Creative Ideas Binder

Like most scrapbookers, I find that ideas for scrapbook pages strike me at random moments: when I'm driving in the car, at work, or even shopping at the mall. Inspiration can happen almost anytime. For years, it would happen that whenever that perfect idea came to mind, I'd be stuck without paper or pen, and the idea would most likely be forgotten. I realized that I needed an easy way to store my ideas that could travel with me anywhere. Enter the Creative Ideas Binder.

My creative ideas binder stores all of my scrapbooking and altered project ideas, and is small enough to fit in my purse. Now, whenever inspiration strikes, I just grab a pen, jot the idea in my journal, and I'm ready to go. Plus, the binder's divider pages are made from pockets, so if I find that I have a clipping ripped from a magazine or a spare photograph, I can simply tuck it into my binder and I have it easily available when I'm ready to create.

To create your own binder, you'll need a few supplies. I used products from the Sarabinders line by Hot Off The Press.

• tall chipboard binder
• set of 5 pockets to fit binder
• lined & unlined paper to fit binder
• 6-7 sheets of 12" x 12" cardstock paper from your favorite manufacturer (I chose fruit stand by s.e.i.)
• tab divider stickers (s.e.i.)
• alphabet stickers or diecuts

You'll also need a paper trimmer, a corner rounder, and a strong adhesive (I recommend Xyron's "Cheetah" line).

The Insides

I've found it's easiest to create the insides of your binder first. The first step in this process is to create your divider pockets. To do this, follow these easy steps:

1. Cut a sheet of patterned paper to 7" x 7 7/8".
2. Fold the paper in half and adhere to the pocket on both sides, making sure the cut edge is on the left inside edge of the pocket.
3. Use a standard hole punch to punch through the holes on the left side of the pocket. (The holes are already in place on the pocket page; you just need to punch through the cardstock.) The easiest way to do this is to line up an uncovered page over your covered pocket, and punch through each hole.
4. Add a tab sticker to the right edge of your pocket, creating a divider.
5. Repeat this process for all five pockets.

Covering Your Binder

Now it's time to cover your binder. This part can be tricky, so follow these instructions exactly and you're sure to get a perfect fit.

1. Cut a sheet of patterned paper to 7.5" x 11.5".
2. Use a corner rounder to round the edges of the two right side corners.
3. Line up these edges with the front cover edges of your binder and adhere paper to the front of your binder ONLY.
4. With your binder closed, wrap the paper around to the back cover edge. If necessary, crease the paper into the spine of the binder. Check to see that the paper edges line up correctly, and round the corners of the back edges. If the paper is too long, trim off the excess, making sure the measurements line up when the binder is closed.
5. Keeping the binder closed, adhere the paper to the back cover of your binder.

Important Note: Make sure that you don't place any adhesive on the spine of your binder. If you do, your binder won't open correctly and the paper will tear. Also, make sure that you adhere the papers to your binder cover and do all of your measuring with the binder closed. If you do it when the binder is open, the paper will be too short when it's closed.

Finishing Touches

Your binder is nearly complete and ready to use. Simply add the pocket dividers to your binder, with a few sheets of paper after each one, ready for your notes. Label the tabs according to your preferences. I have one section each for Albums, Pages, Projects, Misc., and Notes.

Add a title and some decorative embellishments to your cover and your binder is ready to fill with your ideas and notes. Just toss it in your purse and wait for that perfect inspiration to hit.

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