StarLitStudio

loop for pencil

This how-to was requested by a few folks - here's how I add a pencil (or you could use a pen) to a notebook, like it did for this one here.

Here's a close up of the cute, pieced owl - pdf file can be found in this blog - I reduced the sizes 50% and modified where needed.   The color is off - iphone and bad lighting...

To begin I source the writing implement desired for use with the notebook.  I like these mechanical pencils from Staples.  I prefer pencil to pen, but whatever you choose get it cuz we need to measure it.

Wrap a strip of patterned paper (that coordinates with the notebook being used) around the writing implement, which I will refer to as 'pencil' from here on.  Go a few laps around the pencil and secure with a length of Scor-Tape or similar, strong adhesive. 

The width of the patterned paper strip will depend on the size of your pencil, and the look you are after.  I find the slightly larger strips seem to grip the pencil better, versus smaller widths.  As for the length, I probably started with an 8" length and cut it down after I rolled it a few times...

...but make sure you leave a nice-sized flap as shown.

The more laps or loops you make around the pencil with the paper the stronger the pencil holder will be, and will resist crushing if pressure is applied to it without the pencil in place. 

Adhere a nice sized square of Red Line Tape to the top side of the flap - you don't want this to move, so a good, strong adhesive is needed. 

Tuck and adhere the flap under the main component or a large component of the notebook front, where desired.

Flip the unit over, and this is what it will look like.  Nice and secure.

Apply adhesive to the entire unit back, and adhere to the notebook cover - kinda like adhering a card front to a card base.  The end result will look like this:

This notebook flips upward.  Vewy kewl.  The nine-year-old called dibs on this one.  Oh and the patterned papers are Simple Stories.  Thanks for stopping by today!

more old daisies...double pocket notebook

Fly a Kite scraps and the last of Martha's old daisy embellishments used for today's project. 

Lots of machine stitching and sponging (Distress Walnut Stain ink)of the remnants.

Interior features two handy pockets.  The 5x8 blank notepad is from Staples.  Love these for sketching.  So you got any plans for the upcoming weekend?  We're raking leaves!

grapevine wreath notebook

Thank you for your comments!  To answer the clothespins font question - Thursday's post (Mish clothespins) I did run OA paper cut to 8.5x11 through a laser printer - the font I used is called Champagne - size 24 - and I found the font at www.1001fonts.com.

I created this as a gift for a friend that had been injured and mailed it earlier in the week.  Hope it makes her feel better - it was great fun to create, and I lost track of time while creating it - I do love that feeling!

This grapevine wreath is 4" in diameter and the inspiration for this was from Andrea Budjack's post here.  October Afternoon Cherry Hill papers and die cuts used.  Velvet leaves, mother-of-pearl button from grlyhead on etsy, sentiment from Papertrey Ink.  Red silk ribbon from the stash and pink suede leaves are May Arts.

The wreath was attached to the notebook front with hot glue, and the embellished jumbo paper clip was as well.  The domed embellishment on the flower die cut (Papertrey Ink) was made with a Ephiphany punch product.  Notebook base is Core'dinations Adirondack cardstock and I simply lined the inside portion of the pocket with Cherry Hill patterned paper. 

The unlined 5x8 notepad is from Staples.  These are great for sketching and general notes.  Thanks for stopping by today!

fabric leaf notepads

These were fun to create - lots of different textiles used...burlap from etsy, Bittersweet string, text and fine wale corduroy fabrics from fabric.com.  The Sizzix leaf die is Tattered Leaves. 

The interior features another fabric leaf, whimsically stitched into place, and a stamped sentiment from Quietfire.  This step is actually done first...as the interior stitching leaves the notebook surface looking like this:

...this, however, is concealed with an embellished kraft panel - like a card front mounted onto a card base.

Once the scallop leaf patterned paper and light green gingham check ribbon were stitched to the kraft panel, the burlap and leaf layers were also stitched into place.  The button and bittersweet string were then added.  Then the unit/panel was adhered to the notebook.  I felt stitching these pieces down to a panel first made for a quality piece. 

