The next best thing to pretty fabric is pretty paper! Although I don’t scrapbook, I love to walk through that department at my favorite craft/sewing stores and couldn’t resist buying this beautiful collection when I saw it marked down from $19.99 to $9.99. (Click on photo for a larger view.) Of course, then I had to come up with a project for it, so here it is! Start by buying some mini composition notebooks. (Target has two-packs for 99 cents.) Then . . .
(1) Use a notebook to make a pattern on a piece of cardboard. Leave a little extra on both sides to fold over the front and back notebook covers, and mark where all the folds should go.
(2) Use the pattern to cut out the scrapbook paper and to draw the fold lines on the back.
Inside Front
Inside Back
(3) Fold on the lines the wrong way and then the right way, making firm creases. Then glue the cover onto the notebook starting with the spine, then the covers, then the flaps.
Following are three additional options you can use to “dress up” your notebook . . . choose one, two, or all three. For me, what I chose depended on the cover design. For example, one has cute little birds on it and a spine cover would have hidden one of them, and another has words on it so I didn’t want to cover them with a label.
OPTION 1: BEFORE gluing on the cover, put a colored brad about ½ inch from the middle of the edge on both the front and back cover. Put a small coated ponytail rubber band around the back-cover brad and fasten the brad as tightly as possible. Leave the brad on the front cover a bit loose. Then, after you glue the cover onto the notebook, pull the rubber band from the back and loop it over the front brad.
Back
Front
OPTION 2: Choose a contrasting or coordinating strip of paper for a spine cover, prepare the folds, and glue it onto the spine, holding it for a bit until the glue dries.
OPTION 3: Make a small name label out of another scrap. If you like, make “stitches” around the edges with a colored pen.
Your notebook is now ready to toss into your purse or give away . . . perfect for a small hostess or gal-pal gift. Or, turn it into an extra-special greeting card by writing a happy birthday/get well soon/congratulations/thinking of you message on the front page of the notebook for the recipient to discover and putting it in a colorful envelope. Now, what to make with the rest of this fun paper . . . ♥ UPDATE: Click here for MORE mini-notebook!
PILLOWS A-LA-MODE 
Great idea for Christmas gifts.
Yes . . . stocking stuffers! 🙂
Those are definitely awesome stocking stuffers OR great just as an addition to any gift. I really like the whimsical paper! =)
Thank you for your kind comment on my post!
Thank you! And your blog is so much fun! 🙂
Oh so much neater and more beautiful than my versions of the same.
I’m sure yours are lovely! But I give all the credit to the beautiful paper! 🙂
Great idea!! I am with you on the scrapbook paper… what a fun way to use it. Thanks for stopping by my blog! 🙂
Thank you! I’m sure you have a great place to store it in your fabulous sewing room, too! 🙂
Thanks for the cutest little tutorial ever. I love these.
The only thing I’m afraid of is when I start making these I may not be able to stop…….
BTW I loved it so much I ‘press[ed] it’ onto my other blog of free to use awesome patterns and how to’s (http://creativerevolt.wordpress.com/)
you will get a ping back confirming – that should increase your stats.
Awesome love your work!
from Peppermia.x
Thank you! That’s so sweet of you! But you’re right about not being able to stop making these. Plus, they’re so much fun to give away! And the part about using them as greeting cards really works. They’re less than a dollar to make and less than two dollars to mail, and with a message inside they’re a card and gift all rolled into one. I sent out two yesterday for graduates, one is going out to a new retiree today and another to a friend who’s on bedrest for a month . . . I’ll be making more this weekend! 🙂
cute! and would make a great teacher’s gift =)
Yes! As a teacher, I would LOVE to get something like this! 🙂
What a good idea! They are so cute. I agree with you about the paper. I purchased some pretty paper and I don’t scrap either. I just couldn’t resist.
Thank you! Luckily I have LOTS left over . . . otherwise I’d probably be at Michaels right now! 🙂
LOL That’s where I buy mine.
This is such a great idea! I wish I had thought of this earlier so I didn’t have to spend so many years with that plain old black and white composition notebook.
Thank you! And I know what you mean! I think this would be fun to do with the big ones, too, although it would take more than one sheet of paper to cover it . . . might have to try that sometime! 🙂
I thought that might be a problem too. Maybe a strip of contrasting cardstock down the spine will hide the seam of the two sheets? I’d love to see it if you try it. 😀
Ooohhh . . . good idea! Thank you! 🙂
Cool tute!!!! I love the way your notebooks are looking, so colorful! pinning!
THANK YOU! You should make some . . . so fun . . . so easy! 🙂
I might! my son’s birthday is coming up soon, so I might do some with the kids to give as bday goodies. We’ll see if I’m in the mood lol!
I was thinking about this too
Ooohhh . . . I like that! Thanks for the idea! 🙂
What is your username on pinterest i would like to follow you!
Katherine Scraper . . . but I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t have any pins!!! I just browse and then save the ideas to my computer. SILLY, I know . . . I must learn how to really pin!!! 😦
It is so easy, and it’s like your fave bar but with pictures, so much better! Try it!
And your notebooks are getting repinned 🙂
Cool! 🙂
These notebooks are just too cute, and fun idea! I was just a bit confused about how to place the brads. Am I to insert the brads through the paper (prior glueing like you stated)? And when you say tighten does that mean inserting it to the very end whereas the front cover brad isn’t? I’m sorry, I can be slow sometimes:P
You said it perfectly! 🙂 Just poke the brads through the paper, push the one on the back all the way through and flatten it tightly (to hold the rubber band in place), but leave the one in the front sticking up a wee bit (to loop the rubber band around). I may also try using embroidery floss or yarn in place of the rubber bands sometime and just wrap it around the front brad. Have fun making your notebooks . . . can’t wait to see them! 🙂
Super cute! I love the extra punch of color the brads and rubber band give them.
Thank you! They make kind of a modern contrast to the old-fashioned designs on the paper. But I may try using braided embroidery floss in place of the rubber band sometime, too, and just wrap it around the front brad. We’ll see! 🙂
ooohhh know what I am going to give the girls in the office this year 🙂
They’ll love you! (But I’m sure they already do!) 🙂
Fantastic, beautiful and inspiring – every post I read it’s the same! 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
You are so sweet! I hope you find something you’ll enjoy making, too! 🙂 Thank you! :
Oh I love these…..pinning now. I’m so sick of buying toys for my girls when they don’t use them and am looking for fabulous ideas that I can make to give them (and others). This would make a perfect gift. Thanks for sharing.
You’re so sweet! Yes, you and your girls will have fun making these! And I’ve LOVED having little notebooks all my life, so I’ll bet they will too! 🙂
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Fabulous notebooks… I have a soft spot for making and altering them too, love the paper you picked up and a bargain too! 🙂 Sarah
Thank you, Sarah! I’m loving giving them away, too! 🙂
What a great idea. I love notebooks, can’t stop buyin’ em. Now I could actually make my own. Love it! ( and, thanks for giving me a ‘like”). I’m going to keep reading, you’ve have wonderful ideas.
I love notebooks, too . . . and have ever since I was little bitty! And thank you for the lovely compliment!
I’ve done a few projects like this in the past when I was short on cash but needed a little gift of some sort for a special someone in my life. I like how you made a clasp; mine didn’t have that. Great idea!
Thanks for the ‘like’ today on my blog featuring my art project. You have some cute ideas on here, I am going to follow you so I can continue to be inspired by your work!
Thank you and thank you! I think you could also use yarn or embroidery floss for the clasp and just wrap it around the front brad. Oh, and I’m following your blog, too! 🙂
Why didn’t I think of that?? I’ve tried fabric covers and paper covers but they are messy and end up sliding around. So glueing them straight to the notebook is great! Can’t wait to make a few (at least). Thanks for the idea!
I hope they turn out great for you! Be sure to post them! 🙂
Brilliant! I couldn’t resist to buy a nice polka dot scrapbook paper as well a couple of months ago. Until now it was waiting on my desk for a nice little project. I think I will use the notebook to write down the times I will nurse my baby in 5 weeks! 🙂
Ooohhh . . . that is so sweet! Congratulations on your new little one! And it will be so much fun to have something new and pretty to use. Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute
Thank you! And I’m having so much fun giving them away! 🙂
great, great idea – I’ve done a cloth cover before for these little notebooks, but not a scrapbook paper cover. I have a lot of scrapbook paper, too (another of my OCDs at one time). I wonder if I could modify this idea and make a little pointy-type scrapbook paper thingy (I specialize in technical terminology) that comes to the front of the book, instead of the little rubber band, since I don’t have the bands but DO have the paper and peel-n-stick velcro. Hmmmm….now I gotta try it!!!
I think that would work great! That’s the fun of crafting . . . making an idea your own. I can’t wait to see them! 🙂
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adorable – these would make great party favors or gifts! I’ve been wanting to make a paper or cloth covered recipe book and this tutorial will definitely help!
Yay! I can’t wait to see it! 🙂
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I really like these. I did some afrocentric ones awhile back. I think I may need to revisit beings as though I am always looking for a great notebook. Thanks for the inspiration.
I’m glad you like them! 🙂 I’ve given almost all of them away now, so I’m looking forward to making more. They’re perfect for small gifts . . . and even “greeting cards” by writing a message inside. I’d love to see yours . . . are they on your blog? 🙂
No. I’ve done them many years ago. I may make some soon with my daughter who loves to write poetry.
A gal after my own heart. Buying scrapbooking paper when I don’t even scrapbook just because it’s so gorgeous is SO something I would do. I’ve been itching to buy some of that fabulous paper, but know it will be years before I can scrapbook. Thanks for the idea, I can go buy it now.
Blessings,
Alyson
You’re SO welcome! 🙂 I can’t wait to see them! Have fun!!! 🙂
These are adorable.
Thank you! 🙂 I’ve given all but one away, so it’s time to make more! 🙂
Easy to make, adorable and useful. Great idea, and cute to boot!
THANK YOU! I can’t wait to make some more! 🙂
I love this blog! I know I will have fun here! May I pin your posts to Pinterest? And then review your posts on my blog…after I give them a try? That would be fun! 🙂
That would be awesome!!! I’m already following your blog . . . I know I’ll get so many great ideas! 🙂 Thank you!
The notebooks are so pretty.
Thank you so much! I need to make more! 🙂
I love this! So adorable–the perfect handmade gift! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you! I’m hoping for a free days soon to make lots more since I’ve given all but one away! 🙂
These are just gorgeous! Thank you for coming to visit my blog, I’m enjoying yours!
Thank YOU! I know I’ll get lots of great inspiration from seeing your lovely work. 🙂
These notebooks are so cute looking 🙂
I need to make some for my boyfriend’s nieces – I’ll be the new and cool auntie Frida 😀
http://www.fridaspeach.wordpress.com
Great idea! They’ll love them! 🙂
These a so lovely 🙂
Oh, thank you! I have a thing for notebooks! 🙂
I am definitely going to give them a try… I use them but have never made them!
Have fun! Oh, and your blog is amazing! What an exciting life you lead! 🙂
these are awesome! i think i might just make one 🙂
Thank you! You’ll have so much fun! And they’re the BEST small gifts for family and friends! 🙂
Hi, what a colourful and exciting blog! Keep up the good work!
Thank you! So happy you came to *visit*! 🙂
What a brilliant idea. I’m definitely going to try this!
Thank you! You’ll have so much fun with it! Can’t wait to see yours! 🙂
I love this idea! I too love scrapbook paper and use it a lot in art. Most stacks give you 3 or 4 of the same kinds of papers so this will be a great way to use up some of the extras.
Thank you! Your creations are SO beautiful! Have fun making notebooks . . . can’t wait to see yours! 🙂
Great dollsize gift, too. I’ve made magazines for dolls before, but hadn’t thought of using the mini-notebooks before.
