Cut Out + Keep

Diy Recycled Pocket Notebook

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make a simple, portable, pocket notebook perfect for jotting down ideas and inspiration using recycled scraps!

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/diy-recycled-pocket-notebook • Posted by Vanessa T.

I'm always on the lookout for new ideas and inspiration but I can't tell you how many times inspiration strikes at the most inopportune time: when I'm out and about but there is (of course) no paper to be found. I often end up scribbling it down on a questionably wrinkly napkin only to lose it in the depths of my black hole purse.

You will need

Project Budget
Cheap

Time

0 h 45

Difficulty

Nice & Simple
Medium watermarks

Description

I'm always on the lookout for new ideas and inspiration but I can't tell you how many times inspiration strikes at the most inopportune time: when I'm out and about but there is (of course) no paper to be found. I often end up scribbling it down on a questionably wrinkly napkin only to lose it in the depths of my black hole purse.

Instructions

  1. Small four   1

    1. Cut your cereal box to your desired size. To make it easier to fold, score your cardboard lightly at the halfway point with an X-acto knife or rotary cutter. 2. Cut your pages slightly smaller than the size of your cardboard. I did about 12 sheets, so I had 24 pages. Fold your pages in half. 3. Position your pages inside your cardboard and staple the spine.

  2. Small four   2

    4. On your back cover, make a small slit with your knife at the top corner edge. 5. Grab your elastic/hair band and thread it through the slit. Make a knot and secure it with nail polish if desired. 6. Repeat with the bottom corner edge.

  3. Small four   3

    7. Optional: Using your corner punch, round the edges of both your cardboard and your pages. 8. To decorate, I used the end of an eraser and white acrylic paint to make a polka dot pattern. I also had a scrap piece of white contact paper/drawer liner that I used to cover the spine. I then used a gold sharpie and pen to title my pocket notebook.

  4. Small end

    Feel free to decorate this any way you like; I just wanted to use up some odds and ends materials that I had lying around. I also used the same polka dot technique here! With a cute pocket notebook like this, there shouldn't be any excuse to not jot your ideas down. Keep calm and stay inspired!