Valentines Day is my favorite holiday … must be all the hearts and all the pink!

These little notebooks are easy to make and inspired by the cuteness of conversation hearts … all sweet & colorful!

What to gather for this project:

kraft paper, index cards, heart punch, bone folder, stapler (or sewing machine) and mini clothespins.

Start out in a word processing program (I used Microsoft Publisher), divide your sheet into four even sections choose a font you like and print out the words “write me”.  Cut into four sections for the covers.

These colored index cards are my new favorite thing, from Staples, but white 3 x 5 cards would be cute too! First score the covers with a bone folder and a ruler, and fold them in half … then move on and score each index card the same way (i used 3 cards).

Line the cards up inside the cover and trim the bottom of the cover, to resemble a little book.

Sew down the crease with a long stitch length on a sewing machine… a stapler would work well if you don’t sew! Don’t forget to punch a little heart out of the cover …

Use the mini clothespins to hold a pencil inside and keep the pages closed.  Let your kids help you with the assembling process and they can be passed out as Valentines for school… without all the sugar!

Have conversation hearts inspired any of your Valentines Day crafts? Do tell!

Happy Heart Day! ♥

~Jaime

My name is Jaime from Raising up Rubies ♥ stay at home mama to 2 girls and wife to a handsome hubby

…my love is for all things crafty and i feel so blessed to have a super cute space to play & create in…

She’s a super talented contributor to Everything Etsy!  You can find out more about Jaime on her blog…Raising Up Rubies.  Visit her Etsy Shop for cute stuff !

I’d love to hear about your Valentine’s Day projects in the comments!  Have you made gifts or cards?

~Kim

Here are a few more posts you might enjoy…

• 101 Valentine’s Day Printables {free}
• 101 Handmade Valentine’s Day Ideas
• 25 DIY Valentine’s Day Wreaths

Hi, my name is Kim and I’m addicted to felt!  Yes, I’ll add a little felt to just about anything, and today I’m sharing how I made these sweet little felt initial notebooks.  Use pretty Spring colors to create an Easter gift that perfect for any age!

This is a fun project to do with a group of children or adults with just a few supplies.

Here’s how it’s done…

You’ll need:

• Notebooks
• Wool Felt
• Embroidery Floss
• Stick Pins
• Sharp Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Needle
• Printed Initial

1.  Trace around your notebook on a piece of paper, cut it out and use it for your template.  I bought a package of 3 mini notebooks on a clearance pile for less than a dollar.

2.  For the initial I found a font that I liked online and printed out the letter.  Then I used the copier to enlarge it to the right size.  You could easily size it before printing if you prefer.

3.  Pin the notebook template and the initial to the wool felt and cut them out carefully.

4.  Line up your initial in the bottom corner of your template and attach it with two strands of matching embroidery floss and the stitch of your choice.

5.  Once you have completely attached the initial it’s time to glue your cover to your notebook.  I used a glue stick that came with my Smash Book but I’m sure most scrapbooking glue sticks will work.  I did test it first on an old notebook with a scrap of felt and it really stayed put!

Start at the front edge of the notebook and line up your cover.  Be sure to lightly glue the whole edge and attach with pressure.  Slowly add more glue and work your way all the way to the back of the notebook.  It will stretch slightly as you go but don’t worry.

6.  Once you are finished with the glue just trim around the whole notebook.  Then trim again to straighten the few uneven spots you’ll have left.  Sharp scissors make it easier!

Simple and Sweet!  These little notebooks are going to be gifts for some friends in Japan…handmade gifts rule, right?  I hope you will try some of these quick felt notebooks for yourself!

Please email me if you have any questions and I hope you’ll check out my selection of beautiful wool felt at KimberlyLayton.com for your next project!

~Kim

Need more Easter gift ideas???  Check out this post of 101 Handmade Easter Craft Ideas!!!!