Martha Stewart Living, June 2002
Instead of writing messages on easily lost slips of paper, make notebooks to keep by the phone. Cut scrap paper and a piece of decorative paper about 1/2 inch larger on all sides for the cover. Stack with cover on bottom. Fold in half, crease, and open flat. From inside, push a needle threaded with waxed twine through the center of the crease. Bring back through the crease about 1/2 inch from one end. Pass through the center hole again, and bring up about 1/2 inch from other end of crease. Pass the needle through the center hole to complete a figure 8 of thread. Knot ends together.
Waxed twine and needle not absolutley necesary, use anyt medium you like, many other commenters here seem to have found a way around that.
You could (sarcasm anyone ?) even throw out the whole recycle/reuse/waste less concept, and said to cover a cheap notebook with scrap paper.
Use artificial Sinew (purchased at any craft store and sometimes walmart). It will last forever.
There is also another stapler that I use called a "long reach" stapler. You set the depth that you need. It is still flat like a normal stapler but works great for booklets.
The stapler you are looking to use is called a "saddle" stapler. Our local office supply store has one that you can "rent". They are a bit pricey to purchase, but last forever. You might even have a "group" who might purchase one together.
floss is designed to fray and break and not thereby damage your gums. As a book thread it will eventually do the same so if you want the book to comment on a disposable world then floss is a good choice. If you want the book to be a reference in future years a better thread is recommended.
You could also use Elmer's glue on the crease placing each folded sheet against the glue. Put extra glue on the fold that meets the cover inside.
You can also sew up the middle on your sewing machine.
You can also sew up the middle on your sewing machine.
Great idea that everyone could use! A great way to reuse paper!
I did this with my Sunday school class a while back, using scrapbook paper on the outside. We wrote prayers inside, Bible quotes we liked, that type of thing. I punched little holes to make the sewing easier for them, and we used skinny ribbon. I love the idea of using scrap paper this way though!
You can [filtered word] punch and put in metal rings instead of thread, this way you can use the notebooks over and over again.
During the summer months I did this with computer scrap papers for over 2 dozen Christmas basket fits. Everyone
During the summer months I did this with computer scrap papers for over 2 dozen Christmas basket fits. Everyone
OK, but can you re-use the cover so you can make a new one or do you just throw it away? Must be a way. LOL what about punching holes and using yarn to tie it all together. That way you could save the cover and make new ones later when all the paper is used up.
In the instance that you don't have waxed twine on hand, you may be able to substitute it with dental floss. It's more likely to be on hand, and, if it's scented, your notebook will smell minty! :D
Attach pretty scrapbook paper to the cover of a cheap spiral notebook and write inside.
Larger images would be nice.
I agree with the "oh brother" comment....as if I always have a needle and WAXED twine handy to use in a jiffy!
fun%21%21%21%21%21%21%21%21
oh brother....................
I use the blank back side of my kid's homework to make lists/books, then recycle the pages. This is also a fun craft for kids to do themselves.
it's easy,I'll do it :)
I do this, but after I crease it I just sew it on the machine with a heavy duty (denim) needle and cotton thread. Works great.
you can also keep the pages together with a larger rubber-band around the middle of the folded papers. using a heavier weight cardstock for the cover will keep it rigid.
Yeah, but how would you get staples that far into the fold without a special stapler?
I use bull clips, available in several sizes and colors, making it easier to remove pages when no longer needed and holding the papers securely.
Staples make sense to me... so much quicker!
staples makes the most sense to me ... so much quicker!
Use your sewing machine when making a batch of these to have on hand for simple gifts.
Don't have waxed twine?? Try dental floss!!
you can also just put two staples in the crease