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Monday, March 19, 2012

Notepad with Pen Mini-gift

Today I'll show you how to create this cute little notepad and pen set.

Materials needed:
  • 3 1/2" x 5" notepad - approximately 1/4" thick
  • 3 5/8" x 12" piece of cardstock (it CAN be only 11" long, but you won't have as much overlap that way)
  • 1/4" wide elastic - approximately 3" long
  • Small pen or pencil - preferably less than 5" long so it won't be longer than the notepad itself.
  • Scotch tape 
  • Adhesive backed Velcro strip or dots or magnetic snaps (optional for closure - can be quite small)
  • Sturdy adhesive
  • Decorations for front of notepad

Tools: You will need a stapler.  You might also want a score board, an embossing folder & machine for using it (Big Shot, Cuttlebug, etc), an ATG gun, and a small pair of pliers, but these are not strictly necessary.

Instructions:

1) Score your cardstock at 2" and 7" and then again 1/4" to the outside of these marks (1 3/4" and 7 1/4" - see picture).  Fold and crease on all score lines.

2) If you wish, emboss the 7 1/4" to 12" section in an embossing folder.  You may also choose to round the corners on the 12" side as was done here.  At this time you can decorate the front of the notepad, or you can wait and do it at the end.

3) Loop the elastic strip around the pen (or pencil) and hold it snuggly to the notepad, to determine where you want the elastic to be.

4) Remove the pen and tape the ends in place with scotch tape.


5) From inside the back cover, staple the elastic ends to hold them securely in place.  If you wish, use a pair of pliers to crimp the staples tighter so there is less danger of them punching through the cardstock cover, and less of a bump there.

6) Attach the back of the notepad to the cover.  I use my ATG and run a strip of adhesive all the way around the outside edges of the pad base (see previous photo) and then glue it in place (see next photo).


7) Replace the pen.  Decorate the front of the notepad if you have not already done so.

8) Add velcro or magnetic snap closures if you wish.

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