How to make a dashboard for your travelers notebook

Hi Everyone

I was very kindly sent a Lollipop box for sharing with you guys and it was right up my street...

This was my first time receiving a box and I have to say that it was amazing! I am a massive cloud lover and a cloud fan so this box was just perfect for me. In fact you could probably say that it was just a little too perfect. How so? Well I just wanted to hoard all the things, keep them precious and not use them. I am pretty sure some of you crafty folk can relate to that, come on own up now, surely there is something crafty you are hoarding for that perfect project?

Well here is what I have learnt in the many years that I have been crafting. That perfect project rarely exists. Usually what happens is that your hoarded item gets forgotten about and when found is either not to your taste or has gone dog eared or such. Then you kick yourself for not using it and wish you had.

I came up with a way to hoard my beloved papers but not hoard them all at the same time. I turn my papers into dashboards for my planners and journals that way I always have them and can look at them all the time and they are preserved. Then when I grow tired of them I move them on.

So if you have a travelers notebook and what like to do the same as me I have a tutorial in the video below on how to make your own dashboard. It is a super quick and easy project to do but one you will love!

You can use whatever you like to decorate your dashboard but you need to make sure it is flat to go through the laminator. The forever dreaming kit was particularly lovely because it helps us to aspire us to 'dream big' and what better positive affirmation to look at when you open your planner on a daily basis!

To decorate mine I decided to deconstruct the paper clip that came in the box. Not because I didn't like it, I really do and it is because I love it that I wanted to use it on my dashboard. I have a few cloud clips so I didn't mind loosing one to this project. Be warned...these paper clips are incredibly well made and as such I had a lot of difficulty in deconstructing it lol!

I am absolutely thrilled with how it turned out, it really makes my soul incredibly happy! I still have some of the cloud paper left too so I need to think about how I can use it. I don't very often read physical books but if I did it would make a great book mark. I will probably use it as ephemera in my journal. 

I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and seeing my planner pages taking shape. If you decided to make your own dashboard I would love to see your photos if you care to tag me or share with me on social media. I will never tire of looking at clouds and planners with clouds lol!

Creating Goodies for your planner

Hi guys! Stef here from the Noveltea Corner, and today I'm back on the Mrs. Brimbles blog to share some ideas and tips for using the items in your Stationary boxes to create fabulous goodies for your planners! I've also got a video for you if you'd like to see some close-ups of the different items, too!

With the September box I was able to create 2 fancy dashboards, a planner pocket, 6 fancy paperclips and a page marker and still have tons of paper, stickers and washi tape left over to create lots of other goodies. I also love that the papers are double sided and so you can create some really fun looks in your planner using both sides - perfect for those of us who love paper projects, right?

Planner pockets are super simple to put together. For this one I simply trimmed the paper to the height and width I was after and folded the bottom portion of the paper up. A bit of double sided tape on the right-hand side, trimmed with a bit of washi, and some binder holes punched later and I've got a quick and easy planner pocket that can hold paper clips, notes, Project Life cards or anything else I can think of!

The fun little flair badges included in the kit had some adhesive foam on the back which I removed. Then I just used some hot glue, a paperclip and backed the whole thing with a 1" circle of black paper to keep it all neat.

Usually I'm a pretty simple dashboard/divider kind of gal. I find some pretty paper, cut it out and laminate it.

This time, however, I wanted to make them a little more special. So, out came my stamps and ink pads. I've had this quote stamp for ages and have never had the perfect project to use it on. I think it makes a wonderful dashboard quote - a great reminder to see every time I open my planner. Because I loved the pink woodgrain on the paper, I didn't want to detract too much from it, so I used some pink ink (love some tone-on-tone stamping), Onyx Black Versafine ink and some gold ink and I think it came out really nice.

Continuing along my 'special' dashboard decorating style, I used the cut-apart sheets - I know, I struggled with the idea of cutting them apart, too! - and created this fun, red/yellow/black themed divider. 

I turned on of the cut-aparts into a page divider, too, adding washi tape along the edge - both for reinforcement and decoration, as well as a word sticker.

Top Tips

* Tiny word stickers are perfect for adding detail to projects like this. Pick words that speak to you and the style of the decorations you're creating.

