Jennifer Schaerer
I’ve been folding and trimming paper since I was a kid – and not just to make cards, either. I used to whip up folded paper booklets full of lists, ideas, clippings from catalogs, and even photos. Everything important to me back in those days could be captured using a sheet of paper, a glue stick, and a writing utensil.
So when my (*ahem* overly dramatic) tween daughter informed me a few days ago that her social life was severely crippled by rules preventing her from bringing her cell phone to day camp so she could capture digits from her new-found summer friends, I had a solution. I suggested that she actually – GASP! - write down phone numbers for future reference.
I know, right? So old-fashioned, MOM.
One of the little booklets I’ve been using myself over the years is made by folding a plain letter-sized sheet of paper. A quick tutorial is HERE if you’re not familiar with this folding process.
So I made four quick folds, a cut with scissors, and ended up with an 8-page booklet measuring 4 1/4″ tall by 2 3/4″ wide.
Enter the Shoreline Collection by American Crafts – specifically, the perfectly proportioned 6 x 6 paper pad with a bunch of fun summer themed prints.
A mini-booklet featuring the Shoreline collection by American Crafts
After making a cover (with Thickers for personalization, of course), then adding page edging and a scrap of ribbon to hold a pencil (attached by a few eyelets), my socialite daughter now has a place to record the all-important phone numbers that connect her to friends far and near.
A perfect mini-book for recording phone numbers
As the coup de gras, this little booklet fits nicely in a snack-sized zip seal plastic bag -which is perfect for the days when it shares space with a wet towel in her swim bag.
Convenient waterproof protection!
Go ahead – give it a try. Once you make your first handy little booklet like this, you’ll be hooked on the ease and style that can be had from a single sheet of letter-sized paper and your paper crafting stash. And bonus: it’s perfect for using up scraps.
Keep calm and fold on,
I still write all my numbers down for when my phone fails so I may even make one for me
Keep calm? This is such an awesome idea!! Thank you so much for sharing this. Now I’ve got to get cracking. LOL
Love this idea and such cute paper! I also keep a list of numbers in case they get lost. Your booklet is so cute!
I knew there was a way to fold with 1 sheet of paper and now I’ve got it! Thank you! I just made mini photo albums as favors for my daughter-in-law’s baby shower but the ‘next time’ I will have the ‘fold’ to use. : )
Wow, what a CLEVER idea! I know, it seems so foreign to our kids to actually write things down! (That and wear a watch…who needs one now?) I bet your daughter will love her little book, and how awesome that it fits in a little snack bag to keep it dry and protected. Thanks for the inspiration!
Great idea! THANKS for sharing, for the inspiration, and for reminding me this is a great way to use up my ever-increasing stash pile
Pingback: A Little Summer Giveaway | Paper Crafts Connection
Super cool! I’m sure your daughter loved the book! ;o)
I am gonna make this for each one of my sponsor children write to and share this easy ideas with other sponsors! Love it! Thanks!!!
Nice! And did she just love her cute booklet when she got over being mad at you?
This is a great little booklet. I think it would work really well for my preschool kids as they learn to write their names and the names of their friends.
Lol loved reading your story and the booklet is perfect for your daughter to bring to day camp! I’m sure she loved it! I have a teen and a tween so I know how it is sometimes!
So cute!
Nice going, Mom!
Great idea — kids have become way too dependent on technology! Love this happy, summery book. Off to check out your tutorial. Thanks!
Super cute and simple! Love it =)
very fun
i recently traveled out of the country and left my phone behind since it wasn’t useful anyway. had to take my addresses for postcards on paper! LOL!
Super cute…and you know all the girls will want one…so much better than a phone! Well done!
I love these little booklets! Used to make them all the time for little jotters in my purse. I like how you’ve dressed it up.
Cute booklet. Thanks for a chance to win some fun summer goodies.
Just saw this and it is so clever and cute!!!! Thanks for sharing the details on how-to make!