ARCTIC MAP
NOTE PAD COVER

Please join me in creating an easy-schmeezy covered note pad.

This covered note pad is perfect to slip in your purse or leave by the phone. (I like practical projects!)

The directions are simple enough to adapt to any size note pad.
I chose to use a Post-It note pad from Staples that peels off from the top.

Your first step is to stamp the Arctic Map Stamp on a white sheet of paper with a black ink that dries permanently.

I like to use watercolor paper (available on our website) and a black ink pad such as Memories or Archival Ink.

I choose to use watercolor paper because it has sizing on the surface of the paper. The sizing prevents the Peerless Transparent Watercolors from soaking into the paper quickly. It prevents brush marks as well as preventing the paper from 'balling up" when being worked with a brush and water.

The Peerless Transparent Watercolors that we will be using, are:
Marine Blue
Prussian Green
Terra Cotta Red

These colors are NOT in any of the sets produced by Peerless Watercolor Lab. They are EXCLUSIVE to
AMRSC members!
You can only order these 3 colors HERE!

I like to use a large brush to apply the color. I am not a perfectionist, and enjoy the imperfections and reactions that chance offers. By using a big brush, I prevent myself from getting to particular about the detail.

First, I applied the Prussian Green. Notice that I did not stay inside the lines.
I also applied the watercolor heavy in some places and light in others.

Next, is the Terra Cotta Red.
Again....I paid little attention to the lines and let the random application create a 'not so perfect' effect.

It does not matter what color you apply first. Try it both ways!

Now for the Marine Blue.
I chose to apply the Marine Blue heavy on the outside of the image, and a bit more transparent in the center.
If you notice, I have even left a few spots white just to add a bit more depth.
By using a big brush (3/4") to apply the color, I end up with standing water on the surface of the paper. Before that water soaks in, sprinkle table salt on top. The salt will gather the color and create a nice, subtle textured when it is dry.

For the best results, DON'T move the paper after you apply the salt until it is entirely dry. Once it is dry, you can brush away any remaining salt.

Let's create the binding.
Measure your note pad. Height, Width and Thickness.

Flip your dry Arctic Map upside down.
Using a scoring tool, score a line from top to bottom that is 3.25" from the right side of the paper. (that measurement is the width of your note pad plus 1/4").
Score a parallel line 1/4" to the left of the line you just scored (that measurement is the thickness of your note pad).
The two scored lines will create the binding of the covered note pad.

I have laid the note pad on top of the paper in the photo to illustrate where it will eventually be glued.

Cut a piece of board the size of your note pad - 3x5". I used a white piece of cardboard from a gift box. (I believe in recycling what you have around the house). The thickness of your board will be the thickness of the cover. If you want a durable cover, use matboard or chip board.
Glue this board to what will soon be the inside of the cover. Using the above photo as a reference, glue the board where the ruler is positioned. The board should be snug against the second score line you created and centered on the left hand side of your paper.

If you haven't already,go ahead and trim the cover paper (Arctic Map) to be 1/2" larger than the board you just glued down.
Now, fold the cover paper over the board. You MUST apply glue to every inch of paper in order to make it lay down nicely and to look professional.

In this photo, you can see how I folded the cover paper over the board. I was only able to fold 3 sides over. The fourth side is where the note pad sits.

When I lay the paper on top of my project, it will look like this.
Apply glue to every square inch of your paper. When you glue it down, you will be covering the board and the cover paper that you folded over the board.

**the best glue to use is Book Binding Glue, or PVA. Sorry...I don't know where to tell you to get it**

Find your score marks again. Fold the cover over a few times to crease the binding.

Glue the note pad in place. It should rest against the score line on the right.

Untrimmed paper should be sticking out from the top, bottom and right hand side of your note pad.

Now, you are ready to take phone messages or write shopping lists.

You may even want to embellish the cover more!

Go for it!