* Use paper punches (in whatever shapes you have) to create tabs. They're quick and easy and add a fun detail to your work. Consider using the reverse side of the patterned paper you've chosen, or a contrasting colour!

* If you choose to laminate dashboards/dividers for your planner, try to use laminating pouches that are a little thicker. I used 125 micron pouches to make sure they were a little more sturdy.

* Don't be afraid to try something new! These colours are not the colours I usually have in my planner, but once I started playing with them, I fell in love. 

* Use extra items from your stash - don't let those goodies sit there and go unused. (This is hard for me, too, trust me! I have so many fun things I hoard because they're gorgeous, but they should be used and enjoyed!)

If you've made it all this way, and you'd like to see a close up of the goodies I created, here's the video as promised:

Don't forget to share your tips for using up the wonderful supplies in your Brimbles Boxes in the comments. You can also stop by my blog, or my Instagram page, for other planner DIY tips and tricks!

Until next time, friends, happy planning!

Making Personal Dividers

Hello there, friends! 

It's Margie, and it's my turn to share what I have created using my September Brimbles Personal Ring Planner Box! 

I was inspired by all the pretty colors in the October Afternoon "Girl Talk" Vintage Paper Pack to create new dashboard and 5 dividers for my personal ring planner... 

For my dashboard, I used the Dear Lizzy "Documentary" Stamp Set - 

To create the look of the typewriter, I paper-pieced the different parts of the stamp by stamping it on different patterned papers, cutting it out and then piecing it together with adhesive. I also used the 'hello' stamp from the stamp set and an October Afternoon "Girl Talk" Vintage Badge to embellish one of my punched flowers; and I just love how my dashboard greets me every time I open my planner :) 

I also added in Mrs. Brimble's "The Mix Tape of My Life" laminated dashboard as a second dashboard... 

I don't currently have a laminator and really love that this laminated dashboard was included in my box! I love being able to add in some sticky notes to my planner; and this allowed me to do so without having to worry about getting sticky residue on my dashboard and dividers, until I can get them laminated! Sticky notes work very well on laminated dashboards and are so durable and long lasting too... Also, this mixtape image just brings back so many memories from my childhood, I was a lucky girl to be able to grow up in the '80s :) 

For my dividers, I used the project life and 2x2 sized cutouts in the paperback as my main focus...

It was so easy to find matching cardstock colors, as well as adding in the washi tape that came in the box... 

I'm always afraid of cutting down my pretty papers and patterns, but once I get going I am motivated to use it all! Never be afraid to try something new or add in new elements! 

Mrs. Brimbles boxes always comes with a special note from Anna herself, which is such a sweet personal touch that makes me feel like she's a dear friend of mine for ages! 

I love the typewriter watercolor that she had done for her card this month, so much so, that I had to borrow fellow designer Geraldine's idea and framed it so I can add it to my craft room's window shelf! I decided to use a black distressed frame and add some of the badees to it, and I simply adore how it turned out!  

And here is a peek at my precious leftover scraps! 

I will be incorporating these little bits into my monthly/weekly pages... and I have special plans for the October Afternoon "Saturday Morning" sticker sheet that came too - reminds me of my Saturday cartoon mornings with great big bowls of cereal, lol! 

But, I will share those projects another time ;) 

I hope something here inspires you to get creative today!

Thank you for letting me share my projects.

Margie

Instagram/Twitter: @TheBumbleGirl 

My Book Blog: Bumbles and Fairy-Tales 

My Cardmaking Blog: Oh Bumble is Me... Margie

Mix Tape Planner Crafting!

Hello everyone! It's Zinia here to share with you some little projects I did using supplies from the September Personal Planner Brimbles box.

First I have to say I got really excited when I opened my box. Anna really nailed it last month. The box was so full of awesome goodies I had a hard time deciding where to start.

From the first moment I saw it, I knew this dashboard will get in one of my planners right away! I decided to put it in my Color Crush planner which is my creative planner where I keep all the info about my design teams and other crafty projects.



To embellish it a bit, I added some of the word stickers by Studio Calico that came in my box.

On the opposite side, I filled my pockets with some of the 2x2 cut outs from the October Afternoon paper pack. I also stuck one of the flair buttons cause it just looked too cute.

