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

[Julia]

This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing!!

[Dallas]

What a great idea. I'd keep something like that in my purse.

[Kuky]

What a lovely idea. I like seeing them all stacked together.

[Lan]

god bless, why were you not around when i was in kindergarten??? my classmates' moms NEVER did cool stuff like this for us!
your daughters are going to be the coolest girls in school because their mom is so crafty.

[Michele C]

Great gift idea! I always hated buying toys for my kids' friends when they were little. So, I would go down the office supply aisle and fill a bag with sticky notes, paper clips, tape, pens, etc. Invariably, after the kid opened a bunch of toys or high-priced items, he would open ours and yell out, "TAPE! I've got my own tape!" I love having thought of the best present!

[Sister Diane]

Lovely idea, and great tutorial! Thanks for sharing this.

[kirsten]

hi michelle! i love this idea - way cute!

[Rebecca F.]

Oh my.

Thanks so much for this. I absolutely LOVE IT. I teach preschool and think this idea is marvelous. Thanks for taking the time to share it. I would have never thought of the idea myself.

Yay!!

Rebecca F.

[Angela]

Very cute Michelle.

[Ali]

How cute are those??!

[dottycookie]

That is a FABULOUS idea - thank you!

[katie]

Those are so cute, Michelle! I bet the kids loved them.

[Beth]

I LOVE these! Thanks for the tutorial. You did a really nice job with it.

[Mary-- The Yellow Door Paperie]

These are adorable! Such a great idea! Can I post a link to this on my blog?

[Kristin Doyle]

Wow! Impressive idea. Thanks.

[Yngla]

Great idea and a really neat tutorial! Love your blog!

[K]

Oh these are really cute. I've been trying to find something to go with the crayon rolls I'm making for party favors for my son's birthday party.

[Lisa]

LOVE THIS! Great tutorial. I am in charge of staff appreciation for my daughter's school this year and looking for cheap and fun gifts to give throughout the year. This would be great!!!!

[Psalm 118:24 Living For Today!]

Totally cool!

[macati]

this is so COOL!!!!

[carol]

SOOOOOO spectacular! I still have one of the small ones you made for me.

[Lisa]

Fab idea - i have just made up one up for my 11 yr old daughter - well written instructions!

[AmyP]

This is a great idea - thank you for sharing it.

[ginger]

Just a wonderful idea,Very clever!

[Steffen]

thanks for sharing this great little tute- I am awy to make a few.... bet you can't stop once your started