What a good idea! I loved seeing your doll collection on your blog! 🙂
Thanks! It’s a fun hobby, if a bit expensive. 🙂 I’m going to be trolling your blog for ideas for accessories, for sure.
Wow, I can see you have brought joy to and inspired a lot of people! Thanks for this and I am glad someone has asked you about the placement of the brads before glueing as I was a little unclear as to whether you meant the flaps or the front cover. Now, it is all clear and a great addition to my primitive covering of books done previously. They will look so much more professional with this technique. Will pop back to follow you more again….
Thank you! It’s really fun to mix and match the papers, too. I’m hoping for a free day soon so I can make a new supply! 🙂 Have fun with yours! 🙂
Reblogged this on Something to Ponder About and commented:
More wonderful ideas from talented people, that can be quickly achieved are fun and can be used as activiites with older children who are into crafts! Thanks, Pillows-a-la-mode
These are so cute!!
Thank you! Time to make more as these have all been gifted! 🙂
Love this idea!
http://thequiltedcat.wordpress.com/
Thank you! I’ll be posting more as soon as I have a free day to make some! They’re the best mini-gift for family and friends! 🙂
LOVE this! In fact, I have some composition books with paper and decorative “stuff” sitting on the table right now waiting to be done. 😎
Have fun! Can’t wait to see them! 🙂
Just Adorable!
Thank you! So fun! But they’re all gone now, so I must make more! 🙂
What a fabulous idea! Though it might result in me collecting paper like I do fabric… it is so hard to resist, even though I do not scrapbook either.
Thank you! I have to make myself walk away (or not walk down the paper aisle!) when I go to Michael’s! 🙂 Oh, and I LOVE the baby nursery items on your blog! Since I got to make some fun things for the newest little guy in our family just last week, I’m all eyes and ears for everyone else’s ideas. Everything is adorable! 🙂
I love these! Gorgeous!
Thank you, Sonja! It’s on my to-do list to make a new set of them this week since I’ve given all of these away! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Christina Designs and commented:
Mini notebooks! How cute? Plus a tutorial! Can’t beat that!
This is such a creative idea! I need to try this for sure.
Thank you! You’ll love it! 🙂
Reblogged this on Living like an Erythrocyte and commented:
I love paper.
Reblogged this on CrescentMelissa and commented:
These are so sweet!
These are lovely, such a nice idea – I’ve been meaning to make covers using fabric for a while but I might do paper too!
I definitely want to try fabric, too! 🙂 Have fun making yours! 🙂
I just pinned you on to my Pinterest site – Liz Fox Maybe you’ll get some neat visitors.
Thank you. Liz! That is so sweet! I haven’t had a chance to look at Pinterest for awhile and I miss it! 🙂
What a great idea, I love the colours!
Thank you! They’re super fun to mix and match! 🙂
Love your choice of fabrics.
Actually, I used scrapbook paper on these . . . even though I don’t scrapbook, I LOVE the papers! 🙂
I also love to make mini notebooks. I use washi tape, other decorative tapes, and I also have a xyron creative station I use to make scrapbook paper and cloth adhesive for these.
What fun! I haven’t tried washi tape yet, but I keep reading about it! I hope you’ll post some of your notebooks on your blog! And thanks for visiting! 🙂
Reblogged this on This is My Awesome Blog and commented:
i love to sew…this rocks!!!!!!
Hey, these are cute. I love that you use so much color in your projects Katherine. It’s always a bucket of cheer when I snoop around.
Aww . . . thank you for the nice compliment . . . AND for snooping around! 🙂
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Lovely !!! would make super gifts 🙂
Thank you! I have some Christmas scrapbook paper so I’m hoping to make some for stocking stuffers, too! 🙂
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the greatest blogs on the internet.
I most certainly will highly recommend this blog!
Wow . . . thank you, Andra! 🙂
what a lovely idea – thanks for sharing
You’re very welcome! These have been favorites for small gifts for my family and friends! 🙂
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