13 March 2013

A Mini Solution - Guest Post - Lime Tree

A big thank you to Lime Tree for this Guest Post, which neatly follows on from the post last week on Pockets and Mini's used as wallets. 

Hi there lovely Filofax-lovers!

I decided it would be a good deed to raise my hand over here and share a love-post about the mini size Filofax.  AND to show you that it is possible to make a very good use of it!

It is a tough restrictive call, yes, no lying on that, but it is very very possible to do it. The lack of card slots is nothing to fear and I will talk about that in a sec.

Actually after I figured out the slots issue I ended up with three minis! Ooops! Hehehe. One Chameleon and two Finsbury.

So, many centuries ago when I was naïve enough to believe I was going to pick one size/model and stick with it, I was perusing the net and found a fun little DYI project.

I thought, “Aha! Great idea! If I decide to go with a mini size, I would certainly do that”.

Well, I decided “to go” with all sizes because I get into cycles, loving all and each one of them for different reasons at different times. Even thou loving all, I was never able to combine {for too long} a wallet with calendar, to-dos and such. So very early on my Filofax journey I decided to separate both.  I rescued from old dusty bookmarks that DIY project, *aham* got a new Filofax {I really needed for the DIY thingy} and got to action.

I was going to send you guys directly to that tutorial but I found out that the post is not available anymore.

Fret not, because it is a very easy project. I don’t have pictures of the process {cause I did it a long time ago}, but bullet points will get it done:

First the materials:
  • Old business cards book
  • Duck Tape
  • Scissors
  • Filofax-friendly whole punch
Here all them together {minus scissors that I forgot to add to the group}:


Instructions:
  • Detach the business card holders out of the book.
  • Cut a piece of duck tape a bit longer then the height of each card holder.
  • Tape each card holder on the edge {where you will whole punch it} making sure that the tape folds to the backside to make it sturdier.
  • Trim the edges
  • Whole punch them
And Ta-daaaa! Extra card slots all ready to go! Here is how mine look like:


Now, in action:


I even have room to add more cards!


Card slots shortage all solved.

Ah! And minis are great to keep your shopping lists too! I have each of the stores I visit more often all in a designed tab. At home if I remember something I just write down under the store name. So when I am out and about and pass by one of the stores I have my list ready.


And mind you, I even have the option to choose between a zipped or clasp one. Hehehe. Both are GREAT!

This was only made possible because the Philofaxy community is just above and beyond amazing. Darling sweet Zoe was the one that found that preciousness and handed it over to me. Just like that! And I have been using it ever since. :) Totally perfect for the purpose! 

Besides the DIY project there are two other reasons this lovely Zipped Finsbury fits so well as a wallet:

1- NO Pockets! Yes, oddly enough I love the fact that are no pockets. There is only a tight one in front. Why I love a no-pocket Filofax? Because there is no room to tuck in a gazillion of useless receipts. The important ones I squeeze into the front pocket which forces me to always do something with them when I get home; log, file, etc. So the lack of pockets is actually a great way to keep it neat!


2- It is very sturdy, so it keeps its squeezable-yummy-round shape all the time. I love to hold it! It is very hand-friendly. Hehe


NOW! Best part! I have a “travel” mini-wallet as well - The Finsbury with a clasp.
I love that one too because of course, it is transferable, all cards and lists can be used the same way:


BUT it is “tip-friendly”. Meaning, on my daily routine I rarely carry cash with me so I don’t miss a cash slot on the zipped one, but in trips where there is always someone to tip, I do need that feature!

And there it is the cash slot handy and awesome:


And now both beauties together {because we all know that Filofax picture-drooling is fun!} :


So there you have it, my mini Filofax love-post :)

I have been using that system for months now and I hadn’t messed with it or wanted to mess with it!  How amazing is that? :D

One last shot {really last one, promise!} and I leave you guys with my warmest wishes of a great Filofax day to you all! ;)


Thank you for sharing these great tips and ideas with us Lime Tree.

38 comments:

  1. I use a red mini zip as my main planner ... Now I really need a purple one lol!! That is a fabby idea for cards, I might try that! Thanks. :)

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  2. This is very helpful, thank you! Seems to be alot of 'mini' buzz lately--there were few web finds and video this week featuring the mini. I just received my first mini this week and I love it. I bought a Metropol to see if I would like the size. I think I may get a leather one soon. One of the reasons I was never interested in a mini before is the lack of inserts and I thought the paper was just going to be too small. I find it handy as a 'capture' tool and it fits perfectly everywhere (a pocket, handbag, etc.) Its nice to see so many creative ideas for inserts for the mini.

