DIY Patterned Notebook

I have been pretty obsessed with stationery and notebooks lately, which led me to create this DIY for Unique SF and the Summer Show in Santa Monica.  I wanted to share the easy to follow steps for everyone, especially if you couldn't make it out to one of the events.  Have fun playing with color and patterns!

Materials: - 8 1/2" x 11" Patterned Paper (here) - Colored/Patterned Tape (here and here) - Baker's Twine (here) - Hole Puncher 1/8" or 3/16" (here) - Glue Stick (or Spray Adhesive) - Scissors - 8 1/2" x 11 Copy Paper and Cardstock - Rubber Stamp (optional) (similar here)

Steps: 1. Apply gluestick all over the cardstock.  You can also use spray adhesive (be sure to wear a dust mask over your mouth and nose and be a in well ventilated area). 2. Place your patterned paper on the glued cardstock (pattern side up). 3. I used about 8 pieces of copy paper per notebook.  Fold the copy paper and the patterned cardstock in half. For a clean, sharp crease, fold a couple pieces of paper at a time. 4. Add tape to the center of the folded patterned cardstock, as a fun detail.  Cut off excess. 5. Hole punch the folded copy paper and patterned cardstock on the crease, at the top and bottom edge.  Be sure to punch the holes at the same distance each time.  The holes must align. 6. Cut a piece of baker's twine to about 16".  From the inside of the notebook, string one end of the twine through bottom holes.  Then, string the other end of the twine through the top holes. 7. Tie a knot and bow on the outside of the notebook. 8. (Optional) Apply a stamp for a finishing touch!  And you're done! :)

Win a Bundle of Notebooks!

We've got a MEGA gift for someone out there... Thanks to Ex Libris Anonymous the winner of this contest will get an assortment of 10 (yep, ten) journals. Jacob, the owner and creator, takes old library books that are being discarded, reuses the covers and turns them into blank notebooks. What we love about his journals is that he mixes in some of the original pages among the blank, white ones - so you get to scribble your own thoughts and every once in awhile read some of the original text!

Details & Rules: Contest ends June 25th, 2012; one entry per email address; by submitting your entry we'll add you to our bi-weekly newsletter filled with design interviews, studio tours, special discounts and more.

Contest Closed

Keep Your Scribbles Safe

I'm not sure about you guys, but I'm a total stationery junkie; I carry a notebook and pen with me everywhere I go. This handcrafted journal cover by Truman Handcrafted is perfect for keeping your notes safe and looking great. Each cover is made-to-order and designed to fit any 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" journals (Field Notes, Moleskine, etc...). By the way, when I say 'handcrafted' I mean this journal cover is 100% handcrafted down to the very last stitch!

Truman Handcrafted is owned and operated by the talented Teppei Teranishi of Thrice. See more Truman products here.

Images via Solubility

Paper Pastries Contest

CONTEST CLOSED Print is not dead! For those of you who love to write (not type) letters, this is the contest for you...

We've got an adorable Paper Pastries box filled with stationery items such as her cute mailing labels, notebooks and greeting cards - all together there is $50 worth of awesome swag! You can check out her fab designs here.

*Thanks for your interest! Please note: one entry per email address and by submitting your entry we'll add you to our bi-weekly newsletter filled with design interviews, studio tours, special discounts and more. Winner will be notified by email.