Make a Life Organizer

Life organizer for 2014

A new year means we get to turn over a new leaf and make resolutions to change and improve our lives for the coming year. Every year among my many resolutions I always have plans to be more organized: to keep on top of the papers and the to do lists and plans for the year. I am always interested in anything that might help me organize my life. Many people have moved to digital organizers, which are very tidy and work for many, but for some reason I am still in favour of the physical paper organizers--and there are still some things that digital doesn't work for. If you are like me, and enjoy the physical nature of paper over electronics, or for the things that just need to be on paper, this organizer may be just what you need to make.

This life organizer has many pockets, made with file folders, double sided tape and scrapbook paper. To make my organizer I followed the first 2 lap book tutorials by Kathy Orta and then from there I took ideas from Linda’s video on the life organizer her sister made and customized it for my personal and business organization (see the links below).

Since making my organizer I have added photos, lists for what to take to the shows, Christmas gift lists and ideas, quotes and more ideas. I also made one for my mom for Christmas and she loved it.

The video that inspired it all - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u6ZNDcqVuc&list=PLIfMqBhA0moItaSIqyd1j3yzNmmnNm2_j&index=9

Then to make the base for the organizer I followed the Lap book tutorial part 1 and part 2 by Kathy  Orta

 Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_P4TlkD7mA

Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dYkcHurLfE

Look who is coming to the WEST sale (part 5)

More of the great variety of WESTies coming to the Sale.

Dproject

DragonNerd

We are bound together

 

Purple Haze Vintage

Feature Friday: We Are Bound Together

Andrea Davis is the artist behind We are Bound Together, she enjoys doing many artsy things, but currently bookbinding is on the front-line. Her desire is to use her talents to help others. This is why her store "We Are Bound Together" was started. Proceeds from the sale of her books go towards supporting persecuted Christians around the world. Read more about the causes she supports and about Andrea herself in this interview!

My favourite items in  We are Bound Together are the flower stitched spines. The idea for those came out of the WEST March Design Challenge. I didn't know if it was possible to do that on the outside of the spine, while maintaining functionality, but it was. I guess it's my favourite because I succeeded in something I didn't know was possible. I really like how it turned out.

My long term aspiration for We are Bound Together is to include fabric backed books. It's funny because that is what I originally started out doing when I learned bookbinding. Due to circumstances, I didn't have my materials for making fabric books, so I started with duct tape instead. The goal of my shop is also to raise money for Christians around the world facing persecution for their faith. By this I mean people who are actually being killed and their families left with no way of supporting themselves. Most of us have no idea what it looks like to have to face something like that. We don't have to wonder if our families will be starving on the street because there is no one to help them. I desire, one day, to have a steady flow of sales in my store to be able to donate to organizations who can help. 100% of the proceeds (minus cost of supplies), when I start getting sales, will go to organizations like Voice of the Martyrs or Open Doors for this cause.

I guess I've never thought about why I like crafting. It's something that I've always done in some form or another. I like creating with my hands, be that a garden, preparing food or works of art. I love making things beautiful and watching things grow and become.

Along with bookbinding, I also enjoy painting (watercolour and oils) and drawing. I know most don't consider playing the piano, writing or gardening “crafting”, but I also enjoy those as it's something that I can both build up and watch turn into something beautiful.

My husband and I made the decision a while ago to, whenever possible, buy things which are ethical. By that I mean that I would be satisfied with the working conditions of the one who made the item as if it were myself in those conditions. Buying handmade also supports people who enjoy doing what they do, like myself, and you're a bit more connected to that “real person” on the other end of the item.

I am currently reading Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand. He is the guy that started Voice of the Martyrs after being released from 14 years of imprisonment in communist Romania.

I am currently listening to Ludovico Einaudi, modern classical piano and I also have his piano book.

I combat creative blocks by variety. I don't typically get creative blocks, maybe because I'm always jumping from one thing to another before I get stumped at any one thing.

Magic at the Museum is a Winnipeg Bestseller!

Hi, I'm Jane Heinrichs, and I've been a part of WEST since its beginning. I'm a children's book writer and illustrator (as well as an artist) and my book "Magic at the Museum recently made it to the #2 spot on the Winnipeg Bestseller list for the week of 6 Sept 2009. It even muscled its way past Sendak's classic "Where the Wild Things Are" and the Twilight series. :-)

Make sure you buy your copy of the Winnipeg Free Press on Sunday where the list will be published for all to see!

I want to send out a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who bought my book. This kind of affirmation means the world to me.

"Magic at the Museum" had a slow start. I had the option of publishing it with a well-known publishing company, but opted to print it myself to keep my creative integrity. (the big company wanted to make changes to the book that I wasn't comfortable with) I printed it in Manitoba exactly a year ago, and it has had a slow rise in popularity since then. I have worked very hard to promote the book in shops, schools, and everywhere I go. One thing I've learned is that it isn't hard to sell a product if it is something you believe in. And, if it is excellent quality, it ends up selling itself!

This is just confirmation that if you work really hard at something you believe in, success is sure to follow!

Yours

Jane Heinrichs

"Magic at the Museum" short-listed for Manitoba Book Award

Hi Everyone,

I'm very excited to announce that my self-published children's book, Magic at the Museum, was just short-listed for the Manitoba Book Awards "Best Illustrated Book of 2009". This is such a huge milestone accomplished in such a short time. Exactly one year ago I was contemplating whether or not my little book would ever get published. I spoke with my Mom and she decided that we would start our own company and publish it ourselves. We went to press in September, and since then things have progressed rapidly. It hardly seems believable that a small effort could reap such rewards!

The awards ceremony is on April 25 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. It is open to the public, so feel free to come along if you like.

It is amazing what home-grown things can accomplish if you work hard enough!

All the best!

Jane Heinrichs