Mr. Composition Notebook. A Tutorial.

I have a little tutorial to share with you today. I have written about my Mr. Composition notebooks before. I love to carry a graph paper composition notebook. They are great for doodles, ideas, crafts, venting, etc. It is my perfect place to escape, especially since it involves graph paper. ♥

These days, you can find composition notebooks that have different designs or colors, but they can be more expensive. And why not make a custom notebook!? The plain black speckle notebooks are about $.40 at Target right now. It is school supply season, so they may be a little more the rest of the year. But $.40!! Hello cheap. Sometimes the graph paper ones are a little harder to find, or a little more expensive, but that is my splurge. (I get mine at Office Depot). If you are into wide or college ruled paper, hit up any major large retailer to score a notebook for less than the cost of a soda. Scrapbook paper and gluesticks are cheap as well. Pretty much, I have a custom notebook to use at my job for under $2.

Supplies for this project are simple.

1. composition notebook

2. glue stick

3. Scrapbook paper (12x12 or 8x10, 2-3 pieces depending on size)

4. contact paper (optional)

5. scissors (optional)

Process

I used 2 12x12 papers. I folded the first paper in half, scored it really well, and then tore it. You can use scissors. It is your preference. This paper will be on the front and back cover.

Take one the halves that you just made. Center your front cover on it. This paper should cover about two-thirds of the front with an overlap on three sides. Glue the paper to the front of the book, making sure to get all of the edges & corners. From here, you will basically wrap your notebook up like a present. To make the corner neat, fold the corners in & glue them down. (See photo above.)

Next fold the top edge over and glue. Fold the bottom edge over and glue.

Then fold the side edge over and glue. Your front is now wrapped up and glued down.

You should have nice, clean corners.



Do it again on the back cover. Two-thirds of the front & covers will be covered, and the spine left showing. I chose a contrasting paper to cover the spine.

Cut or tear this second paper.I really like the soft torn edges for this project. You may want to eyeball and/or measure how much it will take to cover exposed areas.



Center you notebook on half of the piece of paper and glue that side down. Liberally apply glue to spine to make sure you get it secure. This is the part that gets the most use/wear & tear.



Apply glue all over the spine and the other side. Fold paper over and cover the rest of the spine. Make sure your book is closed when you fold this piece of paper over and glue it.You will have edges hanging over.I put glue on the book and the paper. It might be overkill but I don't like pealing edges.



Open up the front cover. You will cut/tear two slits on either side of the spine. The closer to the binding you cut the cleaner it will be. Fold over the excess onto the cover and glue down. Open up the back cover and fold that excess piece & glue down. You should have one little tab left poking out. Trim that piece as close to the book and as neatly as possible.



Do this to the bottom edge of the book too. Folding over the excess and cutting the little tab off for a nice clean edge.

Now admire your work! Isn't pretty!?

For this notebook, I knew it would stay on my desk at work, so I left the paper uncovered. I have been known to cover my Mr. Composition notebooks with clear contact paper for durability. Basically you just cut a rectangle larger than your notebook when it is open. Start on one cover and wrap the contact paper around the edges like you wrapped the other paper. Fold in the corners and then fold over the edges. Cut slits to leave a little tab at the spine and trim neatly. Then wrap the other side. Contact paper is not hard to work with if you go slowly and practice patience.

You can also adhere paper on the inside cover for a cleaner look. See here.

You can add pockets or embellishments. I have used tiny brads and nameplates. See here.

This is versatile project. A great gift idea. It is super customize-able. You can stand out on the first day of school or sitting in the corner at the coffee shop. And like I said, I spent less than $2 on this project. If you have paper you have been saving for a special project, consider using it on a composition notebook.

Hope you enjoy! Let me know if you have any questions!