5x8 notepad portfolio - directions

This post contains detailed directions for creating the 5x8 notepad portfolio in today's post as well as this post 2 days ago. The template can be found here. File has been updated to a .pdf - hope this one is better for everyone to view. :) Step by step instructions are detailed here. I'm using a sheet of double sided cardstock paper from Stampin' Up. Stampin Up brand cardstock is the lightest weight double sided cardstock I would use; I prefer a thicker cardstock weight for these portfolios. Directions will also include how to create the pen loop. The depth of this template is 1/4" - the depth of the Staples 5x8 notepad. Sometimes you can find notepads in thicker depths; if that is the case just adjust the 1/4" in the template to suit your need. Step 1: using the template as your guide, cut along solid lines, and score on dotted lines.

Step 2: Trim the pen insert piece to fit inside a clear pen barrel. I am using a RSVP pen from Pentel, purchased by the box at Staples. Score and adhere the top flap cover of the notepad (see lower right in photo above). You'll need to measure how much to cover of the notepad front; the notepads from Staples are 1" and 1/4" thick and 5" in width, so I scored at 1" and 1-1/4" and adhered. Cut away the areas around the bottom flap that creates the inside pocket, as shown. Angle the cuts and you'll have a neater look. Step 3: Cut strips for the left front flap using the triangle piece. I like to use a 3/4" width but this is strictly personal preference. Step 4: Adhere bottom flap of pocket to inside of right front flap. I'm using a Scotch ATG 714 tape gun here. It contains 1/4" wide tape. I purchased mine and the refill tapes from http://www.framingsupplies.com/. Step 5: Apply adhesive to the 1" flap of right front flap/pocket. Step 6: Firmly adhere 1" flap of right front flap/pocket to back of notepad, aligning cardstock with bottom of notepad. Step 7: Apply adhesive to 1" wide area of left front flap. I'm using a Scotch ATG 700 here - it holds a 1/2" width tape - source for gun & tape: http://www.framingsupplies.com/. Step 8: Firmly adhere 1" flap of left front flap/pocket to back of notepad, aligning cardstock with bottom of notepad. Step 9: Use a piece of 5x8 cardstock in a complementary color for the back & adhere in place. Align solid cardstock piece with bottom of notepad. Step 10: Go back to the 3/4" wide paper strips from step 3. I prefer to use the reverse paper to show contrast. Apply adhesive to the back and adhere to left front flap edge. Trim flush.

Step 11: These following steps will explain how to create a pen holder - these steps are purely optional. If you wish to omit these, proceed to step 14. Create a 'closure cardstock unit' that will serve as the focal point for the journal front. You can use scrap cardstock that coordinates with the notepad, or you can use the upper right cardstock segment from step 1. I did here, using a piece of medium weight chipboard coaster, followed by a piece of dark brown cardstock, then the patterned paper piece, trimmed to the size I wanted. When the time comes, you will only be adhering the left back side of the closure cardstock unit to the front of the left front flap. Step 12: Select ribbon for the pen holder - I am using a 1.5" wide twill. Apply adhesive to the back of the left side of the closure cardstock unit, apply ribbon, and lay pen on top of ribbon to measure the barrel for a nice fit. Then place more adhesive on top of the ribbon (this step is shown in photo). Step 13: Hug ribbon around pen barrel, and adhere firmly to adhesive. Remove pen and apply a generous amount of adhesive on one side of closure cardstock unit. Adhere to left front flap only. Step 14: Basic Grey magnets - awesome closure for this style notepad! You'll need two - a positive and a negative. Step 15: Peel off liner on one magnet, exposing adhesive. I like to reinforce these magnets, so I placed a drop of Glossy Accents on the back of the closure cardstock unit and adhered magnet, sticky side down.

Step 16: A tip: to avoid waiting for the glue to dry, place a scrap piece of paper over the first magnet, then click the second magnet into place. Peel off protective paper from second magnet, apply a drop of Glossy Accents to sticky side.

Step 17: Slowly close left front flap and push second magnet into place wherever it lands. Gently lift paper scrap with left front flap. Discard scrap and push both magnets down to ensure bond. Allow Glossy Accents to dry (a few minutes) with portfolio open (magnets not touching).

Step 18: Embellish closure cardstock unit on front, insert pen and viola! There are tons of variations for these - think outside the box: use a post-it holder for the closure cardstock unit, or a metal tin like I did in the previous post mentioned at the beginning of this toot. Happy New Year & thank you for stopping by! ornate bird: Hero Arts; SU olive ink & paper.

