Materials:
Composition Notebook (any color, it will all be covered up anyway)
Scrapbook paper
-two pieces 12 in x 6 in each
-one piece 4 in x 6 in
-two pieces 9 in x 7 in each
Ribbon or slim piece of paper
Pre-cut letters (or you could use markers or something to write the name if you wanted)
Glue-stick (this takes anywhere from 1/2 stick to a full stick)
(FYI: This will look better if your 12 x 6 pieces are different than your 4 x 6 piece. The 12 x 6 pieces are your front and back covers and your 4 x 6 piece is your spine). Take the composition notebook and both of the 12 x 6 pieces of scrapbook paper. Line them up so that you have about 1/2 inch or so hanging off the side. You will be folding this onto the inside of the cover. Place the papers so they line up front to back. Glue them onto the front and back covers. Open the notebook and fold the corner of the paper in followed by the top bottom and side edges. Glue it in place. Do this for both the front and back covers. (You may need to let it dry before going on.) Now take the 4 x 6 piece and line it up so that it's even in the front and back. Cut small indentations on the top and bottom so that you can fold the extra paper up inside the front and back covers. Glue this paper in place. You will be left with a small gap between the 4 x 6 piece and the 12 x 6 pieces. This is where you will either glue your ribbon or slim piece of paper. Open the notebook and glue a 9 x 7 piece inside each cover so that you can't see the folded over parts of the paper. Now glue the letters (or write) anywhere you want. Place the book under something heavy while it dries and sets. You are done :)
Here is a picture of the indentation you should cut so that you can fold the "spine" up inside the covers. Sorry it's blurry.
Here's the 9 x 7 piece in place. Now you can't see all the folds that I made before. It looks a lot more professional now.
Cost:Composition Notebook: $1
Scrapbook paper: I got these from my mother-in-law so they were free for me
Ribbon: same--from my mother-in-law
Letters: same--from my mother-in-law
(none of these things are very expensive at your local craft store)
Composition Notebook Journal: Total Cost ~ $1.00
