Setup Saturday with the Koi Pond Collection
Hello, friends! It's Setup Saturday and we have three planner setups to share with you, so let's dive right in! Cheryl's personal planner setup is always so beautiful! The Koi Pond is not only stunning...
Lesson 6: Adding Extra Inserts to You Memory Planner
Welcome back! This is our final lesson in the Memory Planning Step by Step Class. For this lesson, we hope to answer the question "What about all the "extras"? As you continue with your memory planning journey, you may come across weeks when there is just too much for the two-page spread in front of you. We have shared how to add interactive elements to the page itself, so today, we are taking it a step further to share ways to add additional inserts to your memory planner. Whether your memory planner is ring-bound, discbound, coiled, or book-bound, you can still add additional inserts to your planner, and we'll show you how!
Jennie McGarvey: Adding Inserts to a Discbound Memory Planner
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I've been memory planning for several years.  Lots of what I do has remained consistent.  One of those things is what I add to my memory planner that is not on the pages. In 2016 I added a divided page protector to each week of my memory planner.  It felt like the best way to segway from doing Project Life into memory planning. I loved it.  However, because I didn't love the size of the planner at the end of the year, I stepped back from adding so many pocket pages. However, they are still an important part to recognize as valuable extra space.
There are several reasons to add divided page protectors to your memory planner including, important events that you want to include more photos of and memorabilia that you would like to save from that week. The cool thing about divided page protectors is that you can use pocket cards but you can also save gift wrap or gift tags, tickets from events, coins, and more!
Divided page protectors can be fun because of the extra decor you're able to add, as well.  You can obviously only add photos as that totally works.  You can add pocket cards from your stash, too.  However, if you're feeling extra creative, you can dress those cards up with extra embellishments to make the cards fit the feelings you're having. Don't forget - there are lots of chances for journaling, as well in divided page protectors.  Tell the big and small stories!
Now, page protectors don't have to be the only simple additions. A hole punch or a disc hole punch can help you out a lot!  I like to add certificates and awards directly into my planner thanks to a disc hole punch.  It's easy and simple.  The reason I do this is that someday the certificate might get lost in a pile of other papers or in a box.  But, in my memory planner, it stands out and becomes an important part of the story.
It's great to include important documents!  That is fantastic.  However, maybe you just want to punch a pocket card because it's cute and it fits with the week.  That works!  Or, perhaps that pocket card will give you a bit more room for journaling about the week.  DO IT!  Additions to your planner do not have to be complicated to be meaningful.  So many things you have in your stash would work, or items from your life would go great in the pages of your memory planner!
Supplies Mentioned:
The Happy Planner Classic Size Page Protectors
The Happy Planner Snap-in Sticker Sheet Page Protectors
The Happy Planner Mini Page Protectors
The Happy Planner BIG Page Protectors Discbound Pocket Pages (similar)Natasha Pytlik: Adding Inserts to a Ring Bound Memory Planner
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One component that has remained consistent throughout my time as a memory planner is that I love to add additional items that I punch and add right into my memory planners. I like to punch and add memorabilia-type elements, like a ticket from a special event or a card from a dear friend that I want to save and cherish.
But that was just the beginning, now I am hooked on adding different sized layouts, mostly 6x8 or Traveler's Notebook size. These layouts hold all types of memories, from the everyday moments to highlighting special events where I have tons of photos. Adding an insert to my planner pages also gives me an opportunity to stretch my creativity and use my beautiful Cocoa Daisy supplies.
For today’s project, I am sharing a new 6x8 style layout using the bright and colorful Afternoon Tea Collection. I am using products from a variety of kits to bring this layout together Afternoon Tea Modern Memory Keeping Kit, Afternoon Tea Classified: Memory Keeping Kit, and Afternoon Tea Daisy Add-On Sticker Kit. For my supplies, I wanted to use one of the black and white pattern papers in the background to help provide contrast and balance to all of the colors used. I also pulled the bright yellow gingham patterned paper to emphasize the “sunshine and spring vibes.” For my weekly spread this week, I did not use much yellow, but including these photos in their own layout gives me an opportunity to use a color story that isn’t present in the weekly spread. It stands alone, but as it’s created with the same collection it still creates a cohesive look.
Don’t forget that with inserts, you can pop them in and out of your planners/ albums easily so they are a great way to add those fun dimensional elements without the fear of a bumpy writing surface in the future. You can just remove the layout insert to journal the future weeks, and then put it back afterward! It’s a win, win.
Rachel Newman: Adding Inserts to a Coil or Bound Memory Planner
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As shared in previous lessons, I have dabbled in many different planner systems and know the challenges and opportunities they provide. I'm currently using a bound notebook-style memory planner for 2022, but in 2021, I tried the Coiled Daisy Planner. This style is the one that gives people the most pause when it comes to additional inserts. Rest assured, it is not impossible; you just need the right tools! Meet the We R Memory Keepers Planner Punch Board Bundle! This tool is wonderful not just for coil punching but for rings and discs, too! Normally, the punch board is sold separately from the coil and discs punch. Luckily for us, it is sold as a bundle in the Cocoa Daisy store! Once you have this handy tool, you can add inserts into your memory planner to your heart's content.
If you are stuck on a memory planner spread, consider starting with the add-on insert as a creative jumpstart. It was almost a year since this week happened and I was having a hard time completing it. By starting with the additional inserts, I got the spark I needed to return to this week and finish the spread.
One of my favorite products for additional inserts is the large tag that typically arrive in the Classified: Memory Keeping Kit. They are small enough to not overwhelm the page but large enough as a foundation for extra photo's, journaling, or memorabilia.
I included five photos on this tag and embellished it with a few die cuts. I even had room for important details.
I also love to add the large cards found in the Traveler's Notebook Memory Keeping Kit. Like the tags, the size provides room for all the extras and space to still see most of the page underneath.
If you are like Natasha, you want to keep all your documenting in one place. That said, you may also get the itch to create a small scrap scrapbooking layout about a stand-out memory from the week. These cards are the perfect place to do that!
There are no complicated tools needed for including inserts into this bound notebook. That's right, all you need is a little tape. If you can tape it, you can add it!
One of the best parts about additional inserts, like pocket pages, is the ability to enlarge special photos. To kick off my trip documenting, I included a large photo of our travel companions, right when we arrived at our beautiful Airbnb in Abiquiu, NM. I included a simple title card with items from a previous collection and called it done. Again, it is ok to start with the extra inserts and create from there.
For the flip side of the pocket page, I kept it simple with another 4x6 photo and a pocket card found in the Modern Memory Keeping Kit. If you love pocket cards and have a few pocket pages in your stash, pull them out and add them to your memory planner!
We hope you have enjoyed this class! Leave a comment and let us know what lessons, tips, and techniques you enjoyed most. Stay connected with us by tagging @cocoa_daisy on social media or posting to the Cocoa Daisy Fan Page. Make sure to visit our Pinterest page and the Cocoa Daisy YouTube Channel for more inspiration.