Laura Bees Filofax

I've been so lazy over the last few months with my planning but I'm back into it now! I've been so busy but haven't penciled it in :( 

However all the things I set out to do for my etsy store I haven't done- like I said I'm being really lazy! I need a kick up the bum! 

Keep crafting 

Laura Bee x x x 

Filofax's cover

This is my lastest project I've been working on :) 

 Keep crafting 

Laura bee xx x

Laura Bee's knitted F

So I was googling varsity letters for my filofax cover and this is what I came up with. It's a little messy around the outside but I'm happy with the outcome :) 

Gauge it!

If you're like me then you HATE knitting a gauge and despite all the books and patterns telling you, you MUST knit a gauge; you don't and then wonder why your knitting piece doesn't look how it should. 

So I'm actually making a gauge probably for the first time. I'm designing my own Filofax cases and I'm starting off simple. Another habit of mine is to make something complicated that I can't do then get depressed because it hasn't worked out... The Creative Lull. 

So I've read my knitting for dummies book (the gauge section) and it tells me you have to block it like your finished piece!! What? Not only do I have to make the gauge when I could just be making my final product but I have to wait to wash it AND dry it! Creativity takes time!

I've knitted a few swatches

I cast on 31 sts so the swatch is big enough and continue to knit till the swatch is 12 or so cm. The Moss stitch probably took the longest, it's the toughest too. This is the first time I've knitted honeycomb too, it's a little tricky although once you get into the flow it's easy. I darned the ends in and put them all in my washing machine; with a little fabric conditioner (I'm too cheap to use a washing tab). Now it's just  a waiting game...

In meantime I'm making embellishments for the cases, I'm thinking bunting to wrap around or quirky letters? I've made some flowers before too. I always lean towards the colour pink and flowers, I've tried to change but I'm set in my ways. 

Ta Dah! 

Next divide the numbers of rows and stitches by 4, this will give you the number for 1 inch.

19 / 4 = 4.75 stitches per inch

27 / 4 = 6.75 rows per inch

My Filofax measures:

height 8.3 inches

width 11.4 inches

8.3 x 6.75 = 56 rows

11.4 x 4.75 = 54 stitches

I cast on 54 stitches and start knitting!

Ta Dah!  

And it's the right gauge!! Don't forget to block it like your swatch! (The stitches look tidy and neat once washed).

Keep Crafting 

Laura Bee x x x 

Filofax Sunday

Red polka dots :) 

Tn the spirit of St Georges day!

Laura Bee x x

I think I was inspired by the recent sunshiney weather! It was a very spring like theme for me!

Filofax Sunday

Last week got away from us, with all the fun we were having at Joey's for her Birthday!

Here's the past two weeks...

 

It was indeed my birthday and we were all busy celebrating it! Such a good time! 

Filofax Sunday

I've had a lovely week. Nice and yellow for the lovely sunny weather! Well... it has been some days!

To celebrate the release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier,  I have a Marvel themed week! I used my easter egg box to decorate and to make the Dashboard, along with some washi tape and pretty American Crafts paper. 

A very floral week this week!

Small Business Showcase: Organise With Katie

Last year at Christmas, I was invited to join UK Planner Addicts. It's a wonderful lot of people based in the UK (mostly) and all share the same love for planners. They're such a nice bunch of ladies. A lot of us love Filofaxes. It's a place where you can share your enthusiasm for sticky notes and washi tape and other such glorious finds! 

I had the pleasure of making acquaintances with Katie Jackson who happens to be a small business owner of a business called 'Organise With Katie'. She designs and sells Filofax inserts for a variety of things, from calenders (monthly, weekly or daily) and travel planning inserts, to  meal planners and custom dividers. 

Katie was nice enough to answer these questions about her business. 

I was 19 when I started (In October - November, 2013) I'm now 20! 

I decided to start it when I found it fun to create inserts for my own Filofax! I found that there weren't many cute options available online, and those that were, were quite expensive! So I wanted to offer a cuter & cheaper alternative!

It hasn't been what I expected! Especially the past couple of months, I've had an overwhelming amount of support! It's been hard work & quite long hours, but I love what I do & can't wait to expand & grow my business!

I've been a Filofaxer for about 2 years - ever since I moved in to my own home really. But I've had a passion for diary-keeping, stationery & notebooks for as long as I can remember!

My favourite Filofax has to be the Original series! I love all the bright & vibrant colours they're available in! I also love the Maldens, Finsburys & Finchleys! I have yet to own a Malden or a Finchley though! But watch this space! My favourite size is definitely the A5! I just seem to struggle with anything smaller! My perfect size would have to be something in between the A5 & Personal though! If only!

Here are a few examples of inserts made by Katie. They're lovely and simple with clean design that make it a pleasure to plan!

These are customer photos sent to Katie of her inserts in use! They are so customisable, you can pick any colours you like!

The inserts I decided to get were the Day on One Page ones and they are so useful in keeping my thoughts on track. All the sections are highly useful. 

And this is my cover page which is also very customisable!

Thank you Katie, I love all of it and I hope that more people will buy this and buy your inserts because they're so lovely. I hope to get an A5 soon and then I'll show you all my wonderful dividers I got too!