Plum Paper Planner 2016

Last year, I thought I was in trouble. In 2013 I'd finally found a planner, Much Ado About You, that was so helpful in helping me keep up with the kids activities, bill, birthdays, etc., but then it was time to order a new one and the owners had decided to stop making them. Bummer.

Of course, I knew about Erin Condren. Those planners are awesome. They are also crazy expensive. Too expensive to be not as customizable as other planners. That's when I discovered the Plum Paper Designs planners. You can see my first semi-review here. The MAAY planner ran from September through August. One of the great things about the Plum Paper planner is that you can order it with any start month you'd like. My first one was 16 months so I could get back to a January to December calendar and I purchased the add-on stickers. This year I went with a 12 month with no add-ons.

The very first thing I noticed with the new planner was the quality of the cover. The new one is smoother with better color. I desperately wish they would do away with the frosted plastic covers and go with laminated ones instead. This is not a deal breaker for me though. I've been using my first Plum Paper planner since last September and the frosted covers are still intact and working fine. The picture above is without the frosted covers.

They changed up their monthly colors around May. I love the new colors. The monthly cover being color instead of white is nice as well.

The monthly at-a-glace, pocket folder, and basic layouts stayed the same. I have the MORNING-AFTERNOON-EVENING layout. I briefly considered going with a family planner, but for me the M-A-E works great. Another thing I love about the Plum Paper planners are their four different layout options.

Now here is something really awesome. I usually just pack my planner in my bag. Sometimes the pages get bent or things fall out. Or in. A couple of weeks ago, someone in a planner group on Facebook posted a photo of a cover that a friend of hers had found at Wal-Mart. I thought it was very cute. The problem was (and still is) everyone was having trouble finding them. They aren't listed online and many stores don't have a good book/magazine section.

It is a bible cover y'all. I would never in a million years have thought to see if a bible cover would fit my planner. But they do and it is wonderful. Plus... $9.95. I've looked at planner covers online and they are always out of my price range. With my old Much Ado About You planner, I made my own cover, but it doesn't fit the current planner. When I saw these I knew I'd have to check my local Wal-Mart for one. Luckily, I was able to find this one at the second one I checked.

There are only a couple of things I wish Plum Paper could/would change. Laminate their covers and get rid of those frosted things that take away from the brilliant colors of their covers. Label the backside of their monthly tabs. I can get past these issues though because the regular planner is only $31 plus shipping, which is $8.75. There are usually 10% off discount codes floating around too so you can always get 10% off that price!

I am definitely a Plum Paper planner user fo-eva!

This Meeting Will Now Come to Order...

The weekend was pretty much filled with rain.  Some more rain, and then flooding.  Fun times.  Good news is that we needed the rain.  Just not so much at one time.

We decided on Saturday to hit up the AT&T store because my husband has been having trouble with his Galaxy S3.  It hasn't been wanting to charge.  Not to mention there are several little burn spots (he's a welder) and a slightly cracked screen.  We had a few upgrades on our plan so we stopped to see what we could make happen.

I don't want to talk about his phone because he *gasp* decided to go with a different Android brand.  Even though it's a very nice phone and I'm semi-jealous (you can just tap the screen twice and it unlocks).  The absolutely wonderful saleswoman, Amanda, mentioned that he could also get a tablet for only $0.99.  Ninety nine cents y'all.  So he went with her suggestion and got a LG G3 and the LG G Pad 7.0 with the special offer.  He plays fantasy football and while I love me some football, I hate that he is always stealing my computer throughout football season.  Now he has his own.  And it was 99 cents!!!

It's no surprise that I got distracted by all the shiny new phones.  I was still pretty pissed that the last guy didn't bother to tell me that if I waited just a couple of weeks I could get that new Galaxy. Instead he let me buy the S4 and I have been longing the S5 ever since.  I made an executive decision and got the S5.  Bonus points... special offer with that purchase too.  A Galaxy Note 8.0 for $50.

I have an iPad, but I'm a little ashamed to admit that my 3 year old has monopolized it.  We call her Rogart because she Bogart's it.  It's so pretty and shiny.  I don't know what to do with myself.  I thought it may make typing out some quick posts easier, but the Blogger app...  *sigh*  It's nothing short of horrible.  Picture quality is pretty funky as well.

I couldn't find a case for it that I really liked so I sewed a sleeve for it myself.  I wasn't going to pay someone else to do something I could just as easily do.

