Introduction: How to Do Recycled Notepads From Old Paper Sheets
This idea is quite simple, I like it because it's "green".
You can find the Italian version here: http://fabuland.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/tutorial-come-creare-blocchetti-per-appunti-riciclati/
Do you remeber of the sheets you have used only on one side? Do you remeber those ugly photocopies that that bad machine won't make clear and well done for you? Don't throw them away! Give them another life. Save trees.
Materials:
paper sheets used onnly on one side
vinyl glue (or white glue)
brush
clothes pins
an old magazine
something heavy
Step 1: Preparing the Sheets
Take the paper sheets and cut them in four. You can cut with scissors or cutters, or just tear them apart. They doesn't need to be accurate.
To measure, you simple flod twice the paper.
Keep the straight sides and the written sides all on the same part.
Step 2: Doing the Stack
Do a stack of more or less 50 pieces and keep them together with two clothespins.
I suggest not to use more than 50 pieces for two reason:
1) clothespins won't keep much more sheets;
2) when you write on the stack, if it's too high you'll have difficulty in writing on it, most of all if you're left handed.
You of course acn use anything else instead of clothespins. I once just put the stack between my desk and a heavy book.
Step 3: Gluing the Side
Put some (very little) glue on one of the two straight side, using a brush. Take care of cleaning the brush very well after using it with the glue.
You don't need to put the glue on all the side, it's enough if you put it in the center, more or less for 6-7 cm.
Use a bursh so the glue will enter the spaces between the sheets.
Step 4: Time to Rest
Remove the clothespins and lay the stacks on the old magazine.
Of course you can use something else to lay it on, but I like to reclyde old magazine to keep my desktop clean. If some pieces of magazine will remain on the notepad, you just can tear off the first layer.
Cover the part with the glue with another sheet or a page of the magazine.
Put it under something heavy and let the glue dry. Generally I leave it for a day, but vinyl glue dries pretty quickly.
Step 5: Finish!
Once the glue is dry, you have your green notepad. :)
I know that cute notepad, all pink and with flowers all around, are beautiful, but I prefere this one. Think of it: once you've made a note, 99% of times, where does the note goes? Yes, in the trashcan. So it's betetr to use old sheets that would be recycled by industries, but you can first reycle so you won't buy notepad. :)