For the rest of the cut-outs, I took an old credit card page protector and I cut it to fit a personal size planner. Then I just got some thread and stitched the edges. I also stitched around the middle of the page to create some more pockets.

I made sure that both sides looked nice and then I just popped it in my planner to serve as eye candy.

These were only a couple of ideas on how you could use your Brimbles box goodies. Of course the possibilities are endless but I hope you got inspired to go and make use of your supplies.

Until next time, happy planning :D

Zinia
@abstractinspiration

Halloween Shaker Planner Dashboard

Hi everyone, Geraldine here. So this month I was asked by Anna whether or not I'd be interested in using some of the Halloween range available on her online shop. Now, I don't celebrate Halloween much these days but it used to be my favourite time of the year. Friends and I would go out for late night walks and take in the atmosphere. It was, as it always is, about community and friendship. Just see how communities use times like this to come together. That's what I love about these celebrations.

So it's not going to come as any surprise when I decided to use the Halloween range to create gifts for people. Now, I can't stand tacky! And there is a lot of tacky Halloween everything out there! But when I saw this range by October Afternoon, I was blown away. I genuinely haven't come across anything as lovely for Halloween. It has a real authentic, retro, look. Creative juices were flowing!
As you will see from the first photo I decided to try my hand at a Halloween themed pocket letter. These are very popular right now but I have never participated in it myself due to time constraints. But I thought the October Afternoon ephemera pack and other embellishments from this range would be perfect for this! Some of the pocket cards were made using some of the Halloween card stock from the Divider Pack. I made a paperclip using a badge embellishment as well as cute cards with ribbon and a button. I also combined word stickers with the larger die cuts as you can see here:

Next, I decided to try another new thing for me...a shaker dashboard for a personal size planner. For this I included Halloween sequins from our local pound shop. I gathered everything I would need together:

Next, I laminated a sheet of laminating plastic, cut to size, punched in the holes, and proceeded to sew three sides in orange thread. Then the fun bit! Filling the pocket!

It took a bit of shaking around to get everything the right way and then it was ready to sew closed:

And voila! One shaker dashboard complete and one very happy lady! I can check this one off the things to try list!

I hope this has inspired you to be creative and try new things this Halloween. You can find all these products, except the sequins of course, on the Mrs Brimble's Online Shop. 
 
Have a very happy and safe Halloween everyone!
Geraldine Jayne
http://geraldinejayne.com/

Geraldine has very kindly sent me (Anna aka Mrs Brimbles) the Halloween Pocket letter that she has made to send to you one of you if you would like it. Soooooo.... I thought that along with Geraldine's PL I would add some of the goodies that Geraldine used to make it, how does that sound? If you would like to win just enter your details into the Rafflecopter giveaway widget below.

By submitting an entry to this giveaway you agree to the following Terms & Conditions:

• Your email address will be added to my newsletter database - I will not sell this to anyone else nor will I constantly be spamming you and you can unsubscribe at any time! 
• Open internationally
• You must be over eighteen years of age or have parental / guardian permission.
• The prizes stated above are the only prize(s) - no cash alternative.
• One winner will be chosen at random and notified by email. Winner(s) will be announced on this page on the rafflecopter widget after the closing date.
• If the winner(s) do not respond to my email within 48 hours a new winner(s) will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Watermelon Printable Planner Dashboard Freebie!!

I have a little present for you today! If you are following along with my June Instagram challenge you will have noticed that today, day 6 the prompt is 'watermelon'. Now if you are having trouble with this prompt, don't fret as I have something that you might be interested in! if you haven't started yet, don't fret you can start any time and just catch up!

I was sat there playing one evening with my watercolours and out popped this little watermelon print. I looked at it and thought that this would look super cute as a dashboard. Don't you think? I thought it would be perfect for Summer, refreshing every time you opened up your planner. I am really into watercolour prints at the moment. I am loving that imperfect look.

Because I am nice he he, I am giving this to you as a free download so that you can print this at home and enjoy.

The dashboards are available to download as pocket size (81x120mm) personal size (95x171mm) and A5 (148x210mm). You will need software that can 'unzip' the folder to release the files as both pdf and jpeg. If you don't have it, just seach for WinZip or 7zip or any other programme like this - some are free but most computers come with this software on these days. 

