How to Decorate Your Notebook Posted: 31 Mar 2018 05:00 PM PDT To decorate your own notebook, all you need are craft materials, a little time, and creativity! Make a cover with paper, paint, or fabric or create a collage on the front with stickers and pictures. You can embellish the notebook with anything that inspires you, from glitter to buttons. Your notebook is yours to decorate, so make it your own! EditCovering Your Notebook - Choose paint, paper, or fabric to cover your notebook. There are endless options to create a funky and fun notebook cover. Choose your materials before you get started so you have a plan of attack. Select something to express yourself with![1]
- You can use cardboard, construction paper, or old maps.
- You can find images on the Internet. Print out 1 image to cover the entire notebook, or use your computer to make a collage of photos.
- You can select fabric like canvas, denim, or old T-shirts.
- You could also paint a separate sheet on paper and glue it onto the cover.
- Trace the size of your notebook onto your cover material. Place your notebook on top of your material, whether it is another piece of paper or a piece of fabric. Mark the edges of your notebook onto your cover with a pencil or pen. This can be a rough size estimate, so you know where to make your cuts.[2]
- You can cut out a cover for the front and a cover for the back separately, or cut out a size that would fit both the front and back cover in one piece. Be sure to lay your book open flat if you are covering both sides.
- Cut out your cover to fit the size of your notebook. Use a pair of scissors to cut out your cover, based on the lines you traced. Place your cover on top of your notebook to make sure the size is correct.[3]
- If the cover is too big, trim it down so it fits the size of your notebook.
- If it is too small, you can cut out another cover or improvise with other accessories, like ribbon or stickers.
- If you are using fabric, use fabric scissors for sharp, straight lines.
- Apply a thin, even layer of adhesive to your cover. You can use an adhesive like a glue stick, liquid glue, a hot glue gun, or Mod Podge. Put a thin, even layer of glue onto the back of the cover material. Make sure you coat the edges of your cover so the paper won't lift up later.[4]
- Avoid applying too much glue on your cover. It will take a long time to dry and create a mess. Try to use thin, even layers.
- Align the corners of your notebook with the corner of your cover. Start at the top of your notebook and line up the edge of your cover with the notebook's top edge. Then, line up the bottom corners as well.[5]
- Press your hands down on the cover to help it adhere to the notebook. Use the side of your hand or your palm and press down on the front of your cover to stick it to your notebook. Make sure to rub your fingertips over the edge of your notebook as well.[6]
- If any edges aren't sticking completely, apply a tiny dab of glue in between the cover and your notebook, and rub both layers together.
- You can rub the cover a few times to make sure it's securely applied.
- Let your cover and notebook dry before you accessorize further. Give your notebook a few minutes to dry so the cover binds to your notebook thoroughly. Wait about 1-3 minutes and touch your cover to make sure it is dry.
- Liquid glue will take the longest to dry. It will dry in about 2 hours, but it is recommended to wait 24 hours for it to dry entirely. Glue sticks and hot glue guns usually have quick drying times, taking only about 1-2 minutes.
- If you painted your cover, your paint may take up to 1 hour to dry.
EditCreating a Collage - Write your name or a notebook heading on the cover, if you want. Use a pen, marker, or paint to title your notebook with your name or subject. You can write your name and your class subject, or any other relevant information.[7]
- You can glue on a notecard or paper scrap before you write on your cover, if you wish.
- Glue fun pictures to the cover of your notebook to personalize it. Find pictures you like, like animals, superheros, or cartoons. Also try using pictures of your friends or family. You can take your pictures yourself, cut them out of magazines, or print them off the Internet. Apply a small amount of glue to your pictures and stick them to your cover.
- You could use liquid glue or a glue stick.
- You can cover as much of the notebook as you like to personalize your notebook.
- Add stickers to the front of your notebook for a personal touch. You can apply stickers as you go or plan out your cover before you start. Select stickers in a variety of sizes and that reflect your likes and interests.[8]
- You can also partially cover the pictures you've glued onto the notebook, for a layered effect.
- You can also make your own stickers and put them on your notebook.
- Try using 3-D stickers, too!
- Doodle in the open spaces to finish your collage. If you still have open spaces on your cover, grab a market and doodle to fill up space. Doodle stick people, hearts, stars, flowers, smiley faces--anything you'd like! [9]
- You can also save some open space and add drawings later.
- Create a border with fabric strips or washi tape. After you have created your collage, finish it off by adding a border to your notebook. You can glue fabric around the edges, using strips of material or ribbon. Or, try using washi tape to create your border.[10]
- If you're using fabric, you can apply it to your notebook by dabbing glue to the outside edges. Then, stick your fabric to your glue spots. Using a hot glue gun or fabric glue is recommended.
