Make A Notebook In 5 Minutes

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Make your own notebook

Is the recycling stack precariously high? Make all that paper into something useful again. Cat Davison gives a new lease of life to scrap paper with a simply bound notebook


The great thing about binding your own books - apart from the sheer thrill of making something you were going to throw away into something you were going to buy - is that you can make it as easy or as complicated as you like. You can rustle up a coverless, warts-and-all notepad for shopping lists and daily plans in under 30 minutes, or labour away at a work of art with specially bought paper for a day or more.

What you need

A stack of paper
A ruler
A pencil
A thick sewing needle
Strong string or thread
A thick needle topped with a wedge of cork (or a mini hand-drill)
A small clamp (if you have one)
A cutting mat

What to do

1. Stack all your papers together. It doesn't matter if they are different textures, colours or thicknesses - I find this actually makes the book more interesting - they just need to be cut to one size (of your own choosing).

2. With all the papers aligned against their left-hand edge, place them on your cutting mat. Using a ruler, mark a light line with your pencil down the left-hand edge, about 1-2cm in. Mark increments down this line, between 1-2cm apart. Remember the more widely spaced the increments, the longer your stitches will be, and the quicker your book will take to sew. The shorter, the more labour-intensive, but also the more refined.

3. Align all your pages once more on the cutting mat. If you have a small clamp, use this to fix the pages to something solid, like the corner of a table. If not, press down hard on the top of your stack and start pushing through your increments with a thick needle or drill. Depending on how thick your book is you might be able to do this in one go. If not, separate your pages into sections, mark each one up, push through the holes and then combine.

4. Thread your needle. Although this might go against every sewing sensibility you have, tie a knot around the head of the needle (this prevents the thread from escaping when you push it through the paper).

5. Push your needle from underneath your stack at the bottom hole, leaving a good 12.5cm of string spare when you pull the thread through. Don't tie a knot at the end.

6. Weave your way up the spine of the book, threading each hole. When you reach the top, go back the other way so that each hole has been gone through twice and you have a continuous line of thread up the spine.

7. When you reach the bottom, cut the needle loose and tie the two spare threads together - I like a lavish bow!
And another thing ...

You can add a hardback cover to your book by cutting two pieces of card to the same size as your notebook. Placing both on top, cut them again so that the bind is showing - this normally involves lopping off a centimetre or so from the left-hand edge. Get some tough fabric, cut it to the height of your book and make sure it wraps around the spine and covers a good few centimetres of the card. Using PVA, glue it around the spine, attaching it to the cards so they 'hinge' off the fabric.


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Origami Lily Folding Instructions

The origami lily is a classic and popular origami flower. Did you know that the lily family traditionally represented innocence and purity? Lilies can be found in a variety of hybrids and colors including yellow, pink, white, orange, purple, red and many others.



The origami lily is not too difficult to fold but beginners may find the petal fold slightly challenging. Just take your time and follow each step slowly. If you prefer video, check out our origami lily video instructions.

If you're giving your origami lily to someone as a gift, do use an extra special paper such as these gorgeous Fabric Textured Origami Paper

Or use these Washi Origami Paper with raised patterns and subtle gold flecks.

Start with a 6 inch square piece of origami paper, and fold it into a water balloon base.

Next, take one of the four corners of the base and squash fold it as shown below.




Repeat the squash fold for the other three corners, to give the kite shape shown below.




Now fold the lower edges of the kite into the centerline, then unfold. Fold the top corner down, then unfold.



You will now have crease marks on the piece, that will be used in the next step. Place your finger under the lower point of the kite, and fold upwards as shown. This is a petal fold.



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Make a Naruto Headband

This is an easy, quick and fun way to make a Shinobi headband resembling one from the popular anime Naruto.


1. Search the Internet for [[Be a True Naruto Fan|Naruto]] headbands to get a template, or use the link in the tips section.
2. Find or buy blue cloth (cotton works best). You can also [[Tie Dye Using Rit Powder|dye]] your cloth blue if you cannot find a blue one.
3. Cut a strip of the cloth about 3 inches wide and however long you need to wrap around your head. Leave enough extra to tie off behind your head.[[Stencil an Item Using Spray Paint|Spray paint]] the cardboard on one side only, as the paint won't help the fabric glue stick.
4. Once the paint has dried, use either your pencil, or a darker silver marker to transpose the design of your choice. Using pencil first will allow you to correct your mistakes.
5. When you are satisfied with the plate, apply fabric glue to the back of the plate and the front of your cloth band and press together firmly. Adding a phone book as a weight will improve bonding.
6. When the glue has dried per instructions on the packaging, your headband is complete.
7. Don't forget to add three holes to each side. Alternatively you could use permanent marker so that the fabric does not show through.
8. You can also use an Arizona tea can for the metal part to make it more realistic. you could also get some thumb tacks to make the screws on the side or some rime stones they add depth like a screw and cover them with a silver sharpie so they wont shine and a darker silver for the screw indentation.



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Wrapping a gift basket

With Easter approaching, I thought it would be timely to share how to wrap a gift basket. With this technique your basket will look just as good as the professional ones in the store. Simple directions below.



Supplies:
Basket - I recommend getting one at the thrift store. They're just as good as anything you would buy at the store and usually cost less than a dollar.
Magazine or catalog
Scissors
Tape
Cellophane

Fill your basket 2/3 full with crumpled magazine paper (step 2). Cover all of the crumpled paper with one piece of paper (step3). Cover with shredded paper or Easter grass (step 4).

Arrange the gifts starting at the back with the taller pieces and work your way to the front with the shorter pieces. This makes the gifts look more appealing and helps hold the smaller items in place. If you need support to stand an item up, use decorative cardboard to place in the back of the basket. In the past I've used cardboard from boxes covered in wrapping paper.

Place the basket in the center of the cellophane and pull the cellophane up so it's folded in half. Refer to picture.

Fold the right side behind the basket (refer to picture). Secure with tape. Fold the left side and secure with tape. Sometimes there's excess cellophane that needs to be cut back to make it more workable. Bunch up the top of the cellophane over the basket toward the back and secure with a rubber band. Make sure the cellophane in the front of the basket doesn't bunch up at all. Sometimes it takes a little finessing to get it perfect. Tie a ribbon over the rubber band. Done.

This is what the back of the basket will look like.

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Kids theme parties - Party hats

A kid’s birthday party is not complete without a party hat!

They can come in many shapes and sizes but they all have one thing in common… they add to the liveliness and festive feeling of any party.

They can be made from balloons, from newspaper or tissue paper, they can be adorned with feathers, glitter, sequins, colourful buttons, flowers or streamers, the choice is yours. Party hats can be shaped like a cone, a top hat, a simple band with Mickey Mouse or Bunny ears, a pirate hat, a witch hat… as with so many crafts, your imagination is the only drawback when it comes to the kind of hat you will make for your kid’s theme party.

The easiest party hat you can make yourself is the conical party hat. diagram for a cone shaped party hatDraw a triangle on a piece of stiff cardboard or coloured paper – size 12″ x 18″ – use the 12″ as the height and the 18″ as the size to go around the head. Change the straight bottom line to a curve:

Decorate as desired, then glue the edges together and leave to dry. (Use paperclips to hold the hat together while it is drying). Staple both ends of a thin piece of elastic string onto opposite sides of the bottom edge of the hat so it fits under the chin.

A golden rule when planning your kids’ theme parties is to let them be a part of the planning from the beginning, so the older kids will really enjoy making their own party hats.


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How to Make A Baby Bib From Old Towels

Go baby bibs and Wall Street money goes; too much. Save pennies instead of spending purchased in lots of money, their own simple and cheap way to make sure.



Pattern bib baby’s need, one is your correct free-hand drawings in good or if you do not (Internet) information highway hit us liking free patterns to find. Print and cut it. Now, all your feeds and head that collects table, kitchen, counters, floors or sewing room.

Layouts, flat, and towels are placed on your patterns. The model’s markers and pens. Repeat this process until the baby towel bib overall there is form; cuts off all pennies. With the help of matching or contrasting thick yarn or wire around every edge cover stitch sewing start bib. This gives the bib, decorative appearance, and to prevent it, bleaching and Ravel.

Almost completed; now, cut a strip of Velcro or a tape loop n about 2 inches long and may be to hook up. Bib (goes around the neck portion) band hooks are just part of the sewing area opposite band loop sewn today. Alto! Your baby’s bib. Repeat this process until all pennies.

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How to build a Letter Holder

A letter holder is not only practical but can also adorn a passage, entry or other suitable wall and it is relatively easy to make.



This letter holder allows letters from the mailbox to be sorted and stored into individual pockets awaiting collection from different family members. As well, car key hooks along the bottom of the letter holder will help ensure that the letters will be seen by the people they are intended for. Below is a Materials List and required tools list.
On subsequent pages there are step-by-step instructions accompanied by photos and detailed plans.

Materials list

1 of 600mm x 600mm (2ft x 2ft) Sheet of 4.5mm (3/16") thick mdf, plywood or similar type panel board. (Specifications allow for a bit of wastage.)

1 of 2000mm (80") length of 45mm x 19mm (3/4"x 1 1/2") wood. (Specifications allow for a bit of wastage.)

50 panel pins (i.e. small thin nails 25mm (1") long.)

15 wood screws 38mm (1 1/2") long.

5 key hooks.

A bit of PVA wood glue and some sandpaper.

A drawing of all the parts can be seen below

Required tools

Hammer Hand saw Jig-saw Carpenter's pencil Measuring tape Drill Drill bit (slightly thicker than the screw shank)

Step 1

How to shape the wood for a letter rack



Measure and mark all the pieces to be cut according to the plans. Use plates and cups as templates to mark the curves (see the curved shapes).

Step 2
Parts for a wooden letter holder


Cut all the pieces and drill the screw holes in parts [c] and [e].
The positions of the holes are shown in the parts plan

Step 3
Wooden letter holder assemble parts [d] and [e]

Screw member [e] to members [d].
Step 4
Wooden letter holder assemble parts [e] and [f]

Screw member [e] to member [f].

Step 5
Wooden letter holder assemble parts [d] and [e]

Screw members [c] to members [e and f].

Step 6
Wooden letter holder assemble add part [b]

Glue and nail the front piece [b] to members [c, d and e].

Step 7
Wooden letter holder assemble add part [a]

Turn the unit over then glue and nail the back piece [a] to members [c, d and e].

Step 8
Wooden letter holder assemble. add the key hooks

Drill a hole (to allow for hanging) at the top of the back piece [a] and add key hooks to member [f].

Drawings:
(1). Firstly, the plan with all the dimensions.
(2). Secondly, a drawing of all the parts also showing where to drill the screw holes.
(3). Thirdly, a drawing showing how to make the curved shapes.


The parts
[a] Back board
[b] Front board
[c] End vertical members also showing the positions of the screw holes
[d] Intermediate vertical members
[e] Bottom upper horizontal member also showing the positions of the screw holes
[f] Bottom lower horizontal member


The curved shapes
Below is a drawing explaining how to make the curved shapes. Plates and cups can be used as patterns. See photo.


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Another way to make a baby changing mat

To wear your baby anywhere if you want to change the diaper changing mat provides a clean surface. Quick and easy pillow diapers can make Matt baby. Or can any fabric to sew a selection of custom carpet. Select to create a flannel back table cross-vinyl carpet clean wipes, or comfortable cotton fabrics to select, and then if necessary, wash your mat machine. Make some to keep the bag or car in hand House, changing mat. You can provide a mat evolution as baby shower gifts.



Modify the custom sewn mats.

Stick with two fabrics per each 30 inch to 15-inch cut. The deburring, as required.

The batter throws flour to a flat surface. Place a small piece of tissue to rest on the first part of the fabric cloth and the top of the right stick.

Near the end pin carpets around deploys all three layers.

On the long side to sewing the three layers, and then start together 1 / 2 inch edge removed from the PIN, comes to them. Through open three or four the translation out carpet of evolution “.

Organization and change mat layer between right through. Hides the stitches near the limit could close the fabric inside opening and closing open more carefully.

Run time up to around 1 / 2 inch from the edge of the transfer pad. Sew the other changes in the bi-directional pad to form a large corner site for x. Change the movement free quilt surface Matt.

Mutation or mat of storage or transport roles.

Change cover matte

Cut into sticks pillow-sized.

Drag the end of the stick pillow fine and smooth openings carefully. Near the edge of the boundary of pillows to PIN through all three layers. Depending on the distance pillow last open to trim the stick held fast to the.

Sew around the edge 1 / 2 inch completely, deleting only the PIN cover.

Sew along one inch from the edge of cover equal to the end.

Forming elsewhere in bars for large x in the bi-directional square pillow to sew. Change the movement free quilt surface Matt.

Mutation or mat of storage or transport roles.

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How to Make a Baby Changing Mat

This article will show you how to make a baby changing mat!


1-Get yourself a meter (1m x 0.7m) of water resistant fabric, any color you like. Half a meter of thick wadding (0.9 x 0.6), some thread and you're ready to go.
2-Place the wadding on top of the fabric and fold the fabric over so you have three sides ready to stitch with one folded side. Ensure you have about 1 inch of free fabric on each side, cut down if necessary.
3-Remove the wadding and fold the fabric back over so the water resistant surface is inside. Sew along the 2 longest sides.
4-Turn the fabric back inside out so the water resistant side is now on the outside. Stuff the wadding in to create a smooth, bouncy surface.
5-With the unstitched side, pull tightly to make sure the wadding fits snug inside and sew along the seam.
6-For added effect, stitch about 2 inches in from each side to create the centre where your baby can lay down comfortably.




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How to make love

In this instructable, new ways to make love are explored. You can make love for valentine's day. Several examples with explicit pictures are given. Enjoy!


Step 1: To make lots of love we need a pattern


The pattern for love is cut from cardstock with scissors. Just go into the word processor and pick a font, select size, outline, print and cut.
Step 2: First way to make love is with plain cardboard.


I cut these out on the bandsaw. Use the letter pattern of love to outline letters, then cut.

Step 3: Make plain love


Letters made out of styrofoam, cut on hotwire machine.

Step 4: Make your love stand out


If Love is painted in the color of your choice, it will be more enduring, and look better, too. I chose red here.

Step 5: Make Love standing up


In this shot, love is made in the upright position. This is not really practical, but is an option.

Step 6: There can be contrast in making love


Here, cardboard is shown against a white background. Quite a contrast in love.

Step 7: Bugs and bees in love!



Self explanatory....

That's how you make love :). Enjoy!


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