Altered Michael's Notebooks

I just love these little notebooks at the Michael's dollar bins. They are such a fun size to work with and they also fit nicely in your purse or tote.

The first time I redid one I didn't like how it looked. I had opened up the original one and traced the size. I scored it in the right places and cut the slits in the side for the pen. The problem was that after taping it together the notebook was a bit too bulky and didn't want to close. SO after I figured out what was wrong I had a change of plan.

I removed the pen (this one goes without saying!!!) then I opened up the notebook. I pulled hard to separate their glue job. Then I cut the note pad off but I left the original backing on it. I took my card stock and made sure it was the correct width. The lenght was more than what I needed but that was ok, it's better to have it too long than too short.

I scored it in all the right places (using the original piece as a pattern) and I cut the slits in with a craft knife. I glued it where the orignal one was glued. I added the pen to help hold it's shape and then I taped the note pad in place. And for the final thing I cut off the excess card stock with a scissors. It was now ready to decorate!!

Once I figured out what was wrong it went rather smoothly. The only thing I don't like about redoing these is you have to measure each one individually because they are not all the same width. The are close but it's not worth guessing. You don't want the notepad showing on the front. You could mass cut them but make sure you have some extra card stock on the front cover as well as well as the back cover and then you can just trim them with a scissor when you are done.

The stamp set used here is from the "Thoughts & Prayers" set by Stampin' Up! The words were typed on the computer and printed out using a size 14 bolded font. I used 3/4", 1" and 1-1/4" round punches for the circles.

I tried to use card stock that complimented the ink pens. Each design of notebook has a different color ink pen.

Aren't these fun to dress up?? You can even use something like this as a great opportunity to use up some of that decorative paper you are hoarding!!! Anyway, I thought it was a fun project!! I bought a bunch of them and I'm going to make them up to sell this fall at a big craft fair I'm going to be in!

Thanks SO much for visiting today,
Wanda