you to write on. :) :) :)

You are looking at the page all folded out, the tab is on the fold on the left on the other side of the paper. I love all of the room to journal and add things.

Here are some other ideas on how you could use this book:

• Document "highlights" from each month next year and include instagram photo's from your phone!
• Keep track of special events - birthdays, anniversary's etc. You could use this Year After Year!
• A mini "Smash" book - This collection offers Decorative Washi tape - a great way to start out with something a little smaller and unique!

I hope this inspires you to create a fun new little book! For a little more fun in getting you started in creating a new little journal book I am having a give a way on my personal blog so please stop by and visit me ---> http://cherinspirations.blogspot.com/

Tell Your Story - JOURNAL album by Cheri Piles

As you all know, I'm a huge fan of mini books, but JOURNALS make me so HAPPY!! I love a good book to write in, to reflect upon... When I saw this paper line, it WOWED me, it's so pretty and fun! I LOVE the colors, I knew I would make something really special just for me with it! 

There are so many details here on the cover... The hinges cut from a die using the orange side of the damask paper. The binding on this may require a little video in the future! The large quote brad used as a closure, the ribbon wraps around it and holds everything inside. The medallion with the pearl center, glitter scallop border strip... It all makes me so very happy.

 The pages don't really have a specific measurement as they are a little different on their widths. I covered old file folders with the papers. There are tons of tags in all different sizes created from the TWO different journaling cards in the collection, one small and one large sheet. I painted all of the page edges and embellishments with white paint! There is a ton of texture, from glitter accents, paint, ribbon, the textured thick paper...

 I love the little butterfly tabs for the pages, I cut them from the border strip then layered the layered butterfly stickers over the tops... layers layers layers! I love that thin orange border strip!

 In this picture (above) you are looking at two pages! The orange dots & photo are from the large journaling cards and again the butterfly tab... The upper part of the page has the new paper flowers which I just layered and layered through-out the book.

 You can see how I used the new Washi tape to adhere the tickets and ledger card to the page. 

 I love all of the quotes.

 I took a large brad and added it to the center of the chipboard frame. I love the shade of the orange ribbon...

There you go! I have to say this is my most favorite journal album to date! I hope you are inspired to create something wonderful!