paint swatch notebooks

I have a lot of paint swatches around (from numerous projects) and I decided that I either needed to 1) throw them away or 2) do something with them. So of course... I found a something to do with them. I saw these little paint swatch note books and thought they were a fun, functional idea.

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Here is what you'll need to make your own:

paint swatches

ruler

stapler

exacto knife

cutting mat

scissors and/or paper cutter

paper for the insides (I used plain and graph)

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[1] start by trimming off the round corners of your paint swatch 

note: if your paint swatch is squared off already, then skip this step!

[2] measure 1/2" down from one edge a score with your exacto blade 

(make sure not to cut all the way through your swatch - this will help make a nice fold)

[3] fold the opposite end of the paint swatch toward your previous fold.

make sure it overlaps just a little amount - this will be how your notebook stays closed.

[4] Measure your notebook. Mine was about 3"x3". 

Based on this, I cut my inside paper to 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".

Staple about 15-20 sheets under the first flap you made.

[5] Don't try to put more than 15-20 sheets of paper... or else you might end up with this:

ooops...

[6] you're done! now make a bunch for your friends!

...and one for your purse, your desk, your car.... you get the idea...