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I'm having a terrible time finding these mini composition books. I found some at Office Max with a thin cover but they were $1.74 each with tax and the covers were thin. I've tried Office Depot, Walmart, Target and I called Staples and they said that they didn't have any. I looked on-line too. Can anyone tell me if the mini one have the hard board type cover like the larger ones? I've covered the larger ones.
I found the mini ones at WalMart last July. They were with the notepads in office supplies and were 77� each. The covers are not as stiff as the large ones, and the entire book flexes. They are really cute in this 4.5 x 3.25" size, though.
I found the mini ones at WalMart last July. They were with the notepads in office supplies and were 77� each. The covers are not as stiff as the large ones, and the entire book flexes. They are really cute in this 4.5 x 3.25" size, though.
Thanks alot, I'm going there again today to check it out better. Still on the hunt...
I've made bunches of these and use carpet tape (which I got at Walmart). Really cheap and all kinds of paper adhere perfectly.
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
when i cover the binding on the composition notebooks with cardstock or DSP paper it seems to want to come off when it gets opened. I use sticky tape.
any ideas?
chooch
when i cover the binding on the composition notebooks with cardstock or DSP paper it seems to want to come off when it gets opened. I use sticky tape.
any ideas?
chooch
The trick is, only apply adhesive (I use the red sticky tape) to the edges of the binding cover. This means there will only be adhesive on the long edges that attach to the front and back. The actual spine of the notebook doesn't have any adhesive on it. Paper's not flexible enough to be glued to something that will constantly bend without popping off!
when i cover the binding on the composition notebooks with cardstock or DSP paper it seems to want to come off when it gets opened. I use sticky tape.
any ideas?
chooch
I started making these YEARS ago, and the trick was to cut the papers not quite all the way to the spine, then cover the spine with velvet paper. (Which you can emboss with your stamps and an iron)
Also, has anyone seen or made an altered book to look like a tool box or briefcase? I'm making purse ones (with beads or ribbon for the purse "handles") and I thought it would be cute to make boy ones look like tool boxes or briefcases with rope or chains for handles. Thanks for your help!
I haven't altered a comp book, but of course now I MUST! I have made some DVD tins look like leather suitcases. For the first two that I made for my brother and my son (they went to Mexico together and needed a non-girly way to show off their pics!) I just cut up brown paper bags, crumpled and smoothed out the wrinkles a little, then inked the entire piece with a two or three different shades of brown, leaving the center a little lighter than the edges. I used matte ModPodge to adhere it and put a coat on top, too. They looked so cool that I bought a roll of craft paper like you would use for gift wrap to make some more. Now I don't have to try to work around the fold lines that the bags have. I cut embossed black felt into triangles to simulate leather or metal corners and a strip for a handle. I had a hard time attaching the handle but that would probably be a little easier with the notebook.
I could see using glossy ModPodge on red cs for a toolbox. You could even use the laminate/adhesive Xyron cartridge for the shiny finish. Geez--I have to go play now!!
Making my first altered composition notebook and I have a few questions. What do you use to adhere your paper to the book? Spray adhesive was suggested to me, but I made a mess. Any suggestions?
Also, (search feature isn't working on forums or galleries for me right now) has anyone seen or made an altered book to look like a tool box or briefcase? I'm making purse ones (with beads or ribbon for the purse "handles") and I thought it would be cute to make boy ones look like tool boxes or briefcases with rope or chains for handles. Thanks for your help!
"Yes" paste is the best product I've used when covering mini albums, chipboard, journals, etc. This product actually does what they advertise...it always dries flat and never bubbles your paper/cardstock, and I've used cheap to very expensive papers/cardstocks and it works great every time. Although I'm not sure it is really necessary, I do brayer over my paper once I've laid it on the chipboard...just to be sure the glue is completely spread out underneath. I found the paste at Michael's, which costs between $10 to $12 per jar, but after 1 1/2 years, I've only used about 1/3 of the jar and it has not dried up at all. Especially with a 40% - 50% off coupon this is very inexpensive. I've seen it on line, too. Since the paste is very sticky, I use really cheap small foam brushes or glue brushes and just throw them away when done....I've even left the brush to dry and reused it even without cleaning the original glue out of it. Makes no sense to me to spend $1.00's worth of soap and water, not to mention the time, to clean a $.05 brush...LOL
ModPodge as a sealer: any moisture in the air or on your fingers when you handle stuff and the ModPodge gets sticky. Try Super Seal. It is a spray that makes your stuff "water resistant" enough that unless you plan on soaking your project overnight, I'd call it "waterproof." Super Seal dries in just a few seconds and you don't have to worry about bubbles. You can spray it enough to really soak it and it still dries faster than ModPodge.
Yes paste is the ONLY paste for large areas of perfect adhesion like a book cover (it was created as a book binder's paste); then seal it with Super Seal. YES paste and Super Seal is my idea of a marriage made in heaven
If you do use ModPodge, then at least seal it with Super Seal after the ModPodge has eventually dried. That way, moist fingers won't make the ModPodge sticky and likely to pick up grime.
LOL, when I re-read this, it cracked me up. It sounds like a commercial. I guess it kinda is. I use Super seal on all kinds of things -- try it on latex helium balloons. They last much longer.
Last edited by Heyentah; 04-28-2010 at 05:44 AM..
Reason: I really do know how to spell.
... Since the paste is very sticky, I use really cheap small foam brushes or glue brushes and just throw them away when done....I've even left the brush to dry and reused it even without cleaning the original glue out of it. Makes no sense to me to spend $1.00's worth of soap and water, not to mention the time, to clean a $.05 brush...LOL
Try spreading the YES paste with an old credit card or a dollar store silicone spatula. Once it dries on the spatula, you can crack it off and it is perfectly clean again.
It is so fun to read how differently we approach these projects. I spray tacky glue on my DSP and then attach to my journal/book. I just spread out a piece of paper and lay the DSP on it, spray a layer lightly and then put it down. I do not have any bubbling or anything. I do this with my chipboard and everything. THEN, as a new technique I take my versamark pad and cover the entire top, put embossing powder on it and heat emboss it. It gives it a little texture, makes it shiny and seals it. I love the look of it.
I would suggest trying different ways and see what works best for you.
Super Seal is from Creative Memories, so your LSS should be able to order it for you if they don't carry it (they can order it from Notions, if they don't want to do a full CM order or don't have an account with CM)
When placing paper on any shiny or glossy surface, I first lightly sand the covers of the notebook. Then I wipe with a SLIGHTLY Damp cloth and let dry for a few minutes. I apply the paper with Mod Podge and use a brayer roller to squeeze out any extra glue and air bubbles. I then let to dry and put a book over it to let it dry without warping. Depending on the recipient of the notebook determines whether I Mod Podge on top of the covers. I made these for 12 yr olds who are hard on their books and Mod Podged over the covers and they're still holding up one year later. This may be extra work to sand, seal , etc. But the books still look good.
I think there must be as many ways to do this as there are people! I use comercial grade ATG. But you have to be careful, as it is not forgiving. There is no pulling it up again to rearrange it!
The first one I did I got the idea from the Harry Potter books/movies. Using the 'marauder's map' as my cover. I measured the front, back and binding of the book. Then cut the pieces to the measurements. I covered the inside of both covers, simply because I couldn't put everything I wanted to use on the outsides! I haven't had to fix it except on the edges where I didn't get enough adhesive down. I had computer generated words, cut them out distressed their edges and glued them down with my mini-xyron. After a couple of years the words were wearing down or coming off. I stuck them back down with Zip Dry and they are not coming off any more! I carried this journal all over the place and it has really held up well. It's my first of 4 or 5, but is still my favorite.
I cover books a lot and have not had the "sticky" residue problems when using Mod Podge as mentioned by some posters. However, I only ever use the matte finish. Maybe that makes a difference?
I also cover the spines of various books, and can get a nice smooth crease free finiish that does not crack or buckle when opening. I use the Mod Podge over the entire surface of the spine and cover papers when adhering them to the book. I almost always seal the books with the MP too. Some of these journals get a lot of use as my own art journals and they have held up so far.
A couple of things that make working with the Mod Podge easier is using some water in a mister and a brayer or smoothing-down sponge. Before applying the MP, I mist both sides of the paper with water. Then I apply MP using a credit card. After putting the paper in place on the cover, I then smooth it down with a brayer or damp sponge. This way I don't get bubbles or creases.
Beate suggested that she would use modpodge on the card and also then over the paper.
Given the paper is rather thin, I suggest you may find it beneficial to seal the paper first up. I used to decoupage and the paper sealer we used dries clear - any decoupage paper sealer brand is ok - I used Jo Sonya. You brush one way with a foam brush and once it has dried (about 20 mins) brush in the other direction (cross hatch). Just wrap the foam brush in cling film (saran) in between to make life easy. This will protect the paper and make it easier to work with. The Modgpodge will add a nice sturdy finish.
I haven't made a composition book in awhile, but I've used modge podge and sticky strip in the past. I'm starting to use carpet tape (Menards not Home Depot) for other projects where I would have used the sticky strip or modge podge before.
The trick is, only apply adhesive (I use the red sticky tape) to the edges of the binding cover. This means there will only be adhesive on the long edges that attach to the front and back. The actual spine of the notebook doesn't have any adhesive on it. Paper's not flexible enough to be glued to something that will constantly bend without popping off!
hth!
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....that's the ticket!
__________________ "I drive way too fast to worry about my cholesterol".
River City Rubber Works
I haven't made a composition book in awhile, but I've used modge podge and sticky strip in the past. I'm starting to use carpet tape (Menards not Home Depot) for other projects where I would have used the sticky strip or modge podge before.
May I ask what you are liking about the carpet tape?
Thanks for the reply. Is it cheaper to use than sticky strip or similar products?
I think the role of carpet tape was about $4 so I'd say cheaper since it covers more surface. I just use a scissors to cut to smaller pieces for projects like May Day baskets.
need help
Zip Dry
