| | | | |

Cricut Bug Head Notebook 12 Days of Christmas DAY SEVEN GIVE AWAY

I got the Car Decals Cricut cartridge in the mail today and I just had to use it immediately.  Somehow I’d missed the fact that this cartridge had the bug head on it or I would have purchased it sooner.  Isn’t he cute?  Let me show you how easy it is to make this notebook and a matching pen.

At the beginning of every school year I buy a bunch of composition books (when they are super cheap) so I can turn them into cool and interesting notebooks.  You can do this too.  It can be as simple or as complex as you would like it.  In this post I’m using my ATG gun, paper, vinyl and ribbon, but I’ve used Mod Podge in the past.  You could even use fabric.  You can decorate the inside of the books too.  Just do whatever you like.  That’s the best part of crafting.  If you like it…it’s awesome.

I drew an outline of the notebook onto the side of the paper I wanted to glue down.  Then I cut it to size and taped it down using my ATG gun.

Now it’s covered in adhesive from my ATG gun.

That weird little rolling thing is a brayer.  I don’t use it very often, but I decided it would be perfect for making sure this paper was really stuck down and as flat as possible.

I used that file to sand the edges of the notebook.  It wasn’t really important to sand the notebook, what I was really trying to do was get the paper to be flush with the edges.  You can use any kind of sander/file that you have.  Tim Holtz has a sanding block that I hope to find in my stocking this year.  (SANTA are you listening?)  I inked the edges of the notebook with that small pad.  I actually meant to use a liquid catseye chalk, but I grabbed the wrong thing.  It worked out well, but didn’t dry fast.

I used Fabri-Tac to glue the ribbon to the edge of the notebook.

After I finished everything I made a matching pen.  You know how to do that?  Just roll up a piece of paper and shove it carefully put it inside the pen.  Here’s a link to the first matching pen I created and here’s the 2nd pen I created.

The newer Cricut cartridge booklets have a brand new look!

I used the “I’d rather be crafting” phrase from the Car Decals Cricut cartridge and cut it out using white vinyl.  Then I applied it to the bottom of the notebook.  You could use paper and do the same thing, but I love using vinyl so I used that. 🙂  Want to learn more about vinyl and the Cricut?  Check out my Cricut Vinylology DVD!

Need vinyl?  I like to buy mine from Expressions Vinyl.

There’s a boy & girl bug head in this cartridge.  This one is my fav though.

All done and now … TIME FOR A GIVE AWAY!!!

On the 7th Day of Christmas Best Craft Oranizer.com Gave To FOUR Winners….

Their awesome Spool & Store Ribbon Storage and Dispenser System!

Check out my video to find out how it works.

Woo hoo! To be eligible to win a Spool & Store please leave a comment on this post. The FOUR winners will be chosen by Random.org on December 13.

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR THE 8th Day of Christmas and a Crafty Post & Give Away!!

Similar Posts

177 Comments

  1. This book looks great, I really love doing this to my books, it’s funny I can’t look at a book now without thinking umm what can I do with that lol and I think it was all your fault from one of your previous projects!!! Thanks for another chance to win.
    Kim xXx

  2. Aww thats so cute. I like the little baby in the blanket on that page too! I might have to get this cart….
    kacee
    [email protected]

  3. Thanks Joy! The notebook is so cute. I have made them before but not the pen to match. Brilliant! I seriously love the spool of ribbon organizer…going to that website! With all my ribbons I probably need 85 packages to hold all my ribbons! (I think I’m a ribbon collector!) Thanks again for a great post!
    -tanya
    [email protected]

    1. Tanyat,
      LOL…you ARE a ribbon collector! 🙂 I’m betting they’d be thrilled to sell you 85 packages! 😉 LOL! I love the Spool and Store. Did you see all the abuse I gave it? And it STILL worked! YAY!
      ~Joy~

  4. dgutierez1 says:

    I love making altered notebooks – they are so much fun! Your’s turned out great!

    Deanne G
    [email protected]

  5. Love the notebook idea. Might have to do a special one for my niece… maybe to do some writing in this summer!

  6. the notebook idea was so cute,to take this plain notebook and make something giftworthy of it is awesome! And I have tons of ribbon so would love to win the ribbon organizer!

  7. Love this idea. I should make some for my nieces.

  8. breakfast@tiffanys says:

    Not just a cute notebook but a pen too? You’re just awesome!

  9. jenleisen says:

    I LOVE that “little old Cricut bug”…..so cute! Good job, Joy!

  10. JennaNichole says:

    I love the notebook idea, this is perfect for anyone. You have completely made my christmas wish list, a sizzix big shot, a crop-a-dile big bite & of course a ATG gun (especially when I found a pink one!!!) Thanks Joy!! Zippy is cute! as long as he isn’t rolling over your craft projects!

  11. Cute notebook and great step by step instructions. Glad to see Zippy is there helping you each project.
    Cathy S

  12. Cute! Love the Car Decal Cartridge…It’s on the list 🙂 Made a zillion notebooks like this for a woman’s retreat. They were a big hit!

  13. sandrarena says:

    Great notebook idea! I would love to have one of the ribbon storage sets, looks like the perfect way to store ribbon.

