Technically, this project was kind of a fail, but since it was my first time decoupaging or using Mod Podge, I’m gonna give myself a pass.

When I first saw these decoupage notebooks over at Grace Violet, I knew it was a project I wanted to try, and I decided to make one for myself and one for Tara for BlissDom.

To make:

1. Start with basic composition notebooks.

2. Choose scrapbooking paper in any design you like. (Note: for this size notebook, I actually needed two pieces, and there is a seam along the back.)

3. Spreak Mod Podge on thick and align paper against two edges of the notebook. Let dry. (To keep the glue from sticking to the pages, I put a large piece of plastic wrap inside each cover.)

4. Trim the paper to the edges of the notebook.

5. Repeat for the back if using a large notbook.

6. Add binding if desired.

7. Coat with another thick layer of Mod Podge and allow it to dry. I used back and forth swipes for the green/brown notebook and criss-cross swipes for the blue/brown one.

8. Punch a hole on the front and insert a decorative brad or eyelet and secure.

9. Punch a hole on the back and insert elastic (I used two of my daughter’s elastic hairbands!). Secure with an eyelet.

That’s it! It would be even easier with a smaller notebook since that would eliminate the need to use two pieces of paper.

You’ll notice the bumps on the binding of the left notebook where I left the clips on too long, and for some reason that one also stayed a little tacky and bits of the paper came off while in my bag. I was so bummed that they didn’t turn out perfectly, but I definitely think this is a project I’ll be trying again in the future!