I liked that fabric combination so much I decided to finally use that pleated hobo bag pattern I bought months ago and make myself a matching bag.  Because why the hell not?!

I lurve it.  I want to hug it and pet it and squeeze it and call it George.  However, it took me ALL DAY LONG to complete it.  Making them for the shop is still up in the air.  I won't rule it out though.

I also got my FitBit in the mail this weekend!  Yay for kick starting my own ass into getting more active.  I'm going to give it a couple of weeks before posting about it though.  I'm still learning the ins and outs.

My Plum Paper Planner!

I nearly forgot to tell y'all about my new planner!  I was seriously bummed when I couldn't purchase from a previous company.  In a quest to find a new planner that would cover all the things I needed, I became easily overwhelmed.  So many companies.  So expensive.  I happened upon a planner company called Plum Paper Designs through Etsy.

So many choices!  So not expensive!

Behold the beauty that is my planner.  Ignore the retro yellow Formica table.  For real though, it's my sewing table and I love it.  Back to the planner...  There are so many different cover designs that it was seriously hard to chose just one, but I ended up going with this one.  The front and back are covered with a sturdy plastic so no worries about the edges getting crumpled and bent.  Oh and you can have it personalized too!

One of the issues I was facing with my current planner was that it only runs through the end of August.  Most planners are in 12 month format and start in January.  One of the great things about Plum Paper is that you can add up to 6 months to your planner!  Because you can specify your planner start date, I was able to get a planner that starts in September of this year and runs until the end of next year.

I also opted to purchase sticker sheets.  They are built right into the planner so you don't have to worry about searching around for your stickers.  They fit perfectly in the monthly layout part of each month.

There are four options for the weekly layout.  I chose to have the day broken up into morning, afternoon, and evening.  We have so much going on at various times I think this layout will work well for trying to keep up.  At the beginning and end of each month is a full page notes section for any extras I need to write down. There is an option to add more note pages if two aren't enough for you.

In the back is a two pocket folder to keep... well, whatever you need to keep.  I've got some extra note pages that I use to make my grocery lists and the band practice and competition schedule in mine.

I wish that I had just gone ahead and ordered it to start in August.  I can't wait to use it!  The one and only issue was that it took quite a while to ship.  The shops policies do state that it will take 3-4 weeks before shipping though.  And considering just how many options and choices you can make, it's not that bad.  I ordered my planner on June 12th and it arrived on July 10th.  I sent a message to the seller because I was afraid it would arrive while we were camping and they replied within a few hours and the planner arrived before we left.

If you are looking for a new planner to purchase for the upcoming (very quickly upcoming) new year, check them out on Etsy.  I will definitely be purchasing from them again!

*I was not paid, asked, or encouraged to post this.  I just really, really like my planner!

Do-Dads and Cars and Crayons! Oh my!

That's right y'all!  The Etsy shop is now open!

After I made Rowan her cute little purse so she could carry all her little do-dads, I knew I had to make more and share the love.

They are the perfect size for a few crayons, a My Little Pony or two, a couple of Hot Wheels, and various other weird things that only toddlers and small children can find.

There is a button closure without a buttonhole so little hands will be able to close and open.  I picked out lining fabrics that match up nicely with the exterior fabric!

The best part is that even though I made them with toddler age children in mind, they could easily be used by little girls, teen girls, or even we ladies who only need room for our phone, wallet, and keys!

So many idea are floating around in my head right now!  Future bags are floating around waiting to be made! Stop by the shop (or click the "Shop" tab in the menu) and use the code 5OFFJULY31 to get $5 off your order until the end of the month!

Halfway There

Today is June 30th.  The last day of June.  This is RIDONKULOUS.  How are we already halfway through the year?!  This is simply not possible.  I clearly must have dozed off from February through May.  I mean, that's the only explanation, right?

You know what I did with my all too quick weekend?  A whole lotta nada.  We did all the usual stuff like mow the yard, do a good straightening up of the house.  The Husband and Son cleaned out the back of our garage.  Which our garage is more of a huge storage building.  Stores everything, but the car.  Neil was less than amused to have to be out of bed before noon and actually doing physical labor.  He kept trying to escape with excuses like, "I need to grab something to drink."  Then I would come inside and find him holed up on his bed with his computer in his lap playing games and I'd have to drag him, kicking and screaming, back outside.  Not literally though because he's bigger than me.  At his basketball physical last week, he was 5' 9" and 122 lbs.  He bests me in height by 8 inches and he still has a couple of years of growing left in him.  Crazy.

