Wednesday, October 02, 2019

Travel Organizer Folio Pocket Notebook

Happy October everyone! This year is flying by! Today is the official launch of Eileen Hull's new Chapter 4 Sizzix Die, The Pocket Notebook Score Board XL, and she decided to have a Release Party Blog Hop, and I'm happy to be a part of it!  You will definitely want to grab some sustenance if you plan on participating...there is a lot to see and read. On the die, you get all of the pieces you need to make an entire book- the cover, pages, latch and pen loop, and the completed notebook measures 6 3/4” x 4 1/2” with a spine that can adjust from 3/8 of an inch to almost 2 inches. String it with elastic, hemp, ribbon or twine. There are so many options for this die.


I only had time to make one project with this fabulous new die, but make sure you visit the other designer's as well, as you will have your socks knocked off with all the makes (see blog hop links below), and many of them made a slew of them...talk about inspiration! For me, it was all about business function and organization, so I made (more like stitched up) a Travel Organizer Folio to hold all that I need on the go for business, and it even holds my phone, with the help of some other dies.
I wanted a raw feel to this which is good because my sewing machine did not like the leather so much! I embrace imperfection.
I added a lined notebook to the first insert, and folder of sticky notes to the second insert. I love and use sticky notes a ton, so I included lots.
Lots and lots of pockets and slots for business cards, hotel keys, credit cards, receipts, whatever.

In case you want to know how I put this together, I have included my steps, although might be a little confusing, but now you can make one yourself.
I die cut the pieces with mat board and adhered them together with Multi Matte Medium so that  four of the stitching holes are shown...even though I am only using two...so that the folio is nice and wide.
I found this faux leather animal print material at the craft store, and thought it would be perfect for this. I wanted to wrap the notebook front and back with the material and then stitch the top and bottom, so I measured and cut the material to fit exactly, but it is just one long piece that wraps around the sides of the notebook. I also marked where the hole would need to go on the spine of the notebook for a closure, and I punched that hole. I stitched the edges of each side that will be next to the inside spine piece so that it will look nicely finished.
I cut the material to fit the center spine portion on the inside and punched the holes for the pages. I also cut the leather binding strap and inserted the elastic for the closure, and then set this all aside for later. Note...I ended up adding a black piece of leather to the back of the red and stitched these together as I thought it looked better on the front of the folio.
I die cut black leather from Eileen's Gift Card Folder and Label #2 L Die, as I thought this would be a perfect pouch for the phone. I cut a long strip of the red leather for the strap, and found large snaps for the closure on the phone pouch. I also die cut the pen holder from the Pocket Notebook Die.  I stitched around the three folding edges of the Gift Card Folder just for a nice look. I set these aside for a bit.
I die cut only the front portion of  the Notebook Pocket from black leather, and cut off the folding edges so it would fit in the notebook. I also cut red leather to fit inside of the pocket, and cut slits for the cards. I stitched a piece of the animal print behind the red leather so the cards would stay in place as it will also serve as a pocket behind the cards. Then I stitched the this to the black leather pocket.
I used the mat board notebook as a guide and marked where everything needed to go, so the mat board notebook was constantly added and removed and things measured...no pattern here for sure.  I stitched the pen holder in place above where the pouch would go so I had plenty of room for it.  I stitched the back portion of the Gift Card Folder onto the animal print onto the left inside,  leaving the pouch folding sides loose. I gathered the sides together and stitched the snap in the center of the pieces to hold them together and of course for the closure. I stitched the other snap to the back of the red leather strap, and then stitched the strap above the pouch measuring how long it needed to be using my phone.
Before I did the opposite (right) side of the pouch, I decided the front needed something, so I die cut my initials using the animal print from Tim Holtz's Storybook Alphabet Bigz Die. I stitched them onto the red leather, and then stitched that onto black leather, and finally onto the front of the book. It was difficult maneuvering the front part with the back part already having the pouch sewn on, so I should have done the front first. Live and learn.
I stitched the pocket and slotted pocket onto the left side of the notebook. The mat board notebook was placed for the last time in the center of the animal print, and I threaded the closure strap through the hole on the front spine and through the hole in the mat board spine and tied a knot, making sure that the closure strap would fit tightly but not too tight, and then I added tape over the knot to hold it in place so that it would not show. This proved a little challenge as the sides are not adhered to the mat board yet, so it felt clumsy to have the closure hanging but there was no other way to do that.  I added skor tape to the inside spine on the mat board, and adhered the animal print spine over this. I threaded the stretchy cord through the two holes for my inserts, and tie the knot behind the mat board spine between the animal print fabric so it would not be seen. Finally I adhered the sides onto the mat board pulling them nice and tight using a little skor tape. Then I stitched the top and bottom edges, and cut the overhang of animal print fabric.
...and Voila!!!
 Now it's time to visit all the others! Please follow the Blog Hop to see all of the fabulous projects, techniques and videos!  AND...There are also two GIVEAWAYS- the Pocket Notebook die and a gift certificate for Eileen’s Etsy store. To enter to win, leave a comment on each of the posts. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, on Eileen’s Facebook Live show. 











Anita Houston (You are here.)










