Create your own Greeting Card Organizer- free download!

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Summertime can get hectic.  I have to admit that I’m pretty scatterbrained, year ’round, but I’m particularly bad this time of year.  Lot’s of crafty projects on my mind, mixed with vacation plans and fun things to do outdoors create a perfect storm where my memory is concerned.  And that is why my sister-in-law has to wait nearly every year until November for her birthday greetings card.  Which wouldn’t be so terrible if her birthday wasn’t in July.

So, this year I’m trying a little something different.  I created a DIY Greeting Card Organizer to help me stay on top of special occasions.  And even look just a bit organized!

diy greeting card organizer

This DIY notebook contains sleeves for cards along with easy lists of birthdays and anniversaries so that you never lose track.  I have to credit my Mom for this idea.  She is the most organized person that I know.  She made a book like this for herself and every first of the month, she refers to her book, stocks up on cards and sends them out.  Seems pretty easy doesn’t it?

So I created a downloadable file with the cover and birthday and anniversary perpetual calendars.  You just have to cut them out and fill in the blanks!  Want to know how?

diy greeting card organizer

For this project I used:

Scrapbooking paper (double sided)
My Greeting Card Organizer  Free Download!
1/2″ Binder (with clear pocket for cover)
Hole puncher
Glue Sticks
Sewing Machine
lots of Hallmark Value Cards!

diy greeting card organizer

Begin by printing off the Card Organizer Download.  Then cut out the individual calendars leaving about 1/4″ around the outside edges.  For each month, you will have a birthday calendar and an anniversary calendar.

diy greeting card organizer

Find fun scrapbooking paper to go along with your calendars.  I used double sided scrapbook paper, single sided will work too.  Cut your scrapbook paper to 8-1/2″ x 11″ to fit in the notebook.  Then cut contrasting paper 8-1/2″ x 6″ for the pockets.  Use glue sticks to glue the calendar to the front of the pocket.

diy greeting card organizer

Create your book by matching your months so that each open page reveals a single month with birthdays on the left and anniversaries on the right.  In the example above, the left hand page has February birthdays on one side and January anniversaries on the back side.  I used one 8-1/2″ x 11″ double sided scrapbook paper and two 8-1/2″ x 6″ pockets – one on each side.

diy greeting card organizer

Once you have all your pages organized properly, sew each group of pages together creating pockets.  This is our February birthday/January anniversary page.

diy greeting card organizer

A sewing machine is a great solution for making pockets that are strong and easy to create.

diy greeting card organizer

Slip your cover picture into the front pocket of the notebook.

diy greeting card organizer

Mark your birthdays and anniversaries on the appropriate pages and then start filling your book up with cards!  At the beginning of the month, pull out your cards, address them, and send them off.  Folks will think you are so efficient and organized!  And the secret is between me and you…

So, let me tell you a great way to fill this book economically.  Ever heard of Hallmark Value Cards?  You can find them at your local Walmart for just 47 cents to 97 cents!

hallmark card organizer

Now that is something I can wrap my head around.  Inexpensive cards.  You know how I love cheap.  But the cool thing about Hallmark Value Cards is that they don’t look cheap!

diy greeting card organizer

And not only does Hallmark offer high quality, inexpensive greeting cards, but you can also sign up for the Hallmark Card Rewards program.  For every five cards you buy at Walmart (or anywhere else that sells Hallmark cards), you can earn a reward!  Things like dollars off merchandise, dining or other fun perks!  Wow.  Not only does the birthday girl or guy get a gift, but so do you!

diy greeting card organizer

And just look at all the doggy cards I found.  I’m kinda partial to dogs.  This one looks exactly like my sister-in-law’s dog.  How appropriate.

diy greeting card organizer

I’m saving this one for the hubby.  His birthday is in November, but I’m already stocked up on cards through the end of the year.  At less than a dollar a card, with a great selection, it is pretty easy to do.

So…this year the sister-in-law gets her card in July!  Imagine that!  After I get done picking her up off the floor, I’m going to tell her about my cool organizer.

Or maybe I’ll just let her think I finally got my act together.

Be sure to check out Connections from Hallmark to sign up for Hallmark Rewards and to see cool ideas from other crafty bloggers.  Join in the #ValueCards conversation on Twitter!   

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