- If you are using washi tape, peel off the tape from the roll and apply it to the edge of your notebook, like you would a sticker. Apply washi tape in long pieces or in small sections.
EditEmbellishing with Other Accessories - Glue buttons on your notebook to add interest. Place various buttons over your notebook's cover, and pick your placement based on where the buttons look good to you. Use a hot glue gun to dab a bit of melted glue onto your button, and stick your button onto your notebook.
- Add a few buttons or glue on a bunch!
- Use glitter to add some sparkle to your notebook. Apply some Mod Podge or liquid glue to your notebook. Dust glitter on top of the glue to apply it. Then, turn your notebook over and dump away any remaining glitter.
- You can put glitter on large surfaces, like the entire cover, or in small areas, like around your name.
- When you are dumping extra glitter, stand over a piece of paper or newspaper, and try to reuse the extras if you can. If not, dump your extra glitter into a trash can.
- This should take 3-5 minutes to dry fully.
- If your glitter keeps falling off, add a top layer of liquid glue or Mod Podge to seal it. Apply another layer of adhesive once the first layer is fully dry, after about 3-5 minutes.
- Paint your notebook with nail polish for a pop of color. Nail polish can be used in place of paint to add details to your notebook. Use your polish and paint your notebook, like you would with a brush and acrylic paint. You can create things like lines, dots, or squares.[11]
- You can create a border around your name or the edge of your journal by drawing a line with your polish's brush.
- You can add polka dots to your cover by dabbing dots of polish around your notebook.
- Try drawing multiple lines to create stripes. You can make them straight, curvy, or zig-zag.
- Also, try using a few different nail polish colors to make the cover stand out.
- Add texture to your notebook with felt. Cut out shapes like letters, circles, squares, or triangles. Then, using a glue stick or your glue gun, apply the felt pieces onto your notebook.[12]
- Trace shapes onto your felt using stencils and a pencil, if that helps you.
- You can also create a cover out of felt, if you'd like.
- Place pieces of duct tape onto your notebook to add color or patterns. Duct tape comes in a variety of bright colors and patterns, from neon green to tie dye. Find your favorite color and pattern, and use this for your notebook. You can use strips of duct tape or cut out smaller shapes with scissors.[13]
- You can apply your duct tape nearly anywhere on your notebook. The cover, back, inside covers, or even individual pages.
- Decorate the cover with gems, artificial flowers, or anything else you'd like. Your notebook is your own space, so decorate it however you'd like. Glue on other accessories to customize your notebook. There are all sorts of materials you can use, so don't be afraid to experiment and try different accessories!
- Try origami shapes, candy bar wrappers, or trading cards.
- There are countless tutorials online for notebook decorating inspiration. Search on Google, YouTube, or craft sites!
EditThings You'll Need - Notebook
- Glue
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Paper
- Printer
- Fabric
- Stickers
- Buttons
- Ribbon
- Paint
- Markers
- Scissors
- Other accessories of your choice
- Creativity
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How to Decorate Outdoors for Easter Posted: 31 Mar 2018 09:00 AM PDT If you're the type that gets excited for Easter, or if you have young kids and want to turn the outdoors of your home into an Easter themed wonderland, you may be wondering how to best decorate. You can create an Easter scene in your yard by doing things like decorating trees with eggs and setting up Easter themed lawn ornaments. If you're a do-it-yourself type, make crafts like Easter door hangers and Peep decorations. You can even turn common household decorations, like wreaths and lanterns, into Easter decorations. EditCreating an Easter Scene in Your Yard - Decorate trees with eggs. Use a tool, like a knife or awl, to poke a small hole in the ends of plastic eggs. Feed fishing line through the holes in these eggs to string the eggs up and create hanging tree ornaments. Tie the end of the fishing line to a branch to hang the ornament.[1]
- Tie a simple knot at the bottom end of your hanging tree ornaments to prevent the eggs from falling off the line. Be sure the knot is thick enough to prevent eggs from falling.
- Hang several of these ornaments from trees throughout your yard. Avoid areas thick with branches; when the wind blows, your ornaments might get tangled.
- If you live in a windy area, you might want to keep your hanging tree ornaments roughly the length of your forearm. Otherwise, the wind might whip the ornaments around dangerously.
- Place durable baskets around your yard. Wicker baskets will break down when exposed to the elements, so avoid using these. Use brightly colored plastic baskets around your yard and in exposed areas. These will hold up to the elements best.
