Can you tell little short stories, on and off, for one continuous month of your life?

Because if you answered ‘YES!’ to this very question, then I’ve got a cute little project for you.

Presenting the "Month of Super Short Stories" Tag Book.

It all started on Friday, after going out to lunch with my sweet friend, Margie, which included a stop into the paper crafter’s sensory overload that IS Paper Source. While Margie pulled cuteness from all around the store, I focused in on one thing: these tags.

Now for those of you who are familiar with the fours walls of Paper Source, you know it’s nearly impossible NOT to spend a month’s worth of grocery money in less than 10 minutes, but I was exceptionally restrained. I simply focused on the tags and thought: “I bet you I can make me somethin’ with these here thingies.”

So here’s the thingie I’m making (with an emphasis on making as it’s not even remotely done). I’m getting everything prepped to do a tag book that will span one month’s time and be a cute little holding pen for random everyday story snippets and photos. I will begin collecting said data on March 1.

The idea of this project is NOT to jot down a story a day. Oh sure, if you’re REALLY motivated, go for it. But my hope is just to get you to record, oh…let’s shoot for, HALF of your days in a given month.

And what are you going to record? Whatever the heck you want to, but the challenge is this: just pick one thing from the day you're recording, and write down a little tiny story about it. The tags I designed for this mini-book only give you so much room to write, so the exercise is all about choosing your words carefully, and realizing you don’t need to write a thesis to adequately capture a moment/story/bit & piece of your daily life.

Maybe you will write about your wild success with laundry on a Tuesday. Or the way you had a massive, institutionalization-worthy meltdown on Saturday. Whatever goes, goes. Just find a way to write a mini-record of one thing from one chosen day.

Then, take a picture to put on the back of the tagger. It’s that easy. And guess what? The picture doesn’t have to have anything to do with the story, if you don’t feel the need. Why, you don’t even need a picture. Just use some cute patterned paper and the reverse side of the tag and be done.

The other part of this project is to use something Old and something New (you can leave out the borrowed and blue part, unless you are too cheap to buy your own scrapbooking tools AND you’re real fond of blue.)

For me, my New was the gorgeous new Sultry collection of papers from BasicGrey. My Old, was these way dusty Missing Link stamps in Colonial Style 5. I’m going to use those to stamp my dates on the taggers.

Beyond that, I pulled from my stash to complete the rest of the tag book cover.

I’ve already printed out 15 tag pages, and trimmed them so they are ready to go come March 1. What do you think? Are you in? Want to practice recording little stories in three to four sentences or less?

Here’s a quick shot of what I’m using, along with some more links.

Heidi Swapp Ghost Butterflys
Ink from Tim Holtz in Vintage Photo
Stamp  from Cat's Life Press
Label stickers from Martha Stewart Crafts
mini glitter brads from KI Memories
paint, brush and sanding block from Making Memories 
(tag design by yours truly!)
and… you'll need a jump/binder ring to hold it all together

I will say that you certainly don’t need to buy the Paper Source tags (believe me, I get no kickback from these tags, though I wish I did!) You can print out the tag templates, and just trace your own from chipboard. But I’m telling you, the ones from Paper Source are so thick and rich! And for you nutty super alter-er people, they'll hold up to around a pound of stuff and still be standing strong!

There is a tag template download below for March (the month I’m going to do, because it’s my favorite month, because it’s my birthday month), April and May. Beyond that, if people need other months, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Just print them onto your choice of cardstock and trim.

Finally, don't get all hung up on the specific details of this. The idea is to wing it, people! I will be sharing some of my entries as we get into March. Cross my heart.

Note: This isn't meant to be a monthly thing, though you may just have so much fun, you'll become addicted. Like I used to be addicted to nicotine and am now addicted to Sprite and salt and vinegar potato chips!

Trimming tip: B sure to trim your tags to the inside of the black guideline, and double-check they match up size wise to your Paper Source tag cover, or the one you make from chipboard. You may have to do a little trimming here and there, but don’t sweat it. It should work. Then punch a hole on the tag, grab a jump/binder ring, and you’re ready to start telling stories.

