Spiral Notebook/Calendar Cover Tutorial

YAY!!! We have a SUPER tutorial for you today, whose author is just plain amazing ~ Erica Cerwin!

A big welcome to Erica, we are so happy to have her on TPE's new Resource Team! Her talent for creating gorgeous cards and paper craft projects makes her a welcome addition to our family here!

Thanks so much for joining us Erica, we're blessed to have you!

~Arielle

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

Do you have a spiral bound notebook or calender? Well, how cute is its cover? Not very probably! I have a spiral bound planner and I just couldn't stand looking at its ugly cover so I came up with one! This tutorial will show you how to make a very simple cover that slides right over the one already on it.

First, measure your notebook. For this tutorial, I used an ugly spiral notebook. You will need to cut 4 pieces of cardstock 1/2" larger than your notebook. This notebook is 8"X11", so I cut my black pieces 8 1/2" X 11 1/2".

Place red sticky tape along both short sides and one long side of two of the pieces. Place the other two untaped sides on top of each taped piece. You will then have two large pockets.

Using a corner rounder, round the two corners oposite the open sides.

Trim down the cover of your notebook. I trimmed about 1/2" off all three sides of both the back and the front.

Slide the original cover into one of the pockets. Do this for both the front and the back.

To help cover up the little sliver that shows next to the spiral (on the front,) I cut a piece of DSP 11 1/2" X 1 1/2" and used an edge punch on one side. I taped it down so that it hangs off the edge of the cardstock a little and covers up the remaining old cover.

> This is where you can creative and decorate your cover however you want. I cut a pices of DSP to 7"X10" and rounded the edges. I cut another piece of DSP to "X 71/2" and layered it over. This is where you can place a title for your notebook, a monogram, a fun die cut or stamped image, or even a photograph!

For the inside, I cut a piece of DSP 7"X7" and rounded the top corner. I adhered it to the top of the inside cover.

Next, I cut a piece of DSP to 8"X6" and only put adhesive around the outside and bottom edges. This will form a pocket for you to put papers or a note pad in.

Lastly, I cut a piece to 2"X8", scalloped the edges and placed it ontop of the pocket. Again, you have room to decorate as you llike on the bottom of the pocket.

For the back, I did a simple paper layout and placed a favorite picture. The back piece of DSP is 10 1/2" X 7". I rounded the corners. The next piece is 8" X 3 1/2" and the third piece is 2 1/2" X 8 1/2" and scalloped. I did not do anything to the inside of the back cover because it will always be covered by the notebook paper. But, this would be a great place for another pocket or even some type of reference sheet such as a class schedule!

This is one example of a finished cover!

To add a finishing touch to your spiral, tie ribbon along every few spirals!

My 2nd grader has a planner for school as well, and she decorated hers a little differently!

It's so simple, even a 7 year old can do it! I can't wait to see your spiral notebooks all dressed up!