Expositus Vita: How I Turned A Catalog Into A Planner

This is a picture heavy post. :-) But I'll start off with a story.

On Saturday, Sean ran his first 5k for the Kent Cornucopia Days. In the area where the runners meet to register and warm up before the race there was a table with plastic clappers -- I had to get one for James -- and a little bag with junk in it. I got one 'cause I thought I might be able to use some of the stuff for collages or something. It turns out I was right! There was a catalog (Ex Officio, I think) that was a good size and had nice, thick pages. I set it aside and let James tear everything else up. I didn't really have a plan for the book, so I made a pocket in my art journal to hold it so I wouldn't lose it. Then, a couple of days later, I decided to make a blog planner where I could jot ideas and make a "schedule". And I thought, "heeeeey. I have something that would be perfect."

And now the pictures.

1. The supplies. Here I have my catalog, index cards, corner rounder, and double-sided tape. I used index cards 'cause I didn't want to spend the time or energy painting over the pages with gesso. Besides, if I went that route, I'd also have to sand the pages because they're glossy.

2. After I decided what kind of layout I wanted, I used double-sided tape to stick the index cards to my pages.

3. Here is a picture of the cards taped to each page. I had 13 spreads in my catalog.

4. Decorate the cover. If I wanted to do it "right", I would have sanded the cover first so the paint wouldn't peel off. But I was too lazy. So I started painting, but the paint was too transparent. I put a couple of layers of gesso down to cover up the people and the kangaroo. That's what you see below.

Then I painted.

And added some stenciling.

And some stickers and writing. And tabs. I thought I was done with it.

But then I decided to add a pocket for extra index cards. I used file folder scraps. :-) In the picture below you'll see a bone folder, double-sided tape, a short folded piece, a 'w' shaped piece and a larger, folded piece of manila paper.

I added some double stick tape to the accordion-shaped piece inside the 'v' and stick that shut. Then added tape to the under side of the flaps and on the outside of the 'v' that's not a 'v' anymore.

I taped the piece so the seam of the 'v' lays on top of the books spine. I put my pocket in the very center of the book, so the book will still close properly.

I took the short folded piece and attached it to the open side across from the fold.

I put double-sided tape on both sides of the piece sticking up from the center of the book and slipped one open end of the pocket over the hinge, almost to the spine. Now it's a pocket.