25 June 2013

Free For All Tuesday No. 125

Tuesdays are your chance to ask any Filofax related questions you might have.

So fire away and we will collectively try to answer your questions or offer opinions.

Today's post is a bit special in other ways too... this post is the 2000th post on Philofaxy!

Don't forget that our dear friends over at 'Write At Home' are offering Worldwide Shipping Free until the end of June. Check out their website today.

40 comments:

  1. Steve... How long have you used a Filofax and what git you started using it versus other planners?? I'm only six weeks into using my first and I've already bought five others.LOL So I apologize if you've answered this before. Newbie here.

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    1. Hi Tina
      I started using one back in 1985/86, but I migrated to electronic PDA's in the 1990's but in 2005 I started a new job and wasn't allowed to use my PDA in the office, so I got my Filofax out again and started using it again. In 2008 I found Philofaxy... and the rest they say is 'history'!

      My life has change massively in the last 8 years though and I need a planner to keep me on course. A Filofax is flexible and manages to keep up with the different requirements I have in life.

      Steve

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  2. Does anyone use entirely plain (as in blank) paper in their Filofax?

    I have recently downsized from A5 to Personal and although a friend gave me a basic WO2P standard diary to use for the rest of this year, I haven't found the need to buy any inserts at all. I can make what I need a sheet at a time from FF paper. If I need extra space on a particularly busy day, I just add a sheet.
    All the bother about weekend slots being smaller than weekday slots is gone.

    I'm wondering about going Diary-free for 2014 although this may be a step too far, even for me.

    Also, does anyone know where I can buy ordinary grid paper in the UK? Stapes used to sell it in pads of A4 but they seem to have stopped.

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    1. Natalie, I'm doing the same as you in using blank paper to print my own inserts or those here on Philofaxy. It's easy to just set a custom size template in Word for whichever size binder I want it for. Even pocket works a treat. :)

      Re grid paper: Rymans still sell grid paper, in A4 pads as well as pukka jotters (spiral bound).

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    2. I'm not even planning to print any, just to write what I need each day.

      I'll have a month to a view, hand drawn, for advance planning, but after that, just pencil and paper.

      Thank you for the tip about Ryman, I will have a look there.

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    3. I just bought a large a4 pad of Rhodia graph paper reduced to £2.50 at Paperchase. I just cut it down and punch. Apart from the diary I never need to but any other FF insert.

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    4. Rhodia, of course!!!
      How did I forget them, that will be perfect.

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    5. I thought about doing something like that but decided I needed more structure. Seems like a great strategy.

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    6. Hi Natalie

      As I think I've previously mentioned in my long off-list post, I run my entire system on either plain or lined paper, and lately have found myself preferring plain. I still use a printed diary (Filofax Denmark cream Wo2P) and will do so for 2014 also (someone has kindly given me the refill free of charge), but otherwise it suits me to only use plain or lined paper. I have a small cache of 'to do' sheets which I'm using up, but I won't be buying more.

      Hope this helps.

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    7. I'm glad others are talking about this - I have been thinking of doing this for a while. For some reason, I like the quadrille (graph) paper and borrowing an idea I saw from Tracy R. (Crazy Suburban Mom) I also purchased a date stamper. Since I am finding I'm using my Filofax almost as a true diary - some days I have more to enter than on others - plus the decorating bug has bitten me and I don't have enough room on the pre-printed dated pages. I'm liking it!! :)

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  3. Years ago, Filofax made a lovely (and very expensive) blue-gray leather binder that was embossed with a leaf pattern. It came protected in a cloth bag. I think it was in the 1990s and only in Personal size. Does anyone remember what it was called, and/or any other details about it? Any info on this is appreciated.
    Carol

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    1. Sounds like a Mulberry rather than a Filofax? They have an oak leaf pattern on the cover.

      Steve

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. Steve, I've got it: http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~m-task/winchester7.htm
      2nd one on page, Blue Leaf. It has an almost paisley pattern look to it.

      Thanks to your reply to SF re basket weave Winchester, I followed the link. Cheers!

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  4. Hi,

    Does anyone use a matching filofax organiser and filofax bag?

    In september I will be returning to full-time education and at the same time I'm moving from my Pocket Windsor to a Personal Urban. Given that the larger size won't fit in my pocket I've been looking for a new manbag, and have picked up a Urban Courier Bag from eBay for about £7.

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    1. Hi Maqist,

      I do! I have an Original in brown and a matching satchel bag made by the Leather Satchel Company who also make the Original. I love that my bag and Filofax match and a leather satchel is very professional looking for work.

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    2. A Brown Original is probably the only FF I covet.
      That or a GlenRoyal.

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    3. I currently use a brown John Rocha shoulder bag which matches my Hampstead pretty well, and my Cuban even better. I don't care much for the 'over the top' closing flap, which makes quick access quite difficult, but otherwise it works fine for me. Both my binders are Personal size, and fit nicely in my hand, so very often that's all I carry....but I guess you'll have lots of other 'stuff' to carry as well?

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  5. I know I will probably sound like a broken record but ... is there any news on when the aqua malden will be available in the UK (and then the US?). Color me anxiously waiting aqua.

