It's All About Me









Natasha Burns is hosting this fun event today. She asked us to create something just for us.




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while back a friend of mine asked me to design a book like this one for them to keep track of their etsy customers and blog swaps. It is so hard to keep track of addresses, because I don't look up people by their last name. If it is an etsy customer I alphabetize by the last name, but if it is a blogger friend, then I alphabetize by the blog name. Several times customers have ordered something from me and I didn't recognize the last name, only to find out that they were a blogging friend.

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There just isn't enough room on a normal address book to squeeze in the address and name of their blog and etsy shop, web site and blog address.

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So, I came up with this design.

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I loved it, and it was one of those books that I didn't want to give away. I thought about designing one for myself, but never gone around to it.

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Then when Natasha came up with this idea, I knew just what I wanted to create.

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The cover says

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The Blogland Diaries, My favorite Blogs and has my print of Elizabeth Wu's painitng.

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Ofcourse there had to be pretty with a bit of bling.

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I love black and white patterns, so I trimmed the book in several mix and match patterns.

My creation

Inside there is a spot for pockets to keep Thank yous to my customer, business cards etc.

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There are alphabetical dividers that I created myself out of black chipboard.

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Each page of the address book is designed according to how I look things up.

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By Blog Name or by last name.

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I have a spot for the mailing address, but also their etsy name and address, web site, etc.

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On the inside of the book I put a spot to hold a note pad.

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I love this big fat binder too, because it can hold a host of things in the pockets.

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I designed it so that I can stand it up like an easel, and flip through the addresses.

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hank you Natasha, for giving me the excuse to create something that I have wanted for a long time.

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Well, here is my gift to me, and you can see many gifts that each artisan has created for themselves, if you click HERE and follow the link to Natasha's place.

My creation

The song for this post is I Could Write A Book.
Lori said...

Karen, that is just GENIUS!!! i have all of my stuff plopped into a hideous plastic recipe card holder...i am kind of embarrassed to tell you that after seeing your gorgeous creation...that is really beautiful work...i love it!!!

Abatevintage said...

Oh what a wonderful idea, it turned out great too.

Blessings,
Heidi

SharDon Exclusives said...

Oh, girl, I can not believe, one more wonderful, delightful and gorgeous creation!! I keep all of my info in a ratty note book and stacks of notes to myself around the room. Look how absolutely gorgeous your book is!!! I am soooo jealous....Are you that organized in "real life"? Maybe that is what my problem has been. I just need a beautiful book to keep me in line.
Karen, I love coming to see your delicious posts but this one is the number one best!
Sharon

Sandra Evertson said...

What a brilliant idea and SO Beautiful too!
Sandra Evertson

Natasha Burns said...

Karen this is a super brilliant idea, I just love it! I'm so disorganised with everyone's addresses and details, i have a bit here and a bit there, what a great idea to put it all together and use pockets and a nice big folder! Not to mention it's so stylish and fab! Thanks so much for joining in! I'm so glad you did!

Cola's Cottage said...

Love, love, love this idea!! And it is so beautiful. I need all the help I can get to be organized and you gave me a wonderful idea to help me out with that : )

Hugs ~ Nichole

Kathleen Grace said...

You are a genius! I actually look up addresses in etsy according to what I know that person purchased. Each item is so personal to me I am somehow able to remember which friend bought what. I think I could use one of yur books soon though!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I love, love it. ....M....

Unknown said...

KAREN!! This is one of the best ideas EVER!!!!!!!! I just love this idea, how perfect! I think you could sell a lot of these too :):) I am so glad you made one for yourself, it is beautiful and so useful! Great job!
Hugs,
Amy

caren said...

What a fantastic idea - besides being beautiful! I would keep it for myself too!!!!

Betty said...

I need to make something like that too! I am so disorganized when it comes to paper work. What a great idea and it turned out pretty too!

Fete et Fleur said...

WOW! This is truly a wonderful idea! I want one!!

Nancy

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh how I wish I had the time to do more creating...your work is always an inspiration, Karen! I just saw another blog with the same idea from Natasha!!! Oh well, I guess I can say that my creativity is being used in the classroom, but I sure wishh I could participate more in this kind of art. Thank you! Anita

Pearl Maple said...

Fantastic idea, we all need to keep track of so many details and might as well as do it in style. Thanks for sharing the inspiration.

LiLi M. said...

Great idea Karen! This is something you will enjoy for many many years, so beautiful and yet so clever!

