Tool Time Tuesday...A "To Do List" To Do

Happy Tuesday Everyone!!

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I love Tuesdays. I love sharing , I love thinking of things to make and I love all the wonderful comments you leave me, especially the last post on the button frame and don't forget, there's still time to enter a little give away too. I read each and every comment and I love them.
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This is a crazy time of year. Courtney is just home from finishing a successful freshman year of college and Kelsie is graduating from high school. All the "lasts" of everything are happening right now...last fund raisers, last dance recitals, last prom, last field trip, last senior project and then all the "firsts" for upcoming college. As you can imagine lots of emotions right now. And don't forget my peanut butter and jelly sandwich count down...13 more to go. When all this settles down, I'll be much better at replying!
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This Tool Time is perfect for this crazy time of year or if your mind is like mine and you always need a list. My mind is like a sieve. If it's not down on paper...it doesn't get done.
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This is the best To Do List Holder EVER!!! Ok, maybe I'm bias, but I do love it!
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Look what it's made from...another empty gift card. Remember the last time I used an old gift card, here.
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These gift cards are about 3 1/4" x 5 1/4" and I used a 3" x 5" note pad.
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Make sure the note pad has a card board back.space

You will also need some Mod Podge, which is the best thing ever invented. It's a glue and sealer in one. You'll also need a little fabric and a name badge clip which is pictured further down.

Place the gift card on the fabric...

and trace the shape.

You really only need one of these, but if you'd like to cover the back of this project, you'll need 2. You won't see the back, but if you are making them for gifts, I would.

Now spread a layer of Mod Podge over one side of the gift card.

Cover the entire surface.

Place the fabric piece right side up on the glue.

Take the Mod Podge again and paint the entire surface of the fabric to seal it. You don't have to wait until the first part is dry before you coat the top of the fabric.

Set aside until it dries completely. It doesn't take too long.

When it dries you will need to make the pocket for the front. I just used another card to cut out the fabric. The size is random, but leave about an inch all the way around except for the top. I made the fabric about an inch shorter at the top. The picture explains it better.

Fold over the top edge of the fabric about 1/4" or so.

I sewed mine, but you can use hot glue, fabric glue, stitch witchery etc...

Now take your dried, fabric covered gift card.

Place the pocket on the front of the card, right side up about 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" down from the top.

Turn the card over to hot glue down the edges.
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I folded up the corners, then glued the sides and then finally the bottom. Don't pull it too tight. Leave the pocket a little loose to slip in the note pad. See my black silicone hot pad...I really do use it for hot gluing!! This is when you would Mod Podge or hot glue the backing fabric on if you want.

You will need to cut out the area where they hang the gift cards.

I used an x-acto knife.

All set to go.

Here's the cute front!

You need a name badge clip too. I found these in Walmart office supply section or at Staples. You can also buy them by the bag online.

Just attach the clip through the hole and snap closed.

Remember the pocket on the front?

Well, take one of your note pads...

take the card board backing...

and slip it into the pocket.

Here you have it...a cute little "To Do List" ready to clip any where. Any where you say. Not just any where.

How about here!!!

Ok, this is the part that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. It clips to the air vent slats in your car. Woo Hoo. A To Do List right where you can see it when you are running around doing errands like a crazy person.

Here's a close up.

I love it so much, I'll show you again! (Ignore that layer of pollen every where. It's awful this season.)

This little beauty is ready to go and I actually used it right after this picture. The list said bank, school, pick up pictures, post office. You can also unclip it and take it into the store with you and clip it to your purse.

I know some of you may not have these gift cards handy. We sure have some here with teenagers in the house, but you can always use a thick card board, template plastic, the plastic from an old binder etc. Just cut out your own shape and follow the same directions.
spaceNow I'd better see this To Do List on your To Do List!!
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Have a wonderful Tuesday,
~Karen~

A Window of Opportunity...Wall Calendar

I've had these window frames for over 20 years from my great uncle. They have been different colors and have served different functions like mirrors, flower boxes etc, but for the last 10 years or so they have been my organizers in our family office. The family office was our dining room, but we turned it into the computer room/office for all to use.
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The window on the left has cork board in each pane to keep important papers or school flyers close at hand. The window on the right is our 6 month calendar. I was in the process of changing the months and thought I would share how I did it in case you have a window frame you'd like to transform.
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The window on the right has cardboard in each pane so I can tack the calendars to it.
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This is what it looks like with the calendars in it.
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I don't buy calendars...I just print them from a free website.
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Just go to this site. On the right side under Calendars, I click on "monthly calendars". Then from there, I use the Holiday version, because it already lists each holiday in the month. Click around though, because there are different styles and sizes for every purpose. Some are vertical or horizontal. Mine are vertical.

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It's a great site...I have no affiliation to it, just wanted to share!

Print off your desired calendar.

My window panes are longer than the standard 8"x11" piece of paper, so I print the title of each month on a separate piece of paper in a large font.

You can just tack them up with thumb tacks, but why not have something cute up there each month.

Like these cute little buttons that I just hot glued to flat headed push pins. The buttons are from my friend Carol who I met through blogging. Hi Carol!! She sent me 2 big boxes of buttons and thread that she received from a friend. I'm amazed every day by the kindness of strangers. She just sent me the buttons knowing I would find a project for them. I have others in the making...it's just taking me longer than I thought to get them done. You know how that goes. One big long list of "To Dos". Thanks again Carol for all the goodies.

To put the calendars together, I just tack each monthly title to each pane...

with these adorable button pins.

Here's the window partially set up.

Now take your printed calendars...

I cut off the smaller monthly name on the top and some small print on the bottom. Sorry about this upside down picture.

I use double side tape on the back top side of each calendar.

I place each calendar on the first printed sheet so it fills in the space at the bottom to hide the cardboard.

Now you're all set to fill it in with your family's crazy schedule. If you're like me...it gets filled in pretty quickly.

This little close up is the detail in the old window. Great to find these in flea markets, junk shops, yard sales, thrifting...

Love it!

So easy to have 6 months at a glance!

Don't miss this "Window of Opportunity" for organization. Go forth...recycle, paint and organize.
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Have a great day,

~Karen~