This post uses affiliate links. For more information, click HERE

A few weeks ago I bought these cute brown notebooks from Pick Your Plum, a fun daily deal website. I bought several because I thought they would fun to customize and decorate, and they were only a couple dollars each.

I loved how they turned out!

 
Paper-Covered Notebooks - Turn a drab paper notebook into a fabulous personalized accessory!

 

 

I used this gorgeous paper from Die Cut with a View for the lacy floral notebook, the yellow polka dot a picked up from a local scrapbook store.
For my paste, I used white school glue, with a bit of water mixed it. Don’t add too much water, just enough to make it brush easily onto your paper and notebook.


Start by cutting the front piece. The size of your notebook will determine how many pieces of paper you will need. This notebook measured 7” x 7”, and I used 2 pieces of 12” x 12”. 

I wasn’t super precise, I just eyeballed it and used my paper cutter to get nice, straight lines.

Paper-Covered Notebooks - Turn a drab paper notebook into a fabulous personalized accessory!

I eyeballed the corners as well. Cut a 90° on the side piece,  then cut a 45° angle on the top and bottom sides of the corners (it doesn’t need to be an exact angle). Once your piece is cut, you will want to glue the front of your notebook first.  Using your paste, generously apply a layer to your notebook and your paper. Work quickly and make sure both sides are still wet before you glue them together.

{It doesn’t really matter which side you cut each angle,  just make sure you glue the 90° pieces down first, then the 45° after.}

Paper-Covered Notebooks - Turn a drab paper notebook into a fabulous personalized accessory!
 
 
Next, paste the top and bottom down.  Make sure you are applying paste to the book and to the paper.
 
 
Paper-Covered Notebooks - Turn a drab paper notebook into a fabulous personalized accessory!
 
 
Next, glue the small piece that wraps around the spine. Mine is a bit wider because of the pen holder in the middle.
 
 
Paper-Covered Notebooks - Turn a drab paper notebook into a fabulous personalized accessory!
 
 
Next, cut your second piece to fit the back. My notebook has a bungee closure, so I had to work around it. To do this, I marked where the holes should go, folded down the sides (where they would be glued around the sides) and barely got the hole punch where I needed it (phew!). Then I cut a slit so the paper could be applied.
 
 
Paper-Covered Notebooks - Turn a drab paper notebook into a fabulous personalized accessory!
 
 
Finish by using the same techniques as the other side. Cut the corners and glue the top of the notebook first. Then, glue down the side, and then top and bottom. Make sure you let the glue dry before closing the notebook.
 
 
I added a few embellishments, specifically a vinyl monogram that I cut with my Silhouette.
 
Paper-Covered Notebooks - Turn a drab paper notebook into a fabulous personalized accessory!
 
 
 
 
Paper-Covered Notebooks - Turn a drab paper notebook into a fabulous personalized accessory!
 
 
One tip: I found a thicker paper to work a little bit better. There tends to be less ripples and bubbles. I used a not-quite-cardstock at first (the yellow), and I thought it was too thick, but it turned out nicer than one I made with regular-weight scrapbook paper. Just make sure to apply enough paste the make the paper nice and pliable.
 
What do you think? It would make a cute, personalized gift!
 
 
 
Signature

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *