Those fancy notepads that stick to your refrigerator and sometimes come with a stick-on pen or pencil are very handy, but they can be pricey, and sometimes they’re a bit cutesy for my taste. Here’s an inexpensive way to make those things, which are indispensable for building grocery lists to help save money at the store.

First, get a small notepad that pleases you. These are often available in grocery-store stationery aisles or card shops. Personally, I favor the yellow mini-legal pads that Costco sells in lifetime-supply packages. If you don’t already have a standard wooden pencil, pick up a package at the store.

At a craft store such as Michael’s or JoAnn’s, get a small  package of flexible magnetic sheets. These can be cut to size with scissors.

Now all you need is the scissors and a few dabs of Elmer’s glue.

For a small pad, cut a magnetic strip about three inches long by one inch wide. Spread glue on one side of the stuff, and stick the strip to the pad’s cardboard backing, about 1/4 of the way down from the top of the pad.

Then cut a small piece of magnetic strip, about 3/4 inch long and the width of one flat side of the wood pencil. Glue this to the pencil just below the eraser.

Allow both to dry thoroughly. Then sharpen the pencil and place the pad and the pencil on the refrigerator.

The strips can be reused after the pad runs out of paper or the pencil is sharpened to a nubbin. Simply peel the strip off and reglue it to a new pad or pencil.

Other cheap & easy craft projects:

Cozy Heating Pad Cover

Upscale Jewelry