How to Decorate Your Notebook

To decorate your own notebook, all you need are craft materials, a little time, and creativity! Make a cover with paper, paint, or fabric or create a collage on the front with stickers and pictures. You can embellish the notebook with anything that inspires you, from glitter to buttons. Your notebook is yours to decorate, so make it your own!

EditSteps

EditCovering Your Notebook

1. Choose paint, paper, or fabric to cover your notebook. There are endless options to create a funky and fun notebook cover. Choose your materials before you get started so you have a plan of attack. Select something to express yourself with!^[1]
   
   • You can use cardboard, construction paper, or old maps.
   • You can find images on the Internet. Print out 1 image to cover the entire notebook, or use your computer to make a collage of photos.
   • You can select fabric like canvas, denim, or old T-shirts.
   • You could also paint a separate sheet on paper and glue it onto the cover.
2. Trace the size of your notebook onto your cover material. Place your notebook on top of your material, whether it is another piece of paper or a piece of fabric. Mark the edges of your notebook onto your cover with a pencil or pen. This can be a rough size estimate, so you know where to make your cuts.^[2]
   
   • You can cut out a cover for the front and a cover for the back separately, or cut out a size that would fit both the front and back cover in one piece. Be sure to lay your book open flat if you are covering both sides.
3. Cut out your cover to fit the size of your notebook. Use a pair of scissors to cut out your cover, based on the lines you traced. Place your cover on top of your notebook to make sure the size is correct.^[3]
   
   • If the cover is too big, trim it down so it fits the size of your notebook.
   • If it is too small, you can cut out another cover or improvise with other accessories, like ribbon or stickers.
   • If you are using fabric, use fabric scissors for sharp, straight lines.
4. Apply a thin, even layer of adhesive to your cover. You can use an adhesive like a glue stick, liquid glue, a hot glue gun, or Mod Podge. Put a thin, even layer of glue onto the back of the cover material. Make sure you coat the edges of your cover so the paper won’t lift up later.^[4]
   
   • Avoid applying too much glue on your cover. It will take a long time to dry and create a mess. Try to use thin, even layers.
5. Align the corners of your notebook with the corner of your cover. Start at the top of your notebook and line up the edge of your cover with the notebook’s top edge. Then, line up the bottom corners as well.^[5]
   
6. Press your hands down on the cover to help it adhere to the notebook. Use the side of your hand or your palm and press down on the front of your cover to stick it to your notebook. Make sure to rub your fingertips over the edge of your notebook as well.^[6]
   
   • If any edges aren’t sticking completely, apply a tiny dab of glue in between the cover and your notebook, and rub both layers together.
   • You can rub the cover a few times to make sure it’s securely applied.
7. Let your cover and notebook dry before you accessorize further. Give your notebook a few minutes to dry so the cover binds to your notebook thoroughly. Wait about 1-3 minutes and touch your cover to make sure it is dry.
   
   • Liquid glue will take the longest to dry. It will dry in about 2 hours, but it is recommended to wait 24 hours for it to dry entirely. Glue sticks and hot glue guns usually have quick drying times, taking only about 1-2 minutes.
   • If you painted your cover, your paint may take up to 1 hour to dry.

EditCreating a Collage

1. Write your name or a notebook heading on the cover, if you want. Use a pen, marker, or paint to title your notebook with your name or subject. You can write your name and your class subject, or any other relevant information.^[7]
   
   • You can glue on a notecard or paper scrap before you write on your cover, if you wish.
2. Glue fun pictures to the cover of your notebook to personalize it. Find pictures you like, like animals, superheros, or cartoons. Also try using pictures of your friends or family. You can take your pictures yourself, cut them out of magazines, or print them off the Internet. Apply a small amount of glue to your pictures and stick them to your cover.
   
   • You could use liquid glue or a glue stick.
   • You can cover as much of the notebook as you like to personalize your notebook.
3. Add stickers to the front of your notebook for a personal touch. You can apply stickers as you go or plan out your cover before you start. Select stickers in a variety of sizes and that reflect your likes and interests.^[8]
   
   • You can also partially cover the pictures you've glued onto the notebook, for a layered effect.
   • You can also make your own stickers and put them on your notebook.
   • Try using 3-D stickers, too!
4. Doodle in the open spaces to finish your collage. If you still have open spaces on your cover, grab a market and doodle to fill up space. Doodle stick people, hearts, stars, flowers, smiley faces--anything you’d like! ^[9]
   
   • You can also save some open space and add drawings later.
5. Create a border with fabric strips or washi tape. After you have created your collage, finish it off by adding a border to your notebook. You can glue fabric around the edges, using strips of material or ribbon. Or, try using washi tape to create your border.^[10]
   
   • If you're using fabric, you can apply it to your notebook by dabbing glue to the outside edges. Then, stick your fabric to your glue spots. Using a hot glue gun or fabric glue is recommended.
   • If you are using washi tape, peel off the tape from the roll and apply it to the edge of your notebook, like you would a sticker. Apply washi tape in long pieces or in small sections.