I did a bit more sewing this weekend.  I made the youngest a cute little purse.

It sewed up so quickly!  I could easily make two or three a day.  Definitely going on my list of items that I could potentially sell.  Except I'm out of interfacing and seriously don't want to drive 35 miles to buy some.  Pencil this in on the calendar as just another thing I need to do!

Basketball and Needles

Knitting needles.  Not needle needles because ack, who likes those?!

I just realized that I haven't been around for almost two weeks.  I fear it's just a sign of the times. Springtime! We've been going outside any time the weather was above 50F and on the weekends, we've been cleaning the Winter out of the yard.  Cutting down dead trees or half dead trees, cleaning out dead bushes and overgrowth.  We've been busy.

I couldn't help myself this weekend.  I planted some flowers.  Even though I know that later this week the temperatures are going to be below freezing.  The label said to plant after the threat of frost has passed.  Except I live in Kentucky and we may still get frost in June.  I've just covered them all.  It was simply too warm and beautiful outside to not be in the Spring spirit.  I would show you photos, but I've been consciously leaving my phone and camera inside.  It so easy to get distracted from the moment because I feel the compulsion to check my FB or IG.  It's better to just leave that behind and have fun.

Back to the needles...  it's March Madness time.  That means that there is perpetual basketball games on our television.  I've been using the time to get in some knitting.  I mean, I am already sitting here so I might as well make use of my time.  I put a few items in the Etsy shop.  Knitting is relaxing.  I'm glad that I made that a goal for myself last year and that I achieved that goal.  I'm excited to make new things.

But the yarn... oh the yarn.  It's all so lovely and soft.  And pricey.  I think I need to buy a sheep.  Then someone will need to teach me how to sheer it.

Happy Spring everyone!!

First Things First

Way back in January, I made a list of 30 goals for the year.  I had to shorten the list of goals from previous years .  In 2012, it had been 52 and I didn't come anywhere close.  This year is going much better though there are still some goals that just ain't going to happen.

Number 29 on the list was learn to knit.  I did accomplish this and I've discovered that I absolutely love it.  I feel like I've been missing out on something awesome my whole life.  There have been some bumps and confusion along the way.  Several videos and books later, I've found that it comes naturally once you find the right groove.

This leads me to goal number 12.  Sell what I make.  Well, not everything I make.  I'm blessed to have a toddler to make things for and a friend who is expecting a new baby some time between the end of December and the beginning of January.  Eventually I want to venture into adult sizes, but for now...

Knitted Newborn Striped Hat

My first knitted item for sale!  Made to order with a choice of blue or pink, with or without a bow.

And now... I'm off to knit even more things!!

Making Good

I've made good on my word to myself to put more effort into my life.  In doing so I haven't been as involved in the internet these past few days (weeks!), but I'm working on trying to fit it all in to a day.

Check these out:

BOOYA!  I'm proud of those puppies**... err.. booties!  I made a couple of pairs of these and some cute little slippers too.

I was so very excited to get them listed online.  Then I got a terrifying letter in the mail from the Kentucky Department of Revenue (KDoR). 

Back story:  If you sell anything in the state of KY, online or in person, you must have a KY Sales and Use Tax number.  When selling online, I don't have to charge tax to everyone, just those who live in KY.  I've had my Sales and Use Tax number for a few years.  I've sold a few things here and there, but never enough to really even file taxes on.

Every month the KDoR would send me a form to fill out and return that listed my profits and what not.  You fill it out, write a check (if you owe tax), and mail it back.  Even if you don't have any sales, you must file out the paperwork and file.  I did that every month for a little over a year.  Because I filled in more paperwork with zeroes on it than I care to admit, the KDoR sent me a letter letting me know that they were going to start sending me the forms on a yearly basis instead of monthly.  Hallelujah!  I was really getting tired of filling in all those little zeroes.

Fast forward to last June when I got my paperwork to fill out and return.  Oops!  I forgot to file.  I called the KDoR.  The forgiving woman on the other end of the phone told me it was no problem.  That they could just send me a new form, I fill it out, I return it.  *brushes off hands*  Done.  So I did just that.  I even filled out all the little do-dads to change the name of my business and corrected THEIR ERROR on my address.

