2020 Pocket Notebook Calendar

2020 is almost here!

Are you ready? I've made a start by putting together this fun 2020 pocket style calendar to keep up with myself, and that 's no easy task!  I used Eileen Hull's Pocket Notebook to create a monthly calendar that I can easily take with me when we are traveling as it is 6 3/4" x 4" and the spine is about 1 3/4" wide.  I used Graphic 45's beautiful new Fashion Forward Calendar Collection.

Video Flip Through

I recorded a video so you could see all the pages.

The Closure

Rather than the usual elastic band that are used on so many of these style notebooks, I chose to make a velcro closure.  It's simple to make, you just need to plan ahead.

Cover the inside and outside of your notebook cover with your choice of paper.  I often make mine with plain cardstock, then I don't have to worry about paper pattern direction and all that.  Then I cover the cardstock with design papers.  

Cut a 1" wide strip of  Tim Holtz Substrate or chipboard and at least 5 1/2" long.  Then cut cardstock to cover the strip 2 1/4" x 5 1/2".  Score on the long side 5/8" from each edge and cover the substrate or chipboard strip.  Then adhere to the front cover with a really strong adhesive.  A clothespin works great for holding it tight while the glue dries.

Here's a tip from my friend Ginger Ropp for cutting thin strips of cardstock.  Use post-its to hold your paper in place.   Works fabulously and no risk of tearing the paper like when you use tape.

Now you can proceed with your cover and add design paper etc.  

After I put design paper on my cover, I decided to secure the band with a couple of brads so that the band can't be torn off or come loose.

Once you have completed the back cover, you can add velcro.  Just place the velcro (with both pieces attached) onto the cover.  Remove the adhesive backing from the top of the velcro and securely press the band over the velcro, lift the band and one piece of the velcro will be attached to the band,  and the other on the back cover, thereby creating a perfect closure with everything lined up just right.

The Calendar Pages

I created a calendar at www.CalendarHome.com to use with Graphic 45's calender cut-aparts (8 x 8 pad).  The trimmed calendars fit perfectly inside the calendar cut-aparts.  You can download the calendar I used here.  As you can see in the photo, I just cut the individual calendars out, rounded the corners and adhered them over the design paper.

You can download a printable page here for the lined paper that I printed onto 6" x 12" lightweight cardstock to used for the note pages in my calender.  Just cut 12 x 12 paper in half and print.  Or, you could print on regular copy paper.

Supplies

Eileen Hull Designs by Sizzix Pocket Notebook

Sizzix Making Essential - Mat Board, 6" x 13", White, 6 Sheets - Item #656492

Eileen Hull Easy Cut Adhesive Sheets 6” x 12” sheets

Eileen Hull Red Liner Tape 1/4 in x 6 yd

Other Supplies

Graphic 45 Fashion Forward 8 x 8 pad

Graphic 45 Patterns and Solids

Graphic 45 Die Cut Assortment

Black Cardstock

I haven't recorded a tutorial video for this specific journal yet but here are links to some tutorials for traveler's journals by Eileen Hull.  They go together in the same manner as this journal.

Traveler's Junk Journal

Traveler's Notebook

Alchemy Journal

Thanks so much for joining me today!  After the New Year, I will do a complete tutorial for this notebook, til then...Happy Holidays, enjoy the season!

xxoxo Maggi