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05 June 2012

Free For All Tuesday No. 70

We are once again ready and prepared to take and answer any of your Filofax related questions.

So fire away.

82 comments:

  1. Question: does anyone know of a product that will seal inkjet printing onto paper, so it's not so darned prone to blur or run if it gets wet?

    I believe there are sprays you can buy to seal artworks done in pastels, but I don't know if they would work.

    And while I'm on that topic, I found a web page that will let you see all your computer's fonts on one page, and you can select the words/characters shown as well - handy if you're making DIY dividers or something and need a quick preview: Local Font List.

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    1. You could laminate it? Then use a dry wipe pen if you wanted to write on it.

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    2. Thanks for the replies: I don't want to laminate because it bulks out the binder (as does clear covering film) and I found any type of paper does blur with my set-up, then again my printer is over 9 years old now (HP Deskjet 940c) and since I like to use parchment card etc, seems like I'm stuck with it.

      Oh well, c'est la vie! ^_^

      I might look into those sprays, and check with the arts department at my university & Paperchase, and if I get anything useful I'll post it on another "Free for All"!

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    3. I used to do a lot of artwork with printed things - Almost any art fixative will work. Even something like mod podge although you should let the prints dry completely first or they will run. Art fixative sprays will work too, they are made for smudgy things like charcoal and pencil drawings. Just try to not to soak the print, use a few thin coats instead of one thick one.

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  2. Hi Folks,

    I just wanted to let you know that I have spent a most pleasurable Bank Holiday weekend setting up a day to day teacher's planner,with of course my new Dodo Pad as my day to day reference point for duties, homework set, meetings, school events and my calendar appts, plus a week to view page of lessons...just put one in for now, as the template can be jigged around. Have made home made mind maps, timetable blank, extra- curricular registers etc. Can only go so far, as I don't know where I'll be working. But... all sorted for when that job of my dreams is offered to me. I set it all up in my A4 Strata, which was in a bargain rummage bucket for only £7 last Christmas in TK Maxx. A day off for Philofaxying does no harm and was just so lovely.... she says by way of excuse.... the real thing is..... I couldn't WAIT to think of a trillion ways to use my new prize. Just LOVE it... so thank you once again from the heart to all the Philofaxers who nominated and voted for little ol' me!!!

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    1. Sounds like a good way to spend a bank holiday, Jane! Fingers crossed the upcoming round of teacher resignations frees up your perfect job x

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    2. Wow, that sounds neat, Jane! Would love to see pictures of your newly setup planner. Are you on Flickr perhaps?

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    3. hi Jane....I've spent some of my day setting up fountain pens with new converters and coloured ink.....I'm well pleased with my results as well!

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    4. As an educator, I would love to see pictures of your setup.

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    5. I will have to investigate how to get onto Flickr as a member and be able to post photos. Have never done this before. Thanks for the suggestion.xx

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  3. Hello, just had a simple question. Can anyone suggest a shop that stocks a varied range of Filofax's in the Liverpool area? Love all the reviews but feel the need to "see" one before committing.
    Thanks
    Iain

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    1. Hi Iain

      WH Smiths or staples is probably your best bet. The latter has a better stock in my area, but I wouldn't like to say that would be the case nationwide!

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    2. Hi Iain, I'm in Liverpool too! Staples has an OK range here, but it's expensive and the only new ones that have been introduced in the last year are the cheap girly ones. WH Smith is rubbish because only the very cheap ones are on display, all the rest are empty boxes and you have to ask to see them, and it takes the shop assistants ages to find them it's almost not worth it! As you will know, the WH Smith in Liverpool is small and doesn't have a good range of anything! Paperchase in the Met Quarter has a good range that you can have a good look at, but these are quite girly ones. I think your best bet is John Lewis, which stocks a good range and tend to be cheaper than other places. You can see quite a few there, although they haven't updated their range since last year. If you want to check if they have a particular filofax in store before you go down there to check, phone the store and ask and they will look for you!

