Faux Molskine Notebooks

I love the look of those pretty little Moleskine notebooks. I always stand in DickBlick and fight with myself over whether or not I'll buy some. But my cheapness wins out (always does). But now I can make as many knock-off versions as my little heart desires, for FREE! woo!
Ready to make some? yay!

Supplies...
Cereal Box
Paper (for inside pages)
Ruler
X-acto knife (or scissors if you don't have one)
Corner rounder (this is optional)
Bone folder (or possibly just a butter knife if you don't have one)
(not shown) wrinkle-free glue stick

Step one...
Cut cereal box down so you just have your two large sides, and cut down to
desired size (I did mine 10inches x 7.5inches)

Step two...
Score your piece right down the middle, fold over and
flatten as much as it'll let you

Step three...
Apply glue to one side (of the inside of the notebook), place photo, magazine cover or whatever you'd like to line it with on top of the glue and flatten out any bubbles or what-not with your bone folder. Trim down sides to the same as your notebook.
Now repeat for the other side!

Steps four-six...
Trim your paper down to the same size as your notebook,
and use a few paperclips or clamps to keep it into place.

Sew book right down the spine (if you don't have a sewing machine you can
either sew it by hand, or even just staple it! oh and PS make sure your sewing
machine is strong enough to go through the papers so you don't break a needle!).

Now just round your edges! (if you want!)

All done! Now you're free to decorate the cover however you like!

 

Comments

[Demi-Brooke]

Michelle, this is beyond adorable! I'll definitely be making these when i have a free second...which i dont. but i'll be wishing i did! =P

[Glo ♥ Matilda Mota]

Wow! nice and cute idea! thanks! :)

[Carmen Lucero]

So simple, yet so elegant! Gonna make me some too :)

Hugs,

Thanks for sharing,

Carmen L

[Timmi]

What a clever idea! I'll definitely be making some for myself as well as my 13 year old daughter (the resident artist) Love it!

[Norma]

I homeschooled my four kids while we were overseas for an extended period, and I made a bunch of this type of notebook out of wallpaper we cut out of a wallpaper sample book (free at wallpaper/paint stores), and paper that we cut from a "dummy roll" of paper (also free from the local newspaper printer). It took a little time to do, but once you got about 10 or so cut, they went together very easily. We stapled, but I think your sewn version is more aesthetically pleasing and probably sturdier. Thank you for this great idea!

[Geri]

Hi Josie, This is a wonderful tut. May I share one of your photos on my blog with a link back to your blog?

[Josie]

Geri - yes, of course! thank you so much for asking!

[AbbeyCherylHopkins]

This is gorgeous and so cute!!!!! I think I'll bring it up in my art class and make some there because we love making books. For an assessment we did illustrations on handmade/recycled paper we made and bound into books ourselves, and this would be a great little project. Thank you for sharing!

[Bethany]

Very cool! Just one question--wouldn't the edges of the paper stick out slightly beyond the edges of the cover when it is closed? How did you prevent that from happening? Thanks!

[tran]

Hi. Sorry but i dont get how you sew it. Dont the other part of the cover will be show?? Did you trim that after, ow, how did you sew it exactly??

[FineandFeathered]

Hi Tran, Like shown, I just sewed it using a sewing machine right down the spine of it. I'm not exactly sure what it is you're asking in the second part of your question.

[Connie Rose]

Where can I get one of those edge punches? Thanks much!

[FineandFeathered]

Hey Connie! They are available at almost all craft stores and can usually be found in the scrapbooking section:)