Altered Composition Note Books, Journals, Scrapbooks

NOTE: I no longer create my covered notebooks this way. You can l0ok at a revised tutorial here: Professionally Done Composition Notebook Journal and Covered Composition Notebooks.

I originally got this idea from my friend, Ginger. She had an altered composition notebook and a pen to match. I loved it! I had to have one and so I made one for myself…. and have been making them ever since!

This is a really great gift idea and it cost under $5 for the notebook, calendar, purse notebook, and pen. The materials I bought were all from the $1 tree! Mrs. Elizabeth’s paper packs come with enough coordinated papers for the entire set and you will have some left over.

You can turn this:

Into this:

I start by lightly sanding the composition book, small notebook, and calendar. If you don’t have a scrap sanding block just use a very fine grit sandpaper or some used sandpaper from the hubby’s latest project will work well too. Sanding it first will cause the glue to bind with the fibers of the paper and it will adhere much better.

Next, I dump out a bit of glue. Or maybe a little more than a bit! ;o) I use the tools God gave me for this one… just spread it all around with your fingers and then when you are done use a Pampered Chef stone Scraper to get all of the excess glue off and put it back in the bottle. Keep a wet washcloth nearby for easy cleanup. You will need it a few times during this project.

Glue your first sheet of paper to the front. Then lay it on top of a cutting board and use an exacto knife to trim around the edges.

Repeat this for both sides.

Next, measure out a 2 inch strip to cover your side binding.

Then choose a ribbon to use that will serve as a bookmark.

I keep some of my ribbon in these mason jars. I cut a piece of rubber to fit inside the rim and then pull some of the ribbon through and then screw the top back on.

It makes it really easy to get to and it makes for easy clean up and storing.

Measure out the ribbon by placing it half way down the side of the notebook.

Use glue dots (oh, I love the person who made glue dots!) to adhere the ribbon.

Ode to the glue dots!

Now, pull it between the pages and out of the bottom. Cut at desired length.

Perfect! Next we will place the binding cover on the side of the notebook.

Get some more glue and adhere the strip over the ribbon and binding.

Get your embellishments together!

One quick technique that you canuse to make your mats”pop” is to highlight the edges. I use a cheap make-up sponges($1 at Dollar Tree) and dip it in my ink pad then I go over the edges lightly. It is a small effort for a big effect.

Clean up your mess as you go. You will be happy that you did!

Tada! There is your altered composition notebook!

Use the same steps for your calendar.

Trim the binding cover edges with scissors.

Same steps apply to the small composition book.

Here is the finished package! Give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy your new stuff!

You can also use Modge Podge to seal it. I personally have not had any need to since I keep my notebooks on my desk but if you were more active with them then this might be necessary.

More examples of aletered composition notebooks can be found here, here, here, and here. Also, if you are interested in making a prayer journal, visit this post over at Trish’s blog.

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