Back-to-School Notebooks

I can’t believe it is already August and time to start thinking of going back to school. Not only is the summer flying by quickly, but my kids are getting so big. My son, Braden, will be starting 5th grade this year and my daughter, Amanda, will be a sophomore in college.

Back to school means lots of shopping, but there is always time for some crafting, too! I got the idea for these fun notebooks from my friend, Hue, who works at our Shoreline store. They are not difficult to make, and can be personalized to match your kid’s personalities and your kids can even help make them. Even if you don’t have any kid’s, it is a great way to personalize some stationary for yourself.

As I was talking to Hue, she suggested even making some of these little notebooks out of sticky notes and being able to carry them around in your purse. I love that idea, too.

Ingredients:

1 8.5x11 legal pad
2 coordinating 12x12s
Scoring tool
Assorted Embellishments
Paper cutter
Adhesives


I used Basic Gray, Life of the Party 12x12s, Party Clips, and Ribbon Doilies

Step 1

Score the 12x12 that you want to use as the back of your notebook at 8 10/16 and at 8 14/16. Crease the score lines.

This piece creates the back of your notebook, the left edge, and about a 3 inch front flap. It will look like this, when your legal pad is placed inside.



Step 2

Cut the other 12x12 in half, giving you 2 - 6x12 pieces.

Step 3

Measure and mark one of the 6x12 inch pieces at 7 inches on the left side and 6 inches on the right side. Using your paper cutter, line up the marks and cut. Using a corner rounder, round the top left and right corners and the bottom right corner. This piece will be the pocket.

Step 4

Place adhesive along the inner edge of the other 6x12 inch piece and line up the outer edge of this piece with the outer edge of the other 12x12. Adhere the 6x12 piece to the front flap. You know have your notebook cover

Step 5

Place adhesive on the inside left edge (7 inch side) and bottom of your pocket piece. Adhere this to the top piece of the cover to create a pocket.

Step 6.

Place a generous amount of adhesive on the back of the legal pad. Center the pad on the inside, back cover. Make sure that the left edge of the pad is flush with the score line, so the cover wraps around the legal pad correctly.

Step 7

Embellish the notebook. I used the Ribbon Doilies along the front crease, and stamped my kids initials on cardstock for my embellishments. I also used the Party Clips as tabs for the notebook!


Happy Crafting

Sandra