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

This is just absolutely wonderful! So much thought went into this. It only occurred to me recently that I needed to start keeping track of customers and blog friends. I will keep your design in mind. have a great week,

Kitty

Julie Ann said...

What a great idea! So elegant, and functional!

Anonymous said...

Karen this is such a great idea and your design is beautiful! What a fun way to stay organized. I'm thinking maybe a recipe book :>) Thanks.....

Hello Matilda! said...

wonderful!!! I love it!!!!

Congrats!

Claudia said...

Karen,

What a brilliant idea - really - I can't get over how perfect this is! Oh, I think you could sell these (I certainly would buy one) to our fellow bloggers! Just perfect!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Karen! You may have just converted me into a Black and White lover! Gorgeous! ♥

SmilingSally said...

This is an excellent idea to keep organized.

GerryART said...

It's a wonderfully creative, yet practical gift to yourself. Just very cool ! ! ! !
I do love organization.
Thanks to Natasha we have had this opportunity to make something just for US.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Karen, what a clever idea! Loved this!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

That's a SUPER fabulous idea!!

Sandy

Elyse said...

dear karen,

may i say ...

B R I L L I A N T !

that is fabulous. the same thing has happened to me with etsy sales. in fact i just had a sale and the name is so familiar but i can't track down way. anywho ... brilliant!

xo
elyse

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

What a great idea! Love all the black & white patterns you used...so chic!

roseroomnz.com said...

Awesome idea! You should market them!!!! Love the black and white scheme too! Rachaelxo

Pearl said...

Your blog name is so true... Inspiration, indeed!! Your creation is fantastic, and so beautiful, too... Sounds like all of us girls need something like this in our lives... Perhaps I'll find a way to create one for myself one day! Thank you for sharing...
Hope you're enjoying the
swap as much as I am!
~ blessings ~
Pearl
please stop by for
a visit, and enter to
win one of my give~aways!

Lynda said...

Karen, this is so beautiful and practical! I've never quite figured out how to organize my favourite blogs, etsy shops and emails and end up with addresses on slips of paper that always seem to get misplaced. You are amazing!

xo,
Lynda

SweetScarlett said...

Oh this one is a keeper - you were right in wanting one for yourself! I must come back again and look at how you have done it so I can make one for myself. I absolutely love it!
Cheers,
Maggie

Unknown said...

Karen, that is the most fabulous address book EVER! I ♥ it!!! Like Lori, I think it's GENIUS! WOW!

Mereknits said...

Thank you for stopping by to check out my blog via Claudia. I Love the book you made and the pictures of Fall. I live in Florida it is still so warm here. If your sister knits she must be wonderful, I think knitters have kind souls. I think your blog is just beautiful.

Meredith

Dogwood said...

Lovely, lovely...I love everything about your project. Handy, useful and beautiful. I love the colors and design. Have fun using it.

Unknown said...

Karen, what a wonderful and organized way to keep your information together. It's beautiful and inspiring!

Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog today and leaving your kind comments!

Blessings,
Teresa

Jeanne said...

What a great idea this is Karen! It is totally useful and so pretty too! Love it!
xo
jeanne

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Its just beautiful.I love it.XXOO Marie Antionette

Monica said...

OH MY GOSH!!! This is just fabulous!!! Love love love the white and black design and combo!!!
Thanks for sharing, and for your absolutely nice comment!
Have a great weekend,
Monica.

Mollye said...

Karen you are Mrs. Organization to the nth degree. Beautiful and crisp.

MARIA said...

Just I am reading your post,
watching your AMAZING ART-WORK
and listening to this beautiful song
"I could write a book".
Dear Karen, my soul grow Up!
Your place is a Magical Place!

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Hello Karen,

This customer journal/diary is fabulous!! I must make one...I have one of the spiral/twisty rolodex that hold the 2x4 cards that I'm having creative visuals for. :0) I think it's gonna turn more for fun than real function though..I may use it for all of my personal/household info and then make me one more on the lines of yours for blogland and my customers.

You really did such a great job on the design of this...very inspiring indeed!

Thanks for visiting me and for your sweet comments about my blog and header and my crochet...The flowers in the header are cloth brooches that I make and sell and I love sheet music so the design just came together.

Have a great day,
Stephanie

Our Hands For Hope said...

This is BRILLIANT and I'm sure you could sell them on Etsy!!!
I'm guessing that was you whos cute pink girl I voted for at spoonflower.
Hugs my friend.

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Great idea! Love it the idea and the classy design.

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

That is a very wonderful address book.I really like it .8~)
~Myrna Lee

- DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS -