My new BFF.

Here is the awaited tutorial on my INGENIOUS mom idea... (inspired by my grandmother, Lois)

1. the cover.

For the front and back, I took a basic binder apart.
(just cut and peel off the plastic and the cardboard comes right out)
I cut it to the size I wanted with a box knife. (mine happens to be 8.5"high, 7.5"wide)
I lined the inside cover with black card stock (spray adhesive to attach)
Then, I adjusted my 3-hole puncher to be a 2-hole puncher on the 5 1/2 inch setting.
It easily punched through the cover. I cut some white paper and card stock to the same size and punched in the same places.


note: I needed 1.5" rings to bind it. The ribbons are obviously optional, but in my opinion, necessary. If you use ribbon, you may want to seal the ends with superglue or something so they don't fray... as mine did after a couple days.

2. Tabs

I made 16 sections. There are a lot of ways to make and attach the tabs but I used blank mailing label stickers to make the tabs by cutting them to the length I wanted and then just folding them over each piece of card stock divider. First I wrote the section names by hand, but later I decided to make new ones on the computer. I just printed them right onto the mailing label stickers. The labels I wanted: To Do, Calendar, Contacts, Schedules, Groceries, Coupons & Ads, Shopping, Meals, House, Family Activities, New Recipes, Projects, Trips, Gifts, Wish list, and Holidays.

The ribbons behind each tab make it easier to open the planner and turned out pretty cute. I cut them about 3 inches long and attached them to the back of each piece of card stock behind the tab using a hot glue gun, but rubber cement might be better.

3. Features & Organization

Use envelopes inside the cover and every section to hold small papers, notes, invitations, tickets, etc. Attach using glue sticks, tape, or rubber cement.

I like to use blank paper for my to do lists, but the inside of each section is where you can customize it. Like using lined paper or a template.


I have used a glue stick a lot because it is a fast way to file magazine clippings, pictures, and other stuff that you don't want to slip out.


I made a couple templates, one for babysitters contact info., class schedule (including Spencer's), grocery list, and monthly calendars. I can email those excel templates if needed. Everyone has their own preferences with calendars and date-booking but I like to see a whole month at a time and have lots of room to write (so I left space at the top and bottom).




I have LOTS AND LOTS of ideas within each of the sections I listed, but decided to save you from the rambling.

If you are still in search of a good system for organizing your life with kids, the card-filing system is from Side Tracked Home Executives is awesome (thanks mom) and I still use that for meal planning and re-occurring daily, monthly, and other periodic to-dos.


p.s. the cupcake on the cover is from JoAnns... it is made for a t-shirt applique. spray adhesive.

Please post or email me pictures of your "BFF Lois" so we can share ideas and enjoy all the variations!