1. i watched martha, twice, turn boring composition notebooks into glamourous customized ones. it looked really simple and quick, so i gave it a try!

2. first, i found some paper. the two shown here are light card stock weight, not very thick. if you use a lighter paper, you most likely will have to line the back to avoid seeing the original design of the notebook coming through.

3. measure the width from the edge of the black binding (as seen in the photo) to the edge of the notebook. double the number (to allow for front and back coverage) and add a half inch to the final measurement.

4. measure the height of your notebook and add a half inch to the final measurement.

adding the extra half inch to your measurements will allow for overhang and easier placement. it will later be cut away.

5. after i cut out my paper. i ran my paper through my xyron using the "permanent adhesive," which turned the paper into a sticker essentially.

i have also used double-sided tape for sticking down onto my notebook. it works just as well. you can use a glue stick as well.

6. butt your paper up against the edge of the black binding of your notebook and stick your paper onto the cover of your notebook. do not apply the back cover yet!

7. if you don't get your paper exactly flush with the black binding, you can run a black felt-tip pen (or fine tipped marker) down the gap and color in the space.

8. flip your notebook over onto a cutting board. take an x-acto and trim away your excess/overhang paper. use the edge of the notebook as your guide, being careful not to cut into that.

alternatively, you can always trace the shape out on your paper and cut that out before applying to the cover. you just have to be sure to line it up exactly on the cover. (i'm not that neat!)

9. repeat steps 5-8 on the back cover and enjoy your lovely new notebook!

10. i use one large notebook for cooking notes. the other large one is for taking notes/sketches on craft projects and ideas. i have given away the smaller ones as gifts.

11. this journal is covered in a large photo of venus de milo. i cut the image in half and lined it up to match between the back and front covers.

back view of journal.

12. smaller journals.

more small journals.

:: questions, comments, suggestions ::