EditEmbellishing with Other Accessories

1. Glue buttons on your notebook to add interest. Place various buttons over your notebook’s cover, and pick your placement based on where the buttons look good to you. Use a hot glue gun to dab a bit of melted glue onto your button, and stick your button onto your notebook.
   
   • Add a few buttons or glue on a bunch!
2. Use glitter to add some sparkle to your notebook. Apply some Mod Podge or liquid glue to your notebook. Dust glitter on top of the glue to apply it. Then, turn your notebook over and dump away any remaining glitter.
   
   • You can put glitter on large surfaces, like the entire cover, or in small areas, like around your name.
   • When you are dumping extra glitter, stand over a piece of paper or newspaper, and try to reuse the extras if you can. If not, dump your extra glitter into a trash can.
   • This should take 3-5 minutes to dry fully.
   • If your glitter keeps falling off, add a top layer of liquid glue or Mod Podge to seal it. Apply another layer of adhesive once the first layer is fully dry, after about 3-5 minutes.
3. Paint your notebook with nail polish for a pop of color. Nail polish can be used in place of paint to add details to your notebook. Use your polish and paint your notebook, like you would with a brush and acrylic paint. You can create things like lines, dots, or squares.^[11]
   
   • You can create a border around your name or the edge of your journal by drawing a line with your polish's brush.
   • You can add polka dots to your cover by dabbing dots of polish around your notebook.
   • Try drawing multiple lines to create stripes. You can make them straight, curvy, or zig-zag.
   • Also, try using a few different nail polish colors to make the cover stand out.
4. Add texture to your notebook with felt. Cut out shapes like letters, circles, squares, or triangles. Then, using a glue stick or your glue gun, apply the felt pieces onto your notebook.^[12]
   
   • Trace shapes onto your felt using stencils and a pencil, if that helps you.
   • You can also create a cover out of felt, if you’d like.
5. Place pieces of duct tape onto your notebook to add color or patterns. Duct tape comes in a variety of bright colors and patterns, from neon green to tie dye. Find your favorite color and pattern, and use this for your notebook. You can use strips of duct tape or cut out smaller shapes with scissors.^[13]
   
   • You can apply your duct tape nearly anywhere on your notebook. The cover, back, inside covers, or even individual pages.
6. Decorate the cover with gems, artificial flowers, or anything else you'd like. Your notebook is your own space, so decorate it however you’d like. Glue on other accessories to customize your notebook. There are all sorts of materials you can use, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try different accessories!
   
   • Try origami shapes, candy bar wrappers, or trading cards.

EditTips

• There are countless tutorials online for notebook decorating inspiration. Search on Google, YouTube, or craft sites!

EditThings You’ll Need

• Notebook
• Glue
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Paper
• Printer
• Fabric
• Stickers
• Buttons
• Ribbon
• Paint
• Markers
• Scissors
• Other accessories of your choice
• Creativity

EditSources and Citations

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How to Decorate Outdoors for Easter

If you’re the type that gets excited for Easter, or if you have young kids and want to turn the outdoors of your home into an Easter themed wonderland, you may be wondering how to best decorate. You can create an Easter scene in your yard by doing things like decorating trees with eggs and setting up Easter themed lawn ornaments. If you’re a do-it-yourself type, make crafts like Easter door hangers and Peep decorations. You can even turn common household decorations, like wreaths and lanterns, into Easter decorations.

EditSteps

EditCreating an Easter Scene in Your Yard

1. Decorate trees with eggs. Use a tool, like a knife or awl, to poke a small hole in the ends of plastic eggs. Feed fishing line through the holes in these eggs to string the eggs up and create hanging tree ornaments. Tie the end of the fishing line to a branch to hang the ornament.^[1]
   
   • Tie a simple knot at the bottom end of your hanging tree ornaments to prevent the eggs from falling off the line. Be sure the knot is thick enough to prevent eggs from falling.
   • Hang several of these ornaments from trees throughout your yard. Avoid areas thick with branches; when the wind blows, your ornaments might get tangled.
   • If you live in a windy area, you might want to keep your hanging tree ornaments roughly the length of your forearm. Otherwise, the wind might whip the ornaments around dangerously.
2. Place durable baskets around your yard. Wicker baskets will break down when exposed to the elements, so avoid using these. Use brightly colored plastic baskets around your yard and in exposed areas. These will hold up to the elements best.
   