- You can often find baskets like these at dollar stores, general retailers, thrift stores, and craft stores.
- The baskets don't have to be plastic, but they should be made of a weather resistant material.
- Set up Easter lawn ornaments. Around Easter time, inflatable Easter themed lawn ornaments are sold at most home centers and general retailers. You may be able to find cheaper priced versions of these at yard/garage sales and at thrift stores. Easter themed cutouts, like one of a large rabbit carrying a basket, can add a whimsical feeling to your Easter scene.
- If store-bought decorations are outside your budget, draw a bunny shape on a piece of wood. Cut the shape out with a saw. Spray paint it black, and you have a homemade rabbit silhouette.[2]
- Paint egg shaped rocks like Easter eggs. Use bright pastel colors. Arrange egg-rocks in groups or scatter them around your yard. [3]
- Add carrot cutouts to your walls. On a large piece of sturdy paper, like card stock, use a pencil to draw the top part of a carrot. Use markers or paint to color the top, leafy part of the carrot bright green. There should only be a small orange part of the carrot visible.[4]
- Use a fastener, like tape or a tack, to attach your carrot to a wall on the outside of your home so that the carrot is close to the ground. This will make it look like the carrot is growing out of the ground.
EditCrafting Easter Decorations - Make an Easter door hanger. Draw an Easter themed shape on a sturdy piece of card stock or cardboard. Some ideas include rabbits, eggs, baby chicks/Peeps, and so on. These should be roughly the size of your open hand. Cut these out from the paper/cardboard, then:
- Decorate the cutout. Cover it in bright Easter colors with markers or paint. Add glitter, sequins, and faux gems. These accents look especially nice on egg cutouts.
- Use a hole punch or a pair of scissors to create a hole in the top of the cutout. Tie a loop onto this hole with ribbon. The loop should be large enough for a doorknob.
- Hang your Easter door hangers on the handles of doors into your home. To protect them from the being ruined by weather, you may want to laminate them.
- Create Easter garlands with plastic eggs. Similar to the tree hanging egg decorations, use a sharp tool, like a knife, awl, or pair of scissors, to make holes in both ends of plastic Easter eggs. Thread fishing line through these holes to string the line with eggs. Tie off both ends of the line.[5]
- Drape your garlands from wall hangers, nails, door jambs, and so on. Add a large ribbon tied in a bow to the garland to add flare.
- Some plastic eggs are made with holes in them and won't require you to poke holes the ends of the egg. Look for these at the dollar store.
- A simpler garland can be made by stringing paper cutouts of eggs on a line of twine or string and hanging this much as you would the plastic egg garland.[6]
- Upcycle a rubber boot into a makeshift Easter basket. Old boots that children have grown out of often have cute patterns on them, making them ideal for this craft. Clean the boots and let them air dry somewhere not in direct sunlight. Fill the boot with colorful shredded paper, nestle some plastic eggs in it, and your "basket" is done.
- Bright and colorful accents are a great addition to these boot-baskets. Stick pinwheels into the boot, toy rabbits, and more.
- Place these boot-baskets at entrances to your home, where they will be somewhat protected from the elements. The shredded paper will break down when exposed to moisture.[7]
- Craft a Peep decoration. Gather a 12 x 36 in (30 x 91 cm) piece of Styrofoam, a wooden dowel, Peep colored spray paint (like bright yellow or pink), spray glitter, brown paint, a paint brush, a utility knife, a drop cloth, and a pencil. Draw the outline of a Peep on the Styrofoam, then:
- Use your utility knife to cut away the pieces of Styrofoam that aren't part of the design. When you finish cutting, soften the outer edges of the Peep by rubbing a piece of excess foam against the Peep's edges, wearing away the foam until it's more Peep shaped.
- Lay down a drop cloth in a well ventilated area and set the Peep cutout on the cloth. Spray paint the Peep entirely. Allow this to dry according to the label instructions.
- Use a paintbrush to apply two dots of brown paint for the eyes of the Peep and a dot of brown paint for the nose as well. Spray on glitter afterwards.
- Stick a dowel into the bottom of the Peep. You can insert the dowel in the ground for a lawn ornament, add the Peep to a vase, basket, or pot, and so on.[8]
EditTransforming Normal Decorations into Easter Decorations - Fill an empty lantern with Easter items. Lanterns are common household decorations. Fill lanterns with things like plastic eggs, rabbits, Peeps, shredded green paper, and so on. Depending on how well enclosed the lantern is, you may even be able to showcase a stuffed animal safely inside the lantern.[9]
- Clean your lanterns thoroughly with soap and water to remove any dirt of soot from them. This way, the items you load into lanterns won't get dirty and can be reused again.
