Pen Pal Log Free Downloads and More

Pen Pal Log

A few days ago, I posted about my pen pal/mail log and promised free downloads and other details. If you want a pen pal log, but don't want to create your own, then use mine!  These pages were designed for a disc-style 8½x5½" notebook/planner (print full letter-size sheets then cut in half). I created my log based on products I already owned, so it literally cost me nothing except paper & printing. Going out and buying all of these things just for this log can be pretty pricey, so you may want to research other binding options. (I am, and will update this post if I have anything to report.)

Files

Download these three PDFs and print as needed for your personal use (no selling or mass distribution).The files linked below have been saved to Google Drive. If you cannot access them, feel free to email me (see profile) and let me know which page(s) you want and I'll share via email.[Update: link to post with full-size pages.]

• To-Do: is my letters to write sheet. I print this page single-sided, so I can see at a glance what letters I owe without flipping pages. It should work fine printed on both sides if you want to save paper. 
• Mail: is my individual pen pal log. This PDF has 2 pages; when printed correctly & cut in half, you will have two 2-sided log pages per sheet of paper. If possible, print on paper that is a little thicker/smoother than regular copy paper. The pages will be a little sturdier and you should be able to tape little notes with washi tape and remove/replace without damaging your sheets. 
• Enclosures2: is a slightly different page than shown in the previous post. Trying to have 4 different enclosures per page (two columns each side) was hard to keep straight, so I took this opportunity to tweak it a little. (I couldn't rearrange things, and if I ended up sending a lot of one item, there was no place to overflow.) I'm thinking about printing this 2-sided, but only using one sheet per enclosure. If you want the old version, with two columns, let me know.

Materials & Tools

Punch: Why is this listed first? Because quite honestly, the punch is probably the most expensive component if you're starting from scratch. If you you already have a punch that will work on 8½"x5½" paper then you're all set. If not, check with friends/family to see if anyone has anything in this size that you can use before you go shopping. (People are forever buying things for a planner system, then changing their mind (how do you think I have all this stuff sitting around?).) Unless you can easily afford to buy a whole other batch of stuff, find your punch first, then base your notebook and accessories on that.

• If you're buying one for a disc-style notebook, I recommend the Circa portable punch; while it only punches a couple of sheets at a time, it's less than half the price of the full-size one from Staples that has a shallower punch (and is decidedly not portable).
• A 3-ring punch might come into the printed area a little, but a punch intended for a planner that size (Franklin, Day Runner, etc.), will probably work, even if it has too many holes. This one from Staples (Amazon link for convenience) has mixed reviews but is not expensive and is the right size. One thing I've been trying to do is convert an old letter-size 3-ring punch to work for a mini binder. If I manage to succeed, I'll post an update. If you want to really save money and are willing to spend the time, make a template out of thick card stock, and hand-punch the holes. 

Notebook: Once you know what kind of punch you have (or are going to buy), you can match a notebook to it.

• Disc style: I re-purposed an old Arc notebook, but actually prefer Levenger's Circa notebooks (Junior size), because the punch goes a tiny bit deeper, which means the pages stay in the book a little better. Honestly, if you order from Amazon Prime, the basic Circa notebook is just $2 more than the Arc and is, in my opinion, the superior product.
• Non-disc style or ringed notebooks: search Amazon for "avery mini binder" or dig up an old 8½x5½" planner.

Accessories: 

Sticky Notes helped me remember to use this
Miss Piggy stamp

• You don't have to buy dividers, although the heavier ones are nice for frequently-used sections. You can see in the video that I purchased one set, then made additional dividers with cardstock and stick on tabs*. The accessories from both brands** are pretty much interchangeable, which is helpful, in case you find a sale. In fact, on Amazon, you can order the Arc tabs for $4.99, with free shipping, which is less than half the price of the Circa dividers. For ringed binders, see the "mini binder" results on Amazon for pretty inexpensive tabs. 
• Sticky notes are pretty essential. I make little notes about all kinds of things and attach them to my pals' pages. Example: one of my pals used Muppet stickers on an envelope, and mentioned them in another context. I have Muppet postage stamps, so I made a note to make sure to use one of them on the next letter I sent. I transferred that note to the letter when I started to write it, so I'd remember when I stuck it in the envelope. 

*Watch out - I accidentally bought "angled" tabs. I'm using them, but they bum me out. 

**There could be others that I'm not aware of.