Friday, October 3, 2008

Paint Sample Notebook Tutorial

These wee notebooks are super easy to make & you'll want to make, like, a million of them because they're so cute!!
I recently received an awesome package of these mini notepads from the president of my Eastern Washington Etsy Street Team, Randi- a.k.a. Ragnazidnar. They're part of a swap our team has organized to promote each other's shops. As our orders go out, the little freebies get tucked inside each package. To see Randi's version of these notebooks, see the last photo in this post.


The SUPPLIES you need are: various sized paint sample cards (found at Home Depot, Walmart, Lowe's, etc.), stapler, ruler, computer paper, scissors or paper cutter.

The first thing you'll want to do is fold & crease one end. You don't have to be exact here. Just fold it up about 3/4" or so.
Then , take the top edge & catch it under that little flap on the bottom to form your little matchbook-style notebook.

Measure your book to see how big you need to cut your papers. I just cut the papers about 1/4" smaller than the actual book.

Cut your papers. I got this paper cutter about a year & a half ago. And MAN! It makes life so much easier. I really couldn't believe I'd lived without one. If you don't have a paper cutter--go treat yourself! You'll thank me & think I'm so awesome for recommending it.

I used 20 pieces of paper inside the books.

Tuck the bundle of papers inside your paint sample card...

...& staple the bottom flap to the papers inside. Fold the top flap down & tuck it under--like a matchbook. If the cover is too long & won't tuck nicely under, just slice a little off & try to tuck it under again.

Use all sorts of stickers, brads, jewels & bits to decorate you notepads.

Randi stamped all her pads with her shop & email info. Great little business promos! Thanks Randi for the inspiration!

26 comments:

KARA said...

that is such a great idea I totally love it, thanks so much for sharing, I hope you had an amazing time in Texas
xox

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

This is such a great idea! I'm always collecting paint samples when I go to the hardware store. Now I have something fun to make with them. I'll be linking to this great project!

Sylvia C. said...

Yeah! What a lovely ghost post from a gal who isn't even around!
;)

I can't wait to try it out.

truly,
Sylvia C.
ps- hope you're having a great time!

gina said...

What a cute idea! My girls would love to try this!

scrappysue said...

and what a great use for those paint card samples - so cute and fun!

slmpetersen said...

So, So cute. I love paint samples, but never really found a project that was up my alley till now!! Thank you! I will be making these for my artsy nieces for Christmas! Great idea!!

MiMi said...

Okay-these are just too cool. My mother has about a million of these paint cards. I'm going to do this with her-she'll love it. She already saves paper and cuts them in squares and staples them together. It can be kind of a recycle idea. Half the time I print something off of the printer a second page may print that has "one" word on it and you hate to throw it away. This will be a good way to put those pages to use. Thanks!

Quiet City said...

What a nifty idea! I think you've just given me inspiration for little add-ins on my handmade gift packages this year! My friends will love these.

PamperingBeki said...

Nikki, these are so cute!!

Trina said...

I saw these on the craft table at convention. They were so cute. Thanks for sharing!

Amy from Texas said...

Great idea!!!

Amy from Texas said...

Were you at the MOPS Convention? I was there. I noticed the previous comment said something about the craft table at convention.

I found your site through One Pretty Thing.

fi said...

cool idea, thanks:)

littlecumulus said...

Wow -- thanks for the great idea! These will make fun little-somethings to send to nieces and nephews and friends...

Kreative Perle said...

Yeah, very cool!
We in Germany get them by "Obi, Bauhaus, Hornbach,..." I want to doooooo it :D

katydiddy said...

Great idea & congrats on all the press! Glad to hear you are home safe & sound!

Jennifer said...

These are so cute! Thanks for sharing!

(I found your blog through Bon Bon Boutique.)

Katy said...

Great Idea! Going to blog about it and link to it today.

Thanks!

Britt- Sparkled Vintage Charm said...

so fabulous!! thanks for the tutorial!! I hope you have a fabulous day!! xo Britt :-)

smilemonsters said...

Super dee duper cute!

lindamay said...

What a wonderful idea. I love it. Gonna see how far I can take it.

Anthonette said...

I love this idea! Everyone can always use a tiny notebook. I've got paint chips on my desk right now.

Crafty Sarah said...

Wow! What a fab idea. They are so cute and thanks so much for the tutorial. I might have to go to my local DIY store and get some colour sample sheets!

artistico said...

cool .. polypraktiko kai xrisimo ayto to mikro pragmataki:)

k.sonvoya said...

This is an unbelievably incredible idea that I've found just in time. For fundraising for Project Grad, my friends and I are going to get a booth at our school's annual craft fair. And we were thinking of ideas. One of them were making comp notebooks. This is such a good idea too! Thank you so much!

april~living the sweet life said...

What a great idea. Love the match books.