D-I-Y Notepad

I have been longing for a cute grocery list that is easy to carry to the store.

Usually I just write a list on my phone but who wants to hold the phone in their hand as they are trying to bag produce?  Definitely not me!  It's an unneeded annoyance and I'd rather do without.  

I loved the grocery list that Ellinee shared on her blog but the colors didn't match the theme of my kitchen and I wanted to be able to hang my work proudly on the fridge.  So I asked Chris to help me and this is what we came up with:

I think it is pretty adorable if I do say so myself!

It has mostly everything I get at the grocery store on a regular basis and spots to fill in extra items when they are needed.  This is going to be so much easier than pulling out my phone every time I can't remember the things I need to buy!

If you want to use it (or make your own) here is what you need:

Supplies:

-pdf file to print (download it here (personal use only please!)-- or you can make your own)

-8.5" x 11" paper

-printer

-paper cutter

-glue (I used mod podge)

-heavy books or clothespins 

-clip magnets to hang the pad on the fridge

How to:

1.  Open the pdf file on your computer and make sure your printer is loaded with paper.  Click print and print a test page to make sure everything is aligned properly and you like the way it looks.  

2.  If you love the outcome, go ahead and print as many pages as you'd like!  I printed twenty so I ended up with forty individual sheets for my fridge.

3.  Cut the printed 8.5" x 11" in half vertically so you end up with 4.25" x 11" grocery list sheets. 

4.  Holding the notepad upside down, tap the top edge on a table until all the edges are perfectly aligned.  Clip one magnet to each side of the top of the notepad to hold the pages together.

I used my finger to apply the mod podge .
Remember, less is more!

5.  Spread glue on top of the notepad.  Make sure all the edges are coated with glue but do not use too much because the paper will ripple!  After gluing, use an additional two clothespins to clam the center.  You could also just set a heavy book on top of the notepad to keep the paper together.

I kept the magnets clipped to the paper until
I grabbed a few books to put on top of it instead.

6.  Let the glue dry and remove the books.  I left the books on top for about fifteen minutes, but you can leave them on longer if you feel more comfortable with that!  If you opt to keep the magnets on it instead, remember that if you keep them on too long they'll leave indentions on the paper!

Chris's old college books came in handy for this project!

You're done!  That project was super easy and it turns out so cute!  

Total Cost?

Magnet Clips: $2.05 from Target.  

I already had everything else! 

Now, that is one heck of a deal!  

So..what do you think?!

Adding a Signature to Your Blog

I have been wanting to add a signature to my blog for a long long time.  I could never figure it out though (I tried at least two or three times before) and would get frustrated then quit, figuring I could always try again another day.

To make your own signature, open up PowerPoint (you can also use paint.net (a free program) or Photoshop) and make sure you are working on a blank slide.

Next, I found an online embellishment that I downloaded on the internet.  I clicked the Insert tab at the top and then on the picture tab.  (the tab I clicked on is highlighted in yellow)

The next step was the upload the picture onto Powerpoint.  

After that I re sized it to what I wanted then inserted a text box inside of the embellishment so I could start to write my name.

Remember that once you're done getting the exact font, size, and color you want that you need to  select your entire picture and group it together.  Then you need to save it as a picture so you can use it on your blog!

Yay!  You're done with part one!  Now lets apply your new signature to your blog!

Go to your blogs Layout page and click on Settings then Posts and Comments.

Go back to your photobucket page, click on the signature picture you uploaded and then click on the HTML button (this will copy the code automatically for you).  

Then, click on your blog and paste the HTML code in the blank box beside the words Post Template.  It's near the top of the page.  Click on save settings.

The next step is to remove the box around your picture.  You can find the tutorial for that here but since it didn't work for me I'm not highly suggesting it.  If anyone knows how to do that step I'd greatly appreciate any information you can give me!  And once I figure it out I'll do a quick update on this post to let you guys know how to do it too.  It shouldn't be too big of a deal unless you have a colored background (mine is white so it's not too noticeable).

I hope this tutorial helps!