Saturday, July 12, 2008

Sewn-in Vinyl Pocket For A Notebook

And now for the reason I was thinking about the tape on the presser foot trick ...
I've been carrying this small notebook in my purse with my to do list written in it.  For important, persistent information I was using post-it notes on the inside cover.  But with rough daily use in my over-stuffed bag, the post-its were getting all mangled.  I was afraid I was going to end up losing them.

While I was trying to come up with a solution, I noticed that the front cover was just larger than a 3" x 5" card (my favorite!) and I decided to add a see-through pocket.  I have a bunch of clear vinyl I bought years ago that I've always wanted to use.  I cut a piece the size of the notebook cover, taped it to the notebook, put the whole thing in the sewing machine, and then IT WOULDN'T MOVE.
Hey, look!  I found the macro mode on Andrew's little camera!  This is the mangled mess of threads that happens when you try to sew something that doesn't glide under your presser foot.

That's when I remembered the tape trick.  Disaster averted!  Plus, now I can carry around several 3" x 5" cards with important info on them to keep them separate from my ever-changing, often completed, and occasionally ripped out pages of to do items.

I'm on a super-simplify kick recently (always?).  I've tossed the big, fancy to do list templates, although I've kept the web application where I'm keeping all the lists of things to do ... someday. :)  My little notebook is strictly for things that absolutely must get done.  If something is still on the list when I get to the bottom of the page, I usually don't carry it over - it gets put on a 'someday' list.

"Lean and mean," that's my new motto.  OK, maybe not so much the "mean" part, but "lean and kinda nice" doesn't rhyme.

(I left for a moment to consult a rhyming dictionary ...)

OK!  How about "lean and routine"?!  I think that works.  Some people hate routines and find them stifling.  I love them.  If I don't have to think about all the mundane crap, then I have more brain power for the things that really interest me.  Bring on the monotony!

17 Comments leave a comment


Salihan said ...
7/12/2008 7:14 PM
I got an idea after reading your post. Now that you have the plastic sleeve in your notebook, you can write directly on the plastic sleeve using whiteboard marker and wipe off when you've done it. Even less paper wastage. ;)


gleek said ...
7/12/2008 8:02 PM
great idea!


kat said ...
7/12/2008 8:06 PM
oh so clever, the all-important cute!

i cannot tell you how happy it made me to read you dig lists and routines as well.
i need absolute structure in my life, so i can be wild & free - "wild & free" being code for "short attention span & chaos."


The Caffeinated Crafter said ...
7/12/2008 11:19 PM
I was straining my eyes to make out the must do's in the to do list of Alice... then gave up... read the rest of the blog entry... then saw the size of the notebook... and realized why I couldn't read the writing. It must be like gnome writing... small, small, small.


The Caffeinated Crafter said ...
7/12/2008 11:21 PM
Also. Not sure the dry erase markers would work on that... as things would scratch it off while being tossed this way and that in her big ol' bag.


Alexis said ...
7/13/2008 7:44 AM
What a great idea! I'm going to try that. Thanks!


julie said ...
7/13/2008 10:07 AM
Clever! I too have an old mangled notebook. I may just use this tip to save the cover, its really ragged.
Julie


susan kelley said ...
7/13/2008 1:23 PM
Lean & routine-- I love it! That's my new motto.


Fancy Elastic said ...
7/14/2008 6:26 AM
I love the amount of thought you are putting into your listing at the moment. I love lists, order and routine! Hoorah for feeling in control!


stitchtacsew said ...
7/14/2008 10:23 AM
Hello Hello - Just wanted to say I love your blog, I stumbled upon it as I was looking for pictures of the Anti-Craft cotton bag you fashioned. I'm crocheting one now in different colors for my book review. Great pattern!


angelina said ...
7/14/2008 12:19 PM
I love routine too. I need the structure. I feel like I've been without routine for a long time but am beginning to get it back.

This is a great idea. It could also be useful for containing the many very important scraps of paper that go loose in my bag.


Shannon said ...
7/14/2008 3:59 PM
What an awesome idea! I'm gonna go home and sew pockets in all of my hundreds of notebooks that I never use.

Pockets are awesome. I hope they never go out of style. This life would be awful without pockets.


candeelady said ...
7/15/2008 5:04 AM
clever little future girl


Claudia said ...
7/15/2008 8:17 PM
Hi, I love this blog! I've added at mine. I'm from Spain but I'm working to translate my posts


Grace said ...
7/17/2008 10:43 AM
Your book is so cute! And...I've quite fallen in love with your blog. Definitely one I"ll be haunting! :D


Jessica said ...
7/19/2008 11:00 PM
I am the queen of post-its and notebooks. I dig this idea. Eventhough I have a Blackberry, I can't get away from writing my to do's down. There is something about seeing my own handwriting rather than cold black text.

 
Minns said ...
7/22/2008 8:21 PM
What a fun idea, thanks for sharing! Love lists, routines, notebooks, pens, the whole shebang. Do you get excited about office supplies as much as I do? {I miss being out of school solely for the supply shopping...but alas, August is almost here.}

And I agree with Jessica; there's something clear and pertinent about one's own handwriting.


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