Why not upcycle the paint chips left over from your last design project? Upcycling is fun and it turns items destined for the trash into beautiful DIY projects.
Read on to find out how to make these easy Paint Chip Matchbook Notepads.
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To make this project, you need:
- paint chips
- paper trimmer and scoring blade
- corner rounder
- printer paper
- perforating blade
- stapler
HOW TO MAKE MATCHBOOK NOTEPADS
- Start with a paint chip trimmed to 2 3/4″W x 6 1/4″L . Score the paint chip at 2 3/4″ and 5 3/4″ on the backside. Always score on the opposite side of which you will be folding.
- Carefully fold the score lines. If you wish, you can use a corner rounder to round the edges of what will be the top flap.
- Cut 2 7/8″ H x 2 3/4″W paper inserts using printer paper. One 8.5×11 sheet of paper yields 9 sheets. If you wish, you can perforate the paper edges using a paper trimmer with a perforating blade. If you do, create perforated lines 1/2″ from the bottom edge.
- Insert the sheets into the matchbook and fold the bottom flap up. Staple in the center close to the bottom to give plenty of room for the top flap to lock into place.
- Give to friends or stash a few here and there where you need to jot down a quick note.
TIPS AND TRICKS
- Paint chips can be pulled from paint decks, picked up as single sheets from the paint section of your local hardware store or use what you already have on hand.
- Paint chips are of different sizes and lengths depending on the manufacturer. Adjust the project dimensions to fit your paint chips.
- If possible, I recommend that the top fold be in the white strip between the colors so that the paint doesn’t chip off every time the matchbook is opened.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Instead of paint chips, use your favorite patterned paper or cardstock. Decorate the covers with stickers, embellishments or stamped images.
Get a group of friends together and assign a step to each person. At the end of the crafty afternoon, you will have a large batch of matchbook notepads to share with everyone.
These Paint Chip Matchbook Notepads make fabulous gifts too. Give to teachers, neighbors, or friends. Stash a few around the house or in the car or wherever you need to jot down a quick note!
For another paint chip idea, make the Paint Chip Birthday Card.
Keep sharing handmade goodness!
