Monday, August 08, 2011

Monthly Inspiration Binder

1

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by a scrapbooking tool/embellishment that it completely spins you into overdrive?

 SF_evidence-notesandframes

I was so overwhelmed with inspiration using Splendid Fiin’s Evidence Notes and Frames that I spent most of the weekend putting together a handmade binder I didn’t know I even needed!

It became so clear to me.  Every month, I complete about four to six projects, either scrapbooking, papercrafting, sewing, or home decor.  Quite often, I find inspiration everywhere—online through tutorials, on my phone in apps such as craftgawker, looking through home decor or scrapbook magazines/sketch sites, or looking at products in a catalog.  It occurred to me that keeping a tangible binder with these ideas might make life easier for me.  I can actually PLAN to do them.

For each one of the above subjects, I’ve made a divider using the note frames as a prompting tool in my binder.  Each divider contains information and a picture of the inspiration I’ve found.  The information includes the tutorial or origin of inspiration, the month I’d like to complete it, why it inspired me in the first place, and what products I would like to use to complete that project, etc.  Each month, I am going to print out the note card and place it in my binder with hopes of completing it.  If I don’t get to it that month, it stays in the binder until I complete it—then onto another inspiration note card prompt.  A lot of times, I find some pretty good inspiration out there and save it to my browser, phone, etc., only to find I’ve forgotten about it.  At least if I print out these prompts and save them some where tangible, I can actually DO them and keep the inspiration alive by planning to do them.  I’ve included plastic pockets in my binder, so that I can store/save sticky notes for those ideas that pop in my head from time to time. 

The binder itself is not cumbersome, small but not too small, and was made using a lot of the tools/mediums that inspire me in the first place. It was binded using principals from this tutorial by Francine Clouden.  I used loose-leaf binder rings so that I could add to my binder instead of using the Zutter O-wires.  Also, I discovered that my Cricut will cut canvas sheets.  I pressed Heat-n-Bond to the back of 1 canvas sheet, trimmed to 12-x-12, that I had previously painted on.  I cut 2 of the bracket cards from this canvas sheet using the CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge (fit to page), one for the front of the album and one for the inside of the album, using fabric settings on my Cricut Expression 2.  I then cut the same shape again from chipboard, using chipboard settings and my deep cut housing with blade.  I pressed the canvas die cuts to this chipboard piece, one on each side.  You would not believe how sturdy it feels. It’s going to last.  As you can see from the picture, I can keep a pen in the binding.  I’m hoping to replace the pen with one of those smash book pen/glue sticks by K&Company.  That would be more useful, I think for something like this.  The pen is attached to the binding by sewing and tying  one hair tie, cut in half, to the holes that were placed by the Bind-it-All.  A hair tie with button was also used to make the closure.  Paper bag pockets were included to store sketches, magazine clippings, etc.  All in all, it was a lot of work but didn’t seem like it at the time because I really wanted to see the idea come to fruition.  I’m very satisfied with the outcome and hope it inspires someone to make an inspiration binder of their own.  Here are some pictures of he outside and inside.  TFL!

2

The doily and colored label (seen on the back) are from the CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  “Craft” is from the Word Collage Cricut cartridge.  The Ohh-LA-La! mat is from the kit of the same name available at jessicasprague.com by Jodie Lee.  The folder pages you will see in the binder is also available in this kit but will be full 12-x-12 pages. I printed and then cut them using my Sizzix folder die.  The dress form is a rubber stamp, stamped on the paper, then cut and attached.  The heart was a chipboard shape I had lying around, embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder, painted with red acrylic paint, and then UTEE was applied in several layers to add dimension.  

3

Here’s a peek at the inside paper bag pocket where I included Becky Fleck sketches that inspire me.

4

Above is the scrapbooking inspiration prompt.

5

Plastic pocket that holds some sticky notes for those inspirational a-ha moments.

6

Above is the home decor prompt.

7

Another sketch pocket and plastic pocket to include magazine clippings, etc, that may come and go with my binder.

8

Above is the papercraft inspiration prompt.

9

Card sketch inspiration pocket, perhaps I could add some quotes/sentiments that might inspire me as well. 

10

Above is the sewing inspiration prompt.

11

I’m sure ideas will pop in my head following the printing of the prompt, so I can jot them down in the back of each prompt.  Also, another pocket for sewing projects I may find in magazines, catalogs, etc.  In this plastic pocket, I might include color inspiration, like paint chips, palettes, etc. 

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's really a great and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

Here is my site ... miu miu 財布

Anonymous said...

Hello there, You've done an excellent job. I'll certainly digg
it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they'll be benefited from this site.

My website miu miu 店舗

Anonymous said...

I think this is among the most significant information for me.
And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on some general things, The website style is perfect,
the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers

My webpage miu miu 店舗

Anonymous said...

Hey very nice blog!

Review my page - ミュウミュウ長財布

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing such a pleasant idea, article is good,
thats why i have read it entirely

Also visit my page ... クロエ アウトレット

Anonymous said...

My relatives all the time say that I am killing my time here at net, but I know
I am getting familiarity daily by reading such fastidious content.


Feel free to visit my blog; トリーバーチ店舗

Anonymous said...

Hello! I simply would like to offer you a huge thumbs up for the great information you have right here on this post.
I will be returning to your website for more soon.

Here is my homepage ... chloe 財布

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next write
ups thanks once again.

Look into my homepage ... トリーバーチ靴

Anonymous said...

Hi there, all the time i used to check website posts here
early in the morning, since i like to gain knowledge of more and more.



Also visit my blog - solucionesga.com

Anonymous said...

I'm no longer positive where you are getting your info, however great topic. I needs to spend a while learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.

Have a look at my site - miu miu 新作

Anonymous said...

Great beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a
blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been
a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea

Also visit my weblog ... chloe 財布

Anonymous said...

Hi! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to
no data backup. Do you have any methods to prevent hackers?



Also visit my homepage - chloe バッグ

Anonymous said...

Ahaa, its fastidious conversation on the topic of this piece of writing here
at this website, I have read all that, so now me also
commenting at this place.

my page; コーチ 財布