Idea Keeper for 62 cents!

I found a small notebook priced at 62 cents!  I did not even think anything was priced for less than a dollar anymore.  (The cent sign has even been deleted from keyboards!)

The size (about 6″ * 8″) and lightweight soft cover made it perfect for purse-sized Idea Keeper (notebook kept in the Backpack d’Resistance for fabric swatches, notes, and ideas that travel with me!)

The cover was nice, but not Stash Couture.

Cut fabric 1.5 " beyond each edge

Cut some Stash Fabric 1.5″ wider and longer than the notebook.

Press in half to find middle.

Mark book height and book thickness, centering on fold.

Measure book thickness along its spine. Mark that thickness, centered on the fold, on the fabric.  Also mark book height (the horizontal lines.)

Cut along vertical lines, ending at horizontal line.

Cut along the vertical lines ending at the horizontal line.

Trim the little fabric rectangle “flap” to about 1/2″ in length.

Spray backside of fabric with spray adhesive (do this outdoors!)

Stretch fabric over front and back covers. Smooth out all of these!

Place book spine on fold and stretch fabric over front and back covers.  Work quickly to remove any wrinkles or bumps – the adhesive dries quickly!

Corners of fabric are trimmed away, glued down and covered with decorative paper.

Trim corners, by cutting triangles of fabric away.  An improved corning method was posted at More on Idea Keepers.

Using a liquid glue, fold edges of fabric over covers and glue securely.  A bit of extra glue on the folded corners is recommended.

Cut decorative paper the same size as the book minus 1/4″.  Spray with spray adhesive and place on inside of covers.

The paper covers the raw fabric edges.

Place ribbon for Page Marker if desired.

If a page marker is desired, place a ribbon between the paper and the fabric at the upper edge of the inside back cover.  Secure with some liquid glue.

Foil placed inside covers, ready for heavy books to hold flat for drying.

Place foil between the inside covers and the first and last page.  Close notebook and pile some heavy books on it until the glue is dry.  (The foil prevents any errant glue from gluing the notebook shut!)

Idea Keeper for 62 cents!

Once glue is dried, remove foil.  Add beads to page marker if desired…and Idea Keeper is complete – and Stash Couture!