Thursday, February 5, 2009

Me, organized

I am a fanatical organizer/list maker. For the last several years, I've been carrying around steno pads in my purse and I have a moment of panic if I find myself without one when a thought comes to me. The downside is that the pages rip out, they are a little oversized and also completely disorganized. I decided I was due for an upgrade, but I didn't want to buy something, and I was hoping for a system that was personalized to me.

So I made one.

DSC_1793
The cover is salvaged from an old scientific publication that I have lying around

There are sections for blog ideas, meal ideas, shopping lists, book and movie suggestions, finances (I have a compulsive habit of checking my balances in all my accounts and writing them down at least once per week), and random thoughts.

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DSC_1792

I drew up the designs in Illustrator (the pages are 4.25 by 5.5 inches, which gets you four pages to a standard sized piece of paper), cut everything out and and then did a simple binding using a 1/8" hole punch and some thick thread. The dividers were spray glued onto some thin cardboard to give them more stability. I could probably have done a better job but I'm too impatient once I get an idea for something. This will work nicely while I think about improvements.
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35 comments:

  1. DebraFebruary 5, 2009 at 5:26 AM

    I think it's perfect. Well organized and look how you recycled! Great size for the purse... you could be on to something here...

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  2. summerFebruary 5, 2009 at 6:24 AM

    i'm jealous.
    this is just right! everybody should have one!
    i love your concept & the finished product is adorable.
    you never cease to inspire me.

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  3. AmandaFebruary 5, 2009 at 6:51 AM

    You're so cool.

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  4. KatieFebruary 5, 2009 at 7:42 AM

    I love this, what a fantastic idea..I have numerous notebooks in my (ginormous) purse right now, this one looks much more efficient! : )

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    Um, wow. No really. Wow. I'm super impressed!

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  6. Jane FlanaganFebruary 5, 2009 at 8:23 AM

    I'm the same. I use my blackberry and moleskine to stash notes and keep myself in line. It actually pays off! I don't have time to be disorganized!! And I hate the feeling of panic when I lose or forget something and have to scramble to find it. It's the worst feeling ever!

    My name is Jane and I'm a control freak.

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  7. CharFebruary 5, 2009 at 8:28 AM

    so cute and practical...I buy mine at Michaels and they are never quite right because they are not tailored to me.

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  8. JuliaFebruary 5, 2009 at 9:24 AM

    Bravo you! This is great! From one book lover to the next, this is yummy!

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  9. Cupcakes and CashmereFebruary 5, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    it's official. you're the craftiest person i know.

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  10. GinaFebruary 5, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    how fun! i love this idea :)

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  11. kristinaFebruary 5, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    so cute and crafty and recycled and perfect as always!

    u are the best projecter ever.

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  12. paulaFebruary 5, 2009 at 10:10 AM

    this is perfect.

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  13. LynneFebruary 5, 2009 at 11:03 AM

    Brilliant. You are so crafty. I have Illustrator on my computer - I need to give it a go and see what I can come up with.

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  14. MouseFebruary 5, 2009 at 11:09 AM

    Clever! I like the categories, the recycling, and the getting what you needed without shopping!

    Go, you.

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  15. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2009 at 12:27 PM

    Rachel, that is wonderful! You and your organizational tendencies are definitely motivating me to do so as well. I find life so much more manageable and enjoyable when everything becomes simplified.

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  16. Tina { Luphia Loves... }February 5, 2009 at 12:40 PM

    wow, you made this? you are incredible! this is so cool, i have the habit of checking my balances too, except i'm no good with making thing so i record it on a Excel spreadsheet :)

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  17. TaraFebruary 5, 2009 at 1:21 PM

    Oh my gosh! I love this and have to have one! I can't wait to get started on mine! (I don't know how to use illustrator though, so I'm going to have to play with the idea a little.) Thank you so much for sharing!!!

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  18. Blair FriedemanFebruary 5, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    Wow! That is really fantastically done. You are so talented Rachel. If you ever wanted to make another one--I would be more than happy to buy it:)

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  19. Sara ChristineFebruary 5, 2009 at 2:28 PM

    I swear to you, lady, every time I stop by your blog, my mouth drops. How you outdo yourself over and over is beyond me. What a gorgeous little book!

    ps. Sorry I've been MIA lately in blogland. Going through a blog slump. Hoping to get back into the swing of things soon. xo :)

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  20. JoyceFebruary 5, 2009 at 4:36 PM

    Rachel- this is great! Your books is organized. I love lists, mine are either on a blank sheet of paper, receipts or whatever I get my hands on. LOL...

    Thanks for sharing your wondeful ideas. xoxo

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  21. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2009 at 4:57 PM

    This is perfect! I want one now, really bad. They do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? I think I'm going to copy this. Seriously, what a great idea.

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  22. inkWELL PressFebruary 5, 2009 at 5:00 PM

    Love this - so clever!!

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    What a great idea! You're so clever! I love organizing my to do's like this! :) Great work!

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  24. pve designFebruary 6, 2009 at 4:03 AM

    I want one... NOW!

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  25. MichelleFebruary 6, 2009 at 6:04 AM

    Wow, you made that? You are so talented!

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  26. MouseFebruary 6, 2009 at 6:35 AM

    PS I like your new header!

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  27. RachelFebruary 7, 2009 at 9:30 AM

    do you think you could post a template for this? i love all your stuff, by the way.

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  28. MoFebruary 8, 2009 at 1:50 AM

    wooo that looks amazing. I would definitly need one of those !!

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  29. east side brideFebruary 9, 2009 at 12:05 PM

    omg. i feel that i need to try making this.

    of course, that's what i said about the tote...

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  30. Screaming MemeFebruary 9, 2009 at 12:17 PM

    Wow! i love this! It makes me feel organized just looking at it...:)Hi, My name is Meme....I would like to personally invite you to both of my blogs...Screaming Meme and Project:{Create A Home}....Screaming Meme is a decorating blog that I created to share my career as an Interior Decorator and Model Home Stager, as well as, share ideas and how to's on decorating, faux painting and getting a professional look on a shoe string budget!...It is all about decorating over there! I then created Project:{ Create A Home}...I envisioned a blog that women could all share in...Where we could come together and learn everything from decorating our homes to stepping out and learning new things that we always wanted to learn but didn't have the road map...Project: {Create A Home} is that road map! We have decorating, organizing, cooking, finance, technical/computer knowledge, family rearing, relationship advice, spirituality and uplifting wisdom...just to name a few...I hope you get a chance to stop in and look around...And if you have something that you want to share...Something that we could learn from you...Well, we would love to talk to you! :) I look forward to getting to know you! Meme

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  31. MelissaFebruary 10, 2009 at 7:19 PM

    This is amazing and so crafty :)

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  32. MelindaFebruary 13, 2009 at 4:01 PM

    I want to make one of these! I'm adding you to my blog list, ok?

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  33. ~S~February 22, 2009 at 8:59 PM

    Oh I wish I knew how to make this! I have wanted to learn how to use illustrator for so long but I hear it's very difficult.

    I love your work!

    Thanks for sharing.
    -s

    http://www.heywelikethis.blogspot.com/

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  34. ~S~March 12, 2009 at 10:19 PM

    Hello! I posted a blog, inspired by you!
    Just linking back in case you want to check it out.

    Thanks!
    -s
    http://www.heywelikethis.blogspot.com/

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  35. SarahDecember 4, 2009 at 4:45 PM

    Hey, I love this. So, I have Illustrator too, but I need some help to try to make one of these...any tips???

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