My posting will be light this coming week, and so… I wanted to leave you with something fun, and mildly meaty.

Here’s to meaty little stories!
love, Cathy

Here are the templates for March, April or May. (and they're all in brown. Sorry people, that's the way they're going to have to be. Brown is so neutral, really.) There is a little box on each tag, and that is for the date.  Good luck!

Download march.pdf
Download april.pdf
Download may.pdf

p.s. hopefully these files will work, and you guys will know exactly what to do. If not, post any burning questions here.

p.s.s. the template files will print on an 8.5 x 11 paper, but don't bleed to the edge, so they should be easy to print.

Comments

[Michelle Granger]

I totally love this idea!! Love the sultry too, I have played with some already too and it is great....I may do this in a 4x6 format instead...Thanks for the inspiration!

[Abby P.]

Very cute idea...and not so daunting! Thanks for sharing...and welcome back to scrapbooking-land! Missed your great ideas!

[Suz]

Count me in! fun and totally doable! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Madeline]

"Like I used to be addicted to nicotine and am now addicted to Sprite and salt and vinegar potato chips!" Yep, I so hear you, except that it is ginger beer with my kettle brand salt and vinegar. I made your gratitude book for my sister for Christmas and it was the only scrapbooking I did all year. I love this idea and will do it for me for a change.

[sally]

this is such a fun project!! thanks for the inspiration. my friend and i have just agreed to do this. should be fun!!!

[Melanie]

oh this will be fun! i love tags and love jump rings ... so this is perfect! been thinking of this anyway - may use it for a mix of things that happened and ideas for the month ... another great idea! but don't post too lightly for the week, i NEED your sense of humor! it is cheaper than therapy!

[Relly]

I really need a little project to do for me right about now, so thankyou for this Cathy. I shall try and play along in March.

(and yummy, those 'sultry' papers look delish)

[Renae]

What a cool idea Cathy. I will try to do this. I like the simplicity of using only 3 or 4 sentences to tell a story. I saw that you're coming to KC in Oct. I can't wait to meet you and take your class.

[Melissa]

Thanks for the downloads, what a great project idea! Also wondering how you got ahold of the Sultry paper already? Is it in stores somewhere? (Just asking because I love it and need it!)
Melissa

[Christine Villacarlos]

that's a cool idea!! I may have to follow suit, but I'll be using locally available tags! TFS!! :)

[star]

that is so cool

[Stacie]

Fabulous Idea.....sounds fun, yet simple....Thanks ! Will share with some friends.

[catherine b]

I'm in! thanks for the spoon-feed!

[kate campbell]

Thanks for sharing your cool (and easy!) idea!

[Nicola]

We're only talking a little, tiny story? Sounds do-able. Count me in.

[melissa deakin]

i LOVE this project.
you are so inspiring.
thanks so much for sharing this!
love that new BG paper...gorgeous!
thanks again!

[Linda]

Thanks Cathy, I'm going for it! Very cute idea. Love your tag design!

[Carolyn Mcavoy]

I Love March tooooo. My b-day also and so is my daughters...Just Love March and I like this project...I believe I'll try it...

[Carolyn Mcavoy]

Are you going to share more on how to do each page as far a decorating? Do we have to use butterflies? Can we use a different line of paper produts?

[britney]

I am totally in this one! great way to get myself back into scrapbooking!

[Grace]

Perfect little project to get me going. Love that it's not overwhleming and "do" able plus I actually have time to prepare before March 1st! This is a good roll for you, Cathy - - don't stop! I'm still waiting for the next book :)

[Shawn]

Cathy~ Thanks for sharing! This is a great idea and sounds like fun to do!

[Lindsay]

Cathy- I was just thinking I needed a little scrapping inspiration, and here I have found it! Thank you thank you thank you for sharing! Can't wait to start March 1st!

[Ann-Marie]

I soooooo love this idea!!
I can't wait to play along!
thanks for the inspiration-
and the much needed laughs that
reading your blog brings to my
day!!