To download the files please click here. Please note that the dashboards that I am offering as freebies are different to the ones that I sell, so if you have already purchased any of my dashboards, don't worry these are in addition for you. If you haven't purchased any of my dashboards and would like to or just have a nose at them you can view them in my Etsy shop here.

Please note: These inserts are for your own personal use only and are NOT FOR RESALE as either printables or hard copy. Thank you.

I really hope you enjoy your new dashboard. If you use it please do tag me on any photos you share on social media as I would genuinely love to see what you do with them!

I'm so ready for it - This weeks pages

Even though it is dark and gloomy with rain battering against my windows today, I feel in a really Spring like mood. I am so ready for April but more importantly I am so ready for Easter next week!

Products Used
Planner: Websters Pages Color Crush Planner in White with matching folio
Planner Inserts: Websters Pages week on two pages
Washi Tape: MT Brand but I can't remember where I purchased these from.
Stickers: Hobbycraft - I bought mine in store in the Easter aisle, they don't seem to have them online.
Journal Cards: Websters Pages - These are the days 'April'
'Art' Postcard: Unknown, sorry!
Paperclips: Ribbon Bow - Hey Charlie, Rabbit shape - Paperchase, Gold Bow - Kate Spade
Creme Egg Planner Charm - My Etsy Shop
Belle & Boo Stationery Set - My Etsy Shop
Dashboard - My Etsy Shop

There was a whole great big yummy mess on my desk which I just scooped up and arranged a little bit nicer for a photo he he! Such a nice way to spend a wet Sunday me thinks!

Easter chocolate here we come...

Planner problems huh...I love all these cards and can't decide what to use when and how lol! I like to pop a card in between my pages for prettiness and extra notes and the like but oh I can't decide, I like them all!!

My Set up of the Gold Websters Pages Color Crush Planner

I promised that I would share a set up and closer look at how I am using my Websters Pages Color Crush planner and here I am. At the moment I am using the Gold. I never thought I would be a gold planner kind of girl but I am absolutely loving this planner. As you know from previous blog posts, I am loving the gold, hot pink, black and white theme. I just can't get enough of it. Here is my video tour showing all the details.


Where to start huh? Well let's start by opening this little beauty up! There are going to be rather a lot of photos because, well it is just so beautiful that it has to be shared, right? OK so most of the inside of my planner is purely decorative. Even though it is already beautiful, I mean just look at that gold and hot pink contrast, I have added a cute paper clip and journalling cards to make it even more eye poppingly gorgeous. I really don't think there is anything wrong with making the inside gorgeous, after all it means you want to pick it up more and use it just to look at it!

So moving to inside the planner itself, the dividers and pages are just beautiful. The beauty with these planners is that you can leave them just as they are if you want to and they are eye candy in themselves, or you can further customise them with whatever you want. The inserts are all new to me so I am still learning how I want to use them and for what so you will have to bear with me a little on that. Of course I will continue to use this beauty and will update you again on how my usage has changed. As with everything you change, evolve and adapt as things in your life and your circumstances change too.

I have never, ever, used a monthly spread before but I am now! I have decided to use the monthly spread for keeping track of blog and YouTube postings and so far it is working just dandy and actually is taking up less room in my planner than how I was doing it before.

I have customised the notepad at the back by sticking some scrapbook paper from Websters Pages on the top sheet and also added some tape to give that hot pink pop!

In conjunction with the planner I am also using the folio. I have never used one before so I am still getting used to the sorts of things that I want to put in there and tote around with me.

I am really enjoying this planner so much and I hope you enjoyed having a peak inside too!

You probably want to know more about some of the products you have seen in this post well here goes:

Gold Planner & Folio: Websters Pages Color Crush
Panda Paperclip: Craftin Chaos on Etsy
Journal Cards: Websters Pages
Gold Bow Paperclip: Kate Spade
Gold Paperclips: Ebay
Crown Pen: From Linkys (no longer in business)
Kraft Sticky Notes: I believe from target (an American friend sent them to me!)
Belle & Boo Stationery Set: From my Etsy shop
Pink Stripe Washi Tape (slanted): Websters Pages
Pink Stripe Washi: My Etsy Shop
Gold Washi: Charlotte Victoria on Etsy
Other washi: Stampin Up / RAKs
Teddy Bear Pen: My Etsy Shop