GO GREEN - Cardboard Notebook With Office Supplies!

A simple cardboard notebook with binder rings, recycled from an old notebook. Stick tab accessible and legal pad holder. Simple and really cheap. Customizable to really make a statement.

Approximate Assembly Time: 15 minutes --EASY

Here's what you need:

XACTO knife

Card board piece with the following dimensions: 27 inches in length & 13 inches in height

Old notebook with binder rings still in it

Duct tape - color is advisable

Marker or pencil

Ruler

Small rectangle shape - may from a cookie cutter

Stickers or Flair

Optional

Notebook paper
Sticky Tabs
Legal Pad
String
Binder Clips
Folders

Step 1: Preparation

Remove the binder rings with an XACTO knife from old binder.

a. Cut cardboard piece measuring 27 inches in width and 13 inches in height.

b. Fold card board in half so that both sides are 13.5 inches in width and 13 inches in height.

Step 2: Assemblying the Binder Rings

a. Unfold the cardboard piece. (Folded in half in step 1.)


b. Center the binder rings. In this sample the binder rings are 1 in. but you can use any binder ring size.


c. Using an XACTO, make striations along the sides of the binder rings. DO NOT CUT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE CARDBOARD. Just trace lightly along the edges. This makes bending the cardboard easier.

d. Choose either duct tape or gorilla glue to attach the binder in the center of the cardboard piece. I used Duct Tape to attach the binder rings.

Step 3: Finishing Touches

a. Once the binder ring is fastened by either DUCT tape or gorilla glue. Fill with paper of your choice.
NOTE: For DURABILITY I advise backing up the gorilla glue with duct tape.

b. Using a rounded rectangle or free hand - trace a rectangle about 1 inch from the edge.

c. On onside cut out the rectangle completely and remove.

d. On the other side of the binder - cut the shape out with the exception of the bottom part. This can be folded down and tucked into the other side as a fastener. See images.

Step 4: Customizing Your Notebook

Now for the finishing touches.

OUTSIDE

a. Reinforce the binder edge with duct tape.
b. Reinforce the handle piece.
c. Add whatever flare you would like. (I used the apple symbol because I was inspired by the duct tape.


INSIDE

a. Using a heavy binder clip, you can add a legal pad.

b. Glue some stick tabs using GORILLA GLUE.

c. For additional features you can get folders or string a pen to it so that you always have one.