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    3. Thanks for both of the replies. TPS - such a thorough answer I feel like I'll let you down if I don't follow up! So John Lewis it is. Thanks again :)

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  4. Has anyone ever set up a "moving home" filo? (Laurie?!)

    It looks like we'll be moving back to Scotland at some point next year. Timescales are movable and will be dependent in OH getting a job, so I don't have a fixed timeline to work to. I also need to get the current house into some kind of saleable order and think about things like getting a new nursery for my son, etc. Its a 500 mile move so there are a lot of considerations.

    Any ideas??

    (PS - for the few of you who are friends with me on Facebook, please keep this on the QT for the moment as some friends and family don't yet know. Thanks!)

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    1. Babs, do you have the Flylady Book "Sink Reflections? She has a hole section with lists about moving. Also about getting your house in Selling-Order.
      If you can't access the book, I could scan and email you the pages. Drop me a note with your email address on jotje69(at)gmail(dot)com

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    2. Thanks Jotje. That would be a great starting point. I'll email you!

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    3. Babs! Where in Scotland might you be? I'll be in Aberdeenshire, maybe we could have a meetup sometime!

      FlyLady has an excellent Moving Tips page on her website:

      http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/moving/

      If I have time I can do a Moving Filofax post!

      In short though, start making your lists NOW of what to do. I also wrote a post about moving (where I linked FlyLady's page):

      http://www.plannerisms.com/2010/05/moving-tips.html

      I hope my post and FlyLady's page will help you get started! :)

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    4. Laurie! I was hoping you'd pop by! LOL! We're hoping to move to the North Glasgow area (my family are all in and around Glasgow) so I'm sure we can manage a Philofaxy Scotland get-together at some point :)

      Thanks for the link to your post and I've had a quick look at the flylady website thanks to Jotje pointing me in the right direction. I have my exams on Monday but I'm then planning on taking some time to set up a moving filo. My personal aqua finsbury is in training as we speak for the purpose!

      It just seems so daunting moving from one end of the country to the other with a toddler in tow and trying to organise things like house sales and job hunting at the same time! The last time I did it it was just me and a van-load of stuff!

      Thanks again x

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    5. I think once we have a date / timeline then I would agree with you, Scoot. But at the moment there is no real timeline - only one fixed point in time which is a recce trip this September (2012). The actual move could take place anywhere between then and ideally September 2013 - but it could go beyond if the right job doesn't come up, with an ultimate drop dead date of September 2014 when our son starts school.

      In the meantime there is a lot to do with regards sorting out the current house ready for sale, scoping out estate agencies at both ends, finding potential areas to move to, nurseries, schools, job prospects, removal firms, storage firms, etc. Plus planning back-up plans (what happens if the ideal job turns up in November 2012 versus November 2013), and also thinking through the logistics of actually how to move once the right job does come up.

      *gulp*

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    6. @ Babs - your diary of for your move will inevitably be intertwined with other events so, even if you have your move as a seperate project in another filofax, you'll have to carry both binders. Also, much of the paperwork associated with your move will be A4 sized, and could amount to hundreds of pages.

      Why not do what I do; in other words, add the reference to each document to your filofax, but accomodate the actual documents in a filing system of your choice, an A4 lever arch or box file perhaps.

      We all love our filofaxes, but everybody will be communicating with you in A4.

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    7. Many thanks Scoot. There's some good food for thought there. And thanks for your words of caution too. Fortunately we're not gamblers and tend to play safe in the property market. It's more the fact of trying to orchestrate a move with a toddler in tow that's got me scratching my head a bit!! But your right. Lists and lots of small tasks broken down make it manageable!

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    8. All of Scoot's advice is fantastic, and much of it is what I'm planning to put in my Moving Filofax post (if I ever get around to it, I'm too busy right now with the moving!).

