Yesterday, I mentioned a simple watercolor hack. Here is one dedicated to writing. More specifically, writing on index cards, as I do all the time.
I needed a way to hold the card flat on a sturdy surface, even when I’m reading and holding a book in one hand. Even when I’m standing up anywhere. I ,needed something light and quick (no need for fancy zippers and anything: pick in my bag, get the pen and start writing. Done.
That was my first prototype and it has been working real great for the last 3 years or so while I’ve been carrying it with me everywhere. Hence, its less than pristine appearance..
- It’s made out of recycled cardboard and thick paper (for the accordion pouch thingy in the center). Plus parts of an old pencil cases I salvaged.
- Being cardboard, it’s lightweight which helps carrying it everywhere I go… while still being largely sturdy enough to handle (the pressure of) my handwriting.
- The surface is covered with a certain kind of fabric whose name I don’t know (I dad some lying around). It helps reduce the slippery-ness (is that a word?) when putting a card on it but frankly its really not required it just looks sort of nicer… less ugly?
- It’s designed to fit A6 index cards that one can hold on one side using the little clip.
- The central compartment can carry a fair number of cards (spares, as well as filled ones).
- There is an elastic loop at the back to hold up to three pens.. The little pocket is there to prevent ballpoint pen to leave undesired marks when I carry that thing around in my bag.
This first version has taught me a lot on what I could improve to make it simpler to use and even more how I could make it simpler to build. The accordion thingy, for example was a pain to make and to use even just to get the cards out of it. One of the newer versions will look something like this (I have made a few so I can have them lying around):
Yes, it’s made out of on old Asterix BD cover! There is no need to hate on me for destroying it as that BD was already ruined and thrown in the trash by someone. I picked it up to salvage its sturdy cover. (plus, it’s among the best albums in the series ;)
- As you can see, there is no accordion thingy anymore but it opens like a standard notebook.
- Inside, there are two envelopes, glued onto the cover with double-sided tape. One for the used cards, the other for the spare ones.
- Magnets are used to keep the thing shut the rest of the time. It’s real good. And like the others,
- I kept a pen holder for up to three pens.
- it’s still all made of recycled/reused crap. Which matters to me.
Since I cut the cardboard to the desired size (in both prototypes), its sides were exposed and a bit rough. I “waxed” them using… standard wood glue. It’s transparent once it has dried, it keeps humidity at bay, and it also makes it much sturdier for daily handling and it feels smoother than when it was raw.
Edit: here is what it looks like when I’m using it:
I’m holding both the book and the board in my left hand, the pen normally in my right hand read to write (save that it now holds the camera for teh picture). Once I’m done talke whatever not, I just slip the board behinf the book and I’m back to reading.
Feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions on how to improve this very “high-tech” device, or if you have any question about it but it’s really very basic.
Published: 2026 Oct 03