Brownie Troop Demo (juice pouch notebook instructions)

Yesterday I did a demo for a local Brownie troop. I showed the girls how to recycle juice pouches. I first showed them how to clean them. Then I showed them how to make a notebook out of them. It went really well. The girls and I had fun.
To clean the juice pouches, cut a hole in the bottom of the juice pouch (where it expands). You can clean it in the top rack of the dishwasher or by hand in the sink. It is important to clean it within a week after it has been used. Let it air dry for at least 2 days. Then use Goo Gone (or your thumb) to remove the sticky residue where the straw was attached.
I like to use the sewing machine to make the notebooks, but I like to show children how to hand sew them. You need 2 clean juice pouches, embroidery thread, a tapestry needle, scissors, 3 sheets of printer paper, a ruler, a small hole punch, and 2 paper clips. Cut the paper into 5" x 7" rectangles. You should be able to get 6 rectangles for the 3 sheets of paper. Stack them together and fold in half (5" x 3 1/2"). Then sandwich the paper between the juice pouches. Use the paper clips to hold the paper in place (where the folded paper side is). Using the hold punch, punch at least 4 holes along the side where the folded paper edge is. Thread your needle and sew down and then back up the notebook through the punched holes. Then tie the thread in a knot. You can either tie it in a bow, add beads and or a charm, or just cut it close to the knot. Your note book is all finished. Oh, and don't forget to remove the paper clips. When you use up all of the paper, just take out the thread, add new paper, and restitch it. If you notice, the bottom of the juice pouches are open. You can add a snap or sticky velcro to the inside of the cut bottom and make a place to hold things like little pencils, and eraser, or stickers.