Because they could transform them into this!
Once again, I got out my Mod Podge and scissors; but, like every time that I decoupage, it is so easy. First, I traced around the hideous notepad onto a piece of decorative paper, and cut it out.
To keep the pages free from glue and out of the way, I clipped them together.
Then, using a foam brush (because they are cheap and offer the easiest application, I think), I spread it on thick, covering the entire notebook cover.
When adhering my decorative paper, I made sure to smooth out any air bubbles. At this point, I went to bed, and let my Mod Podge dry. It is not necessary to let the glue dry before applying the topcoat, but I think it helped to create a smooth bubble-free finish.
Sorry, I am switching notebooks here; I didn't realize that I did that until I was finished. The process is the same, though: now, I just cover the decorative paper with a generous layer of Mod Podge to seal it.
Once dry, I punched a hole through the notebook, and inserted a decorative brad.
Then, I punched a hole on the backside and slid a loop of narrow elastic through.
Using a coordinating eyelet, I fit it into the hole, next to the elastic.
By pounding down my eyelet, I have secured my elastic in place. And that's it; I'm done!
What a simple transformation of an everyday object into something special. Now I will be looking for opportunities to pull one of these out of my bag!
59 comments:
cute! I am currently using a notebook that I did like that, but my paper is pealing. Now I can't remember what kind of glue I used, but I know I didn't do anything over the top. I think I'll get my modge podge out and fix mine.
thanks! I love the brads you put on there!
I love that! So pretty and so easy!
So cute - who wouldn't be inspired to write something wonderful and creative in a notebook like that!
How cute they turned out! These would make a great little gift for someone too! I'll add it to my list of things I "want" to do when I have "time"!
Again you are super cute. I would love to pull one of those out and say "oh, it was nothing...I just covered an ungly journal and made it totally cute!" By the way, I love your bedding from the last post.....hope you feel better.
ANother brilliant idea - I will have to do this one with my 11 yr old daughter on the school holidays next week.
Cute cute cute! I will be linking this the next time I do a "links" post!
I that Heather Bailey's new fabric? It is adorable!
So cute! I love it. Love your blog also. I'm glad I found it. :)
***Monica
those are so cute. They would make great little journals. I love your blog. You are so creative!!
So cute and I just bought 2 of those notebooks at Walmart for 50 cents each. Thanks for the idea
That is so cute! I was just in a fancy invitation store this weekend and they had tons of cute little journals. This is so cute and oh, my...so much cheaper! I've never decoupaged but I believe it's time I tried.
these are fantastic! i was just shopping for a new notebook this weekend and was thinking that there wasn't anything cute enough to buy! this is such a great idea!
I love these! Thanks so much for sharing...I'm definitely going to try some...do you think fabric could work as well as paper?
How cute! And it looks easy enough even I could do that. I think I might try it. Thanks for sharing this.
So cute!!!! I think I may make one of these for Belle to bring to church:)
I am glad you are feeling better and hope the girls are too.
Thanks for the tutorial! That's a project that will bring me instant gratification.
Oh I'm so glad someone else uses office supply store stuff! I've made those too but I love the brad closure you put on yours it't great. Thanks so much for sharing and I'm glad your feeling better.
That is just brilliant (and gorgeous!). Thank you for sharing. And I see you found Heather's paper! Love it!
love, love, love this idea! My just-turned-8 year old is having a sleep over party in 2 weeks and I have been trying to decide on a craft. Your tutorial just decided for me! What little girl (and her older sister, mommy and momom) doesn't love a pretty journal? Thank you!
this are great. i've made a couple before.
i have a question...since i think you are the queen of crafty...do you think it would work with fabric?
i would like to make a few for my daughter to take on her new adventure to jr. high. but i don't think paper would hold up very long. what do ya think?
Too clever. Saw this yesterday and already gave it a shot but with fabric and it worked great! Thanks.
These are absolutely ADORABLE!
I am so going to try this and give it away tucked inside a little bag of goodies. Very creative.
Awesome idea! I also like to decoupage stuff.. the biggest project I did was covering a sewing table. It turned out great, mostly because the modge podge gave it such a sturdy finish on top.
I never thought to put a button and elastic on a notebook. That's looks fabulous! That would make a great gift....
I love making these--they make great gifts and you can make them so many ways! Fabric, wallpaper, scrapbook paper--the list goes on and on!