   • You can often find baskets like these at dollar stores, general retailers, thrift stores, and craft stores.
   • The baskets don’t have to be plastic, but they should be made of a weather resistant material.
3. Set up Easter lawn ornaments. Around Easter time, inflatable Easter themed lawn ornaments are sold at most home centers and general retailers. You may be able to find cheaper priced versions of these at yard/garage sales and at thrift stores. Easter themed cutouts, like one of a large rabbit carrying a basket, can add a whimsical feeling to your Easter scene.
   
   • If store-bought decorations are outside your budget, draw a bunny shape on a piece of wood. Cut the shape out with a saw. Spray paint it black, and you have a homemade rabbit silhouette.^[2]
   • Paint egg shaped rocks like Easter eggs. Use bright pastel colors. Arrange egg-rocks in groups or scatter them around your yard. ^[3]
4. Add carrot cutouts to your walls. On a large piece of sturdy paper, like card stock, use a pencil to draw the top part of a carrot. Use markers or paint to color the top, leafy part of the carrot bright green. There should only be a small orange part of the carrot visible.^[4]
   
   • Use a fastener, like tape or a tack, to attach your carrot to a wall on the outside of your home so that the carrot is close to the ground. This will make it look like the carrot is growing out of the ground.

EditCrafting Easter Decorations

1. Make an Easter door hanger. Draw an Easter themed shape on a sturdy piece of card stock or cardboard. Some ideas include rabbits, eggs, baby chicks/Peeps, and so on. These should be roughly the size of your open hand. Cut these out from the paper/cardboard, then:
   
   • Decorate the cutout. Cover it in bright Easter colors with markers or paint. Add glitter, sequins, and faux gems. These accents look especially nice on egg cutouts.
   • Use a hole punch or a pair of scissors to create a hole in the top of the cutout. Tie a loop onto this hole with ribbon. The loop should be large enough for a doorknob.
   • Hang your Easter door hangers on the handles of doors into your home. To protect them from the being ruined by weather, you may want to laminate them.
2. Create Easter garlands with plastic eggs. Similar to the tree hanging egg decorations, use a sharp tool, like a knife, awl, or pair of scissors, to make holes in both ends of plastic Easter eggs. Thread fishing line through these holes to string the line with eggs. Tie off both ends of the line.^[5]
   
   • Drape your garlands from wall hangers, nails, door jambs, and so on. Add a large ribbon tied in a bow to the garland to add flare.
   • Some plastic eggs are made with holes in them and won’t require you to poke holes the ends of the egg. Look for these at the dollar store.
   • A simpler garland can be made by stringing paper cutouts of eggs on a line of twine or string and hanging this much as you would the plastic egg garland.^[6]
3. Upcycle a rubber boot into a makeshift Easter basket. Old boots that children have grown out of often have cute patterns on them, making them ideal for this craft. Clean the boots and let them air dry somewhere not in direct sunlight. Fill the boot with colorful shredded paper, nestle some plastic eggs in it, and your “basket” is done.
   
   • Bright and colorful accents are a great addition to these boot-baskets. Stick pinwheels into the boot, toy rabbits, and more.
   • Place these boot-baskets at entrances to your home, where they will be somewhat protected from the elements. The shredded paper will break down when exposed to moisture.^[7]
4. Craft a Peep decoration. Gather a 12 x 36 in (30 x 91 cm) piece of Styrofoam, a wooden dowel, Peep colored spray paint (like bright yellow or pink), spray glitter, brown paint, a paint brush, a utility knife, a drop cloth, and a pencil. Draw the outline of a Peep on the Styrofoam, then:
   
   • Use your utility knife to cut away the pieces of Styrofoam that aren’t part of the design. When you finish cutting, soften the outer edges of the Peep by rubbing a piece of excess foam against the Peep’s edges, wearing away the foam until it’s more Peep shaped.
   • Lay down a drop cloth in a well ventilated area and set the Peep cutout on the cloth. Spray paint the Peep entirely. Allow this to dry according to the label instructions.
   • Use a paintbrush to apply two dots of brown paint for the eyes of the Peep and a dot of brown paint for the nose as well. Spray on glitter afterwards.
   • Stick a dowel into the bottom of the Peep. You can insert the dowel in the ground for a lawn ornament, add the Peep to a vase, basket, or pot, and so on.^[8]

