By Noreen Doll.
Haunting Halloween notepads are a wonderful idea for a small Halloween gift!
Done in assembly line fashion, you can make a lot of them in a short time.
These Halloween notepads are perfect for Trick or Treat, small gifts for friends or co-workers, or for kids to make to give their friends.
Another great way to use them is as Halloween party or classroom favors. Or they could be a project for kids to make during a classroom or Halloween party.
Since my favorite way to craft is by recycling, you won’t need lots of expensive items to make these haunting halloween notepads.
I used cracker boxes for the covers. Cereal boxes would also work well, as would any light weight cardboard.
I cut up sheets of computer paper for the inside pages of the notepads.
I found the Halloween paper at the Dollar Spot in Target for $1.00. There were 12 sheets of 12 inch x 12 inch paper – which is enough to make a LOT of notepads.
What You Need
Cracker or Cereal Boxes, or other light weight cardboard
Decorative Paper in Halloween Colors
Rings, Ribbon, or Twine or a Twist Tie to Fasten the Notepad Together
Paper Cutter
Scissors
Glue Stick
Stickers or Embellishments for the Front Cover
What You Do
1. Gently pull the box apart at the seam and remove all the flaps.
2. Use a ruler and pencil to mark off 2 inch by 3 inch rectangles, making sure that you avoid the box folds. Using scissors, cut the rectangles out.
Or use a paper cutter to make them.
3. Cut decorative paper pieces just a little larger than 2 inches by 3 inches to allow for ease in gluing. It’s a good way to use up paper scraps.
Since I was using new decorative paper, I cut paper strips that were 12 inches by 3 1/4 inches.
4. Put glue on the colored side of the cardboard and place the glue side of the cardboard on the WRONG side of the decorative paper.
I put the cardboard right next to the edge on the paper so I could get as many cardboard pieces as possible on the strip of paper.
Rub firmly around the edges and all over the cover to make sure the paper adheres well.
5. I only covered the colored side of the cardboard, and left the brown side (inside) uncovered.
6. From the back side of the cover, trim off any excess paper all around.
7. Cut sheets of computer paper into 2 inch x 3 inch rectangles for the inside pages of the haunting Halloween notepads.
I put about 24 pages in each notepad, but you could add more or less.
8. Punch a hole in the upper left corner of each cover, and in one corner of all the filler pages.
Make sure you have the cover RIGHT SIDE UP before you punch the holes! Don’t ask me why I’m telling you this.
9. Assemble the haunting Halloween notepad from front to back, and then thread the holes with a ring, ribbon, yarn or twine to hold it all together.
If using ribbon or twine, tie with a square knot or bow.
10. Decorate the front of the notepad with foam or paper stickers or other embellishments to finish.
Tips
Instead of using one whole piece of paper for the cover, collage several small paper scraps on it.
Double sided tape could be used to adhere the decorative paper to the covers.
A really easy way for younger children to put the Halloween notepads together would be to thread a twist tie through the hole and twist it a little.
I used a Bind It All to put several of my notepads together because I love the way they look, and I love using my Bind It All!
You could punch 2 or 3 holes across the top of the pads, and tie a ribbon or twine in each hole.
Linda says
What is a Bind It All. I think I want one. 🙂 I really like the Christmas journals, too. Gotta make them. Thanks, Linda
Jill says
Such cool little notepads! My daughters are just here admiring them with me!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Claire says
Wowy kids would love these…Thanks for linking up with us at Creative Mondays 🙂
Katherines Corner says
Very creative! Hoping your week is a sweet one. Hopping over from creative Monday Hugs
A Lived in Home says
What cute little notepads. My daughter would love to doodle on these! I would love for you to come link up to my Get Social Sunday party and promote your awesome blog! http://alivedinhome.blogspot.com/2012/09/get-social-sunday_30.html
diane says
Very cute idea! I see you have a lot of really creative posts here, will definitely have to follow (if I can find the follow link. lol) Found you on IMM blog hop.