[Nicky]

That's such a great idea! I think even I have time for that! Thanks for sharing!

[carol :)]

I'm *SO* in!!!!

[Heather V]

This sounds like a great project! I am going to give it a try! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Scarlett]

Oh cool, I'm in too :) Fab project!

Question: what paper size do I need to use to print those tag templates? Is it 8.5 x 11? (I'm in the UK and our standard paper size is A4 which will chop the edges off if I use that!) Thanks.

[Susan Gilman]

oh I love this idea!!!!!!!!!!! love the template. love the Sultry paper. love Cathy Z. love March, too (it's my birthday month as well (18th) - are you seeing the connections here (in a totally NON-single-white-female way, of course?) heehee.

[Kim]

Love this little project, keep the months coming! Love the paper, Basic Grey just never ceases to amaze me.

[Jan]

OK, I'm playing too, I love this!! It is adorable. But hey, did you buy up all the tags, because when I looked at them at the site, they are sold out!! :) I'll check back tho w/ Paper Source.

[Carole]

Thanks

Count me in !! Love the idea, thanks so much for the PDF (and for Scarlett, I've used A4 size and it printed perfectly)
Carole

[Maureen]

Count me in, I am a March baby too, and I need to get the hang of this whole mini book process.

Burning Question: what trimmer is pictured? I am on the list for a genesis, but seems like that is never gonna happen.

[Julie]

Thanks so much for the template! Fun project! And, I see Paper Source owes you one -- you sold them totally out of tags. They have got to be wondering what is going on! :)

[Ellen]

The graphics on the tag are great! Thanks for sharing this! Free is always so nice!

[Katie]

Cathy,
thanks for the awesome project and templates! Would you ever consider doing a tutorial on the way you set up your templates?? What program do you use to set the exact size of the tag?
I also love March because it means spring break and warmer weather!

[alyssa]

Very cool! I'm in, I'm in (and heading to Paper Source ... I mean, it's been a whole month since I've been there)! Thanks for sharing. :)

[anne leglise]

thanks for this good project!!!

[Sharon]

I think I'll try this in March too. Maybe it'll help to get me back into the swing of things, scrap wise.

Thanks!

[Susan]

Count me in too! I *think* that I need to go out now to ACMoore .... thanks!!! This should be lots of fun!!
I hardly scrap anymore but when I do it is little books and fun stuff like this.

:)

[annie]

Great idea Cathy......can I ask what adhesive you are using? I usually use the Ultimate but I have trouble starting it up each time (it clogs up at the top). Do you know of an adhesive that won't make bumps and bubbles?

[Jacquelin]

Love this idea - thanks for the templates!!!! great way to inspire us to tell our stories and totally diggin the BG paper - can't wait to find it!!!

Jacquelin http://groovyscrapbooker.wordpress.com/

[kate]

i have been trying to get inspired all weekend, thanks to you now i am. love this idea. i am sending out this link to my friends that are having a retreat on the oregon coast in april and then we can all share our project there.

[Debbi G.]

Love this!!! I am in..

[Theresa Grdina]

This is too cool! Count me in! However, Paper Source is already out of the tags....any recommendations on what else to use??? Great project - great idea!

[Megan]

Your post immediately made me think of this that i saw on the internet the other night: http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/
I was thinking of trying to incorporate this concept into a tag book...looks like you beat me to the idea...but wouldn't this be cool. Hemingway, it says on the site, once wrote a six-word story and later proclaimed it to be his best work. His story? "For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never worn." How poignant is that?

[bonnierose]

question for you, how much were the tags??

[bonnierose]

question for you, how much were the tags??

[Gioconda]

On my gosh! How excited am I? This is exactly what I was looking to do this month because it's my birthday month too!! The 9th to be exact. So thanks for the birthday gift and inspiration. LOVE IT.

[Wendy P]

I love this idea!! Thanks so much for sharing. I am a Close To My Heart Consultant, so I am going to use our Braggin Tags mini album http://www.closetomyheart.com/Ideabooks/Spring08US.aspx
Very Cute!!!!