USAPC: DIY Notebook Swap

Don't worry, this looks long and crazy but it is a simple swap!

I don't know about you guys, but I love cute notebooks. I use them for all sorts of things: writing, slam books, list making, planning. I also hoard them a bit. I started making them last year to add to swaps for other notebook fanatics and they are super simple and affordable to make (and mail if you don't make them too large or thick).

For this swap you will make one notebook and mail it to one partner. Pretty easy peasy.

The Cover - The easiest way to make the notebook cover is to cut a piece of decorative cardstock twice as long as you want your finished notebook and fold it in half. Ofcourse, feel free to use your creativity. You can use leather, cardstock, chip board...there are many options but make sure there is a semi sturdy front and back to the notebook (otherwise it is just paper stapled together and that is no fun)

The Middle - We want our notebooks to be functional which means they should be made with quality products. Printer paper inside the notebook is fine as long as it is premium printer/copy paper ie 22-24 weight. A lot of printer paper is 20 weight or less and it is not fun to write on and wont work well for gluing, painting and coloring if they choose to do those things. Alternately feel free to get extra fancy and make the inside out of cardstock, watercolor, and even nice graph or dot grid paper (who else loves dot grid paper for?!) - The weight of your paper will be listed on the packaging

The Binding - The binding is almost anything goes. The only rule: It has to be bound on one edge not on a corner (that means no putting a staple through the corner and calling it good). I have made them in many different ways. If all the papers are folded in half inside the cover then you have the most options. I have sewn it with a sewing machine, stitched it by hand with embroidering floss, used a sturdy punch and woven leather cording or jute through the edge to bind it. Staples will work too but make sure you have everything open flat and are stapling from the binding crease into the middle sheets of paper, so when you close the book the pointy parts of the staple are on the inside and the book would then be able to open fairly flat.

Example of how to staple: CLICK HERE

-personally staples are my least favorite way to bind a notebook but it is an option.

This swap is senders choice. If the notebook cover is plain, please decorate it (though simple paint or washi could be fine), if it is made with patterned cardstock then decorations are not required.

Don't forget to add your swapbot info on a separate paper.

I have fit them in a large (8 x 5.5) sized plain envelope and mailed them for about 70 cents as flat mail not package, but the price may vary depending on how much yours weighs.

Any Questions? Ask below or send me a PM.

Swap Photo borrowed from (http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-your-own-notebooks/) Instructables - also a good link to learn to make notebooks if you need more instruction!