When I put this project together I became very excited about sharing it with you. It is fun, easy to make, and it makes a brilliant little gift! You make the notebook pad using a pack of 3"x5" index cards. I bought my pack of 100 index cards at King Soopers for .99 cents. The dollar store has them 2 packs for a $1. You can make 2 books out of one pack of index cards. I prefer my books a little thicker so I used 2 packs of index cards to make 3 books. The really nice thing about this project is that you only need two 3"x5"pieces of scrapbook paper so it is a great use for those cute paper scraps! Once you start making these little notebook pads you can't seem to stop.
You only need a few supplies for this project:
1 pack of 3"x5" index cards
1 piece of flat stretch elastic (you can get a package of this at Hobby Lobby or Joann's or you can recycle using an elastic headband)
1 Binder Ring (I bought a multi box of colored ones at Staples for $2)
Scrapbook Paper
Tape Runner or Double sided Tape
Cropadile or Hole Punch
Optional Dye ink to distress the edges of your covers (I use Cats eye Charcoal or Chestnut Roan)
Ribbon
Charm (optional) to attach to the ring
Embellishments
Open your pack of index cards and make a stack about 1/2" deep. You can also take your pack and separate into 2 stacks. Take 2 cards and set them aside to use for the front and back cover.
Cut 2 pieces of decorative paper 3"x5"
Apply to the lined sides of 2 index cards using tape runner or double sided tape.
Optional Distress around the edges of your front and back cover. This will remove any sign of white card in case you didn't line up your edge perfectly. Some Notebook Pads I distressed, some I did not.
Take the front cover and a small stack of cards and align them and punch a hole in the top left corner. Continue punching the entire stack this way by taking one of the punched cards putting it on top of another stack of cards and punch to do the entire stack. I use a cropadile hole punch tool as it punches through a pretty good sized chunk of cards, but any hole punch is fine.
Measure a piece of flat elastic around the notebook slightly overlapping and cut. I use thin flat elastic that was from the sewing area at hobby Lobby. I also used an elastic headband cut in half
Don't worry if you staple your elastic a little too loose or tight by accident, just add or remove some cards.
Your Purse Sized Notebook Pad is done and now you are ready to embellish! Have fun making it unique!
Tie pieces of ribbon to the binder ring
Attach a charm to the ring
Embellish with chipboard letters or flowers.
Tie a ribbon to a paper clip and clip it in the book so ribbon comes out of the top of the book
Some Gift ideas for your Purse sized Notebook Pads:
Put your notebook pad in a cellophane bag with a clever pen and you have a brilliant little gift!
Hostess gifts
Bride or Mom to be and have the shower guests write wishes or have guests bring a 3"x5" recipe card to put in the book for a great little Recipe Book.
Make one for a teacher and have students write a message on each card as a thank you
Nice for Students and Coworkers
XOX,
The Rebel Crafter
great project thanks for the tute!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun blog you have! Glad I found it!
ReplyDeleteGlad you both found our blog!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteYou could also staple a hair band (the Goody ouchless "little black dress") ones fit nicely and aren't too small - so the pages won't bend! A bit less work!
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea on the hair band! Thanks!
ReplyDeletemy mind is spinning with ideas for using these little jewels...thanks so much for the great idea. :)
ReplyDeleteVery fun idea! I enjoyed your tutorial. :)
ReplyDeletevery cute! glad to find you on the tt&j linky party!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - simple and inexpensive, too! I love to have a little something in my purse to jot down notes. And there are endless possibilities depending on your paper/embellishments. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete(visiting from TT&J)
I love this idea, thanks! On another note, do you have any crafty ideas for a 3 ring binder that is ruined but the rings are still good in it? I have been racking my brains on this one & know how good you are with crafty ideas! :)
ReplyDeleteI love a challenge! Check back down the road as I will put it on my list of things to do!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, lovely idea. I would like my little girl to make for school teachers/relatives, but get her to draw a picture on the front and back covers.
ReplyDeleteso cool idea tfs
ReplyDeletemost cutest thing ever great gift ideas good for me and my daughter to put together for gifts very orginal and unique
ReplyDeleteI find ringed notecards to be my essential tool for studying on the "go" and, I can't wait to save $$ and stock up with these fabulous originals!!
ReplyDeleteYou could seriously open your own boutique shop with all of your creativity and sell everything you have up on this blog :) Thanks for sharing at D2F :) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteLoved this! Used it as a part of a goody bag for my 14th birthday party! Great idea; Thanks for the tutorial!
ReplyDelete