It will be spring soon, but right now Old Man Winter is making his presence known with a bitter wind and sub-zero temperatures. I’m done with the cold now and could really do with some nice warmer spring weather. I can’t wait for the garden to spring back to life and am eagerly awaiting the signs of new growth. After the green of new grass, come the dandelions. I don’t mind them as they’re a first food source for the bees. My favourite ‘weed’ has to be daisies though, they’re simple but always bring smile to my face. So that’s what inspired today’s project, with a great sentiment from the All Things Fabulous Stamp Set.

SUNNY DAISIES

I began this notebook project with a daisy pattern from the Flowers For All Season 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. My spiral-bound notebook was purchased at Dollarama, and is 4″ x 5-1/2″ with a green cover that I thought would work well with flowers.

So using my Paper Trimmer I cut two pieces of the daisy DSP. The first one was 1/2″ x 3″ and I wrapped it around a mechanical pencil. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the ends of the strip together to create a loop. Finally I glued the ends of the loop to the back of the notebook with the pencil up close to the pages.

Next I cut my second piece of DSP at 3-1/2″ x 5-1/2″. Then I glued it to the back cover and over the ends of the paper strip. As well as looking pretty this would also make the pencil loop more secure.

Unlike some other notebooks I’ve worked on, this one has square corners. This meant I was able to do something a little different for the front cover.

So picking up another sheet of the daisy pattern DSP I cut this piece to 5″ x 5-1/2″. Then with the 5″ side at the top I scored it at 3-1/2″. Next I folded the paper along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder.

After turning the paper over I fixed a line of Tear & Tape Adhesive at the top and bottom edge of the narrower section, from the crease to the edge. Then I put liquid glue over the larger section and fixed that to the front of the notebook, folding the narrow section to the inside. Once the front part was secure I removed the Tear & Tape backing and pressed the flap onto the inside cover.

ALL THINGS FABULOUS

The notebook was already starting to look fabulous but I had a couple more things I wanted to do.

First I cut a 1/4″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Bumblebee Card. Then using liquid glue I attached it down the left-hand edge of the DSP on the front cover. This small coordinating detail really seemed to draw the eye to the DSP.

Then while I could have finished there, I decided to add a sentiment from the All Things Fabulous Stamp Set.

I chose “Nobody gets me like you do” and stamped it onto some Thick Whisper White Card using Just Jade ink. This is the green used in the DSP design so again adds to the coordinated look.

Then I cut out the sentiment using a die from the Painted Labels Dies and my Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine. I like this particular die because it adds an embossed detail just inside the cut edge. So using a thicker card helps to accentuate the embossing.

With that done I used liquid glue to fix the sentiment onto the front cover and my dull green notebook was transformed.

I really love the Flowers For Every Season DSP and it’s pretty certain to be on the retiring list in a couple of weeks. So if you like it as much as I do, make sure you stock up while supplies last.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the All Things Fabulous Stamp Set in a bundle with the coordinating Fabulous Florals Dies (not used today). Also bought in a bundle was the Painted Labels Dies with the Painted Poppies Stamp Set (not used today either). Buying coordinating products using the special ‘bundle’ item numbers means I saved 10% off the cost of buying the same items separately. I’ve included links to both bundles in case you want to look at these further.