{personalized notepaper}

I {love} to give personalized gifts.  There is just something about receiving a gift that you know was made just for you, and giving one is even more fun!

Personalized notepaper is actually one of my most favorite gifts to give, and the most requested from my mom. She {loves} to keep it by her phone, and every year we design her a new set.  It makes such a great gift because it's so versatile, and can be given to anyone special in your life.  Parents, grandparents, teachers (HOW fun to have each child in the class sign their name for the design, with the teacher's name at the top!!!), friends...the list goes on and on.Whether it's Mother's Day, Father's Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, Christmas, a birthday, or just because, personalized notepaper is a delightful gift!

When I make it for my mom, I always have my kids do the design work.  However, depending on who it's for, you could do it any way you like--using graphics, text, hand drawn art--that's the beauty of it!   Once I made stationery (in a larger size) for my sister who was living away for a couple of years. She loved it, and so did we, when we received letters from her on paper designed by us!

This is such an easy project, and you don't need many supplies--just a pen, some white paper, and a printer! The outcome is SO fun--anyone would love this gift!

ITEMS YOU NEED:

• 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of white paper
• pen
• printer
• your imagination!

DIRECTIONS:

1. Using a pencil, draw a line at the bottom of your paper, approximately 2-2 1/2 inches high. This is the area that you will place any artwork, etc.

2. Start creating! The space is yours! I give my kids the freedom to do what they like, but I make sure their name is included.

3. Once that part is finished, completely erase the pencil line.

4. You could actually do this step first if you prefer, but it doesn't really matter. (Unless the artwork at the bottom would be ruined going through the printer--then you would want to do this step first.) I also do it in this order, just in case someone wants to start over. This way I don't have to keep printing out the words until I know they are ready to go.

In Word (or other word processing software), type any text that you would like to be at the top of your notepaper, then print. I chose a different font for each child, and sized it to 16. You don't want it to be too big, so you have plenty of space for the actual notepaper.

5. Now you're ready for the printer! I use a local print shop, but I called first to make sure they made notepaper. I had them put four to a page, so 1/4 sheets. (25 copies = 100 pieces of notepaper) When I made stationery, I did 1/2 sheets instead, so they would be a little bigger. You can also use Staples, Office Max, or other large printing company--I would check around for prices first, since there can be a huge price difference from place to place. They are bound at the top, just like any other notepad you would find at the store, so the sheets just tear off the top.

Ta-da! The most darling notepaper ever!