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.
Love the composition book!
nice notebook!!!!loved your idea im always looking for new ways to put my notebook so i can recognize them easier!!!
[email protected]
This notebook set is so cute! Who wouldn’t want the Cricut mastcot on their notebook?! Wish I had that cart!
I love making notebooks like these! I’m going to have to buy a box of them next year! 🙂 Don’t know why I didn’t think of using vinyl on them for lettering.. Perfect use for my scraps of vinyl I bet. TFS!
:)Khrista
The notebook is so cute and it inspires me to make a sign for my own studio… I would rather be crafting any day!
Awesome project! Thanks for sharing your talents. BTW; love the ribbon dispenser, too.
Loooove the notebook. I just want to raid your craft supply closet! You have everything! Now I want car decals! Talked myself out of it since it isn’t on the Gypsy yet. My Gypsy is my latest obsession. Don’t know how I survived without it.
Love your notebook and the ribbon dispenser! TFS
Very nice! I love personalized notebooks for gifts!
This is my type of project Super Joy…And I have the cartridge, Wooo Hoooo!!!.
Love the notebook. Will have to give this a try! Thanks for sharing!
I love the notebook. Great idea!
aecopenhaver at gmail dot com
Great notebook!! I will have to try this next year (when the notebooks go on sale 🙂 ) I can’t remember which one, but another cart has the bug head on it.
cute notebook
Love the notebook! Pick me, Random.org! I need that ribbon storage!!
i love this cart! good thing christmas is right around the corner.
I need this cartridge, I think! Super cute project!
Now how cool is that ribbon storage?! Thanks for the giveaways!
I love your notebook and matching pen set! What a great idea! Take a couple of ordinary items and turn them into a neat gift.
Great idea to use to put my crafts ideas. Thanks.
Great idea to decorate the notebooks. I’ll have to try that out!
I like the looks of that! I stole your idea, Joy, and made a photo box/ribbon organizer, but I also made one out of a tupperware box that I got at Wal Mart using my Crop A Dile. However, I have so much ribbon that they are overflowing (if you can believe that). So this would certainly come in handy!
Very very cute! Love seeing the cricut showing up on projects!
SUPER JOY…..I SO NEED THIS…AND SUPER HUBBY WOULD THANK YOU FOR WINNING….THEN MAYBE THE RIBBON WOULD NOT BE EVERYTHING…LOL!!!
[email protected]
This is sooo cute. I think I may make one for mom and sis. They love their Cricuts.
I want to make that for myself! Love the ribbon holder too. I’ll cross my fingers to win that.
That pen idea is great!
AWWW! That bug is so cute!
ooooh, how I would LOVE to have that carterage:) I can’t wait to get it!!!!
Thanks for this great idea.
Pauline at tinkertoys dot net
wonderful project
Cherylann (prinkles)
[email protected]
My sister has one of these ribbon storage systems and loves it. Another great project, too!
Great notebook! Love the colors on it!
This would be so cute for all my craft friends! Thanks for all these great ideas!
cute notebook and pen set – the ribbon store looks like the answer to all my ribbon tangling problems.
we all love the bug head. just can’t get myself to get that cartridge though.
Love the giveaway hehe!! Thanks!!! faithk08 at yahoo dot com
What a neat idea! That would come in quite handy when I go to my crops.
Your notebook is so cute. I could also use a Spool and Store. hint hint
Thanks for the honest review!
I have to try myself!!! hint hint
Nice notebook… for my student aides!
Cute. Love the bug head. I made something similar last year for my granddaughter. She was just learning to write so used a pad of that wide ruled raised lined paper and covered it. I covered both sides with paper, painted clipboard alpha pieces spelling out her name put that in the center. I used ribbon and brads to create loops at the top and slid a pencil through that.
Tracey J.
Notebook is really cute! UGH, I am going to have to get the Car decal cart now. My list keeps getting longer and longer. Thanks for sharing!
love the note book–thanks [email protected]
What a cute book. This gives me ideas for other things. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa
http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/
Okay, I think I have a composition notebook hidden somewhere and I can totally see it as my craft book with a listing of supplies I have/want/need 🙂
we all rather be crafting 🙂 lol to cute – Leti
I love this! Thanks for sharing!
I love the notebook. Such a cute bug head too
This is such a cute idea, Karen
Love the notebook and the giveaway! Thanks!
Becky F.
This is a great idea for a gift! TFS!