Scraps of Life: Back to School Notepad

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I am up on the CutCardStock Blog today! And, I am sorry to have two posts in one day, but that is they way it goes sometimes!

It is back to school time for most American children. My homeschooled son will start his lessons on August 29th this year. He's in 11th grade, so my days of making fun, back-to-school gifts are over (sadly). However, everyone needs a cool notepad, right?!

I created a notepad cover and a matching envelope in a school theme. The notepad fits inside the envelope, but later, the envelope can be used to hold class notes, receipts, lunch money, PTA checks, letters to the teacher, and more!

This time of year, many moms are looking for FAST and EASY gifts to make for teachers or for students. This little project is both - fast AND easy! Plus, it is a good way to use up your paper scraps and embellishments. I used the Kraft Brown Bag Envelope with the button and string because it match my vintage theme. (A size "number 10" envelope is the kind that bills normally come in and are easy to find.)

Start by cutting Pop Tone Hot Fudge Cardstock to 8 1/2" x 5 5/8". Score on the short side at 2 3/4" and 2 7/8" to create a 8 1/2" x 2 3/4" folder. Cut two pieces of decorative paper to 8 3/8" x 2 5/8". Sponge the edges with brown ink and attach one piece to the front of the folder and one piece to the back.

Open the folder and cut two pieces of contrasting decorative paper to 8 3/8" x 2 5/8". Sponge the edges with brown ink and attach one piece to the left side of the folder and one piece to the right side.

Attach a notepad to the right side of the folder with strong adhesive. The notepad used here is 8" x 2 1/5" and is approximately 1/8" thick. If you cannot find this size notepad, most office supply stores sell 8" x 5" notepads. For a small fee, they will cut them in half for you!

Create a belly band for your notepad holder. Cut Pop Tone Hot Fudge Cardstock to 1 1/2" x 8". Cut decorative paper to 1 3/8" x 7 7/8" and attach it to the the cardstock strip. Wrap the strip around the notepad, securing at the back. Decorate the band and the notepad as desired.

Decorate a matching envelope by cutting Pop Tone Hot Fudge Cardstock to 9 3/8" x 3 7/8" and attaching the panel to the front of a Kraft Brown Bag Envelope. Cut decorative cardstock to 9 1/4" x 3/4". Sponge the edges with brown ink and attach to the envelope.

Die cut large numbers from a Brown Bag Kraft A6 Card. (I was able to cut several sets of numbers from each A6 card.) Sponge the numbers with brown ink and glue to the envelope as shown. Decorate with chipboard pieces.