We just got back from a wonderful trip to Montana to visit our family and celebrate my niece's High School Graduation. I wanted to give her something a little more "fun" than a check, so this is what I did! I ordered 100 crisp, new $1 bills from my bank and made them into a notebook using padding compound, so she can tear off $1 at a time. Isn't if FUN?! Here is the cute bag that I made to wrap it in...all in her school colors, of course! She LOVED it!
I have had some questions as to how I made this. I will give you the basics and if there is enough interest, I'll do a video tutorial for you.
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut a piece of chipboard to the exact size as the money. Cut two thin pieces of chipboard (make them smaller - they are just temporary buffer pieces to keep the binder clips from ruining your project).
Stack the money so that it is perfectly square on all egdes and align with the chipboard designed to be the bottom of the notepad. Take the two thinner buffer pieces and place one on the bottom of the stack and one on the top. Be careful to make sure everything that is to be glued together for your pad is square and then use LARGE binder clips to hold in place. You need to leave the one edge exposed so you can apply the glue to the left of the bills. The buffer pieces will keep the binder clips from digging into your base chipboad and your crisp new money.
You will need Padding Compound to make your notepad. This can be purcased at office stores and may be a bit difficult to find. Follow the directions on the bottle. You will need a clean, dry paint brush to use this product.
Allow to dry and make your cover however you desire.
NOTE: This adhesive will not harm the money. It is the same adhesive that is used to make notepads and comes off quite easily.
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Hope you have a wonderful day!
Lauri
This is just too cool!
Posted by: Lisa | June 09, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Love it. What a great idea.
Posted by: nancy | June 09, 2011 at 06:38 PM
Great gift! Love the bag too.
Posted by: Pam | June 09, 2011 at 07:25 PM
What an absolutely ingenious idea! LOVE IT! But, as a visual learner, a video tutorial would be great. I'm a little confused about how the money pad is attached to the chipboard cover.
Posted by: Charlotte | June 10, 2011 at 07:02 AM
Best idea I'veseen in along time. Love it!
Posted by: Linda Gantz | June 10, 2011 at 08:45 AM
That is SOOOO clever! What a great idea.
Thanks for sharing. I would love to see a video on how to make it.
Thanks for sharing,
Linda
Posted by: Linda | June 10, 2011 at 09:03 AM
Love this!!! If you have time I would enjoy seeing a video. I too, am a little unclear on attaching the money. Either way, thanks for sharing
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 10, 2011 at 09:59 AM
What an awesome gift! I have seen this glue used before, but this is a new way to use it. I think I'll try it. Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Kristine Vencel | June 10, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Yes, please do a video of this awesome gift...
Posted by: Christina | June 15, 2011 at 11:19 AM
What a fun idea!!! I bet she loved it :o)
Posted by: Jayne Fuller | June 15, 2011 at 09:15 PM
What a GREAT gift!!! This would be fun to do for weddings also! Just about any occasion where cash is the preferred gift :-) Thank you so much - now I'm off to find some padding compound.
Posted by: vicki | June 16, 2011 at 10:43 AM
I would love to see a video on this awesome gift.
Posted by: Christina | June 27, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Fabulous idea!!! So unique.
Posted by: Genny | July 11, 2011 at 08:50 AM