Handmade "Graphic 45" Pocket Size Travelers Notebooks Planners

Making and selling these traveler's notebook planners is not what I thought it will be. Hmmm? More time spent in the planning stage than actually spent on making the TNs (traveler's notebook planners). It's easy to make the TN planners but selling the TN planners is another ballgame altogether. Read on to see my process.

I started out watching a lot of videos on Youtube. I wanted to see which style traveler's notebook planner I'll like to make. Which TN will be budget friendly to make and time it takes to make one. I wanted to be able to make a lot without spending a lot of money.

So I chose the pocket size traveler's notebook planner. It's small, fits in your purse easily and not so bulky. Also, the TN didn't require a lot of product to make. I chose the laminated traveler's notebook planner version being you can wipe it off if it gets dirty.

The inserts for the traveler's notebook planner I purchase at the Dollar Tree and Wal-mart. At the Dollar Tree they're 3 for $1.00 with 50 pages per notebook and Wal-mart they're 3 for $0.88 with 80 pages per notebook. A better deal at Wal-mart but not always in stock.

I purchased my laminating pouches at Wal-mart. My glue and tape either came from the Dollar Tree and Wal-mart also.

The elastic bands I purchased from eBay and Amazon as they're cheaper when you buy big rolls. I used 2mm but 1mm will work just as well.

I then had to choose a paper collection. I had some 8x8 Graphic 45 paper pads which I used. I used "Off To The Races", "Vintage Hollywood", "Bohemian Bazaar", "Fairie Dust", and Midnight Masquerade". Beautiful paper collections.

It's easy to make these if you do it assembly style. So I trimmed all my papers down for my covers first. Then I laminated them. Trimmed the excess and rounded the corners.

I then punched my holes. I wanted my TN planner to have 4 elastics so I punched 3 holes each end. For the closure, I punched a hole in the center.

I then trimmed all covers for the inserts. Rounded the corners. I either covered my inserts with the pattern paper or I just took the covers off the inserts which I like better.

I laminated some of the cut aparts to accent the traveler's notebook planner.

I embellished with planner clips and some with tassels which I purchased from Wal-mart or Paperwishes.

I added an adjustable binder clip pen loop with a pen. The elastic isn't glued down so you can take it apart and fit it to the pen you're using.

I included a washi tape sample too.

I also used a Sizzix die, scalloped bag, which I laminated.

All in all, I think they turned out great. I made 22. I took my time. Paid attention to details. They say it's all about the details.

Here are some pics:

"Bohemian Bazaar" Laminated Pocket Size Travelers Notebook

"Bohemian Bazaar" Travelers Notebook Inserts

"Bohemian Bazaar" Travelers Notebook Washi Sample, Page Marker with Pen Loop, etc...

"Fairie Dust" Laminated Travelers Notebook

"Fairie Dust" Travelers Notebook Inserts

"Fairie Dust" Travelers Notebook Washi Sample, Page Marker with Pen Loop, etc..

"Off To The Races" Laminated Travelers Notebook 

"Off To The Races" Travelers Notebook Inserts

"Off To The Races" Travelers Notebook Washi Sample, Page Marker with Pen Loop, etc..

Some of the traveler's notebook planners are listed on my YouTube and others are listed on my eBay.

Thanks for reading and happy crafting. 🧡

Snowman Christmas Tree

So this year I decided to do a snowman Christmas tree instead of an elegant or sophisticated Christmas tree. I already made whimsical Christmas present ornaments as you'll see in my earlier blog post here, http://impossiblecreations.blogspot.com/2016/11/homemade-handmade-whimsical-christmas.html for the tree.

I've been seeing the snowman Christmas trees all over Pinterest and my local Wal-mart has a snowman Christmas tree in the front of their store next to customer service. So, I was so inspired to make one myself.

I didn't do the snowman with the mesh for the body, instead I did a more whimsical approach. I used red garland, Christmas tree ornaments from my stash which include salt dough ornaments and my Christmas pigs, the whimsical Christmas present ornaments I made, a snowman head for the topper, a scarf, boots and sprigs for the arms. Also, on the tree is a handmade stocking Tray made at school.

As the days go by, I will continue hanging any other handmade ornaments that Tray may make at school. I am also going to make some whimsical Christmas presents to go underneath the tree too which will definely make the tree pop.

The grandkids love the tree and that's all that matters to me. This Christmas 2016 will be one that Tray will definitely remember as he helped participate in decorating the house. Avah is too young but she had fun helping also.

Hope this will inspire you to think outside the box and just decorate anyway you want. There's no right or wrong. Anything goes. My husband's friend, she didn't have the monies to buy a tree this time so she decorated her house plant tree with lights and ornaments. Sorry it's blurry but you get the gist of the idea.

Super cute and crafty!!!Definitely thinking outside the box and for inspiration, Pinterest has lots of ideas. Here's my board https://www.pinterest.com/craftychicdawn/christmas-tree-ideas/ for Christmas tree ideas and I also have other boards related to Christmas trees and Christmas ideas.

Thanks for reading. Happy holidays and happy crafting ⛄⛄🎄🎄

XOXOXO Dawn

Homemade Handmade Whimsical Christmas Tree Ornaments!

Being I'm on a shoestring budget, I'm going to make my Christmas tree ornaments this year. So, I decide to go with a whimsical look. I am making whimsical Christmas tree ornaments using whatever I have in my craft stash, along with other things.

I use chipboard from cereal boxes, frozen foods, etc... to make the whimsical ornaments. I glue the Christmas pattern paper to the front and back of each ornament. The glue, once dry, helps make the ornaments more sturdy.

I Google images for whimsical Christmas tree ornaments, whimsical tree ornaments and whimsical Christmas presents. I freehand the images on the chipboard and then trace on the pattern paper. I will decorate with ribbons, sequins, glitter, glitter glue, buttons, etc...

It's a little time consuming but I know in the end it will be worth it. I will post pics of my finished tree but in the meantime, here's some pics of what I've done so far.

Whimsical Ornament Christmas Templates

and here's pics of my tree before decorating!

Thanks for reading and HAPPY CRAFTING!!!

XOXOXO Dawn