Like most bloggers I am obsessed with stationary, notebooks, notepads, pretty pens you name it, I want it. I recently posted a little Desk/Stationary Wishlist just to show you some of the bits I’ve been eyeing up for a while now. One desk item I was missing was a decent planner. I had a to-do list notepad but it was getting filled up with things to do and post ideas, it was all getting a little messy. So I set out to find an actual desk planner.
I was after something simple yet pretty that would allow me to keep my ideas and chores tidy but also something that had a to-do list on it also. There are a few about online but they are all landscape, I don’t have enough space for that so wanted portrait and also they were coming in at about £15 or more for a notepad, none of which where what I had in mind. So I decided I would just make my own.
I turned to Etsy and found a shop named Little Seed Gifts which had different printable planners for sale. I loved the look of the one I chose instantly as the colours where subtle and it had three different sections. I paid just £2.72 and downloaded it instantly. If you have Photoshop you could make your own, however I don’t and for the small price I got exactly what I wanted.
PIN IT!To make it into an actual notepad, I printed the planner off, found an old piece of A4 cardboard from an unused notepad and placed them altogether. I then hung the top edges of the planner off the end of a countertop and placed about 6 big heavy books on top to keep the pages in place. Finally, I layered 4 coats of PVA glue onto the top end of the papers waiting 10-15 minutes in-between each layer. This seals the papers together creating an actual notepad and you can peel off each page like you would normally. I also added a little bit of washi tape to the top, just to make it more pretty for myself but no one else sees this.
I’m thrilled with my DIY desk planner, it’s exactly what I wanted and for a tiny price. Definitely recommend Etsy if you’re struggling to find a planner you like, hope I’m not the only picky person out there! P.S I’m still obsessed with this marble phone case!! Find out where I got it here.
** Since writing this post I have opened my own Etsy shop, PaperChicCo selling planners that I have designed myself. From daily and weekly planners to blogger specific ones, there’s also a Christmas planner, all for a reasonable price. Check out my new shop – PaperChicCo. **
Will you be making your own planner?
Beth
Thank you for this – it’s just what I’ve been looking for! I’ve seen loads online for about £15 but never really thought to actually just print it off myself. Etsy is fab for stuff like this. Can’t wait to get my own 🙂
Beth | Bethany Georgina
x
Claudia
BethYou are very welcome! They are so pricey online! Enjoy making your own 🙂 xx
Akane
Hi, Love your website and this post a lot…
The printable desk planner looks so nice and functional…and the way you made it into a real desk version was very creative 😀
Akane
http://www.humancat.co
Claudia
AkaneThank you so much, so glad you like it! 🙂 xx
Cree
I LOVE this idea! I’ve been looking for the perfect planner for so long I never knew etsy did printable ones. Such a helpful post 💖
Claudia
CreeSo glad you found it helpful! There’s so many wonderful designs on Etsy, definitely worth a look xx
Emma
such a good idea! It looks lovely x
Emma | Emmys Beauty Cave
Claudia
EmmaThank you! 🙂 xx
Heather | PB Blog (@porcelainbeautx)
This looks absolutely gorgeous, especially for the price!
Heather, Porcelain Beauty xx
Claudia
Heather | PB Blog (@porcelainbeautx)Such a bargain, it’s perfect for bloggers! xx
Charlee
I am exactly the same I’m so obsessed with anything stationary haha. After reading this I will definitely be making my won planner as it’s so cheap and didn’t realise you could bond it like that!
Charlee XO | charmedcharlee.com
Claudia
CharleeIt’s so clever isn’t it? I had no idea either! I can’t get enough of stationary, it’s a little worrying just how excited I get over new pens! 🙂 xx
nueyork
This is such an amazing DIY, especially the PVA glue bit – I would never have though of that! x
nueyork.blogspot.com
Claudia
nueyorkThank you, so glad you enjoyed it xx
Carys
This is such a good idea & an absolute bargain too! I love that it’s co-ordinated with your Sharpie 🙂
Carys
xxxx
Freckles&Frocks
Claudia
CarysSuch a bargain and so easy to make as well. Haha, I love a bit of coordinating! xx
Laura
Thanks so much for the post and recommendation – so glad to hear you’re enjoying it! What a great idea to turn it into a notepad!
Laura from LittleSeedGifts
Claudia
LauraYou’re very welcome Laura. I’ve been after a planner just like this for weeks and I’m so glad I stumbled across your Etsy shop! Thank you for your wonderful designs 😀 xx
Leah
Hiya! I was watching MammafulZo’s channel and she said to mention that she’d sent me! I love your blog and have followed. This post is awesome too although I am trying to work out the instructions to fix the glue to the pages…I’m probably not crafty enough! Lol
Leah x
Claudia
LeahHi Leah! Aw thank you so much, that’s so sweet of you. It does sound a little confusing, this is the post that I got the idea from – http://playfullearning.net/2013/10/diy-tear-off-notepads/ hope that helps! 🙂 Thank you for the sweet comment xx
Beckie Rackham (@BeckieIone)
Wow that’s such a cool way to make a planner without breaking the bank too, it looks great! x
http://www.beckieione.com
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[…] may remember that a little while ago I wrote a post about my DIY Desk Planner and mentioned how I was struggling to find a suitable planner that wasn’t ridiculously […]