September 7, 2022

We had a lot of rain yesterday and the forecast is for more rain this afternoon.  I like the ten day temperature forecast, six days in the 70's and four in the low 80's.

Although we need the rain, I have to say that it does wreck havoc on my arthritis.  Update on the house...it's being inspected today!  Fingers crossed.

I finished rearranging Duchess so we can put in mattresses and tvs.  I stacked the bathroom floor to ceiling with empty plastic rolling carts so opening the door may be tricky.  

Today, I will be taking down the curtains and washing them and continuing to pack up the tools in the garage.  Sure hope we don't end up staying here but at least we will have a roof over our heads!

Wednesday's have two focuses...paper and pamper.  Today's craft is making small notebooks.  As you can see from the picture, you can make them in all sizes and shapes, with all types of paper from plain white bond to card stock to digital scrapbook paper.  

Some have covers but most do not.  Some are fastened using staples, some with glue and some by stitching using a sewing machine.

I generally make notebooks to fit in a specific place in a journal or in a little booklet in which I have places to add other things like business cards, or sales slips, etc.  We will be making these later on but I wanted to first describe how to make the notebooks.  For instance, in the picture you can see two that I made.  One uses part of the scrap fabric collage that we made yesterday.  The other one uses heavy scrapbook paper.   Check out the inside of both creations.  (They would make nice gifts.). The first is the inside of the scrap fabric cover and the second is from scrapbook paper...

 

So, to make the notebooks you will need paper, scissors or paper cutter, ruler, light weight cardboard (think tissue box), decorative paper, glue and either stapler (small hammer to tap down the staples) or sewing machine.

First decide on the size.  I suggest a smaller size like 3 1/2 by 3 3/4 inches.  You can get nine from a sheet of paper so four would give you a nice amount.  Cut them out either with scissors or paper cutter.  I would suggest that you get a paper cutter, the type with a small razor that zips down the side.  I have been using a very inexpensive one and replacing the cutter.  You get a much truer cut than with a scissors.

To fasten the papers together, a stapler is easiest.  Use a small hammer to tamp down the staples so they are flat.  You can also sew across the top to secure with a long setting straight stitch.  Too close a stitch and the paper will fall off.  To secure the pages when sewing use small bull clips.  

If you want to use glue use bull clips to secure pages making sure the top of the pages is even.  Then apply a very generous amount of tacky or super tacky glue to the top and set aside until completely dry.  I usually let it dry for 24 hours.

Once you have the papers cut and secured together, the take the lightweight cardboard and decide if you want it a bit larger or the same size.  See the pictures above...one is even and one has the base slightly larger.

Cut the lightweight cardboard large enough to be the base (either same size or slightly larger) plus enough to fold up at the top of the paper and then down to cover the top part of the papers,  about 1/2 inch.

Cover the cardboard completely, front and back with the decorative paper (wrapping paper, magazine pages, scrapbook paper, digital scrapbook paper, etc).  I use Elmer's craft bond stick glue for this. Next crease the cardboard folds at the top where it goes up and over the stack of notepaper.  Then use tacky glue on the inside of the top 1/2 inch cover and down about 1/2 inch on the back where the notepaper connects to the cardboard base.

Once you make one, you will see how easy it is to make and will probably wind up making many more.

Enjoy your day...

Talk with you tomorrow...