Match Book Note Pads

Here is another craft idea using paint swatch samples…a match book note pad. I love little note pads that are small enough to fit in your pocket. I use them all the time for shopping lists because if I do not have a list god only knows what will end up in my shopping bag with my gold fish memory.

What you will need:

• Paint swatches
• Paper
• X-acto™ Knife or Scissors
• Ruler
• Stapler
• Pencil
• Bone folder or butter knife

1. Using a bone folder or the wrong side of a butter knife, score along the bottom edge of the top color block on the swatch. Fold the edge.
   ** Scoring a piece adds a notch to the paper that makes it easier to fold. Place the ruler on the fold line and take the bone folder and run it along the length of the fold. If you do not have a bone folder you can use the back side (the un-serrated edge) of a butter knife. Do not press too hard, you do not want to rip or tear the paper.
2. Using fig. 2 for reference, measure from the fold line to the bottom of the swatch (A). Divide that measurement in half then add .75″ inches to that measurement. Using that number (Measurement B), measure from the fold and lightly mark the swatch.
3. Score the new marked area and fold. If done correctly, the to flat should fall short of reaching all the way to the bottom to allow for the staple.
4. Next we are going to measure the folded swatch from the vertical position so we can figure out how big the inside paper should be for the pad. Measure the width and subtract .125″ (1/8″). Now measure the height, you will subtract between .125″ and .25″ depending on how thick you want your book. The more pages you add the shorter the height will need to be.Note: I made several books ranging from 12 pages to 20 pages. For the 12 page book I only subtracted .125″ from the height, however the 20 page note pad required the inside pages to be .25″ shorter. You will have to be the judge for what will work best.
5. Cut a bunch of papers using the measurements from step 4. Double check that they fit in the folded swatch.
6. When the paper notes pages are in place staple the papers and the small flap together just below the edge of the top flap.