- Fashion a regular wreath into one for Easter. If you don't already have a normal wreath, you can buy one from a craft store or make one of your own. Use a knife or awl to poke a small hole in a single end of many plastic Easter eggs. Then:
- Feed a small length of fishing line through the hole. Tie off the end of the line on the inside of the egg so it doesn't pull through.
- Tie the other end of the line to your wreath. Add as many eggs as you please in this fashion. Include other Easter accents, like pastel colored ribbons tied in bows.
- Hang your new Easter wreath outside your house and enjoy.[10]
- Turn a normal basket into a festive Easter basket. Decorative baskets often come with gift items and certain products. You may have some in storage, but if you don't, you can buy baskets from a thrift store or a craft store. To transform these into festive Easter baskets:
- Use spray paint to coat the baskets in an Easter color. Pastel colors, for example, are generally associated with Easter and are a great choice.
- Fill your baskets with shredded green paper to add a bright, natural splash of color.
- Add Easter themed items, like plastic eggs, plastic rabbits, Peep decorations, and so on.
- Tie a large bow on top of the basket and add accents to it as you see fit.
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How to Get Sweat Stains Out of Hats Posted: 31 Mar 2018 01:00 AM PDT Hats can easily soak up sweat and oil from your face, head, and hair. Fortunately, you can clean a dirty, sweaty hat in no time using 1 of 4 methods. You only need a little time and few household items to get your favorite hat clean and sparkling. EditIn a Hurry? The easiest way to get sweat stains out of a hat is to clean it in the dishwasher. Place the hat on the top rack and use a dishwashing detergent that doesn't contain bleaching agents. Run a cold-water cycle without heated drying that contains only the hat and no dishes. Then, remove the hat from the dishwasher, reshape it, and allow it air dry in front of a fan. For more advice on how to spot-treat stains or hand wash your hats, read on! EditHand-Washing the Hat - Find out if the fabric is colorfast. Before submerging the hat in water, you need to see if the dye will run. Dip a white cloth in warm water and rub it on a small, inconspicuous area of the hat. If the dye comes off on the rag, don't wash or submerge the hat. If it doesn't, the item is colorfast and can be washed.[1]
- Buy a new hat instead of trying to wash one that isn't colorfast; the hat will likely be ruined if you do try to wash it.
- Fill a bucket with warm water and of laundry detergent. Put the soap in the bottom of the bucket or sink and allow it to fill up with warm water. Agitate the water to make bubbles.[2]
- Avoid using a detergent containing bleach or a bleach alternative, which could fade the color of the hat.[3]
- Spray a stain treatment product on the hat to loosen sweat and grime. Before placing the hat in the water, you should pre-treat the stain. Spray a stain treatment product directly onto the fabric, concentrating on the areas that soak up the most sweat, like the interior band.[4]
- Let the hat soak in the soapy water for up to 4 hours. Dip the hat in the sink or bucket and swirl it around several times. Then, let it soak in the water for a few hours to allow the soap to break down the sweat and oil in the fabric. You can stir the water or swirl the hat around every hour or so, if desired.[5]
- Rinse the hat thoroughly with cold water. Remove the hat from the bucket or drain the water from the sink. Use cold, running water to rinse the sweat and soap from the hat. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear and there are no more bubbles. Gently squeeze out the excess water, taking care not to ruin the shape of the hat.[6]
- Stuff the hat with a towel and allow it to air dry. Roll up a small towel and place it inside the hat. Reshape the bill, if applicable. Then, place the hat near a fan or open window so it gets as much air flow as possible. Let it dry fully before wearing it again, which could take up to 24 hours.[7]
- Avoid letting the hat dry in direct sunlight, which could fade the color. Don't dry the hat in the clothes dryer either, which may shrink or damage the hat.[8]
EditUsing Your Dishwasher - Figure out what the hat is made from. Read the care label on the inside of the hat to find out what materials it's composed of. Alternatively, you could look up the information on the Internet or through the manufacturer's website. If it's made of jersey mesh, cotton twill, or a polyester blend, you can clean it in the dishwasher. If it's made of wool, however, you shouldn't use this method as the hat may shrink.[9]
- If the hat has a brim made out of plastic, you can use the dishwasher. But, if the brim is made out of cardboard, you should spot-clean the hat instead to prevent water from damaging the brim.
- Put the hat on the top rack. It's important to place the hat on the top rack to keep it away from the heating element. If you put the hat on the bottom rack, it may become too hot and the fabric could shrink or the plastic brim could get warped. For best results, place a "cap washer" or "cap cage" underneath your baseball hat to help it keep its shape. You can find these online or at hat stores.[10]
- Wash the hat or hats alone so the dirt and sweat doesn't seep out onto your dishes.
