My 2012 Craft Diary

Hi there!  I'm back again with another project which I'm linking to the CC Weekly Blog Challenge (Creative Resolutions) and the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog (Warming Up with Hot Cocoa).  For this project I altered a notebook I  purchased last month from the Target dollar bins.  I'm happy to report that I used my stash to complete this project.  I had wanted to make the resolution to keep all my crafty notes in one place instead of in little bits of pieces of post-it notes which drive my DH bananas when he sees them scattered all over the computer desk we share - you're welcome, honey ;)

This is how it looked like before the transformation:

For this project I again used both my Cricut E2 and my Silhouette Cameo.  I started by  cutting down two pieces of glittered cardstock to size, to cover the front and the back of the cover.  Then I cut enough strand of ribbon to go around the notebook and some, to make a bow later to close the notebook.  I adhered the ribbon to the notebook first, then the glittered cardstock.

I used the print and cut feature on my Cameo to print and cut the title of my notebook!  This was the first time I've tried this and it is so cool!  I see myself saving a lot of mula on not having to buy sentiment stamps anymore!  Below are screen shots of the Silhouette Studio.  I again used the Quiggley Wiggly font.  Notice the registration marks for the Cameo to pick up on before it can cut.  I wanted the title to print inside an oval to match the scalloped oval it's going on top of later.

After the title printed in my printer, I went back to the Studio screen and deleted the title because I didn't want the individual letters cut out, just the oval around it.  Then I was ready to put the paper on the mat before I hit cut.

(I added little holes on the top and bottom of the oval because I had planned on threading twine,

but later decided against it so I just stuck two half pearls in the final project)

(The oval shape does not show here because it's a cut line, but it will cut around the title. 

Notice the registration marks)

After the title was cut, I proceeded to cut the matching scalloped oval from the Silhouette Studio in pink swirly glittered cardstock.  

Then it was time for me to cut my Cricut images on the E2.  I used the following Cricut images:  (1) butterfly [Cake Basics], (2) quill [Sentimentals], (3) ink bottle [Sentimentals], and (4) cup [Wall Decor and More].  Below are the cuts (Cameo and Cricut) before assembly.

And here are closeups of the final project.  I added blings, inked a few edges, and used foam mounts for depth.  I also added a couple of strips of solid cardstocks embossed with D'vine Swirls CB folder and then sewed around it for added texture. 

Here's a peek of the inside of the notebook.  I'm going to keep a tally of crafty things I've made this year, which may or may not all be on this blog (sometimes I'm just too lazy to post). 

I hope this notebook will keep me organized this year.  I may have to make another one in a few months if and when I run out of room - ohhhh wouldn't that be fun to make another one?!  For now, thanks for stopping by!