Check out my art therapy column on Treasuringgrace.blogspot.com
Diane
Jeannie says
This will make a nice alternative to candy treats. Thanks.
Anne @ Unique Gifter says
Those are cute and would be a great change up from giving out candy. You could make all sorts of themed little notebooks 🙂
Judy says
Those are super cute. My daughter loves using little notebooks. She would love this. I would love for you to link this up to my Fall into Fall party that opens tonight at 8pm EST. Hope to see you there.
Susan@Organized31 says
Adorable! And easy to follow tutorial.
Terrie says
Great idea and cute for the kids for drawing or writing.
Kelly - Two Kids Cooking & More says
Love these notebooks! They’d be perfect for making with kids…and, since Halloweeny things are on theme this week at our linky party, we’d love it if you’d share it over there: Show and Tell: Boo! A Ghostly Linky Party…
Hope you stop by and share!
Thank you!
JulieK says
What a great project! They’d make a great quick and easy class gift instead of candy! I’m hosting a brand new We Share Wednesday Link Party and would love for you to join in!
tessa says
Hey from tessacotton! Love your creation. I would be so thrilled if you would link up to my new, halloween themed linky party, live today!
http://tessacotton.blogspot.com/2012/10/halloween-link-party.html
Tracey says
These are just so awesome! I LOVE THEM!Thanks so much for sharing on the We Made That Linky!
Tumbleweed Contessa says
Thanks for sharing this. I was looking for a craft for kids tomorrow. This will be perfect! Thanks for sharing on Wow Me Wednesdays.
I am LOVD says
How super creative is that?!?!?Thanks for linking up! So excited to have co-hosted with SPARK today! LOVD tidings, Lilly
andiejaye says
i love the idea of re-using something that normally gets discarded. and what a great thing to hand out to a class at halloween. thanks for linking up to tip-toe thru tuesday.
Vanessa @ See Vanessa Craft says
Super cute! Thanks so much for linking up to Do Something Crafty Friday!!
Paula-Riverton Housewives says
Such a fun and cute idea!! Thanks for sharing at the Riverton Housewives Round Up!!
Michelle says
Wow! These are super cute! I used to make notepads for the kiddos for traveling when they were little but mine were very plain compared to these. Great tutorial. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday. Can’t wait to see what you share next week! Have a wonderful weekend.
Michelle
Christina at I Gotta Create! says
What a great treat! Love these.
Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says
Those are cool! They would be great stocking stuffers! Thanks for sharing at the Pomp Party! Hope to see you back again next week!
Karri Reiser says
Wonderful idea. They are so cute. Thank you for sharing at my Our Favorite Things Link Party.
Mackenzie says
Thank you for posting on Saturday Show and Tell! I hope you’ll be back this week with more!
-Mackenzie
http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com
Liz @ Here's to Handy Andy says
Very cute! And what a great idea for little Halloween party gifts! Thanks so much for sharing with us at our Pinteresting Link Party!
Lauren says
These are super cute!
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove says
These really would be adorable party favors at a Halloween party!
Debi @ Adorned From Above says
Noreen,
These are so cute. Thank you so much for sharing with Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party last week. This weeks Link Party is opened at
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/10/almond-sugar-body-scrub-and-wednesdays.html
from Wednesday until Sunday.
Hope to see you there.
Debi Bolocofsky
Donna Wirthlin says
So clever and festive! Hope you will share with our link party.
Glenda Cates says
How fun and something my son can make for the children in his classroom. As well as for the kids in his neighborhood. Plus I know several adults who would like them as well.
Kate says
These are adorable and such a great idea for class gifts for Halloween! Thanks for the inspiration!
Kate | TheOrganizedDream.com
Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden says
So cute and original! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty
Tianna says
super cute Halloween idea – I love that you recycle!
Joor says
These are super cute (ehhh I mean scary)!
Ashley says
Very cute and I love that it uses recycled cardboard! Thanks for sharing with us at the Merry Monday link party. I hope you’ll join us again next week. Sharing your post on Twitter!