- Use a dishwashing detergent without bleaching agents. Read the package that your dishwashing detergent comes in. If you see bleaching agents, like chlorine, avoid using the detergent as it could alter the color of the hat. Use a gentle, all-natural detergent instead.[11]
- Run the dishwasher using cold water on a cycle without heated drying. Avoid using a heavy cycle, such as one for pots and pans. Use the gentlest cycle available and make sure the "heated drying" option is off. Also, use cold water, rather than warm or hot, so as not to shrink the fabric or warp the plastic brim.[12]
- Reshape the hat, if necessary, and let it air dry. After the cycle is complete, remove the hat from the dishwasher. Use your hands to carefully reshape the hat or brim, if necessary. Then, place it on a towel in front of a fan and let it air dry. This may take up to 24 hours, so plan to wear another hat in the meantime.[13]
- Don't dry the hat in the clothes dryer or in direct sunlight, both of which could fade, warp, or otherwise ruin the hat.
EditSpot-Treating Stains - Check to see if the fabric is colorfast. Wet the corner of a clean, white cloth with water. Rub the wet cloth on an inconspicuous area of the hat, like the inside. If the dye doesn't come off onto the cloth, the fabric is colorfast and you can clean it. If the dye rubs off, you won't be able to wash it.[14]
- If you do try to wash the hat, the color will bleed out and the hat will be ruined. If the hat is dirty but can't be washed, your best bet is to buy a new one.
- Pre-treat the stained areas, if necessary. If the hat is particularly dirty, you can spray a mild stain treatment product on the fabric to help loosen the sweat and grime. Make sure the product doesn't contain bleaching agents, like chlorine, which could fade the color.[15]
- Make a solution of mild detergent or shampoo and cool water. Put a small amount of a mild laundry detergent into a bucket or bowl then fill it up with cool water. Alternatively, you could use a mild shampoo to help remove the sweat and body oil. Swirl your hand in the solution to disperse the soap and create bubbles.[16]
- Dip a clean cloth in the solution and use it to scrub away the stain. The cloth doesn't need to be sopping wet, just put a little bit of the soap and water mixture on a small section. Use it to rub the stained areas of the hat to remove the dirt, sweat, and oil. Wet new areas of the cloth as necessary and scrub the fabric until you've removed all the stains.[17]
- Use cool water to rinse the soap from the fabric and let it air dry. After you've removed all the stains, use a gentle stream of cool water to rinse out the hat. Try to avoid completely soaking or submerging it if the hat has a cardboard brim. Then, soak up the excess water by pressing a towel into the fabric. Use your hands to reshape the hat, if you need to. Allow the hat to fully air dry, and place it in front of a fan if possible.[18]
- Don't dry the hat in direct sunlight or in a clothes dryer, as the fabric might fade or warp from the sun and/or heat.
EditRemoving Stubborn Stains - Make a paste from baking soda and warm water. Put 4 tablespoons (55.2 g) of baking soda in a bowl and add of warm water. Mix the ingredients together with a spoon until it forms a paste.[19]
- Scrub the paste into the stain and let it sit for up to an hour. Use the spoon to apply the mixture to the stained area. Scrub it into the fabric with a clean toothbrush, then let it soak in for up to an hour.[20]
- Rinse away the paste with cool water. After an hour has passed, run cool water over the areas you covered with the paste. Keep rinsing until all the baking soda is gone.[21]
- Air dry the hat completely. Press a clean towel into the fabric to absorb excess water. Then, allow the hat to air dry completely before wearing it again. Placing it near an open window or a fan can speed up the process.[22]
- Don't dry the hat in the clothes dryer or in direct sunlight, as the hat might get damaged by the heat and light.
EditThings You'll Need EditHand-Washing the Hat - White rag
- Bucket or sink
- Laundry detergent
- Small towel
EditUsing the Dishwasher - Dish detergent without bleaching agents
EditSpot-Treating Stains - White rags
- Bucket or bowl
- Mild detergent or shampoo
- Towel
EditRemoving Stubborn Stains - Bowl
- Baking soda
- Spoon
- Clean toothbrush
- Towel
- For knit hats, place them inside a mesh bag and run them through a gentle cycle in the washing machine. Then, allow them to air dry rather than using the dryer.[23]
- If you have a straw hat, simply rinse it off with the hose or faucet.[24]
- Don't wash a baseball hat in the washing machine, as the agitation is likely to damage or ruin it.[25]
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