Mother-of-pearl button from grlyhead on etsy.  Wide gingham ribbon is from May Arts.  Lots of machine stitching on the notebook front.  Patterned leaf paper, lined notepad and 'just a little note' sentiment are from Papertrey Ink.  Tiny text used on 'just a little note' is Memory Box E453 using Walnut Stain Distress ink.  Spellbinders labels die, inked with an ink blending tool with die in place using Antique Linen Distress ink.  I really like the texture on these.

teacher gifts for autumn

I enjoy giving a little something to the teachers (and school secretaries, nurse and so forth) at my younger children's elementary school.  I'll deliver these on Monday, Halloween, and I opted to create something related to the season versus the holiday.

Here's a close up.  I used up patterned papers and Prima flowers purchased years ago.  Burlap is from etsy.  Notepad and sentiment (Autumn Abundance) are from Papertrey Ink.  Large two inch diameter tags are covered in retired Daisy D papers.

This Altoid-style tin is for the lone male in the group - chocolate Reeses pumpkin enclosed.  Felt is Papertrey and die is Sizzix Tattered Leaves, and the honkin' brad is from Bazzill.  Best wishes for a great weekend and happy trick-or-treating!

more pretty notepads

I've used 5x8 lined notepads from staples.com, and created flip-top style covers for some - side flip style for others. 

The teacher notebooks feature a cute holder for a mini mechanical pencil (also staples.com).  Paper is October Afternoon Schoolhouse; stamp (teacher's notes) is from Papertrey Ink.

The notebook top is a piece of 5-1/4" x 8-1/4" chipboard that I neatly and carefully covered with the pattern papers.  The chipboard (or cardboard - use what you have) adds heft and a quality of durability to the notebook.

Here's another one - using a ripped portion of my spare 1936 issue of Gone With the Wind.  Gotta watch the text though - don't want to use anything inappropriate, and with GWTW, well, you gotta watch the text.

October Afternoon Sidewalks used above, and some Prima flowers.

This notebook opens like this:

If you're a lefty like me, or are sitting in a meeting where seating is tight, you'll appreciate this style of opening.

Another one using Sidewalks.  And a jumbo metal rimmed tag.  Stamp is from Papertrey Ink, giant ric rac is from May Arts. 

I used Baby Blue Liquid Pearls on the flower image on the tag, and a Spellbinders die in Memory Box Gourd cardstock.

Another one:

This notebook is similar to this one I did last year.  The Want2Scrap pearl bling and the new Spellbinders (labels 22) dies kick this up a notch.  I am still in love with this Weathervane line from October Afternoon. 

I need to get over it cuz they just ain't makin' any more.

Close up of the lovely Lockhart image Basket of Leaves (5019).  Colored with Copic markers - coloring always puts me in a happy mood...something about coloring probably remind me of Kindergarten, and dang if those were not happy times...Kindergarten was and is the best!

I digress...last one - using Weathervane again...paper piecing is fun when using fun images like these...

And a close up:

This notebook uses the Weathervane die cut pieces - I sanded the edges to get rid of the hanging paper nodule and accented the edges with Walnut Stain Distress ink. 

I love me some notebooks!

pretty notepads - they feed my soul

As long as I can remember, I have always been in love with pretty stationary, paper, stickers, kewl pens, pencils, and especially notepads.  There's something about being able to make them that feeds my soul.

 

Sizzix bird die, Spellbinders label dies, want2wcrap bling, idea-ology adornments, corners, and a Quietfire verse.  Patterned papers are retired October Afternoon Hometown.  The vertical olive caterpillar (chenile) ribbon is from May Arts and the velvet leaves are 7gypsies. 

I left the Spellbinders label die in place and applied Antique Linen Distress ink using an ink blending tool.

I used a layer of matboard and patterned paper and die cut both, adhered together, then applied Walnut Stain Distress ink to the edges.

The notebook is a simple, eco-friendly compostion one from staples.com.  I love this verse; more notebooks to follow tomorrow.

how I make post it pads

The post it notepads I make are meant to be used and abused - the inside of my purse is not safe for flimsy.

