Today's post will show step-by-step instructions for creating a versatile notebook gift with a few gift-giving options!
Ellen's store carries a new product called Craft-a-Board. It's basically professional chipboard at a great price - twelve (12) thick sheets in a soft white color for $9.99. Overall size of each sheet is approximately 9 1/2"w x 13 1/2"h x 1/8"d. Try embossing, stamping, piercing or binding it. I used my Cuttlebug with the Craft-a-Board and it die cuts both Nestabilities and Cuttlebug dies (it's thick - repeat the sandwich feeding process about 3-4 times to ensure a clean cut).
Craft-a-Board is sturdy - so sturdy that it will outlast the 5x8 lined notepad a few times over. So we are going to create a notebook to house a 5x8 lined notepad that can be replaced with a new one when needed.
First - coloring. Using the Lockhart IB Apple and IB Ruler stamp on a White Inchie Square using a Palette Noir pad. Shade the apple, then stamp the apple again onto a piece of Cotton Candy (all paper is Memory Box) cardstock scrap.
Using Copic markers color in the apples. I made two - you'll see what I did with the other one later in the post! Cut out these apples and adhere to the stamped Inchie Squares using foam dimensionals.
Add the positive part of Basic Grey magnets to the back of the Inchie Squares. Here I've created a few more Inchies - you'll see why later in the post!
Next: the Craft-a-Board notebook base. I used this template to score and cut. Use a piece of scrap cardstock to create the pocket, according to the template.
Add velcro dots to the back of the 5x8 notepad, so it can be changed out as needed. Tip: press the hook and loops together on the back of the 5x8 notepad, then press onto the Craft-a-Board as outlined in the template. This way the loop part and hook part of the velcro will be aligned. Immediately remove the notepad and using the velcro location on the back of the 5x8 notepad, add velcro to the back of a few more 5x8 lined notepads to give along with the finished notebook.
When the 5x8 notepad is in place the notebook inside will look like this.
Next: the cover. Using Memory Box Sugar Collection I created a front for the notebook. It's basically a card layout just bigger! Stamped Lockhart's IB Ruler image four times on a piece of black cardstock using white ink, but before mounting, I adhered the negative of a Basic Grey snap (the Inchie Squares all have positive magnets) so the magnet is hidden from view - and now allows the attachment of an Inchie Square!
Use additional negative magnets from Basic Grey and decorate the inside of the notebook - add and store additional Inchies! Change them out with your mood!
For the notebook closure, a strip of Memory Box Sugar was adhered to the inside front flap/pocket. One part of a Basic Grey magnetic snap set was placed on the closure, the other on the notebook back.
If you did not want to add magnets to the inside of the notebook, you could always give them and store them in any little metal tin!
Hope this inspires you to create a lasting notebook suitable for multitudes on your gift lists!
supplies: Inchie Products, Mona Lisa stamps, Copic Markers, Memory Box paper, Krylon pens, Craft-a-Board and a wide selection of Lockhart Stamp Company images - all available at Ellen Hutson, LLC.
