Birthday Organization Challenge

Boy, that Nichole knows just when to present the perfect challenge! With the new year, many of us are thinking about organization...I know I am. Nichole's challenge will help get you motivated to send out some of those birthday cards you've been making. The Senior Design Team at Papertrey has plenty of creative ideas to help organize and remember to send out those cards.

Here's my new system: It includes a Rolodex system, some fun clips and a decorated box to keep it all in. Let's start with the Rolodex system. I purchased this standard Rolodex file at Target along with a punch to make new cards and/or punch business cards to add into the file. I originally was going to do some altered art but that never happened. Now is the perfect time to use up what I already have. But it's ugly and plastic-y looking, right?

Here's my solution to dress up my Rolodex. I cut a piece of PTI Kraft Cardstock large enough to cover up the front of the file. I used Pine's Rustic Branches stamp set with Dark Chocolate and Ripe Avocado ink. Papers from October Afternoon, eyelet ribbon, buttons, flower sequins(Prima)and PTI Twill Ribbon in Aqua Mist embellish the front. The circle accent has a computer printed *addresses* label that has an outline circle stamped from PTI's Circles Borders and Corners stamp set. Edges are inked with white ink.

I wanted to incorporate a few more organizing items into my system, so I used regular clothespins to make some fun clips. The fronts are covered with printed pieces of PTI Kraft Cardstock, inked in white. Each clip has a button or sequin of some sorts glued on. I like Zip Dry glue, available at your local craft store. I'll use these to clip the corresponding items into each one....like bills that are ready to mail, birthday cards that are ready to be written in, envelopes, coupons, postage stamps, etc. Aren't they cute?

Here's some examples below. I printed 4.25" x 5.5" pieces of PTI Kraft Cardstock with all of my family's and friend's birthdays and anniversaries. The front calendar is a little one that Eric brought home from his work, they have gobs of them. You can usually find them at places like banks, insurance offices, or farm shows when my parents go. :) Someone always picks me up a handful.

Here's everything organized in a super cute and functional box. I used PTI's egg box with the insert removed. I covered it with October Afternoon patterned paper, ribbon and a flower sequin. I used PTI's Scor-Tape to adhere all of the items to the box. No warping, no drying time...wonderful stuff! The lid box will always stay under the box so the box remains open.

Here's a close up shot of the decorated box with the cute little Prima flower sequin accent.

And below is a shot of where I'll keep the clothespin clips when not in use. I'll simply clip them to the back of the box and they'll be hidden by all the goodies inside. My little black Rolodex hole punch hangs right over the side of the box too.

And to start the new year off right, I got a head start on a few birthday cards. I used my Tent Topper card design and used some leftover scraps from my project. The stamps used are from Pine's Rustic Branches stamp set and the sentiment is from Birthday Basics.

My original Tent Topper design that I created is HERE and some more HERE. I love this design and am enjoying seeing all the samples out there. Click on the links for more information on them. Basic card size is 4.25" square with the topper placed to make the card no taller than 5.5". This way the card still fits into a standard A2 size envelope. The topper accent can be whatever size you want it to be....it can be a square, rectangle, or circle.

Hope you enjoy...and be sure to let me know what your system is, I'd love to hear!!

Want some more inspiration? Check out the other girls' blogs here for their ideas. I can't wait to check them out myself!!
Lisa Johnson
Lauren Meader
Heather Nichols
Debbie Olson