The covers and bases are reinforced with cardboard (or coasters or chipboard - whatever you have) to give them some extra heft and durability.

I had several emails asking for directions or a tutorial on how I make these from this post; I hope this photo tutorial is helpful.

Patterned papers are from October Afternoon Hometown (retired).  3x3 3M Super Sticky Yellow 3x3 Post its are from staples.com.  Black mini gel pens are from overstock.com.

Between the gel pen and the quality of post it I use one has around $2.20 in product per notepad before you add paper, embellishments, and so forth.  So if doing these for or with your child or grandchild's class and you wish to keep costs down you can simply eliminate the pen, and two of the three 1/2" score increments.  More info regarding that at the end of this post.

Cut 12x12 patterned cardstock (OA cardstock is 65# weight - use this or stronger for a sturdier finished product) into 3-1/4" height strips.  If making a bunch, score first, then cut into 3-1/4" strips.

If incorporating a pen, score at these markings, moving the cardstock after each score mark to the next measurement: 3-1/8", 3-1/4", 1/2, 1/2, 1/2, 3-1/4".

Fold along all score lines, then adhere front and rear flaps as shown above.

Mark 1/2" down from top, and again 1-1/2" down (notice pencil marks in photo above) and cut through the three 1/2" score marks.  This will create the slot for the pen:

Unit will now look like the photo above.

Adhere the 1/2" flaps to one another creating a spine, taking note not to apply adhesive on the slot for the pen.

Cut two 3" square pieces of cardboard (chipboard, coasters - whatever sturdy board you have on hand).  Cut one 4" square of patterned paper for the notepad interior.  Match or contrast - your choice.

Adhere 4" patterned cardstock square to 3" cardboard square, and notch corners of patterned paper as shown above.

Apply adhesive to flaps and neatly fold inward, creating a covered square resembling the photo above.

Adhere second 3" cardboard square to right side of notepad interior, and the covered 3" cardboard square to the notepad left side.

Adhere the 3" square post it notepad to the right side, covering the 3" cardstock square.  This is how the notepad will look with the pen and post it in place.

Finish outside cover as desired.

If you opt to omit the pen, cut patterned cardstock to 12" x 3-1/4" strips, and score at 3-1/8", 3-1/4", 1/2", 3-1/4" (again, if making a bunch, score first, then cut into strips).

Been busy making cute notebooks - will show tomorrow.  Happy Tuesday!

tatting and spooky post its

I wish to thank the inventor of the key ring app - my phone now holds the bazillion mini barcoded key tags that were piled onto my key ring - I love having just the solo car key, but dang it is now harder to find the thing in my handbag!  ha.

Finished the post it gifts for my son's classmates for Halloween - I'll be making this as a fun craft with my youngest daughter's 4th grade class at her teacher's request - that will be a fun day.

I use the super-sticky, 3x3 post its from 3M; they are my favorite, and Staples sells them in packs of 24.  Perfect for a class plus teachers plus a few extra.

Made a few with mini black gel pens, for gifts, using October Afternoon's new Boarding Pass...

...and a few more using Sidewalks.  These are such happy papers - and we should have Farmhouse and Holiday Style here by mid to end of October.  My holiday card-and-gift-making madness will have to wait.

You can see the cardstock-covered, 3x3 cardboard piece on the left in the above photo.  I do this under the post it as well - by reinforcing the post it notepad with cardboard it lends some strength to the unit.

Here is a bit of the tatting I was able to create on the beach last weekend; hoping to add this to special card sometime soon.  Thanks for stopping by today!

gift combo

This pretty floral print was in the paper stash - no idea who made it but the flowers had a shiny gloss to them.  Vintage text, leftover rosette from this project.  Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  Rose scalloped Venise lace.

Card interior features another PTI sentiment, and a leftover strip of the Lagoon cardstock (Memory Box).

A mini notebook was made with a PTI lined notepad to mimic the card.

I like the lined envelope (PTI die) and how these all coordinate - I'm making another one for a gift...wish I had bought more of this lovely floral paper.  This ensemble is in the etsy store. Thanks for stopping by today!