a coupon binder?

Perhaps I have lost it. Perhaps living way out in the middle of Nowheres, Catskills has shifted my personality into a different dimension--but I have to show you what I made today. 

It's a coupon binder. 

A binder. For my coupons. 

I don't know who I am anymore! I've never even thought about saving money and clipping coupons--but suddenly I do?? And I'm letting my freak flag fly. Have you seen the couponing show? Strangely I started clipping coupons right before that show aired but it got me really fired up. Especially after my first trip to the grocery store and literally saving 1/3 of the bill. Not even kidding. I don't care to have a stockpile like the people on the show (I mean, they're totally hoarders, right?), and we only bought what we would have bought otherwise (just a little more), still healthy and some organic, too. And until I'm a millionaire and as long as I have the time to do it, I see no reason not to spend a few hours a week doing it. Phew.

But. I had to make it cute.

On the train the other day I had a ball sketching it up...

...without any reality of sizes or measurements, I knew what I needed it to hold and look like and that it needed to be compact...

...and organized. Oh how I love to see things in their proper places!!...it does my heart good. Before I had all my coupons paper-clipped in a paper envelope but it was so hard to see them and keep them organized in the grocery cart (and not at all cute). So. I bought a regular binder and then made the cloth cover-envelope-thingy today... 

And all the little pockets for my rewards cards, pens, scissors, and anything else...

...two little handles and velcro tab closure...

 

...a front pouch for receipts and such...

...a back pocket for a pad of paper for my lists and other notes (pads are $1 at Staples right now!)...

...and all the organized goodness!

Also--the fact that I had the tabbed dividers, the fabric and velcro already was nice. The fabric was an upholstery weight cotton I've had for years. I loved it but couldn't figure out what to do with the amount I had (a little less than a yard). And this project used up every last bit of it. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how satisfying that was. The binder and plastic pages were from Staples. I used these (and another size for trading cards which they don't seem to have on the site but do have in the stores). 

In other news: 

• tomorrow I am working the whole day at Bliss Co-op in Sugar Loaf. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hi and see our sweet little shop! The town is tiny so you couldn't really miss us but we're in Romer's Alley should you wander that way...
• I am alllllmost finished with my Spring/Summer wardrobe! All made from vintage patterns and some thrifted, some purchased fabrics. I wasn't sure how to unroll it all but I think so as not to overwhelm myself I shall do it item by item. Starting tomorrow! So stay tuned. 
• My dear and sweet girlfriends The Watson Twins have released their record "Night Covers" TONIGHT! They did it all on their own and its wonderful. As opposed to slick-corporate-sounding-more-than-an-arms-length music you get something with their fingerprints on it and its brilliant. You can also purchase their original artwork AND their self-designed gorgeous t-shirts in different packages with the music. I just bought mine and you can buy yours here! Such talent...I have some heart-stoppingly gifted friends and these ladies, while amazing musicians as you will hear, also have 1000 other gifts not the least of which is being wonderful artists and creative beings with incredible taste. You just can't go wrong. 

Comments

[Garrisonlaurel]

I want one!!
No, I NEED one!!

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Like you are so organized and neat, I like people like that. Indeed if you have an organized you feel good and calm knowing that things are in the right order and not spread all over.

[Wanda]

Such a brilliant idea. I love it and it so needed by all!!!

[Gina]

I think we might just be kindred spirits :)

[Ernestine Heldring]

Truly amazing how you executed the concept with such pretty fidelity...

Miss you!

[Diane M]

Dear me, it's been a month since you've posted. I really enjoy reading about your life in the country and all the wonderful things you're making. Please update soon.

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Every day.
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All made from
[url=http://www.sunglassko.com]ray ban sunglasses[/url] vintage patterns and some thrifted, some purchased fabrics. I wasn't sure how to unroll it all but I think so as not to overwhelm myself I shall do it item by item. Starting tomorrow! So stay tuned.

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Well Mary, that is really cute effort of you by making a wonderful coupon binder. I really love that and I can say it would be very helpful to have the best discount by finding it at a right time. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful art with us.

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[mandyyang]

There are so many pocket. It is useful.

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