Thanks so much for stopping by everyone, and good luck on the prizes! I'll be back soon!
I hope your hands get creatively dirty soon!

57 comments:

  1. So much to love on this! It is fun and funky and pretty and solid! It holds everything - and I love the way you incorporated the gift card folder - and your initials!! Fabulous!

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  2. What an amazing gift. Oh man, my daughter loves animal print and would go gaga over it. Thanks for sharing!!!!

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  3. The die cut of your initials using leather is a clever use of mixed media and stands out even against the leopard print. Your instructions very aptly describes all the parameters I might run into with measuring. thank you

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  4. Definitely an absolutely fabulous version of the notebook - so glam! What fun to be part of the party - congrats.
    Alison x

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  5. That leather is so beautiful - very creative design! Thank you for all the detailed instructions!

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  6. Amazing work here - this is unique and beautiful - TFS your creative artwork -

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  7. Love this.... Love the front with your initials. Really like the phone holder. Great ideas!!!

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  8. So cute! it reminds me of my sweet kitty---a Bengla--spots!

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  9. Animal prints are really hot right now. Love the colors and the pocket idea is genius.

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  10. Right up my street. Love functionality and fun put together.

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  11. This is such a clever and practical and beautiful (kind of like you, Beautiful Soul!) way to use this die. It's just loaded with amazing details and so fun to look at!

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  12. Fantastic. Love the animal print & all the slots and pockets.

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  13. Fantastically Awesome.......love how your mind works! A relevant project!

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  14. Beautiful, love the phonne holder and practical use for this journal

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  15. Not just beautiful but practical too, your notebook is fabulous Anita, I really enjoyed your tutorial too! Hugs, Anne xx

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  16. I love the animal print. This is sooo cool.
    Anita Holte

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  17. Love the animal print cover with the red accents Anita! How clever to create a phone pocket with the Gift Card folder!

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  18. Love the animal print! Very nice book

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  19. Oh my-I can`t get over how every person comes up with totally new ways you use this die.The phone pouch insert is genius:)

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  20. I love the leopard print you used. Fabulous!

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  21. Great book. The animal print is cute-very creative-thanks for the tutorial.

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  22. Beautiful! I love how you create such an amazing planner but yet so unique! Love all the details especially the phone pocket!!! Just love it!

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  23. love how you created this, love your choice of fabrics.i wish i could sew lol. thanks for sharing and thank you for the hop xx

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  24. Such a creative way to use the notebook and it is totally "you". Love it!!!

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  25. Useful is beautiful too. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  26. The phone spot is a fantastic idea!

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  27. Love the animal print!!! Great journal!

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  28. This is a very cool notebook. Leather touches, great. It is also so useful. I love the pocket for your phone. I use and love sticky notes, that page is great. I realize it is your initials but my first thought was it was a book for your great ideas and revelations. AH...

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  29. Love how you went with the animal print, and the pockets are cool!

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  30. This is brilliant Anita! Fierce and sassy, stylish and completely practical too. I love that you've included a holder for your phone, totally useable pockets and sticky notes alongside the notebook. You are totally good to go with this in your purse! LOVE it x

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  31. What a handy creation to keep all our essentials together in one place. Loving the leopard print! Thank you for this inspirational creation.. Tracey x

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  32. Anita, this printed leather is such a beautiful cover for your organizer, I just love how you’ve incorporated a pocket for your phone and the inserts are just right for keeping track of everything. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity with us!

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  33. What a super cool pocket notebook. Love the fun print, the stitching... the phone holder is an awesome idea!

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  34. Wow Wow wow! Beautiful job here. I'm crazy for animal prints and this book is so useful with phone holder and all the other spots for important day to day stuff! Great work! TFS! Love it! :)

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  35. I am always amazed at everyone's creativity. Love that you have a pocket for your phone inside the journal!

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  36. Fabulous way to keep yourself organized!

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  37. Wait- what??? I love this! Did not realize that the phone would fit inside the Gift Card Folder- you are a genius! I love how you used this Pocket Notebook as an organizer complete with monogram- so fancy! Thanks for all of the tips and techniques- I am always interested to see people's creative process- thanks for sharing yours my friend!

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  38. Such a fun and functional notebook this is!! Wild and wonderful!

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  39. Adorable, love the phone storage place, have b=never thought of that. There are so many amazing things you can make with this die.

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  40. This is so cute, love the built in phone storage, amazing project, thanks for sharing.

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  41. Fantastic ournal Cover Anita x Its great that it holds your phone too...very clever xx

    Thank You for sharing such a great step by step xxx

    Sending my best wishes
    Annie xx

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  42. Beautiful! Luv this Travel Organizer Folio notebook! So inspiring! Luv your faux print covers, phone holder ....everything about it! Thanks for sharing your awesome ideas! Suzy Q

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  43. LOVE it!! So great to see that a phone can fit inside too!!! Great to make as gifts and initial as you have done for each person!! Love the stitching and layers of leather! Very functional yet beautiful!!

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  44. Well, you know I'm not here for the giveaway! I really love this, and gasped when your post opened up! Love the print, and you have created a very professional looking organizer! Thank you for the step out, too!

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  45. It looks great.
    Many thanks for the detailed instructions.

    All the best Jan

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