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DIY Notepad Padding Compound

I made this day planner for myself (you can download it too) a couple of months ago and I printed a few out then when I ran out of those I got lazy and didn’t print any more.  That means unorganized days and that is not good.

DIY Notepad Padding Compound - www.michellejdesigns.com

DIY Notepad Padding Compound

I decided that I needed to print out a lot of them so they would handy but I knew they would be all over the house.  So I figured I should make a notepad.

I started by printing out my sheets.  I have two per page so I printed 40 sheets.  I thought I would want it to last through the end of June. I like to use card stock so this is what it looked like after I got it cut and stacked.

DIY Notepad Padding Compound - www.michellejdesigns.com

I thought it was a little thick especially if I want to carry it with me.  So I split that in half and called it good.  This was a much better size for me.

DIY Notepad Padding Compound - www.michellejdesigns.com

I had seen people making the “glue” or notepad padding compound that goes across the top and I knew I could do it too.

Here is the best recipe I found.

Supplies:

1/2 Tbsp unflavored gelatin

1 tsp glycerin

1 Tbsp distilled vinegar

3 Tbsp water

Directions:

I placed the water in a bowl and used the microwave to boil it then added the gelatin.  Use a whisk to dissolve the gelatin then add the vinegar and the glycerin.   Whisk again until it is mixed together.

It seemed very bubbly. Let it cool to room temperature.

I let mine go too long so it was pretty tough when I returned.   I put it in for 15 seconds and then it was way to runny.  So I waited again but this time I watched and was ready.

DIY Notepad Padding Compound - www.michellejdesigns.com

I used a paint brush to apply the mixture and it seemed a little gloppy so I tried my best to smooth it out.  I decided to keep going and applied three coats letting it dry in between each coat.

This is how it looked before I removed the cardboard pieces.

DIY Notepad Padding Compound - www.michellejdesigns.com

The pages were really loose and they just were not sticking together they way I thought they should.  I easily peeled the whole piece off.  See it?

DIY Notepad Padding Compound - www.michellejdesigns.com

Then I started again.

This time I used the notepad padding compound when it was pretty runny before it really set at all.  It seemed to go on much smoother.

I let it dry for about 15 minutes between each coat and added and removed the top clips each time I put on a new coat and I washed my paint brush in between coats.

DIY Notepad Padding Compound - www.michellejdesigns.com

This is my final piece and it is much better.  Live, learn and re-do right?

That is the process of DIY sometimes.  I am really happy with the final result of my second attempt.  I went on to finish the other half as well.

DIY Notepad Padding Compound - www.michellejdesigns.com

What do you think?  I hope you have reason to give it a try sometime.   Notepads of all kinds would be a great gift.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Happy crafting!

Michelle

Jessica

Monday 20th of April 2015

Oh I love this! That's insane how much really goes into getting the book to stay together, I love the look of them for sure.

Michelle

Monday 20th of April 2015

Hi Jessica - Thank you. It really wasn't too hard. I was trying to remain patient between applications until it dried. LOL! You should give it a try!

Carmen Doerr

Sunday 19th of April 2015

Love the information, thanks. This is a really attractive blog. I loved it!

Michelle

Sunday 19th of April 2015

Thanks for that Carmen. I have been doubting the look of my blog. It is nice to hear positive feedback. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Melissa French, The More With Less Mom

Saturday 18th of April 2015

This is a fantabulous idea! I am totally using this. Thanks for posting. Hello from Think and Make Thursday.

Michelle

Saturday 18th of April 2015

Thanks Melissa and thanks so much for sharing. Thay made my day!

Jennie @LittleGirlDesigns

Friday 17th of April 2015

Wow, I have been wanting to make my own note pads for a while but was hesitant to use some of the products out there that have so many crazy chemicals in them. I didn't realize you could DIY it! I am curious why you used cardboard on either side of the papers, though. ?? These would make awesome gifts! I'm pinning to my 'crafts to make' board! :)

Michelle

Friday 17th of April 2015

Hi Jennie. The cardboards on either side help with any drips from the mixture and they keep the clips from digging into the pad itself. I actually ended up leaving the back piece of cardboard attached. it just helped to keep it sturdy when carrying it around. Good question. I guess I should have addressed that better in the post. LOL! Thanks so much for stopping by.

Just Plain Marie

Friday 17th of April 2015

I saw the title and expected something complicated and with strange ingredients. This is fabulous! Thank you so much. Definitely need to pin this for later.

Michelle

Friday 17th of April 2015

Hi! I put off doing this project for a long time because I thought it would be a long, involved process. It really wasn't. I hope you try it someday! Thanks so much for the comment!

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