Frugal and compact home binder

I have been a home-management journal-keeper for about as long as I can remember. I have tried all sorts of types, but never to my complete satisfaction. I need one that meets these parameters:

1) It must be compact

2) It must be portable—with a handle

3) It must be renewable

4) I must be able to personalize it to meet specific needs

5) I want it to be beautiful as well as practical

6) It must be really cheap

I had been using a portfolio with 3 rings, a zipper, and a handle, but it was both bulky and ugly. I liked that it was renewable and I was able to personalize it easily.

As I prayed and thought about it, an idea began to formulate. “What if I used a half-sheet notebook?” I mused.

After a long while of plans and trials, this is what I came up with:

1) I bought a half-sheet 3-ring binder from Walmart for @ $2.50

2) I covered it with fabric and lace I bought at a garage sale (I sewed a cover that I can reuse on subsequent notebooks, should this one become damaged at the seams or the rings). I made sure to incorporate a handle!

3) I took some parchment cardstock I already had and made separator tabs for each month, as well as for other categories, using some Bible stickers I had on hand that contained scripture as an added touch (you can find these at any Bible supply--they cost about $1 for a pack, and they are lovely). I covered some of these with strips of clear packing tape.

4) I took advantage of the wonderful resource of the half-page organizer print-outs from Donna Young.

--I found that I can make half-page protectors simply by cutting the full-sized ones in half and 3-hole punching them.

--My adjustable 3-whole punch works perfectly for the new size.

--I can use the booklet or greeting card template in graphic design or publisher-type software to make my own printables.

--There are many pre-made Day-timer-types of materials that I can purchase that will fit the 3-rings of my notebook, if there was something I couldn’t live without.

The results are so satisfying! I can take this little book wherever I go. I can sit and work on it when I am nursing, or watching a movie with the family. It goes in the car, and looks lovely with my handbag.

A while back my dear husband bought a storage container full of scrapbooking supplies for just $10--so I was able to embellish the cover pages and tabs to my tastes.

Instead of typing and printing some of my lists, I decided to hand-calligraphy them, adding a few stamps to each page. I will use my copier to make them renewable.

Thanks to God for another finished and practical project completed!