Craft along give away, no. 1.
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 11:28PM 
As I mentioned in my initial post, one of the reasons I started this blog was to try to motivate myself to take on more of the wonderful tutorials out there and actually produce things. But mostly, I'm still just staring. I blame two of my personality traits for getting in the way. One, my economies of scale mentality and two, I am as fickle as they come about crafts. Let me explain.
When I see a project that I'd like to do, chances are it's something new to me. And so, although my stash of craft supplies and unfinished objects is piled impossibly high, it sometimes falls short of an essential supply item. Enter trouble--because when I research sourcing this latest must-have item, I usually find that I can get, let's say, 5 keychain fob hardware sets for $6. BUT...and please tell me that you know what I'm going to say because you've been there too...I can get something crazy like 50 sets for $20.
Do I need 50 sets? Um, no. Will I be enchanted with the project long enough to ever make 50 sets? Well, pigs could fly I suppose. And don't even get me started with my "oh, maybe someday I'll put some in my Etsy shop" rationale because I've tried that, too, and that little shop has sat empty since the birth of pumpkin little no. 3. But just as certain as I am to check on the boys before I can fall asleep--recklessly risking waking them up by leaning in so close to their quiet little faces to hear them breath so that I know they are fine, just fine--I will buy the "better" deal or none at all.
This is where you are going to come in, so stay with me, okay?
There is nothing more motivating than having a partner to get you going. So, on a regular basis (tbd--just thinking out loud here), I will pick a tutorial that I'd like to try and will gather the necessary supplies. And since it's usually just as easy to gather up several sets of whatever key supplies I need handy as it is to do one, I'm going to give one (or more) away for a craft along! And also--occasionally--I hope to do a co-op of sorts to make things a bit more economical when I cannot resist my supersizing ways (offering up shares of supplies to defray costs if anyone else is interested).
For our first foray into this experiment, I give you The Small Object's and Chica and Joe's tutorials on how to make your own custom notepad. Are these on your to-try list but you still haven't? Perfect! No padding compound you say? No worries--I have some and I'd love to share. I will give away three 2 oz. bottles of the compound (enough for many, many pads, you'll see) to three readers. No co-op this time. Baby steps.
To enter, please leave a comment by Friday, September 25, 2009, midnight, EST. I will pick three random entries and post on Saturday and mail asap. My blog is pretty new and comment light, so you should have a good shot if you enter.
Above are the 'mom's got a latte do today' notepads I made, courtesy of the freebie download at Skip to my Lou. I love them!
Reader Comments (14)
I am the queen of to-do lists and would love to make some pads customized just for me!
Have wanted to try these, thanks! I don't have a blog, m/b someday. I presume you will just email me if I'm lucky enough to win?
Hi again, Sandra! This sounds like fun! I've never made notepads before, so what a fun adventure! I'd love to give it a try. When you get ready to tackle the runner, be sure to give me a holler if you have any questions. It's set up to be friendly for all levels of sewers/embroiderers, so, while it may seem like a lot to bite off, just take one block at a time, and you'll do great. Let me know if I can help!
Haha...sounds SO familiar!! I would love to craft along with you and make some notebooks:)
Thanks,
Amy
Hello Sandra! Sounds like we have a lot in common. I am quite familiar with making my own notepads. It's actually tons of fun. I've been making them from "throw away" scraps at the office since about '91. One great idea is to make scribble pads for the kiddos. My girls both love having one side blank and the other side something from the office, say a form. I feel i am helping to recycle, and the girls don't use their school paper to doodle on. It's great for trips too. Give the kids a homemade notepad and a cheap box of colors and they are good for hours. No need to include me in the drawing. Just passing along some of my own uses for make at home notepads.
Thanks for the hello and info at NPRA! I'd love to try some of these--thanks!
Interesting...I made my own notepads once a long time ago & had no idea they sold padding compound. I used my glue gun for the edge, and it only worked ok. I'm interested to see how the compound works.
Wow I didn't even know you could get this! Another thing I now just have to try! Thanks for inviting me into the world of making notepads :)
Hi Sandra- what a fun idea. I too "buy in bulk" especially if its a deal. I'm a sucker! And I've never heard of this idea padding compound- I can see myself buying some to try this new idea out- I just hope I actually follow through. I love the buddy idea too. Great ideas.....
Wow, it's like this post was made for me! I am EXACTLY the same when it comes to trying new things. AND I have been dreaming about trying padding compound for ages! The first time I saw it I was like "oooh, how awesome, I could make a ton of notepads and to-do-lists, maybe even start selling!!" and we just know that's going to happen, right... And then I tried to find some but it's impossible to find the stuff here! I'm so excited about your craftalong, I hope I'm picked! :)
Thank you so much for alerting me to your giveaway! Especially because, I should be embarrassed to admit it, I had no idea this product existed! But now that I know my crafty life will never be the same again!
I just had a request to make a pad of instructions for making a dried corn necklace this very afternoon and I had no idea how in the world I was going to accommodate the request! NOW I do!
As for your little "problem", don't feel alone! You are in very good company!
What a great idea! I too see lots of projects I want to start, but miss some essentials to do so. Or I buy them and find I don't heve the time, when I have time again, I see other even more interesting projects. This would be great to make notepads to add to presents.
Hmm - Looks like we follow the same blogs! :) I've been wanting to make my own notepads ever since I ran across that post on "The Small Object".
Great idea!
- Sarah
What a great craft idea, I had never heard of this before but it sounds easy enough even I might be able to do it :-).
Thanks!