      Tabbed sections in your Filofax will help organize these mini-projects he was talking about. Also, I found a sequential list helps me a lot. When I move, some things have to happen before others, so I make lists of what has to happen and in what order. They aren't dated at all.

      And Scoot is absolutely right about prioritizing your possessions. You'll find your most frequently used items must be packed last, because you use them all the time. Start making lists of what you'll need to carry with you (birth certificates and other important documents, jewelery etc.), what you'll need to put in your luggage for immediate use, what you'll need when you get into your place even if your furniture hasn't arrived yet (kitchen items etc) and the rest of it can go in the main shipment.

      And Scoot's financial advice is good for everyone, all the time!

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    9. Hi Babs,
      I was sent a Dodo catalogue with my pad and there is a Dodo book of the big move. It is a big container folder with tabbed sections and pouches- 12 as well as front pouches to store important letters, documents etc. I know you didn't like their diary format.... but I don't think this has a diary with it. As it is A4, with 2 rings.... ie like a standard A4 binder,with bags of pocket room at the front, you can add your own bits. It's £14.50 excl postage. Looks very good to me.... and I've ear- marked one in case I need to move to a new area. THIS TIME..... I am going to estimate my costs and double them!!!! More expensive than one often allows for. All my fingers and toes are crossed for you Babs!! Won't it be lovely for Callum too... (as my family are Scots, I am secretly thrilled at your decision!!!) xxxx

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    10. I have a Dodo Book of the Big Move and just wanted to clarify the pages are A5 size, not A4.

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  5. Hello all! I'm selling my jade / teal personal Finchley if anyone's interested. Click here to view it on eBay.

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    1. Great, i'm watching it so fingers crossed!! :)

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    2. I'm in the process of collecting finchleys,I got pocket imperial purple from CO, managed to get a teal pocket off ebay which is on it's way to me, does anybody know if they will be bringing out any more finchleys or are they withdrawing them? Think it's my favourite organiser although Aston is a close second.

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    3. Fabulous! I really hope it goes to a Philofaxy fan. I know it will be loved and stroked often, LOL!

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    4. Alison I know the Finchley line has officially been discontinued but sometimes you can still find some on other countries' Filofax sites as well as Ebay and such.

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    5. Ah what a shame :( I've been checking them out on other countries sites but i'm having problems translating. I'll keep a look out on ebay though, thanks

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    6. You can guarantee if I win it will be loved and stroked often lol

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  6. I also have a question. Some of you will have seen from my blog recently that my hubby has decided he needs a Filofax for work (YAY!) so I'm on the prowl for a black A5. I've found a new Identity for £21 (usually £37) but I'm wondering if it lays flat. Does anybody know? Thank you!

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    1. City organiser have an A5 Grey Finchley reduced to £39 at the moment. That might be ideal?

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    2. Thanks Babs. I've shown him and he definitely wants black. Thanks anyway!

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    3. Lucy, there's a very cheap black Metropol on ebay right now. I think this is nicer than the Identity.
      Or you'd have to hunt down a black Chameleon (currently 45 GBP on Filofax.uk)?
      There is also a vintage A5 Finsbury in black on Ebay, that looks quite nice. The Finsbury lays flat without struggles!

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    4. Thaat would be mine! It is also listed on here as i didn't think it would sell - its in perfect condition minus one small dent in the front - see the photos - i will do swaps etc for it too :)

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  7. Does any one have or has anyone seen the new yellow Finsbury? I love it for summer and want to order it if it really is the color it shows on the Filofax USA website. I want to be sure it's a more sophisticated yellow and not ”daycare center” yellow. I haven't seen it in any of the stores yet.

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    1. Kelly, if I happen to see one during the NYC Philofaxy meet up next week, I'll let you know.

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  8. Hi all. Does anyone know if you can still get the bi-fold or tri-fold Personal paper that Filofax used to sell in the 80s and 90s? Similar to the A5 TM series sheets like Project Planner, where its Personal size, but opens out to two or three sheets wide.

