sticky notes books or sticky notebooks

Using pads of sticky notes, scrapbook paper and a few other supplies, I made one of these books for each of Rebecca's classmates to celebrate the last day of Kindergarten.  It didn't take that long, and I thought some of you might like the idea.  Who knew this was going to turn into a book making blog?

For the books I made this time, I used 3" x 3" Post-it Notes (in their Ultra colors), so all the measurements I'll give you will reflect that size.  But I've made these before with the 1" x 2" pads and shipping tags that I decorated with rubber stamps instead of scrapbook paper, so use your imagination and see what you come up with.

I got this marvelous stack of 12" x 12" scrapbooking cardstock at 50% off, and cut pieces that were 3¼" x 7¾".  If your paper is directional, you need to make sure your pattern runs horizontally.  I was able to make three book covers from one sheet of directional paper.

Find yourself a scoring tool (I used my handy dandy #2 double pointed knitting needle), turn your paper upside down but with the right side still facing up,  (trust me, I don't know why it works better when you turn the paper upside down, but the thickness of the scoring line affects the measurements ever so slightly, I think) and score at  3⅛", then ⅜" from that first line, then 3⅛" from the second line, then one final line another ⅜" away from the previous mark. You should have a little section left over that is ¾" wide.

Turn the paper over to the wrong side, with the large section on the left, the little flap on the right, as in the photo above.  Next you're going to make two small holes at the midpoint of the paper, about 1" from the edge on the left, and the other in the middle of the last flap on the right.  You can just barely make out the little holes in the picture, I think.  I just used my knitting needle, pressed down firmly on my self-healing mat and twisted it back and forth a few times.  Bend all lines inwards, towards the unprinted side of the paper.  Pull the backing sheet off of the pad of sticky notes, and press in place, fold sides up and around. 

I punched two circles from contrasting cardstock with a ½" circle punch, poked a hole in the center of each, and inserted a mini brad. 

Next comes the kind of fiddly part.  Take a length of perle cotton, embroidery floss, whatever, and tie it onto the underside of one of your circle/mini brad things, or you could use the teeniest dab of glue if you prefer.  If you use glue, make sure it's completely dry before you continue.  You don't want the circle to be stuck to the cover of your book, you only want the thread to be stuck to the circle/brad part.  So you'll end up with a pair of circles with brads attached, and one will also have a thread stuck or tied onto it.  Insert one circle/brad into each of the holes on your book cover.

Then just wrap the thread around and around, or in a figure 8, like an inter-office envelope, remember those?  You can use eyelets to attach the circles, too, I just find mini brads to be easier.

Let me know if you have any problems with the instructions here, I had a heck of a time writing this tutorial (since June 11th!).  "Circle/brad thingy," "left edge," "midpoint" and all of that seemed hard and confusing to write down.  It always is easier for me to just do or show, rather than try to explain it in words accompanied by my lame photos.  I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.  

And there you have it.  Repeat instructions as desired, until you have a satisfyingly wobbly little stack of sticky notes books.  Then let your three year old have one, and it will become a sticky notebook in no time flat!

Comments

[Annie]

Great idea! Thanks for the tutorial; especially love the way you used the brads. I think I might make some of these for the girls in my book club.

[Erin]

Fabulous idea!

[kt]

Wow! These are terrific! Thanks for sharing!

[Mel M. M. M.]

Amazing! Your projects, tutorials, & photos are all pure art. Amazing! I'm SO glad I found your blog. I hope it's alright that I linked you on my blog roll. :0) Thanks for the amazing inspiration!

[Anu]

thanks for posting. I'm going to make them for Christmas presents.

[Josefin]

Ooh, what a great idea!

[Patricia]

Thanks for the great tutorial! I think your photos are perfect, and so are the instructions!

[Karen]

What a lovely idea - simple,inexpensive and quick to put together in bulk, but really cute and practical. All the best features of a handmade gift!

[marychap]

Great tutorial. Nice idea for Mother's Day gifts for my co-workers. A mini-sharpie pen would complete the gift.

[tivogirl]

I hope the producers at the Martha Stewart show see this--Martha loves post its and it would be a good segment!

[Rafa Hübner]

Uau!
This looks great!

[Kim]

These are ADORABLE! Thanks for sharing.

[Lauren]

Great idea. Very cute. I'm going to file this idea away for later.

[kasey]

This is really great. Your instructions are super easy to follow too. :D Thank you for posting this. I'm definitely making this for my teacher.

[Katherine]

I made these! I love them! Thanks so much for the tutorial. I linked to it on my blog - please feel free to stop by and say hi!

[kristin]

ok...i can't read any more back posts because this is the LAST cute thing i'm going to earmark to make. love the closures! xxx

[Crystal]

So Cute! Thanks for sharing!

[MaryNSC #1121]

OOO thank U I made one.I made it for my Husbands pace maker nurse thank U!!!
I had found her a golf Ink Pen Now this will finish it off perfect..

[Blakeney]

Amazing! I am going to make some asap - I'm always in need of sticky pads but I always end up ruining half the deck when the little pages fly out after getting shoved under something. Thank you!

[Bonnie Sharp]

Just found this link from Allison's Scrappin' When I Can blog.....fabulous tutorial .....off to make some!

[Wanda]

I just LOVE these. TFS

[Teri]

What a great project, love it! Got linked up to you from Allison's stampin' when I can... thank you for sharing!

[Elena]

Wonderful tutorial! Great idea! Thank you very much for sharing!

[Lisha]

Thanks, for the great idea! I was looking for something different to use for wedding favors and used them with a thank you note on the first page.

[Jill]

These are such a great idea- and so easy, too!