Leather Notebook (standard Size)

I like to use standard size paper, and also to recycle scrap paper. By using standard sized paper, I don't have to cut the paper to "custom" sizes.

I already have a nice notebook that is 8.5 in X 5.5 in. So I thought I would make a smaller version, 5.5 in X 4 in. This worked out very well and now I feel I have the perfect note books.

Use 8.5 X 11 inches paper and fold in half and cut. Now fold the remaining pieces in half, (5.5 in X 4.25 in) to make your notebook.

Find a nice piece of leather, the thicker the better. about 10 in X 6 in. for your cover. I folded the leather and clamped it for a couple of days to create the crease on the leather. I did not wet the leather.

Stack all your cut pieces of paper together.

To bind the notebook, I decided to make four holes on the pages and on the cover. One inch from top and bottom edges, and 1 inch in width for each binding point.

To keep it simple, I used "picture hanging wire" I bought at one of the "dollar stores", I made "gigantic" staples and bent the edges to hold the notebook together.

With a thinner piece of leather, I created a pen holder and stitched it to the edge using the saddle stitch. On the front cover I traced the image of a longhorn and filled it in using a regular black ink pen.

Also, notice I added a little string to use as a page marker/bookmark.

This little notebook turned out to be awesome and I use it for everything, especially for grocery lists.