Easy Christmas Gifts to Make

Christmas is coming - a time where we sit and give out gifts to our friends and family.  For the next few weeks - I will give you plenty of little ideas that you can make - that are fairly cheap to complete!  Simply add a little something extra and you are done!  

First up - my all time favorite - a composition notebook with a matching bookmark!  Composition notebooks can be personalized to each person you want to give one to!  For an added touch - write a nice letter to the recipient on the cover - or on the first page!  Pick out your gift recipients favorite colors to create the one of a kind book - this one was made especially for my daughter because she loves blue!  By creating a simple bookmark to match it out of the leftover supplies, you can create a truly one of a kind gift for friends and family - without spending a lot of money.  
Supplies needed:  
Composition notebook
2-3 sheets of 12 x 12 paper or cardstock
2 sheets 8.5 x 11 paper for inside front and back covers
Embellishments of your choice such as die cuts, ribbon, etc
Adhesive - I used hot glue gun and glue sticks
Paper trimmer and basic scrapbook supplies

Directions:  
Step one:  Cut 2 sheets 12 x 12 paper in half.  Use one of the sheets for the front and back cover - one other one for the binding.  
Step two:  Start to add the embellishments to the front of the notebook - especially if ribbon is being used.  
Step three:  Cut the inside front and back cover sheets and attach them to the album.
Step four:  Using your scraps, cut a 2.5 x 5.5" sheet of cardstock for the base of the bookmark.  
Step five:  Add die cuts, stickers, stamps - whatever you used to create the notebook - on the bookmark to make it match.  

This is one of the most simplest of gifts you can make - and really, if you have the supplies, the only thing you purchase is the notebook!  Make a smaller one to add a magnet to, in order to add to your fridge to keep track of phone numbers, shopping lists and more!  Make sure you stop by tomorrow for another awesome idea - easy gifts you can recreate for any of your friends or family!     

Lynda Jeffs

                                                       Memories in Tyme