Are you looking for a simple handmade gift idea? This DIY wooden notebook is a perfect handmade gift idea for pretty much anyone. I made three of these notebooks as teachers gifts, and completed them with a wood burned pattern on the front cover. There are so many ways you can personalize your wooden notebook,

Let’s get started!

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Tools and supplies to make a wooden notebook:

• 1/4 inch birch plywood
• sandpaper
• wood burning kit
• linseed oil
• white rags
• binder rings
• scrapbook paper
• wood stain
• cordless drill
• table saw

Step 1: Cut your pieces of plywood for the covers

We had a few pieces of leftover 1/4″ thick plywood in the garage and I thought it would be perfect for these wooden notebooks. Tony cut the plywood pieces on the tablesaw to be 6″ by 8″, but you can make it any size you want.

Then I very lightly sanded the pieces of plywood using 80 grit, then 120 grit sandpaper. Make sure to also sand the edges and corners.

Step 2: Drill holes for the binder rings

Next use a cordless drill to make holes in the wood notebook covers.  If you have pre-punched paper, you can use the paper as a template for the holes in the front and back covers.

If the drill makes splinters on the wood, lightly sand again.

Step 3: Add some designs with a wood burning tool

This step is extra and totally unnecessary, but will make your wood notebook really unique. You can leave the front cover plain, but I happened to have a wood burning kit  and I wanted to try it out.

This was my first time using the wood burning tool, and I just had fun coming up with different designs.  You could also paint the front cover, or use scrapbook paper like Erin from DIY Passion did (I saw Erin’s post a few months ago and was inspired to make my own!)

Step 4: Stain and seal the wooded notebook covers

I made three notebooks and wanted them all different colors. One I left natural, one I used a dark stain, and the third I used a medium stain.

I finished all three wooden notebooks with two coats of linseed oil, applied with a white rag.

Step 5: Fill the notebook with paper

I bought some paper that already had lines and planners and to do lists and all that fun stuff. You could also just use regular paper and punch holes in them. Or you can buy some fun printables and make your notebook work for whatever you need it for

I also used this project as an opportunity to buy some pretty scrapbook paper. I don’t do a lot of paper projects, but whenever I’m in a craft store I love looking at the pretty paper and dream of what I could make. Anyone else? I used the fancy paper as dividers in between different sections.

Finally, just add some binder rings to keep it together, and you’re all set!

 

If you don’t want to make a wooden notebook, here are a few other options you can buy