Making Stylish Stationery

I love pretty stationery but boy it can be expensive.  A pretty journal or notebook can set you back $20-30.  I decided I was going to have a go at making some as a gift for my sister-in-law.

I went shopping and found all these items for about $2 each.  In hindsight I would have paid more for the notebook from a stationery shop to get better quality paper.

For the pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser and binder clips I made up templates so all I had to do was cut out some pretty paper and glue it on with mod podge.  I used a pink and blue floral paper from Christina Re.  Tips - for small scale items like this you need a small scale patterned paper.  Also use a binder clip in a colour that works with your paper - here I used white clips.

For the notebook I covered it with some pretty wrapping paper and made a label 'Goals' for the front.  I glued small tabs of paper to create dividers so the book has five sections.  At the beginning of each section I printed out quotes relating to goal setting from here and glued them into the book.  Again, in hindsight I would probably make the dividers a plain colour as the patterns make the book look busy.

I also covered a spiral notebook with paper and made a label for 'Notes'.  As it's too hard to glue paper around the spirals, pick a notebook with a cover that will work with your paper.

I grouped together the stationery I made and a couple of the bought items - the shoe post it notes and the blue bird magnetic shopping list, placed it in a gift basket and wrapped it up in some cellophane. 

To make the 40 card I cut out a template and placed in on top of a blank card.  I applied a thick layer of pva glue with a brush and sprinkled over the seed beads - I used a mix of pearl, silver and white.

Hope she likes it.

Sharing my creation at
The DIY Show Off - Project Parade

Funky Junk Interiors - Sat Nite Special

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday