28 May 2012

Simple and flexible dividers

<Puts hand up> OK, I admit that things in my Malden are a bit of a mess.
There is some sort of order, but I haven't been using any dividers as I haven't yet got round to making my own. When I put A4 sheets of paper into my filofax, I fold them over so that the punched holes aren't covered. This means they're slightly wider than A5 which means the standard size dividers get hidden. I'm aware I could add in another fold, but it just seems more fiddly to me. Initially my idea was just to make the dividers all wider, but realised they would probably get in the way of my pen instead. Then I came across these little magnetic page markers, which seemed to be just perfect and I set to work with the following, using the blue piece of card as a cutting template:


I'm really pleased with the results as I wasn't particularly inspired by cardstock at my local shops, and it's been a cheap and easy way to introduce more colour.



I chopped up the rest of the calendar for when I fancy a change.


Another added bonus is that I can use the plastic sleeve the bookmarks came in. I'm not sure if I'll use it for pens as they'll be a bit bulky, but I love finding new uses for items especially when it's just going to be thrown away.


I think the only possible downside to the page markers is the additional weight they'll add. However, as my filo stays at home it's not an issue for me personally. The reviews I've read say that the markers are good at staying put on a page, so hopefully they'll work well as dividers for me.

And this is what the front of my filo looks like currently with my new tabs showing clearly.


15 comments:

  1. I'm on the other side of the Atlantic, but I thought the beauty of A3/A4/A5 etc. sizing was that you were supposed to be able to fold in half to get to the next size down. Why would folding an A4 cause a sheet to be too wide?

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    1. You don't actually fold the A4 in half as you have to allow for the the holes to be punched. I used A5 size for my lecture notes. I fold the paper in half then cut a slice off the bottom. Xx
      :)

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    2. Apologies as I don't think I was clear enough there!
      I have just amended the post slightly & hope it now makes sense. As icclewu mentions, it's taking into account the punched holes on sheets of A4 paper. Using the magnetic page markers lets me just pull it out slightly to allow for the extra width, if needed.

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  2. Anita - I've used those magnetic page markers and they DO stay in place. In fact, they are so thin and resistant to opening and moving them to another page that I gave up on them on bookmarks. Your dividers are lovely. I use transparent fly leafs with an Avery tab attached as my dividers; I also cut a slit from the inner margin to each hole so I can move the dividers/page marker easily.

    And, most importantly, what a wonderful card for your frontispiece!! So touching.

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  3. Anita, it's b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.! And those magnetic clips - thanks for the great idea and the link, I've only ever found the dull ones with the cars on them!
    (Oh, and PS: Your husband deserves a big hug!)

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  4. Great idea Anita, I have those clips they are great, I use some Olympic ones in my London 2012 filofax and just ordered some more for my other filofaxs.

    When I made dividers for my a5 I just cut around the flyleaf, that way they were the perfect size, I then used some of the post it note tabs, the ones that are more sturdy and can be written on using a sharpie pen.

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  5. I just cut A4 card in half on a guillotine and I use OHP transparencies with Avery Tabs, labelled up with my label maker. I use thes magnetic bookmarks too, but have found some plastic coloured arrow bookmarks in Waterstones, which are a lot lighter and do the job better. So now I use a mixture. Love, love, love your pictures and your 'my wife' postcard. Just lovely!!

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  6. Sorry... typo... meant to read these. xxx

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  7. You have just shown me the point of buying the hole puncher! Thank you!

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    1. Hi Danielle, I've found that using a FC pagelifter as a template gives me perfectly spaced holes. Line up the paper and pagelifter, and using a single hole-punch, depress until you feel the slight resistance, then a gentle slide down til you feel the more solid blockage, punch. Voila! Hole, just where it's supposed to be. This has saved me the expense of a 6 hole-punch, and is more portable. Got the basic idea from Giftieetcetera. That woman is amazing. Hope this helps.

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  8. Genius! I actually have some of these in different shapes and use them as actual bookmarks, but would never have thought of using them as tabs! Thanks for the idea!

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  9. Super idea to use calendar images in a Fax, they're usually too beautiful and well-printed to just throw away... note taken, many thanks!

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  10. Thanks for your comments, & yes, my husband is lovely & gets lots of hugs!

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  11. Anita, It's fabulous! I love all the color!

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  12. Beautiful pictures. I've laminated a calendar picture of a red door with a quote from Sri Rabindranath Tagore, to use as my frontispiece/pagelifter.

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