    I've tried several searches using a variety of terms but turned up nada. A UK supplier would be great but if not, anywhere international would do. Thanks :)

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    1. Hi Paul
      Sorry not seen it for sale. I tend to print on to A4 then cut it to size and then fold it accordingly. It's fairly easy to work out the exact size you need to set your margins or table to to print in to it accurately enough.
      Regards
      Steve

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    2. Paul,
      Visit www.succes.com and search for XT224 - it's their reference code fro fold out activity planner sheets.

      Their "Standard" size is the same as Filofax Personal.

      There are also some fold-out planners in the Philofaxy templates section, for printing on A4 paper and then cropping. Just search for Activity Plan.

      Hope this helps!

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    3. Brilliant, thanks guys. I'll look at Steve's plan for some things I already have that I'd like to print, and I'll definitely look at Success.com, as I'd like a few wider sheets for being out and about. I love the fact 99% of people's questions seem to get answered on this site.

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  9. Hello! Could someone please clarify for me if the Personal Malden has a full width wallet pocket like the Pocket size? The USA sites mentions it for both sizes but I think it is a typo. Thanks a bunch :)

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    1. Hi
      That is a typo, it's only present on the Pocket and the cute little Mini Malden!
      Steve

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    2. It's a typo. What they mean is that the personal malden has a full length slip pocket inside the back cover. I have the antique rose in personal and that is what it has.

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  10. Hi everyone, I've been trying to buy an A5 Chameleon from the Filofax website but every time I get to checkout my baskets clears, I've tried with several colours but it makes no difference, just wondered if anyone knows what i'm doing wrong, i've tried Safari and Google Chrome, thanks

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    1. Are you accepting 3rd party cookies on your browser? Try using Firefox may be.

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    2. Try Pens and Leather. No cart problems and you'll pay less for it. :-) (I have no affliliation with Pens and Leather -- I'm a very satisfied customer.)

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    3. Except Dawn is in UK not the USA... postage import duty tax etc from the US to UK will put the price up...

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    4. I'll try those suggestions, thank you

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    5. I've had this problem, think it's because they are out of stock!!

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  11. Just an update and some good word-of-mouth for The Pen Shop in Cardiff.....

    We went to Cardiff on Saturday with a list of converters and nibs needed (I decided not to take advantage of Mrs P's offer of the Cross fountain pen for now, as I have so many already), and Debbie at The Pen Shop was *excellent*. So was Adam, to whom I spoke on Friday but who was on his day off by Saturday. They are knowledgeable, helpful, willing to chat pens and stationery ad infinitum, and they also sell Paperblanks notebooks and a small range of FF products (hurrah! that puts this post on-topic!). I came away with two Parker and one Waterman converters, and my favourite Waterman pre-2000 fountain pen is now on its way to Scotland (yes really) to have the nib changed and made less 'wet'. Results all round. The only problem was I forgot to get blotting paper....ah well, I guess I'll just have to go back :)

    The Pen Shop is in the St Davids Centre in the centre of Cardiff, and is well worth a visit if you're west of the Severn Bridge......stationery/writing implement meet-up in Cardiff, anyone? :)

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  12. Hello Everybody
    Having watched all the excellent videos, infinitely better than television, the thought occurred to me that most were contributed by women and the dividers in their Filofaxes were profusely decorated.
    My question do the men have embellishments to the dividers in their Filofaxes. In order to brighten up the plain dividers I’ve just started to add some modest designs to some of mine. Incidentally I have a personal size Metropol and have had no difficulty with the Flatability.

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    1. I don't embellish anything!

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    2. Me neither. Just plain tabs with Dymo-written labels.

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    3. That Dymo Letratag is seriously the *best* £25 I ever spent......

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    4. I don't embellish anything either, and I'm a GIRL! ;-)

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    5. I think there's an important kernel of truth there. It's commonly ladies who seem to embellish their FFs. How about women FF users in business - what binders, setups etc do you use.....?