  14. This project is just so cute! and I love the bug head!

  15. What a cute notebook Joy! I like that you matched the pen as well… and all the videos from past/present are soooo helpful to us who have never tried it… THANKS! I gotta get me some of that SU paper though…. I LOVE SU Products! 🙂

  16. so cute! I did not know that cartridge had the bug head either! thats a legitimate excuse to buy it riiiiigggght ?? :] TFS! and thanks for the great giveaway!
    ashley

  17. flipflopdiva says:

    Darn you!! Now there’s another cartridge I have to add to my list!! I heart making composition notebooks, too!! A couple years ago everyone got one for Christmas!! I’ve never seen anybody use them–you think they got thrown away???

  18. LOVE this idea!!

  19. Came across that ribbon orgaziner a few days ago and just love it!

  20. clairbear3 says:

    Love this idea!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  21. Your little Cricut notebook is sooooo cute Joy! Thanks for the ribbon solution idea as well 🙂

  22. I love the notebook idea! its soo cute! Cant wait to try it out. the car decal catridge is adorable I need one now lol!!!!

  23. Oh how super cute. This cart is on my wishlist

  24. DelaneyRose says:

    Super cute as usual, Super Joy!! 🙂

  25. I love this and yes I’d rather be crafting anytime.

    Hugs

  26. saundra24 says:

    What a cute notebook and pen! I’m so glad that Zippy didn’t get any glue stuck to his wheels!

  27. Love the BUG!!! Thanks for sharing.

  28. I love the bug! And I love the notebook idea!

  29. ksully4597 says:

    I love the notebook idea! Even more – I love that you linked it back to the clip board – I remember seeing that and want to make one for my nephew’s pre-school!

    Kristin

  30. Janet Licari says:

    Thank You for testing and sharing this great product.
    quilt 4 fun 2 at hot mail dot com

  31. Your notebook looks SO cute! What a fun thing to jot down lists and such!

  32. DelaneyRose says:

    Oh, and can I just add that I had NO idea there’s a CAR DECAL cartridge?!?! I’ll be adding that to my list!

  33. Scrappycat says:

    Another awesome give away Joy!!

    Love the notebook and matching pen. I never thought to do a pen. Also great way to use the brayer. I always use my brayer for smoothing down when I am adhering larger pieces of paper.

    Love the bug head!!!

  34. this is a great gift for your crafty friends,, I heart that bug tooooo, I must get this cartridge, but not for the bug, I created my own bug on my Gypsy , i want this for all the other images…. thanks for another Great idea Joy!!!!

  35. LOVE this! SO cute!!

  36. cruella63703 says:

    I am loving this 12 Days of Christmas. You are amazing. tfs

  37. CuddlyBunny says:

    The ribbon organizer seems brilliant … almost makes me wish I enjoyed crafting with ribbon! 🙂

    Still, you managed to make me do a forehead slap *again* today … how to make a matching pen for a notebook project!

    Joy … you’re like the Einstein of paper crafts … SuperJoy Einstein with the theory of really cool stuff!

  38. Joy, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your altered notebook and pen. Toooooo cute!! TFS! 🙂

    Your video on the Ribbon holder was priceless!! 😉 Thanks for the chance to win one.

    One li’l thing, tho:- your ATG is naked!! Ooops, did I say “naked”??? LOL You need to dress him/her up a li’l bit. If you’re not into painting, you can do something else. Take a look at my blog:-

    http://ladybuglair.blogspot.com/

    under Labels:- ATG

    This will take you to the spot where I have my altered ATG and you’ll see how easy it was to dress her up a li’l.

    If you’re interested in doing the same, I can’t wait to see what you come up with!! 😉

    1. LadybugLinda,
      You’re right! I do need to bling up my naked ATG! 🙂 I’ll work on that.
      ~Joy~

  39. Joydee1963 says:

    so cute notebook,love that bug! joy

  40. Love the cute notebook decorating idea and thinks for the directions of how to do this. Great idea to decorate the matching pen ……….. it would make a great stocking stuffer item.

  41. Very cute project!
    Wish I had my cricut back when my kiddos were in school…I could have made lots of cute notebooks for them!
    That’s okay, I still have the Grandbabes who will be in school soon, so I’ll have to try this one for sure.
    These would be good for a craft/church bazaar sale too!
    You are awesome Joy! 🙂

  42. that was so neat Joy. I need one for the ribbon i have. I was trying to figure out what to do with the ribbon i have. Now I know. [email protected]

  43. Terrific idea, who doesn’t love a notebook!! Can’t wait for you next post, this has been fun.

  44. Love this! I have an address book I need to get altered.

  45. CathyinMN says:

    Great notebook alteration. Is there anything in your house that you haven’t altered (just kidding!)? I really need something to help organize my ribbon. Thanks for sharing all of your great projects and ideas.

  46. finecrafter says:

    I’ve never thought of the matching pen. It adds a great finishing touch! I think this is a great teacher gift, I love the bug head too, he’s on the Storefront cart I got from Cricut rewards a while back. I have him on my car! (DH isn’t too fond of it LOL!)

  47. TNScrapbookingMom says:

    I can see the notebook being a cute gift for a teacher or even a crafter who likes to jot down their ideas. I like the ribbon storage container. I am just getting into using ribbon, so my collection is not the big.

Comments are closed.