So being new to this craft world, where does one find the ingriedients for this project?
Cool little gift ideas by the way!
gaileee
I always wondered how on earth people did that? THank you for the tutorial, I will be beautifying many things now. :) This is a terrific idea for gifts. Thank you, thank you!
Those are WAY COOL!!!
This is brilliant! I might do these for my daughters composition books for school. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Oh my goodness!
I literally yelped when I saw this. I have a tiny obsession with notebooks and this is AMAZING!
You rock!
Very cool idea! I love notebooks and something like this would be great for gifts!
What kind of paper did you use? I love that paper! I just tried this but the only paper I had big enough was wrapping paper and it didn't turn out too great.
I'm confused about the "decorative brad"? What exactly is that?
an eye candy for sure!
I made one with fabric and it turned out really cute, then I tried again with paper and it split at the spine when I closed it. How can I keep that from happening again?
Here is a link to my fabric notebook.
http://golly-holly.blogspot.com/2008/07/look-what-i-made.html
I am enjoying your blog so much!
I am obsessed with journals. Love this technique b/c I can customize it to my liking. Will definitely try this out! Thanks for posting.
Beautiful!
Customization is ma favorite word. keep the good work!
Those are fantastic. Looks easy enough to do as well. Thanks!
I made a more simple version last night. I used scrapbooking paper (on sale at Hobby Lobby 5 for $1). I found that the paper wasnt big enough, so I ended up cutting the paper to fit snug against the book binding (instead of covering the whole book). I used one paper on the front and another on the back. That way I didnt have to worry about it spliting (though it only turned out like it did out of plan A failing..lol!).
Ive never in my life made anything that was pretty or impressive, but I was SO proud of my notebook! I couldnt figure out the decorative brad thing either, so so far mine is just a covered book, but i LOVE it! Love your tuts too btw!!
wow gorgeous and it looks quite easy too what a nice way to transform boring note pads!! this will be nice for Christmas gifts!
These are so cute! Thanks for sharing :)
This is such a terrific idea! Thanks for sharing all of the details so we can make it ourselves!
First time visitor to your site via Skip to My Lou...LOVE these notebooks! Thank you so much for the excellent tutorial. I've been mustering up the nerve to try decoupage for a while now, so this might be the project that pushes me over the edge to give it a go!
Merry Christmas, everyone I know! I also have a notebook fetish, and these are just too cute. I just finished my first one, and it looks great!
I have a suggestion for those who had the paper split at the spine... start gluing AT the spine and work outward toward the edges of the covers with the book slightly closed, instead of working from edge to edge. Good luck, and thanks!
Thank you for sharing this, I was looking for a way to make a notebook look like a pretty journal for the young girls at church, and this is such a great idea.
What a great idea!
awesome!
Great tutorial! I like your idea of using a decorative brad to close the notebook. I gave this a try and it turned out really well, not to mention that it was very easy to do. Thanks!
I love this! Thanks for the tutorial.
~Heather
YOU just completely inspired me!!! I LOVE this...thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
This is awesome! Please let me post. And link back to you and your cute blog!!
Really cute idea. Especially now w/ school starting. My daughter will definitely want to do this project.
where does one get these decorative brads?
That is awesome! I'm going to keep my eye out for cool paper now :-)
Where do you find the eyelets?
This is fantastic! I always see these composition books and they are so cheap! But I never buy them because they are just so plain and I like colorful, pretty notebooks. It never occurred to me to do something like this. Thanks for giving me this great idea!!
So cute. I am going to be doing just this. I will be adding a little title to it as well. Thanks for the tutorial.
I featured you on my blog.
www.pebblesandpoppys.blogspot.com
Feel free to take a Featured button.
Tierra
Those are so lovely! My daughter loves to write and draw in decorative notebooks, but they get to be so pricey! I'm certainly giving this project a try. I like it so much, I'm linking to it on my blog. Nice work!
Peace. ;)
Michelle @ greenearthbazaar.com
OMG! I am so happy I ran across the DIY posts!! I absolutely love them. Especially this one! I will definitely do this!
Just made 2 of the full sized notebooks for my daughter to take to school. She loves (!!!) them. Thanks for the great idea!!
Loving this.
http://rawpotatoes.blogspot.com/
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