Designer's Choice Project

Now that the Christmas cards are done (yeah, right!), it's time to think about teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, or something to have on hand for that last minute hostess gift.   This covered note pad can be easily broken down into steps, making final assembly as easy as pumpkin pie. 

In addition to the products on the left, you'll need plain card stock,  removable tape, a palette knife or paste spreader, inks to coordinate with your patterned paper and adhesive or sticky tape (you can see a bit of it poking out from under the jar of embossing paste).

Because of the drying time, I began by paste embossing the Hibiscus stencil (LG678) with regular white matte embossing paste (DEP) on Neenah Natural White card stock.  This is a good time to use Lynell's power pasting technique which she demonstrates on the Embossing Paste Techniques for Artful Cardmaking DVD.  When the past was dry, I repositioned the cleaned stencil and applied color.  I also inked the edges to make the image stand out.  Tearing the edges or using decorative scissors are also options for a different look.

Preparing the tablets:  the chipboard backing on the mini tablets was a little flimsy, so I cut a thinner piece of chipboard to size and attached it using sticky tape.  I also needed to cover the Staples logo, so I cut a scrap of patterned paper to fit the front, top and about an inch or so of the back of the tablet and adhered it using sticky tape.

Cut patterned paper to size and score.  Exact measurements will vary depending on the size of notepad you choose.  For this project, the mini tablets measured 3.5" x 5.25"  and cut the patterned paper 5.25" x 7.75".  The 7.75 inches is a bit longer than the actual notebook measurements to allow enough "overage" for scoring.  If there's a little hanging over the front and back edges, you can always trim it later.   

The paper I chose is a double-sided, light-weight card stock, which some might call layering weight.  It is not heavy enough to score without tearing, so I cut another piece to match and glued the two together.  And, I didn't like the pattern on the reverse, so gluing the two pieces together solved both problems!  If you find heavier weight patterned paper, you can eliminate pasting two lighter-weight pieces together.  Score patterned paper to fit tablet.   My tablet was 1/4" thick, so my score lines were at 3.75" and 4".  Remember, the front might hang over the tablet edge a bit, but that's OK.  You can trim it before attaching the ribbon.  If you're unsure of this step, make a sample using a manila file folder or other paper similar in weight to your patterned paper.

Cut ribbon strips to whatever size suits your project.

Assembly:   Attach one ribbon strip to the back of the tablet using sticky tape.  Attach the back cover, again using sticky tape, and fold the patterned paper to the front, creasing along the score lines.  Attach the second piece of ribbon to the front.  Position the image as desired, over the ribbon end.   Tie ribbon into a knot or bow. 

A cellophane bag is the perfect wrapping.  And there you have it.  Ready to be tucked into a Christmas stocking or placed in the gift box to be given away later.

Now, there's a lot more to see and plenty of inspiration from my fellow bloggers, so please stop by and see what they've been working on.   And leave us a note – we love hearing from you.   Be sure to check out the details for design team call on the DREAM it UP! blog.  There's till time to submit your application by the November 30 deadline.

Whew!  That, I think, is my longest post!

Happy Crafting,
Liz