Crafty Mama re-cap and tutorial

Sunday's Crafty Mama Night at Bediboo was awesome. We crafted, chatted and enjoyed a creative kid-free evening with new friends.

My original intention was to make handsewn journals. Plans changed when I drove the blunt end of a needle through my right thumbnail and into my opposite hand. Ouch. While I was extracting the threaded needle from my hands, I glanced over at some glue and decided to turn my journals into...notepads!

And for those of you who couldn't join us, here's your very own tutorial...

TOOLS:

• Paper cutter or scissors

• Plain paper for the pad (I used 8 1/2 x 11 sheets for this tutorial)

• Decorative paper for the cover

• Cardstock for the backing

• Adhesive to bind the pad (I used this but rubber cement or white glue would work well too)

• Double-sided tape or a glue stick to secure your cover to the pad (I love Mono Adhesive)

• Binder clips or clothespins

• Ribbon or twine (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Take a few pieces of plain paper (5 or 6 sheets) and divide each sheet into fourths. Stack together.

2. Cut a rectangle of decorative paper to the same size as your cut sheets from step one (should be 5.5 x 4.25) and add it to the front of your stack.

3. Place the edge of the stack on a hard surface so that the papers are flush. Clip together with clothespins or binder clips.

4. Line the flush edge of your pad with adhesive. The Scotch adhesive that I used goes on clear and dries pretty quickly (just try not to inhale while your using it). You want just enough to cover the edge without wetting (and warping) the sheets. Leave the clips in place and set it down to dry.

5. Cut a piece of cardstock the same width as your pad and about an inch longer (for this I used a piece of paper that was 4.25 x 6.5).

6. When your pad is finished drying, glue (or tape) your cardstock backing onto your pad, allowing the extra length of paper to come up and fold over towards the front. Secure the extra length of paper to the front of the pad with the same type of glue or double-sided tape.

7. Finish it up with some pretty ribbon, twine, or embroidery floss and you've got somewhere to jot down your hopes, dreams, and grocery lists.

Once you've got the basic idea down, experiment with different sizes and types of paper. I was amazed at the beautiful creations those crafty mamas came up with (I'm hoping to get a picture or two to share).

Tune in tomorrow for an eco-friendly kid version too!