EditTransforming Normal Decorations into Easter Decorations

1. Fill an empty lantern with Easter items. Lanterns are common household decorations. Fill lanterns with things like plastic eggs, rabbits, Peeps, shredded green paper, and so on. Depending on how well enclosed the lantern is, you may even be able to showcase a stuffed animal safely inside the lantern.^[9]
   
   • Clean your lanterns thoroughly with soap and water to remove any dirt of soot from them. This way, the items you load into lanterns won’t get dirty and can be reused again.
2. Fashion a regular wreath into one for Easter. If you don’t already have a normal wreath, you can buy one from a craft store or make one of your own. Use a knife or awl to poke a small hole in a single end of many plastic Easter eggs. Then:
   
   • Feed a small length of fishing line through the hole. Tie off the end of the line on the inside of the egg so it doesn’t pull through.
   • Tie the other end of the line to your wreath. Add as many eggs as you please in this fashion. Include other Easter accents, like pastel colored ribbons tied in bows.
   • Hang your new Easter wreath outside your house and enjoy.^[10]
3. Turn a normal basket into a festive Easter basket. Decorative baskets often come with gift items and certain products. You may have some in storage, but if you don’t, you can buy baskets from a thrift store or a craft store. To transform these into festive Easter baskets:
   
   • Use spray paint to coat the baskets in an Easter color. Pastel colors, for example, are generally associated with Easter and are a great choice.
   • Fill your baskets with shredded green paper to add a bright, natural splash of color.
   • Add Easter themed items, like plastic eggs, plastic rabbits, Peep decorations, and so on.
   • Tie a large bow on top of the basket and add accents to it as you see fit.

EditSources and Citations

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33 Funny Pet Names That'll Make You Say "I Wish I Thought Of That"

Brb, adopting 33 pets.

Mary Puppins

"But we just call her Puppins." —mandarose1588

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Jean-Clawed Van Damme

—dawnsp99

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Dave

"David for long." —megant40438d88c

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Penguin

"My three year old daughter named our cat. She’s not even black and white." —mollygirl00

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Kitty-Purry

"And yes, she was named after Katy Perry." —sara-nicolew

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Starfish

"Name courtesy of my son." —megss35

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Frank (and Beans!)

"My grandma had a dog named Frank and a bird named Beans. Get it? Frank and Beans." —mightyalexis

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Dave Growl

"He's only two weeks old here." —tcarollo2112

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Tuna

—kellyclydesdalel

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Shakespeare

—ray0flite

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KittyKat

"My 120 pound male Akita is called KittyKat." —sonnovabbobk

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Mr. Meowgi

—lesliel4548bd106

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Kevin

"This is Kevin." —tgjohnson96

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Neil Patrick Hamster.

—stephanieh4876a3c76

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Sandwich

"My turtle’s name is Sandwich!" —lanni

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Soup

"One of my Jack Russell Terriers is named Soup." —countessalicia

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George Weasley

"My sister has a one-eared cat named after George Weasley." —jessiep4a178bc93

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Little Booty Ham Sandwich

—hannahc42bcd9967

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Bug

"This is my mom’s dog. His name is Bug. I feel like that’s pretty self explanatory." —amandaf40ed61fa1

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Shawty

"We got him back when 'shawty' was uttered in every rap song." —leafriday

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Jack Meower

"Meet special agent Jack Meower." —lkelly1623

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Harry Pawtter

"There's at cat at my local animal shelter named that." —hammesemma16

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Audrey Pupburn

—bethanyp4c7450957

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Bacon Berger

"We have a pet pig named Bacon Berger Rose." —vanessam4d77c73c0

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Pie

—zpiseht

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Whoofi Goldberg

We'd like to get him a brother named Bob Barker. —amychristie0528

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Ham

—trittybeartms

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Cake

"I have a yellow lab named Cake, because everybody loves cake." —yvawwnn

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Corndog

":)" —kprizer27

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Dog

"He knows the commands 'sit' and 'come.' Working on 'fetch.'" —vivianc43024f3a5

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Binyah Binyah Pollydog

—reeseyycup

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Severus Snake

"He's a corn snake." —christinaem

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Deogie

"Pronounced Dee-oh-gee. D-O-G. Perhaps one day I will have a cat named Siéti." —odinsanta

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