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    1. yes, I agree, I still hadn't find a way to use as a calendar. Too small for that. I even tried the week on two pages to use as menu planner, but not much success either. That set-up above, on the other hand, is just p-e-r-f-e-c-t for me :)

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  3. Lovely post! And you totally have me wanting a zipped mini now, haha!

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  4. I just ordered a little black Filofax mini last night so this is very helpful. I am training myself to remember that I really only need four cards with me, three bank and a driving licence for ID.

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    1. oh, you are good! I wouldn't be able to survive with only 3! Too many grocery cards and other memberships :) hehe

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    2. There is an app for that!

      Try http://www.cardstar.com/

      There are others as well. It saves your loyalty cards as barcodes. The supermarket, or the coffee shop just scan your phone screen.

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  5. That's a great idea, thanks so much!!
    Now off to make the little pockets... ;)

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    Replies
    1. Yay! Which mini do you have Elke?

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    2. Actually quite a few - bought them because they were so cute, but never really use them: Baroque, Malden, Bloomsbury, Finsbury, Finchley in various colors :) But insprired now!!!

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    3. aawww a baroque? how cutisy that must be! :D

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  6. Those little pockets are so adorable!

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    1. Aren't day? And I like that the color tape I used goes well with the pink AND the purple one ;D

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  7. Great timing for the tutorial! I am on the lookout for a business card holder for this purpose, but I did not think about the duct tape. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. You are most welcomed! I was very happy to have found that tutorial as well :)

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  8. I want everything in one binder (at least for now), so I'm happy with my Personal size Metropol. But a few great ideas for Mini users, like the shopping lists! Most of the time, my lists are on paper that is big enough so I can write everything down divided into those groups anyway. But with smaller pages, your way is ideal. and those little pockets look good, too. Two thumbs up!

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  9. Great idea, I now need a mini :-). Thanks for sharing x

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    Replies
    1. haha, did I enable you? Not that I meant to do it....really.... :D

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  10. Great post and I love the shopping list idea! I have everything under one shopping list, but section it off is fantastic!

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    1. I love it too! Specially things that are not super-urgent if I put in a general list I loose track of it. Separating by store I know that once I am there (at the store) I will have everything I randomly thought of, even from weeks ago.

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  11. Just wondering if Washi Tape would work for this?

    All the Duct Tape on my area is industrial grey or silver.

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    1. Hi lbff, I am not sure, but maybe if you put two or three layers of washi tape that will make it a bit sturdier.

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  12. Aha - so that´s what I need to find to enable me to put all my cards in my mini Chameleon properly - I´ve been looking for something for ages. Now at least I know what I´m looking for - just hope I can find one :-)

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    1. hehe, My chameleon use to be my wallet. Although I found it very floppy for that purpose so I stopped using it. But you know, it is a chameleon AND spring green. Can't part with it. :p

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    2. See my earlier comment about Cardstar!

      http://www.cardstar.com/

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  13. This was a fantastic post. I use a Vera Bradley wristlet for my wallet, but now I want a mini.

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  14. Thanks for the inspiration! I have the same pink mini Finsbury and it needs more pockets. I'll try silver duct tape and som washi tape.

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    1. oh, great! let me know if the washi tape works!

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    2. Ended up using regular clear office tape and washi tape on top. Seems to work, but might not hold up for as long as duct tape would. But it looks nice and now I've got more pockets!

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  15. Great post - thanks. For a while I stopped using my mini in my handbag, but I'm going to go back to it as I miss having a 'notepad' in my bag. Thanks for the shopping list idea - I'm going to borrow that! My mini is black Portland, but I could do with a shot of colour in my handbag...

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  16. This is a great idea!!! Now I think I'll go get some of that fancy duct tape that is so trendy right now :) Lots of possibilities...

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  17. Great idea! Totally smart! Shoul I consider a mini?

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  18. Love this post and the pretty pictures! Now I want a mini too!!! : )

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  19. This is such a great idea! I went right over to eBay and found an awesome price on a pink mini.. now it's on it's way! Do I have to find a smaller pen to fit in it? Any recommendations for pens?

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  20. Interesting that the Mini Fins (zipped) has an elastic pen loop, while the clasp version has a full-leather one!

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