*tick*  *tock*

*tick* *tock*

Until last week, I have heard NOTHING from the Kentucky Department of Revenue.    Now I opened up my letter last week thinking it was a letter along the lines of "we finally processed your name change".  Except no, it was a bill.

A BILL FOR $622.37!!!

Urm.... not only no, but HELL NAH!  Of course, I mowed down everything in my path to get to the phone to call them.  Of course, I got a guy who I could literally hear his eyes roll every time I tried to speak.  He would not let me finish a sentence without interrupting me or audibly sighing in the phone.  I was so frustrated.  Every single time I opened my mouth to explain anything to Eye Roll Guy, he would interrupt me and tell me that I hadn't paid my taxes.  I could not make him understand that I didn't pay any taxes because I HADN'T SOLD ANYTHING to pay taxes on!  He even had the balls to ask me if I'd sold anything "under the table".  Gah!!!  I wanted to punch him in the face.

Now it all boils down to this... He terminated my business as of 2010 so I wouldn't be libel for the "unpaid" taxes in 2011.  (Unpaid because I didn't OWE THEM.)  But in doing that, I now have no Sales and Use Tax number and have to go through the process of reapplying.

*loud, audible sigh of my own*

I can't seem to win.

**DISCLAIMER:  Booties are not made of actual puppies.  

Tooting My Horn (Again)

Toot, toot!

I've been toying with the idea of opening an Etsy shop or selling baby goods online.  Especially since we need the extra income, but I also need to be at home.

My grandmother was a seamstress.  My mother has always been great at sewing.  Me? Not so much.  Sewing, crafting, needlework is lost on my generation.  People of today really have no idea how to do things for themselves.  Myself included.

I'm trying though.  We started a small garden to test the waters this year.  This past Saturday was my second trip to my local farmer's market, where I purchased local pork and chicken and veggies.  I've dabbled with sewing pillows and small projects.  I've sewn the baby a couple of things like blankets and a couple of jumpers, like the dress for her first birthday party and I altered several of her smaller onesies to accommodate her cloth diapers.  I've really started to look at more useful patterns.

I'm so proud of the work I've done.  I get enjoyment from creating something from nothing.  Even more when I get it right with minimal seam ripping.  I hate to admit that I've become quite good at ripping seams.

This dress is reversible!  I was over the moon excited when I finished it.  I've never sewn sleeves of any kind and these are reversible sleeves.  There were a few times in the process where I thought the patterns instructions were completely wrong, but I followed them anyway.  Smart thing that I did because it turned out great!  

This is the same pattern that I used for the birthday dress, but I took a leap and decided to make the bloomers to match.  Never used elastic before.  It wasn't nearly as difficult as my brain had lead me to believe.

I can not wait to create more outfits!

My Three Peas

Years ago I worked the jewelry counter at my local Wal-Mart.  I even had an official sounding title, Jewelry Sales Coordinator.  We sold all sorts of types of jewelry.  I used to order Mother's Rings for women all the time.  I would sit and peruse the catalogs, but I could never pin down a ring or necklace that really worked for me.  Turns out I apparently wasn't done having children anyway.

As this Mother's Day was rolling around my husband looked at me and said, "I have no idea what to get you.  After 12 years of Mother's Day's, I'm lost."  So I set about looking for a necklace.  I went to The Vintage Pearl.  I love their jewelry.  I do not love their prices.  I decided the best way to go would be Etsy.

Oh.  Em.  Gee.

Have you ever searched for handstamped personalized jewelry on Etsy?  There are a bazillion different styles, pieces, sizes, etc.  I picked out three different ones that I liked, then let the two older kids (separately) choose their favorite.

They ranged in price from $30 to $100.  Wonder of all wonders... they picked the same one!  I decided to wait a couple of weeks before ordering it.  I thought I'd give the jewelry makers a bit of a break from all the jewelry making they were doing for Mother's Day.  Plus I needed to wait until I had the extra money.

It came yesterday!!  I am so excited!  It's perfect and I love it!  For $32, it's the best gift ever.

The most adorable packaging!

My beautiful necklace!

Gracen's Designs on Etsy is the shop I purchased this from.  Kathy is AWESOME!  We had a few conversations concerning the names, disks, etc. and she was the most polite and welcoming seller I've ever had the pleasure of doing business with.  She has several different styles to choose from, even those that aren't Mother related, and with 24 color options for the pearls, you are truly getting a piece that is unique for you.

