Scrapbook Paper is My Friend

 As much as I would like to claim this idea as an original one from me, it's not. I stumbled across it on that great place of inspiration...Pinterest! Click here for this lady's post about the original 'book of notes'. It was her idea in the first place and her's is beautiful for sure! 

Aaannd here's my version and how I did it:

First, I got three sheets of sketchbook paper. You could use any paper but I recommend something that has some sturdiness to it. 

Then I folded them in half and placed them inside each other. See? It was already starting to look like a book! 

Next, I punched holes in my paper and the cover I was going to use so I could tie it all together later.

 The cover for my book was just cut out of a roll of this stuff we picked up at Wal-Mart. I also use to it wrap gifts ('brown paper packages tied up with strings' and all that, ya know ;).

Next was the fun part: picking out all the pretty scrapbook paper I was going to use! 

And then I just measured and cut out the paper so I could glue it onto my blank papers. 

I've found (thru past experience) that a glue sticks work best. No bubbling! 

Once I glued all the pretty paper on, I took some twine and threaded it through my holes. 

And then it was onto the really fun, although a bit time consuming, part: Designing and decorating all the pages! 

If you're like me, being creative doesn't really come that naturally. So please, do yourself a favor, and go buy a pack like the one pictured below. Paper, stickers and punch out all in one place and all in coordinating colors! Does this make anyone else happy?!

And sometime you can find them for extremely reasonable prices at Wal-Mart. Yay for cheap craft supplies! 

And finally, here's how the finished product turned out. 

The cover.

And the back with one of my trademark dragons :)

Now you should go make one too! I love how much you can personalize it for whoever you're sending it too. I made this one for a friend of mine who was needing some encouragement and I'm really impatient for her to get it!

A 'book of notes' does take a little time to put together but I think they're so worth it! They're fun to make and so much better than your average greeting card :)