I want Candy...Notebooks

I saw these cute little notebooks on Etsy and thought,

"I can do that".

Famous last words.

I usually think that right before I make a huge mess.

And spend more money than I would have if I had just bought the item that started it all.

I can't help it.

It's a condition I have.

I made one with a box of candy we already had. My middle daughter loved it and wanted one for her friends. This was early June, before school got out. And I didn't have nearly enough to do, so I agreed. I let both of my younger daughters pick out some candy at the dollar store (I love that place) and then we stopped at WalMart to get some steno notebooks. (Office Max had them for WAY too much money)

I have to warn you that I am NO teacher. My "tutorial" is only intended to give you an idea of what I did. If you still have questions, please ask. I will do my best to answer them.

So, here's what I do:

I gather my tools:

(I am using several different candy boxes. Because that is how it turned out to be the easiest for me.

Just keep in mind that they are pretty much the same.)

I take the candy out of the boxes. Sample a few of them.

Keep others around for inspirational energy.

It's what I HAVE to do. Yum.

Peel the glued seams of the box apart.

Flatten the boxes and cut along the creases.






I trim the front and back panels to the same size. And set them aside.

(Save the pretty side panels for bookmarks. I do.)

I carefully bend the locking loop back on the steno pad,

and un-twist the wire out of the notebook.

I found I can get two notebooks out of one steno pad

if I bound the Candy Notebooks on the

short side of the candy box panels.

I cut the steno covers to the same dimensions as the candy box panels.

Then glue one of the steno covers to the candy box panel.

(Make sure to check the orientation with regard to the holes in the cover.

I made one notebook upside down because I wasn't so careful.)

While the glue is setting/drying, cut the paper by carefully

grabbing 10-ish sheets at a time and cut to size using a paper trimmer.

Once everything is cut, flip the covers over and

using my Crop-a-dile, I punch through the candy box

panels using the holes of the steno pad for guides..

Place the bottom cover, papers, and top cover together.

I use a couple of binder clips to hold the stack

together while I re-wind the wire back into the holes.

Once it is all the way in, I cut the wire with a wire cutter

and then use plyers to bend a locking loop back into the wire.

And whiz bang, you have a Candy Notebook.

(see first picture in post again. I forgot to add it here

and am feeling too lazy to delete all the pics and add them again. Sorry.)

With the leftover pieces I was able to make a bunch of smaller notebooks. I am currently using one in my purse for whatever. These little notebooks are a great way to use up those little left over binding wires from my bind-it-all. I usually have little sections of 4 just hanging out.

I was eyeballing a box of mac and cheese the other day.....

It wasn't because I was hungry,

it was because I have an extra steno pad

just burning a hole on my craft table.

Oh the possibilities!

Hope you have fun. Let me know if you make any. I would love to see them.