Hi Creative Friends!
It's planning theme week over on the Pebbles Inc blog!
And for this theme post, I wanted to share a makeover of my less glamorous, everyday planner!
Not the over sized, over decorated planner that sits on my desk for flat lay photo shoots - but the honest, everyday, no frills, pocket size one that I carry around in my purse!
My 'real life mom' planner!
You know the one, it has scribblings of new phone numbers, a reminder to pick up the dry cleaning, a few coupons and a list of bills to pay!
Yes... the boring, unexciting planner.
BUT, that's all about to change with a quick planner make over!
I am using the gorgeous, bright & happy Patio Party collection for this cute planner inspiration today...
This line is so pretty, and the colors in Patio Party will brighten any dull organizer! And while I want to create a much happier, prettier planner I also want to keep it practical and easy to use -
Here's how....
My planner make over starts with creating my own custom dividers.
To make these 'fit' perfectly, use the original dividers that your organizer came with as a template. Trace the template onto your favourite Patio Party pattern paper and cut out. I also trace the holes so I know exactly where to hole punch my new dividers. As the first divider is the one I'll always see when I open my planner, I use the striking gold foil specialty paper from the 6 x 6 Paper Pad.
*Note: The 6 x 6 papers are single sided, so you'll need to repeat this process - reverse side up for the template, and adhere both sides together to create the one divider*
The striped, shiny gold pattern is just gorgeous but as this is the front cover divider, it still needs more....
I embellish with a few stickers from the 6 x 12 Accent Stickers sheet. Cute!
That sentiment sticker has just the right amount of inspiration too! Now that I'm happy with my first divider, I proceed to make one for every tabbed section in my organizer.
This time, I use the double sided 12" x 12" pattern papers so I only need to trace each template once.
Here's a look at them all, right side up.....
Aren't they the sweetest?! I'm already feeling uplifted!
Here's the reverse side....
Pretty florals, and oh my heart, flamingos!!!
What a difference a set of dividers can make to your organizer!
And when it comes to being organized, having a bookmark to instantly locate your fave section of your planner is essential!
How sweet is this book mark?!
Like the dividers, I use the original as a template to trace around, cut out and hole punch.
So simple, and yet such a practical and pretty adornment to your organizer.
Speaking of practical, how about something cute 'n' fun to store all those ugly coupons in?
Oh hello flamingos & hello happy! This planner pocket makes me smile!
There are a number of ways to create pockets, but the simplest one is to trace your divider template, but double the width. In my example my planner is 3 1/2" x 5", so I cut out a 3 1/2 " x 10" piece of paper. Score down the center, fold and tape the base and sides together. Be sure to leave the top unsealed so you can insert your bits 'n' pieces into the pocket.
Looking for something more sturdy?
Instead of tape, machine stitch the sides and base.
The next step in 'dressing up' my everyday planner was to convert the plain plastic pocket inserts into something a bit more special....
Eeep! Sequin shaker pockets are my favourite!!! So cool!
This pocket now doubles as a super pretty divider!
To create this fun (& practical) pocket, you'll need to insert a piece of pattern paper into the pocket. It needs to be a snug fit to help hold the sequins in place. Add sequins, and then fuse or glue the top of the pocket to the pattern paper. Embellish with another of those gorgeous 6 x 12 Accessory Stickers. You'll see in the image below that the back of the pocket still opens, and remains suitable for storing small items, receipts, tickets etc. ...
Love this! So perfect & so much fun!!!
Time to dress up that dashboard and boring cover!
I start by selecting a few of my favourite Die Cuts, and hot glue a large paperclip to the back of each of them.
Here's a closer look for you....
Oh what a stunning page marker! Planner clips never looked so sweet!
Insert them into your cover, add a few more stickers and voila!
Now that's more like it!
Still lightweight, & practical for my purse, but oh so pretty too!!!
Here's a look at that shaker pocket in action....
Gorgeous!!!
When it comes to jazzing up your organizer, or updating it with a fresh Spring look, Patio Party is the perfect choice!
I hope you feel inspired to get creative in your planners and organizers with our beautiful products!
Thanks so much for visiting today,
til next time,
Happy Arty Days,
Amanda xo
PATIO PARTY SUPPLIES:
Yep. That be a whole lot of 
I do love creative expression - it's part of who I am - so decorating my planner pages is the quick 10 minutes out of my Sunday night where I can play, and plan my week ahead. I love playing with paper, and sometimes, I just need to get stuff done;
This is my planner baby! I love my Kikki K - it's smaller and easier to cart about, and well, it just gives me planner peace! & you can probably see why! She is soooooo pretty!
Loving the typewriter font Accessory Stickers - great mini titles for organising your day with. The ephemera heart envelope is just a planner dream - I mean who doesn't heart #happymail?!! A gorgeous embellishment that I've turned into a planner clip.You'll also spy the
Oh, & how's that sweet tab Puffy Sticker - ADORBS!!!! Planner geeks be like, I NEED these!!! Just divine!