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    1. I'm waiting to hear too Laurie - Sooo excited! :-)

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    2. Hello All, I'm new to Philofaxy but have been using Filofax since the 1980's. I'm ever so slightly addicted. I constantly change between personal, A5 and A4 depending on my mood.
      I am a stay at home busy Mum and I'm using A4 Metropol as my daily diary, to do's and life goals and my personal red butterfly Filofax as my contacts book.
      I have an ongoing love for Filofax and Cannot wait until the Malden aqua comes out!
      Does anyone know when this will be please?

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    3. According to Filofax facebook site (I think it was in the post from 19th June), they hope to get aqua Malden available in the UK in early July and in the USA in mid-July.

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  6. Hello all - my first (virgin) post to Philofaxy, be kind! Absolutely loving my A5 Regency that I use for my 8-5pm job. Now hoping to convert my personal/home based work out of my aged and raggy Debden into a Filofax Personal. Devastated to discover the Personal Regency is not the same - its missing several pockets, and those beautiful front and back full length ones. So here's the quandary - Malden/Holben (leather) or do I just suck it up and grab the Regency. Or do I depart leather all together and grab up a Fusion.... Oh the decisions are doing my head in! And I live in a State of Australia that has NO Filofax distributors - I can't get my hands on anything - it's Ebay... Help!

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    1. NOT fusion. If you are a egeny user as I am you will not like a non leather one. I have several Maldens and several Holborns. I slightly prefer the leather of the Holborn but I love the ability to use the zip pocket on the Malden as a pencill case. So I'd say figure out which one is the best layout and buy that one.
      Then buy the other too :)

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    2. Helen, I agree....leather is the way to go.

      As for eBay, if you need to buy anything and have it shipped from the UK, there are several of us here, myself included, who I'm sure will be happy to help out.

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  7. Hi everyone - long time lurker, first time poster :-) I just bought a Dukes size Smythson organizer (Paperlovestory, it's all your fault, though I was in love with Smythson before you posted a million pictures of your beautiful organizer).

    Anyway.. I wondered if anyone knew of a holepunch that I could use to punch the holes - I'm in the States and I don't seem to be able to find any adjustable 6 hole punches.

    The holes are at: 3.1cm, 5cm, 6.9cm, 13.9cm, 15.8cm, 17,8cm or in inches 1&1/4, 2, 2&3.4, 5&1/2 6&1.4 and 7.

    The pages are 14.9 x 21 or 8&1/4 and 5&3/4.

    I'm not so worried about getting paper, but just how to holepunch things like my monthly marketing printout so I can have it in there and not say ... um... when my boss asks me about it.

    Thanks for your help!

    PS.. I have a nearly unused red filofax sketch. I'll send it anywhere for the first person who wants it.. :-)

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    1. Here on the Philofaxy website are a few posts about hole punches. Try out the search function. Most people order them online I think. I have ordered a KW Trio. Others use the Rapesco.

      Does your Sketch come with inserts? The red one is pretty :) I would like to have it.

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    2. Cool - I'll try that. I stupidly hadn't realized there was a search box.

      You can have all the inserts I have.. email me your address? abookadaychallenge at aim.com (it's ok, it's already full of spam).

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    3. If Aryatjuh is only wanting the inserts I'd adore taking the sketch if it's still on offer :-) I'll drop you an email as well. Sorry I'm no help for punches.

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  8. I have just won a personal filofax on eBay US that the seller tells me was introduced between 1989 - 1994. It is burgundy and has a basketweave pattern on the cover, and gold rings.

    Does anyone know where I might go on the web to get any more information on it?

    Thank-you

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    1. Hi,
      Do you have a link to the auction item so we can see what it looks like. There is a site on line with a lot of the older models included on it. I will cross check it against your description.
      A lot of the older models didn't have names assigned to them like they do now.
      Regards
      Steve

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    2. Steve - this is what I copied off of eBay

      http://www.ebay.com/itm/Filofax-Burgundy-Basketweave-Personal-Organizer-/181160243988?ViewItem=&ssPageName=ADME%3AL%3AOC%3AUS%3A3160&item=181160243988&nma=true&si=n72zltm1hdRdOYYM71vgID8aksg253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

      Here is the title: Filofax Burgundy Basketweave Personal Organizer 181160243988

      Thanks!

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    3. Hi,
      It's a Winchester.
      http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/%7Em-task/winchester8.htm

      Steve

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    4. filofax made elephant hide binders!?
      http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~m-task/exotic3.htm

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    5. Yes remember this was back in the 1980's not modern era Although all the organisers look new in the photos, they are part of a Japanese collection

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    6. Thanks Steve, appreciate the assist!

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  9. right, you can tell they're from a bygone time - but still! suuuuuuuuuuuuuuper bizarre. Especially the frog skin ones. That's creepy to me in a weird way. Like, if I saw one in real life, I might be too creeped out to touch it.

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  10. Is anyone else into the green original? I can't stop looking at it which is weird. I'm not a green person. I never wear green, don't own a green handbag or decorate with much green at least not that shade anyway. It just looks kinda classy or something. Or maybe classic is the word.

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    1. I love the idea and the general design of the Original, but that awful mess they've made of the inside front cover would prevent me from ever being able to use one - the card slots and storage space I need just aren't there......

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