Ever since middle school, I've always taken a pen and paper with me when I go out. Taking notes on the fly is great, because you don't have to remember them! I came into about 90 of these little sticky note pads that are great for just this application and at this rate, I'll never run out! Eventually, with the addition of car keys and a cell phone, my pockets became too cramped for just stuff the pen and paper in, so I made this little number. Another benefit of this is that it keeps your pen and paper securely fastened together. I lost a Parker pen out of a pair of work khaki pants, which partially inspired this.

This is something I made about 2 years ago, so there are no pictures of the actual construction process.

Step 1: Materials

For this project, you will need:
2 credit card-sized cards (used gift cards work well)
packaging tape
paper
rubber bands
business card
notepad, like Post-It or similar sticky notes
high-powered stapler

Step 2: Assembling the Cards

Start by laying the cards (one face up, the other face down, if seeing the front of them is important to you) on the table with about a quarter inch between them. This will be enough space for a good hinge. Tape them together. Now flip it over and do the same thing, but hold them at about a 90-degree angle. The differences in the length of the pieces of tape will cause them to act as a spring, keeping your note pad closed.

Step 3: Adding Rubber Bands

Tape a rubber band to the bottom card to hold the sticky note pad in. You may also tape a rubber band with a loop in it to hold your pen, although I eventually discarded this idea. A third rubber band may be taped to the bottom to use as a clasp of sorts to keep it closed. Mine broke and I never replaced it because it was too much of a hassle.

Step 4: The Pen Holder

Take a piece of paper that is about an inch taller than the card and tape about 1/3 of it to the top card. With the paper folded at 90 degrees to the card, tape it down so when it's finished, the paper does not curl up. Clip your pen onto the paper and fold it over. Then tape the other 1/3 or whatever down. Clip off any excess and securely tape it down. You can also "laminate" it with a protective covering of packing tape.

I realize now that the pen holder could also be placed diagonally to go with the flow of a khaki pant pocket.

Step 5: The Pad

Staple the sticky note pad to the business card like so. This creates a nice backing for it, which will then be slipped under the rubber band to hold it in place.