Monday, November 10, 2014

Mini Notepads: A DIY Gift Idea

Hey, y'all!  Since the holidays are right around the corner, I have joined my Silhouette Challenge friends to share nineteen great DIY gift ideas with you today that can be made with the help of your trusty Silhouette.  I'm sharing some DIY Mini Notepads that would be great gifts for teachers or coworkers.  And the best part is that they're really easy to make.
DIY Mini Notepads with Free Silhouette Cut File via pitterandglink.com
The very first step to making your own DIY mini notepads is to download the free notepad cover cut file I created for you.  You can download the file HERE.
DIY Mini Notepads with Free Silhouette Cut File via pitterandglink.com
After you download the file, open it in your Silhouette program.  There are two notepad cover styles in the file.  You can cut both of them or one or multiples of different ones, and you can resize them to whatever dimensions you'd like.  You can even ungroup the pieces of the cover and customize them a little by putting your own design on the top of the cover.
DIY Mini Notepads with Free Silhouette Cut File via pitterandglink.com
When you have the notepad covers like you want them, cut them from card stock or Silhouette chipboard with your machine.
DIY Mini Notepads with Free Silhouette Cut File via pitterandglink.com
Fold the covers on the perforated lines.  Then cut blank paper a little smaller than the size of the back of the notepad cover.  (I cut my paper a quarter inch smaller than the back of the notepad cover.)  Make sure you don't cut it too small, though, or you won't have room to punch holes in the blank paper, which is the next step.  Place your stack of blank paper in the notebook cover and center it.  Trace the holes on the cover onto the blank paper.  Use a hole punch to punch all the blank pages.
DIY Mini Notepads with Free Silhouette Cut File via pitterandglink.com
After the holes are punched, put the blank pages back into the notepad cover.  Line up the holes and thread twine through them and tie in a bow.  (You could also use scrapbook brads if you wanted to get even fancier.)  If you'd like, you can embellish the top of the cover with washi tape and maybe even wrap a pencil with the same washi tape to create a matching set.
DIY Mini Notepads: A Handmade Gift Idea.  Get the free notepad cover cut file at pitterandglink.com.
These little notebooks are so cute and easy to make.  The longest part of the process is cutting the blank pages, but that can be done more quickly with a different paper cutter.  (You know the type that's like a paper guillotine?)
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5 comments:

  1. Love this idea! Definitely pinning for later so I can download the cut file!

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  2. Great idea, Love that you co-ordinated a pencil too!

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  3. I love these. I made some a few years ago~before I had my Cameo. Yours turned out much cuter, and look much easier to make. Good job!

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  4. Wow, perfect. Fortunately, I found your website! Earrings uk

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  5. Bethany,
    I Love the name of your blog it makes me smile just to read it. Your project is simply adorable! I am going to give it a whirl. Your directions are easy to follow and thank you for the cut file.
    Your a doll,
    Karen Marie
    Dragonfly & Lily Pads

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Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to leave an awesome comment! :)