I'm already planning my next purchase.

Handmade Sunday

Look at this cute Valentine's garland from Seventh Stitch for $28 + $3 for shipping.

This Valentine's basket from Wexford Treasures!  $24.99 + $9.00 shipping.

  

Spotlight Mirrors Two is having a GRAND OPENING sale, for only $2.25 + $2.00 shipping!  You choose between a mirror or a magnet.

This is such a cute idea for garland! If you don't want to make it yourself , you can purchase it from Country Chiq for $8.21 USD, but it's coming from Canada so the shipping is $6.15 USD.    

Ha!  I love that this appeals to my love of Halloween mixed with just enough Valentine's to get away with using it! From  Fuzz On Me for $26.00 + $3.00 shipping.

This glass pendant is... WOW!  It's only $15.00 + $3.00 shipping from Boomwire.

D-I-M Mobile

That's a "Did It Myself" mobile...

I think I've looked at a million different mobiles for Rowan's crib. The ones that I L-O-V-E-D were just way too expensive! I mean, $50 to 70 or more for a mobile that (according to the powers that be) will only be in/on/above the crib until the baby can sit up, just seems ridiculous to me.  Babies outgrow everything so quickly!  And the ones in the stores just weren't unique enough.

This is where my Pinterest came in handy.  I was looking for baby stuff and came across a pin for a do-it-yourself crib mobile.  Several actually, but this one in particular looked very do-able for me.  The simple circle pattern that I used comes from this blog.  However, you can easily just make your own circles.

Supplies:
8 inch embroidery hoop - $1.19
Scrapbook paper - 11 different papers (8 colored, 3 patterned) @50% off - $2.64
Fabric for hoop - $1.49
Fishing line that my husband already had in the garage - FREE
Hot glue gun & hot glue - Already had these so again - FREE

Total = $5.32

Coco's Fresh Squeezed Giveaway

Cole from Letters to Coco is having a giveaway on her blog!

Shauna has some of the cutest handmade items in her TWO Etsy shops!

Interested in entering the giveaway?  Click here!  

Giveaway guidelines:  

*Follow Coco on her blog.

*Comment the post and tell her what your favorite Etsy shop item is.

*Extra entries if you follow Shauna's blog, "like" her shop on Facebook, and if you mention this giveaway in a post of your own.

Good luck!

Christmas in July *sort of*

Remember when I told y'all I was a winner in Paige from Some Days You Gotta Dance's "Christmas in July" giveaway?  I got my purse today!!  Look at this cute stamp on the box!

I won a $20 credit to the Sugar Owl Design Etsy shop.  She has some of the cutest things!  My first choice was a brown purse with a pink bird and poppy flower.

After I let Carmelle know, she pointed out that she was having a "Christmas in July" sale of her own (7/16-7/31).  So I jumped on over to her shop to check it out.  I found a great tote for when I need more room!

Make sure to go by and visit her shop!  She has birthday banners, count down chains, beautiful flower pins, and awesome hair bands.  Click here to visit her shop.

Related Links

• I'm a WINNER baby! (moretomeblog.blogspot.com)

Vlog 3.5

Food for the Mind

I feel like I've been away from my blog for weeks.  Even though it was only one day...

I had a good time yesterday working at the school in the library for the Scholastic Book Fair.  It was nice to get out of the house and be productive.  I actually enjoyed working with the kids, helping them find the books that they wanted.  I'm not usually up for working with kids.  I know I have my own kids, but they're mine.  I am always tentative with others kids.  But yesterday, it all just disappeared.  I think it might have been because I was in the library surrounded by loads and loads of books.  I would love to have a job as a librarian!  I'd even settle for being her assistant.  Heck, I think I might like that better.

I'm going to work on some new jewelry for the Etsy shop today.  I hit the mother load at Hobby Lobby the other day.  Lots of their beads were 50% off so I went a tad bit crazy.  Shhh.... don't tell my husband!

New, new, new!

My mom can crochet like Speedy Gonzales.  I've seen afghans grow right before my eyes.  Her crochet skills scare me.  I don't even know how to hold a pair of crocheting needles, much less actually make something with them.

She made me a cute beanie cap that I love!  She'd made several others and we decided that she should sell them!  So here's an exclusive look at some of the caps she's already made.  Check out the Etsy shop!