Friday, April 30, 2010

Dressed Up Notepad Template Tutorial

Problem - Need lots of little gifts, small budget, and no time to create.
Solution - Quick and cute little personalized notepads.  Just the right shape to tuck into a purse or backpack, jot a grocery list or keep your computer passwords safe. This technique isn't new but I figured there might be some newbies out there who might enjoy this.

We're going to turn ...                                            

this
                                                                                                               
into this

                                                             
We're going to make a template so that  you don't need to take your notebooks apart each time. This allows you to make one of these little beauties in  mere minutes.

Supply List: :  3 x 5 notepads
                    Designer Paper or Cardstock (DCWV Citrus Pack was used here)
                    Mono -  Multi or other adhesive
                    Corner Rounder
                    Handheld hole punch
                    Scissors
                    Optional - Ribbon or other embellishments

First, cut a piece of heavyweight (80-110 lb. cardstock) 3 1/8" x 5 1/8". This will be your template so you want it to be sturdy. Unbend one end of the wire spiral and turn to remove it completely. After making your template, you will never have to do this part again! Lay the cover of the notepad over your template making sure ends are even and mark each hole with a pen or pencil.

Using your hole punch, punch a hole at each mark.  Use scissors to cut from the top edge just to the center of each hole. This will allow you make future covers without removing the wire because you can just press the edges through the wire! Easy Peasy time saver. Gotta love that!


Now choose your papers for the front and the back. Round the edges with a paper rounder to match the notepad. Note: I always round the bottom edges of the original notepad cover as well since they're done by machine and aren't always nice and neat.
                             
Using Tombow Mono-Multi or other adhesive, attach your DP covers to the notepad cover.  Replace the wire.  Remember, now that we have a template we don't need to this part again...yeah!!   Now decorate as desired and make some more!
                                                      
                                                     

Thanks so much...hope you enjoy the tutorial! 

Blessings!!

Charlene




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4 comments:

Jessica G. said...

Beautiful notebook and so useful, too. In fact, mini notebooks are a necessity in my bag!

What a smart way to cover the spiral area -- who needs special punches that never seem to match up??

Great tutorial,Charlene!

Sabrina Jackson said...

What a cooll little notebook...just perfect for those little 'don't have the money to get something big' gifts ;D. We have teacher apprechiation week next week and this would be perfect for the office staff. Now all I have to do is find a minute to make them :D. Thanks for sharing this awesome idea my friend. Sorry, I have not been around much...still don't have my laptop back up and working. I am tired of it and taking it to BestBuy to the geeks today. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs and blessings, Sabrina

Regina Easter said...

hey girl...so when are you going to start doing videos...you rock...hugs

Kelly said...

Too cute! Great tutorial!

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