DIY NOTEBOOK IN 5 MINUTES

The process for these DIY notebooks is similar to the DIY library card notebooks from WAY back (don’t judge those photos too harshly…it was six years ago).

But there are some difference and specifics for using wallpaper, so I created a new tutorial…

DIY notebooks that are cute and easy to make. Plus, it will only take 5 minutes!

1. Cut and fold paper.

Start by cutting out scrap paper and folding it in half to create the notebook shape you want- using a bone folder to create a crisp fold, like the photo. For the scrap paper, you can use anything…colorful paper, lined paper, graph paper, etc.

Sizing note: I really like creating a mixture of standard size and nonstandard size notebooks. The one in the tutorial photos is small and square. I cut paper 10 pieces of scrap paper down to 7 inches long and 3.5 inches wide. When folded in half, it creates a 20 page square notebook that is 3.5 x 3.5.

The green and black striped notebook in some of the after photos is 4.5 inches by 5.5 inches when finished – so the initial bundle of scrap paper was 9 inches long and 5.5 inches tall.

2. Unfold, trace, and cut paper.

Next, unfold and trace around the edges of the scrap paper onto wallpaper. Then cut out the shape that was created with scissors.

3. Wrap and glue the pieces together.

Wrap the wallpaper around the outside of the folded scrap paper pieces and glue to the top pieces of scrap paper, after it’s lined up properly.

*This step is actually not 100% necessary, it’s just for additional support for the cover. You can skip this step to save time, if you don’t think your wallpaper needs extra support.

Fold over again and use the bone folder for creasing, if necessary.

4. Staple all paper together.

Next, using a long reach stapler (which you can find on Amazon), staple 2-3 staples directly on top of the fold of the sheets of paper / wallpaper cover set.

*Unless you are creating a super tiny notebook, a regular stapler won’t work for this, because they’re too short to reach the middle fold of the notebook to staple vertically.

And that’s it! From start to finish one of these DIY notebooks will take less than 5 minutes to make. But I have an even quicker idea that you can try too if 5 minutes is just too long…