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    6. Anthony - Would love to hear about the types of designs that you are adding to yours! Care to share?

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    7. To answer David- I'm a woman in business (at least the non-profit world...) and I'm still using my personal crimson malden. It is completely "me" in the sense that I haven't limited my use of photos, tabs, dividers, etc. just because I'm in a professional setting. It's my planner- so I'm not going to let my job determine how it should look :)

      On the other hand, my entire binder is pretty subtle- there aren't any crazy stickers, it isn't bright pink, and I haven't "over-girlied" the dividers- just simple designs.

      Not sure if that answers anything, but there's my 2 cents!

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    8. Recently I found the Evolution series notebooks of Miquelrius, especially the Academic and Organization notebooks:
      http://www.miquelrius.com/BG/2/vistas/producto/academic-mr-evolution-note-book.aspx
      http://www.miquelrius.com/BG/2/vistas/producto/organization-mr-evolution-note-book.aspx
      The notebooks have removable dividers, which holes I cut with paper guillotine, punched by 1 hole punch, because my Filo punch can't do it through the polipropylene, but at least makes the marks, where to punch. And this is it. Easy and being black the dividers are simple, but very business like. :) And I a girl too. :)

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    9. My work Fax is strictly plain dividers, white/cotton cream paper, and also no personal photos: I won't be looking at them after all, so why bother?

      The others I've decorated slightly, including my personal Fax which has images I chose on the dividers - things like Vitruvian Man, or still-life photos, because I don't like personal/family pics in there. Too much visual noise doesn't make me happy, so I've kept the photos sepia where possible. None of my Filofaxes are pink! lol

      And I don't like stickers - they make the pages lie unevenly, and don't make me happy enough to be worth it...

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    10. PS I sometimes wonder if the ongoing appeal of new binders is because they don't have the visual noise going on, and then once people have "moved in" they no longer satisfy, because they've become over-decorated.

      Hope that doesn't seem like a cheeky response, I've found that it applied to me when moving home, and deliberately keep a few rooms very minimalist now so as to not lose that fresh feeling.

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    11. @Shanti Interesting thought....I'm conscious of having very few binders in comparison to some, and maybe its because I'm almost 100% focused on function rather than appearance. Once appearance reaches an acceptable level, it's only an improvement in function which will persuade me to buy again. None of my binders has ever 'worn out' so as to become non-functional, but I did drop an A5 and bend the ring mechanism, and immediately felt the need to replace it because the original was no longer functional.

      I guess I'm just very left-brained.....but it's an interesting train of thought

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    12. I embellish my work filo with stickers (even Hello Kitty), they give me a visual treat. I am 41, hold a responsible project management position and really do not bother about who notices my stickers / colourful dividers etc. How many of us pick up or look into someone else's mobile phone? None. This is the same treatment I expect to be given to my filofax. On a completely related note I would say - do what swings your boat....

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    13. Hi Dem
      I've just started to add to the dividers, the first one that's in place is the CD Wants List I've made a collage of CD covers to achieve this I've used Photoshop Elements next a Genealogy section with members of my family with opacity reduced over which I've inserted the main title of section next a computer related section with lists of related items. That's all so far as I said I've just taken my first steps I hope to get onto more. Thanks for asking.

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    14. Anthony, thanks for sharing! I think that's fantastic! I've added things to my personal binder's dividers as well. It is nice to open it up and see an image that is pleasing to one's eye! I love the idea of the genealogy section. It sounds like you have added tasteful embellishments. It makes it personal to you and allows you to express your creativity. I'm contemplating adding some architectural and blueprint designs to mine. Best of luck as you continue to make it all your own!

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  13. Just wanted to shout out to all of you: I´M BACK TOGETHER WITH MY FILOFAX (after a year or so of electronic-infused-hiatus).

