Notepads

January 23, 2024

Notepads

Helmar Creative Team Project

by Nicole Elmes

Hello to everyone, and welcome to my latest project for the Helmar Creative Team.

Things have been a little on the crazy side this past month, but, I am happy to have gotten this sweet but simple project done. I have been wanting to make these notepads for a while now and have to say I am very pleased with them.

Whether you are new to paper crafting, or a seasoned crafter just looking for something quick and simple, then hold onto your hats ladies and gents as this is a project you may like to try!

You will only need minimal supplies, for starters you will of course need the super fabulous Helmar Professional Acid Free Glue.

Next up you will need your pages, whether you decide to use blank paper or patterned papers, what size to make your notepads, or how many pages you use for each notepad is of course totally up to you. FYI, I went with 50 pages per notepad and made 3 different sizes – A5, A6 and a random size.

I chose to go with patterned papers which I have printed at home.

Next you will want to cut them into your desired size/s

So, you will want to make up some little boards so as to keep the pages nice and tight together ready for gluing. I cut some thick chipboard/boxboard and wrapped them with baking paper. I cut them approximately the same width as the notepads x around 2” high. You will need 2 per notepad.

Next up, gather your pages and backing board (for the backing board I used 700gsm chipboard/boxboard) and make into a nice neat stack ensuring that the edge you are going to glue is as flat and even as possible. Now that you have done that you will place 2 of the little boards, one each side, and use binders clips to fasten it all together.

Time to get gluing! I prefer to put some Helmar Professional Acid Free glue into a little bowl and use a paintbrush to apply. You want to ensure that you use enough glue, but not too thick, to cover the entire spine, if you get any down the sides be ready to wipe it off ASAP. If you feel the need to add another coat of glue make sure the first layer is dry before continuing with the second coat.

Once the glue has dried, I suggest leaving them for about 30-45 minutes, it is then time to remove the binders clips and the little boards. To do this you will need either a thin craft knife, or a sharp padding knife. Simply put the knife between the little board and the first page and slide the blade along ensuring it stays super flat so as to avoid cutting into the notepad, then repeat for the back, just remember to cut between the little board and the notepad backing board.

You can of course leave it and consider your project complete, or you could add a cover, which is what I chose to to! I printed the same design on the covers as I did for the pages, I then used heat foil to pretty them up a bit more (because I just can’t let things be!! lol).

The covers are cut to the same width as the notepads, just a little longer so that they can be wrapped over the top and adhered to the back. You will see an example of this below in the photo gallery.

So that’s it my friends, we’re done!