handmade notebook

I love giving handmade gifts -- it says so much - the person is special to you - i love seeing their faces. Today I want to share a tutorial on making these notepads/notebooks. Absolutely delightful to make. My daughter is already making request for these on her birthdays! Ok, that dpends on how many friends she is inviting over!!!

First I start with some paper, i have chosen this stack of Prima Ledger papers in my stash. I love its heavy weightage and prints. So vintage and lovely. I also set aside a chipboard... a fairly light weight one, that is easily to fold.

I chose 6 sheets(these measure 12x12) and from each sheet I cut 3 pieces of 9x3 inches papers. See this picture below. I have decided to have a 9x3 inch notepad! nice and tall. Next, I stack all the cut up papers together and clip it tightly with a clip. Then i apply glue to the top part. I repeated this maybe 3 times. Just to get the glue to the paper. So it will look like a notepad where you tear from the top.

While waiting for the glue to dry, let's work on the cover.

I cut this to a size of 9.5x3.5 (when folded)

I want it a little larger than the notepad.

Spine will be 0.75inches

Then I painted it with a coat of blue paint.

Painted the inside but only 1 inch from the edge.

Dont forget the spine too.

Then I take a piece of lace (actually it is left over curtain material from the dollar bin in my craft store) Size is about 1/2 an inch larger than the chipboard.

Fold the lace over the chipboard and paste down. Fabric glue works better here.

Then i cut 2 pieces of ribbon (8inch long) and glue down like this.

Paste down the notepad on the right.

Then i take another piece of 9x3 inches paper and paste down on the left.

Added a rub on and a canvas resist butterfly (Prima)

Oh, I tie a pom pom trim over the spine. Just to give it more textures.

Or you can tie a pencil there too.

Finally embellish the cover as you like.

I cover this with lots of Prima flowers and Resin.

Perfect gift!

Hope you like it. Have a great weekend!