    Anyone know if the Hamilton was ever made in the A5-format. Love my Personal Hamilton and would love to get it an older/larger brother. The A5 Domino just does´t cut it for me. Too little "I like the leather/smell/sense/etc/etc-factor"...

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  14. Can't answer your specific Hamilton question I'm afraid, but so glad to hear you're back together with your FF. Why not add a little about how you use your FF to facilitate your GTD....I'd be interested to know.

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    1. I would love to write a post about GTD in my filofax.

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    2. How about it, Steve, Nan, Laurie?.......

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    3. Yes we would love to feature the post as a Guest Post, Our email address is on the 'About' page.

      Steve

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  15. Hi everyone,

    I love my current Filo (ochre A5 Malden), but as with all of my previous Filos, I find it quite hard to use it easily due to the fact that I'm left-handed. The rings seem to always get in the way when I write on the right-hand page. For all of you lefties out there -- what do you do to remedy this? Any tips and tricks I should know about?

    Thanks!
    Esmé

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    1. Hi Esme

      If you get yourself a day on two pages A5 diary from the 'professional' series, the day plans are all on the left hand side :)

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    2. I have the same problem...seems being left handed presents challenges all through life. If I want (need) my penmanship to be neat and "pretty" the only solution I have come up with is to remove the page from the rings, write what I need to and then return the sheet to the binder. Not exactly the handiest solution nor the most practical, but unfortunately it's really about all I have come up with..
      I recently bumped up to an A5 binder and that helped somewhat too. For me, smaller binders are just too awkward. I won't go smaller than a personal size for this very reason.
      Best of luck!

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    3. Hello Esme.
      I am left-handed too, and i use a pocket size filofax. I solve this problem by putting my DPP calendar in the middle of the organizer (i only carry 2 moths with me) Before that section i have my week on 2 pages. I minimize the lefthand problem when i use this set up:)

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  16. My local (and not so well-stocked, Filo-wise) stationary shop has just put up some of the newer Filofaxes : Pennybridge (compact and personal), Metropol Compact, Apex, Flower, they don't have any leather one, though.

    But what I noticed, with great disappointment, is that the red Compact Pennybridge I got through filofax.no a few months ago (couldn't wait !) is neither the same color, nor the same "texture" as the Compact Pennybridge that is currently sold in France !

    And I like the current one much better than the one I have: the red is really red, as opposed to the "dark/faded raspberry" that is mine; and the fabric on mine feels... "suede", very smooth, without texture/grain, whereas the current one is more "plasticy" : that sounds awful but it's better as one can clean it better (wipe it with a damp cloth, for instance). See the links for the difference in texture/color.

    I know I shouldn't trust online pictures, but still, I'm a little bit disappointed nonetheless... How come there are two different textures/colors for the same thing ? Has any of you already encountered this ?

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  17. I am planning a trip to London on Friday to visit a friend and also to have a sneaky trip to City Organiser! I was just thinking, I *might* have some spare time to kill - depending on how long I spend in CO obviously!!!
    Are there any stationery shops apart from the "normal" collection? Would like to see some Washi tapes and other fun stuff if possible as I am not the most girly but I need something a bit more jazzy!!!

    Thanks in advance! :)

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    1. Hi, as a Londoner I didn't want to leave you with no replies yet but I don't know anywhere that has stuff like that - obviously Paperchase's flagship store is a must-see, and they do often have nifty things, but offhand the only independent stationery store I know is Morgan's in Kentish Town and that doesn't tend to have anything like that. Sorry to be a bit useless!

      Hope you enjoy the visit anyway, and that the weather stays dry!

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  18. Paperchase is definitely going on my places to go list! I guess I will be hitting all the regular places - I guess they are larger than my local ones so should still find some new things to look at and tempt me!
    I am currently hoping the post person is on their way with my City Organiser and Woods orders! Then I will be able to have a play before I venture to London tomorrow to find some bargains and new things! :)
    Thank you for your reply! :)

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