Supplies Used: Construction Paper, Patterned Paper, Lined Paper, Cardboard, Colored Pens, Markers, Stickers, Glue, Scissors

The teacher will die-cut the materials for student use prior to the lesson.

1. Die-cut enough plain or lined paper from a die shape to make a stack for a notepad (Figure A).

2. Die-cut the same shape from cardboard or heavy cardstock for the base.

3. Die-cut multiple colors of construction paper or patterned paper from same shape. These will be used to decorate and layer one die-cut shape for top cover of notepad. To layer, leave one shape whole and cut highlights from other colors (Figure B).

4. Create shadings using colored pens or markers. Add stickers if desired.

5. Place the cardboard die-cut on the bottom, then the plain or lined paper die-cuts, topped by the decorated die-cut cover to complete.

6. Align all the die-cut shapes to match and place a heavy book or can on a straight edge, or place a straight edge in the Pad-It-X-Press (Figure C).

7. Paint the compressed end of the die-cut shapes three times with Padding Compound, allowing the notepad to dry for at least 30 minutes between applications.