Altered Spiral Notebook

I like the simple look.  My Husband and I belong to a Gourmet Group.  I've been taking notes at our planning meeting in an old spiral bound notebook with a rather unimpressive plastic cover.  OK, that's being kind.  It was downright ratty looking.  I decided last week that it was time for a change.  I removed the coil, which was much easier than I had anticpated, releasing all the pages.  I used my Xyron 500 to adhere Naturals Ivory Cardstock to both the front and back covers.  Using my 1/8" handheld punch, I followed the pattern of holes in the original cover.  I also used Naturals Ivory to cover the insides of both the covers, repeating the punching.  Using Creamy Caramel Cardstock, I first stamped it with the Linen background stamp.  I cut 2 strips 5-1/2" X 5/8" to place on the spiral edge of both front and back covers.  I also cut 2 - 1" squares, then cut once on the diagonal of each square to make corner pieces.  Using the Mat Pack piercing template, I pierced the side strips and corner triangles.  I used the Close to Cocoa Marker and added Faux Stitching.  I sponged the edges in Creamy Caramel Classic ink using a Sponge Dauber  to create a worn leather look.  I also sponged the edges of the Naturals Ivory at the same time.  After adhering the corners and edge strips, I punched the 1/8" circles one last time.  I then re-inserted the coil and bent the ends closed with needle-nosed pliers.  I printed "Gourmet Club" on Very Vanilla cardstock on the computer, punched the corners using the Ticket corner punch and layered this onto Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel cardstock, repeating the punching.  Using SNAIL adhesive, I attached this to my front cover.  Voila!!!  I now have a much more attractive notebook befitting a "Gourmet" notebook.  It's fun and easy!  If you would like to learn how, I'd love to help you.