Classic Gentleman Valentine Notebook for Little Birdie Crafts
Hello, Friends! How about we make a Classic Gentleman Valentine Notebook with some of my new Little Birdie Crafts goodies today? It’s a little bit vintage, a little bit steampunk, and a quick and easy project for your favorite fella. I’m thrilled to be a Little Birdie Crafts Guest Designer again this term. This is my first project, and I hope you will have fun making it, too!
I don’t want to rush the season, but we will blink twice and Valentine’s Day will be upon us. We all love frilly, frou-frou, pink Valentines. But most guys don’t! So this is the design I came up with for my sweet husband. (Did you know he composes, arranges and performs all the music on my YouTube channel?) He’s such a great guy, and I just really wanted to bless him with something special on Valentine’s Day. Dale loves to write things down in notebooks, so I designed this 5 1/2″ x 8″ folio especially for him. Since he’s a generous soul, I don’t think he will mind if I share it here with you.
Getting Started
- Begin by cutting 4 sheets of 12×12 Classic Gentleman papers to measure 12″ x 8″.
- Score the text collage sheet at 5 1/2″ and 6 1/2″. Then fold along the scored lines to form a 5 1/2″ x 8″ notebook or folio.
- Next, cut the dapper gents patterned paper to 5 1/2″ x 8″ Ink all the edges with Ground Espresso Distress Ink.
- Now use the Little Birdie Filmstrip Die to cut a frame from your scraps. Adhere as seen in the photo.
- Then, fussy cut the walking stick silhouette man, top hat, and playing cards from the cut apart page of the paper collection. Then use the Cogs and Wheels die to cut a bunch of gears from your scraps.
Little Details
- Next, trim the 4″ x 6″ Clock and Gears Journal Card to measure 4″ square. TIP: if you just cut the bottom off the card, then glue the 4″ x 2″ scrap back behind the 4″ square, you can keep the framed edge all the way around the card.
- Then trim the clocks from the second 4″ x 6″ card. Place foam adhesive or other dimensionals on the back and adhere over the clocks on the 4×4 card.
- Cut the Primed Chipboard Vintage Keys apart and ink them with Ground Espresso. Then apply Little Birdie Metallic Wax in Gold, Silver and Green to create a worn, vintage finish.
- Adhere the 4″ x 4″ clock panel to the notebook base. Then embellish with the keys, fussy cuts and die cut pieces using the photos as a guide.
The Spine
Since most men are not crazy about ribbons and bows, you need to find a good alternative for adding texture. Little Birdie Flat Braided Twine looks (to me) like a watch fob, which makes it perfect for this project! Simply punch holes at the top and bottom of the spine, then run the braided twine through and tie in a knot or shoestring bow.
A Peek Inside
Create a box pocket on the left hand side of the notebook. I tucked in one of my hubby’s favorite chocolate bars and a nice gel pen. The inside panel is lined with a 5 3/8″ x 8″ panel of the designer paper.
On the right, I decided to make a flip page. Here’s how to do that:
- First, cut an 11 1/2″ x 8″ panel from a 12×12 sheet of Classic Gentleman.
- Now score it at 5 1/2″ and 6″. Fold along the scored lines so that the patterned paper is on the inside and the blank white side is on top. You will have a 1/2″ spine on the right of this flap.
- Cover the blank flap page with a 5 3/8″ x 8″ panel of designer paper. Decorate with a 4×6 journal card and the Die Cut Time Pieces.
Now you have the perfect spot to adhere a junior legal pad in the center of the notebook. The flap cover will protect the pages from getting all wrinkled. It also provides a great spot for a slash pocket to hold receipts and other “stuff.”
Classic Gentleman Valentine Notebook Tour on YouTube
To help you get a feel for the function and flow of this little project, I’ve prepared a short video walk through with tips and tricks.
You’ll find a linked supply list below this post.
Also, I have a little unboxing video and giveaway of the Little Birdie Dies used in this project HERE.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cheerio,
kathy
SUPPLY LIST
- Little Birdie Crafts Classic Gentleman 12×12 paper pad
- 4×6 Classic Gentleman Journal Cards
- Flim Strip Thin Die
- Cogs and Wheels Thin Dies
- Timekeeper Thin Dies
- Dream Cut Die Cutting Machine
- Flat Braided Trim
- Primed Chipboard Keys
- Metallic Wax
Hi Kathy! This is such a wonderful gift for your Honey! He is so lucky to have such a loving wife! I just love how you arranged everything. You have such a knack for layering. I need to learn more from you. Thank you for all the time you take to do these tutorials, my dear, sweet friend! God bless you! Hugs, xoxo
Hi Kathy,
Happy New Year!
Great project idea for my guy too. Love all the elements. Thanks for sharing.
This is so perfect as a masculine make. Course, change the papers & you make a feminine one as well. Love it Kathy. Be safe & TYFS
Kathy, this is just too cute for the guys!! Perfect layout using your new Little Birdie paper – I love your imagination and vision of your projects – perfect!!
Oh my …I truly luv this Gentleman’s notebook folio! I just knew you’d be making something awesome with these papers! It’s got the perfect vintage vibe going and I just luv how you turned it into a notebook folio! My guy does the same thing taking notes and making drawings of things he sees and wants to make later! Thanks so much for this creation Kathy! And thanks to your hubby for his wonderful original music talent! My hubby’s birthday is in 10 days, i gotta get busy! Big hugs, Suzy Q
Love everything about this!