Holiday {or Everyday} Planner Tutorial

First things first, how to fold the planner. Watch this video, it is extremely helpful. You will need either a left or right tab letter size file folder. A center tab won't work, and if you are using a right-tab, turn it inside-out so that it becomes a left-tab.

Supplies:

Folded File Folder

4 sheets of 12x12 scrapbook paper/card stock {3 designs}

Pencil

Scissors

Mod-Podge

Foam or Paint Brush

cricut/punch/anything to trace

*optional additional papers

Glue dots

Stickers, embellishments, etc.

Ribbon

Now that you have yours folded, let's start decorating. Start by picking out three coordinating 12x12 scrapbook papers or card stocks. I chose one for the inside "walls", one for the inside "pockets", and one for the outside
{I used paper on the blue one and card stock on this one, and I like the card stock better}.

Lay your "wall" paper on the left side so that it is touching the seam and hanging over the outer edge. Position it so that it goes 1/2-1 inch below the pocket. Flip the whole thing over and trace the outline. Cut out. Repeat on the right side, matching to the center seam and hanging over the edge.

Do the seam process with the "pockets". Left side and right, lining up to the center seam and top of pocket.

Then trace each of the four sections of the outside cover {i like to label them 1-4 so that I know which piece matches which section}. You should be able to get three side from one sheet by rotating 90 degrees each time. You will need a second sheet for the fourth side.

once you have all 8 peices cut {4 inside, 4 outside} start glueing them on. It doesn't matter what order you do this in. Just spread your mod-podge on one section at a time and adhere the corresponding piece of paper.

Now that you are fully covered {you will still see manila on the seams} begin making your inside labels.

I used my cricut to cut out the background and outline, but you could trace anything you wanted, use chipboard pieces, paper punches, etc. Cut a background shape roughly 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches. You could use another plain card stock for this or the one from your front cover. I used old sheet music for this.

Then cut your outline shape to 2 inches, use more of the scrap from the "wall" or "pocket" or any other color you want. I used solid red card stock. It may be difficult to do this step without a cricut, so you can skip this.

Last, print out your four section titles. I used receipts, to-do, grocery list, and coupons on the blue one and calender, to-do, lists, and receipts for this holiday planner. Label your pockets whatever makes the most sense for how you will use this.

Print them from your computer in whatever pretty font you like, or stamp them on. If you are printing {like me} glue the outline to the paper {centering the word} and then cut around the outline so that you don't see any white paper. If you stamp, go ahead and stamp right onto your scrapbook paper.

I used glue dots in each corner to adhere the label to the larger music sheet background, and then glue dots in those four corners to adhere to the pockets. A little tip to line them all up. Put one on one of the inner pockets as centered as you can, then with glue dots on, lay one of top of the adhered one, glue dots up, and fold the adjacent section over so that it picks up the label - ta da!

Decorate the front cover with cut-outs, monograms, stickers, anything that makes you smile.

Finally, add your ribbon closure. If you have a lot of ribbon, you can glue it down on the three other cover sections, if you only have a little, just glue it to the back. Use your mod-podge again to glue the ribbon {a q-tip works great for this} Just make sure you line it up so that it ties in a good spot and doesn't interfere with your decorations on the cover.

You can fill your pockets with papers for note making and envelopes to hold receipts and coupons neatly. You can also add double-stick tape or glue dots to the outer edges of the pockets so that things don't fall out.

Have fun trying this out and let me know if you make one!! Also, please let me know if any of my instructions need clarification. Kathy, I hope this helps!!

It took me about 2 hours to make this. {I did it while watching So You Think You Can Dance and kept stopping to watch the dances, so it might take even less time}

Join the parties at A Soft Place to Land, Blue Cricket Designs and Shabby Chic Cottage