5x8 notepad with surprise clasp

**I am working on the diagram for this notepad cover and hope to upload it later tonight or tomorrow with complete directions. It will be detailed to take the guesswork out for you, so I'm going to make it another post.** This notebook idea was originally from my friend Kookie. I adapted the measurements so it only uses one sheet of double-sided 12x12 cardstock quality paper! For these notebooks, which were a big hit for teacher gifts last year, I use a Basic Grey magnetic snap closure. One would adhere two magnets in their designated spots, and that would suffice to keep the flap closed. However, for this notebook, I only used one of the pair of magnets - the small, sliding-top tin serves as the second magnet! I also substituted a piece of Stampin' Up! Wasabi Green for the smaller flap, versus using the remainder of the Crate double-sided cardstock paper. Inside the tiny tin I enclosed small binder clips, something I always use. The tiny pen is perfect - I found these at Staples in colorful packs 10. This gift is for our neighbor (he's 10 years old) that brought in our mail, newspaper, and packages that arrived while we were out of town for the holidays. Having great neighbors like Kevin watching out for us makes a vacation more fun and less stressful - for sure - and he did an awesome job!! Thank you Kevin!! I used one Copic marker for the water - B41 powder blue. All other color details were a glittery finish from Copic Atyou Glitter pens, and got this idea from Debbie Olson in her post here - amazing! Again, the template will be uploaded tonight or tomorrow, and best wishes for an awesome 2008!! materials used: Lockhart Itty Bitty Fish, Crate Hopscotch, SU wasabi, white cardstock (Papertrey ink Stamper's Select) mini tin, Copic blue marker, Copic Atyou glitter pens, Nestabilities Petite Circles small & large, Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder, pen from Staples.

vacation journal...now!

I made a photo journal of my kids for my mother for Christmas. Pics of her grandkids...I hoped for sure it would be a hit with her. So, I had extra prints made of select photos from the last few months, most of which included a family vacation we took in July. Great pics - beach, kids all had a little tan, smiles galore! I made the pages and did journaling - all in my handwriting. It really looked good. Now was time for the fun part - the journal cover! I had it set aside to work on Christmas Eve morning as my mom was set to come over around 1pm. Well, as you all can probably relate, time got away, and before I knew it...1pm was creeping closer - I had only a little time....I made myself sit down at my desk and immediately picked up this adirondack chair image from Lockhart stamps. I had been wanting to play and color with it, so I figured...why not!? It was a vacation journal and knew it would work perfectly. I love these BoBunny papers - so vintage and perfect for this - pulled Copic colored markers that coordinated with the papers. Stamped the image on a shipping tag with a Palette Noir pad - the tag had been swiped with Distress Antique Linen and edged in Distress Vintage Photo. I used Glaze pens over the Copic markers for the grass, flowers & flower centers. Added ribbon and a big Prima flower. It was done...and before mom arrived... And she loved it...and that's all that matters. :) Lockhart Adirondack Chair stamp; 7gypsies 5x7 journal, BoBunny papers; , Copic markers; shipping tag (staples.com); May Arts ribbon; Prima flower, big brass brad (staples.com), small black brads; Glaze pens.

journal madhouse

I have been cranking out journals this entire weekend - here is a selection. The one above is a 7gypsies 7x7 journal, covered with some of their new line of papers - Napoli. These are here and will be listed shortly in the store. Tag is DMD Industries - sprayed with something new called Glimmer Mist in Olive Vine. I purchased Glimmer Mist from www.mytatteredangels.com - and have fallen head over heels in love with this product!! It adds quite a bit of shimmer to the surface, and I sped up the dry time utilizing a hot craft iron. The organdy ribbon was aged using a heat tool. Papers and edges were aged using a paper distresser and Ranger Distress Pads in Antique Linen and Vintage Photo. journal, journal handle, book corners, knob, paper, 'divine' stamp - all 7gypsies. Beads - unknown; linen thread - SU; 'Memories' sentiment - The Angel Company; fleur-de-lis brad, metal oval label holder - StarLitStudio. Harlequin stamp - Impress; floral stamp - Rubber Stampede.

Journal on left - covered notebook from Target using 7gypsies papers, Glimmer Mist in Solar Gold; Journal sentiment - Quietfire Designs. 7gypsies brass key; lock charm - unknown.

Journal on right - Christine Adolph for Stampington image; glimmer mist in Evening Primrose and Blushing Rose. 7gypsies paper covers a journal from Staples.

lightweight coasters

Lightweight coasters can be run through a Cuttlebug! Olivia font used here. This was a job for a client - sixteen albums with 28 photos per album.

The girls' names adorned each album. These are to be gifts for young girls in a program here called 'Girls on the Run'. It is a national program. It emphasizes self-esteem and good eating habits, making young girls aware that they are indeed each beautiful and talented. It is also an attempt to guide girls away from attempting to emulate skinny models they see on billboards and magazine spreads. Here is a link for those interested...in our distorted perception of beauty: http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/

Die-cut letters were run through a Xyron 250, then I used a large ball pointed stylus tool to trace around each letter prior to removing the top layer of film. This eliminated the sticky stuff around the letters making them nice & neat. I used a glue pen for the letter 'i' dots ;-)

At this writing, glue pens & coasters can be found in the store; 7gypsies paper used.

5x8 Notepads

Staples.com has a pretty fair price for their white, lined, 5x8 notepads. These make awesome teacher gifts ~ Crate Paper used, button purchased at Michael's Craft store (snipped off the shank with wire cutters) & adhered with a glue dot. Thanks to Kookie for this template! Stamp credit: Stampin' Up!. Pen is also from Staples - Pentel RSVP brand - fabulous quality pen. Strip of Crate Paper was inserted between the ink barrel and the plastic outer barrel. Ribbon - May Arts.

Here is a card created in the same style; stamp credits: Stampin' Up! and Impress. Paper credit - Stampin' Up!.