Reader Under the Spotlight - Gill

Today I would like to introduce you to Gill

Hello. I live a village in the middle of England with my husband and our beautiful Border Collie.

I work as a freelance digital artist and have my own store selling various bits and pieces including printable inserts for planners. I don't make much money but at least I enjoy what I do.

I've had a "thing" about stationery since childhood. I remember when I was about 10, my Mom gave me a little ring bound folder that wasn't too different from a compact Franklin Covey open binder that I have today, both in size and colour.

My blog: www.gillsplace.com

My Store: www.gillbrooksgraphics.com

1. When did you buy your first organiser and what was it?

That would be around 1992. I didn't buy it, it was a free gift that came with an order I placed with cosmetics company Yves Rocher. The Company is French so all of the inserts were in French only. It's pocket sized and I've since discovered the inserts are the same size as those for pocket Gillios, as I do still have a few of the original inserts. I still have the binder and although it's looking a little tatty, I still use it, but more for making notes now rather than planning.

2. What other brands have you used or considered using?

Gillio, Van der Spek, Filofax, Franklin Covey, Day Timer, Day Runner, Daines & Hathaway, Paperchase. I'm a complete planner tart!!

3. Out of the organisers you own which is your current favourite (Style and Size)?

I use 3 sizes of planner so my favourites are: Pocket - my Gillio Mia Cara in Epoca green, Standard (Personal) - Van der Spek in Brandy Italian ext, Camel int, and A5 is my Gigliodoro Divino.

4. How many Filofax or other brands of organisers do you own?

Oh dear.....let me look.

A4 size:

• Filofax Identity (used as a filing cabinet) 

A5/Desk/Classic size:

• Filofax Holborn, Flex
• Gigliodoro Divino
• Paperchase Vintage London
• Day Timer (later became the Breast Cancer Awareness but wasn't when I bought it) and Garden Path
• Franklin Covey Veronica and unknown green leather
• Daines & Hathaway (Mulberry-like) 

Personal/Standard/Portable size:

• Filofax Malden, Holborn, Ranger
• Day Timer (later became the Breast Cancer Awareness but wasn't when I bought it)
• Franklin Covey with tapestry cover and Day One in green mock croc
• Paperchase Primavera and Vintage Postcards
• Day Runner Perennials andTranquillity
• The London Organiser Co "Shine" which is suede 2 of - green and mustard
• Cross 1846 in Chocolate
• Handmade by lennox.bespalova
• Gorjuss Top Of The World (binder much wider than personal size but takes same inserts)
• Alchemy Gothic Terra Dragon
• Handmade by me :)
• I've also got 3 or 4 other no-name brands

Pocket:

• Filofax Denim, Malden
• Gillio Mia Cara
• Akiko Green Rose
• Succes Floris van Bommel Junior
• Franklin Covey Giada in green, and compact open style in burgundy
• Cordwain Higgler Bees
• Pierre Cardin (A6)
• TCM circa early 90's
• Yves Rocher Agenda (free gift that started it all) 

Mini size:

• Chameleon 

I think that's everything!!

5. What is the oldest organiser in your collection?

Probably that Yves Rocher freebie (1992), but I don't know the date of the A5 Daines & Hathaway binder but it's got to be quite old.

6. What do you use your organisers for?

The 3 main ones I use as planners are those listed in question 3 above.  The A5 sits on my desk, the pocket is the one I carry with me in my bag and the personal goes just about everywhere.  Important dates are copied to all 3.

I *currently* use the FC Veronica for general notes, the Daines & Hathaway is for all things financial, the Day Timer Desk size is used for shopping (lists and order records).  The FC Day One is my household planner/info.  The personal Malden is used for work.  The A5 Holborn is my blogging records/planner.

7. What was the feature about Filofax you like most?

The flexibility

8. If you could design your own Filofax what would it feature?

2 elasticated pen loops would be a must, and humungous rings.

9. How do you carry your Filofax?

The only one I carry out with me is my pocket size as that's small enough to fit in most of my bags.

10. Which Filofax in the current range do you like the most? Are you going to buy it?

The Malden.  I haven't really looked at any new ones lately to be honest.  Since getting my VdS and my Gillio, planner peace, as they say, has been achieved.

11. What is the most you have ever spent on a Filofax or other brand of organiser? Which model?

That would be my Gillio Mia Cara at around £300.  It took me a long time to convince myself to pay that amount but I'm glad I did as I've bought nothing since.

12. What's your favourite Filofax tip or hack?

Aside from making my own inserts, which I've been doing for many years, I save clear acetate from packaging, cut it to size, punch it and use as a transparent flyleaf for holding pads of sticky notes.

13. Turning to Philofaxy, what do you like the most?

The Web Finds are interesting, plus a whole host of information that's encapsulated within.

14. And what do you not like about Philofaxy?

Nothing really.  I had thought it could benefit from a bit more pizzazz, but the current design doesn't distract the reader from the content.

15. What was the last music track you downloaded or bought?

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm....so long ago I can't remember.  It would probably have been a Bon Jovi or Richard Marx CD.  I don't download ;)

16. Have you ever attended a Philofaxy meet-up? if not do you intend to one day?

No, I haven't.  May do some day....

17. What was the last movie you watched?

Sinister.

18. What was the last book you read?

I tend not to read novels any more but I do love my interior design books.

19. George Clooney or Brad Pitt?

Neither, but I wouldn't say no to James Norton !


Thank you Gill. As you know we are always looking for new people to appear in our 'Reader Under Spotlight feature, please contact Steve philofaxy at gmail dot com