Simple Note Pads

I've been making these cute little note pads for my kids like crazy, and thought I would do a tutorial today to show everyone how to make them.  This is a CRICUT FREE project... although, feel free to pull out the bug and embellish your note pads!

 supplies you will need are as follows:

*Cardstock (I started with a 12x12 piece, you can use a scrap as long as it is big enough to fit the measurements listed in the instructions)  I like to use double sided cardstock, because then it looks pretty inside and out!

* paper trimmer and score board (some paper trimmers come with scoring blade, you can use this, or you can use a ruler and bone folder!

*paper for inside the note pad

* tool to punch holes and set eyelets

*2 eyelets

OK, you're ready to get started.  Hold tight, this goes fast!

Trim your cardstock down to the size needed for cover.  I want the sheets inside my notepad to be 3x5 (I actually just took them out of a scratch pad I had laying around, but you can also trim up loose leaf paper to fit desired size).  So, for my COVER I cut my cardstock down to 3 1/4 x11 inches. 

Next, score your cover to fit around your note paper.  For mine, I scored at 1", 1 1/4", 6 1/4", and 6 1/2". 

Carefully measure where you are going to set your eyelets, and punch holes though both sides of the cover right above where it is folded at 1 and 1 1/4 inches.  You want to leave some room at the other side so you can tuck in the top flap, like a match book. Match up your paper so it is centered in the cover, and punch holesin the paper to correspond with this.  I was able to punch holes through both sides of the cover and the paper all at once with my tool.  Then set your eyelets.  If you don't have these tools, you could probably accomplish the job with some staples. 

Ta-Da!  You're done!!  Have fun with this! 

Here's a quick measurement/score guide

note paper 3x5" (10-20 sheets)

cover 3 1/4 x 11"

score 1", 1 1/4", 6 1/4" 6 1/2"

sympathy

Cards we hate to give, but are in need of too often... here is a sympathy card I was recently asked to make...

When I have to make a sympathy card, I like to use a pretty paper in the background and keep the design simple.  I got a 4 pack of sympathy stamps from Kaiser Craft at  a walk down memory lane , and I just use one of those stamps for my sentiment.  Unfortunately I don't remember which paper line I used.  The butterfly is a cut from the Straight from the Nest Cartridge.

BORN TO GOLF...

Here's the first project to share.  I designed this card for my brother-in-law, who loves to golf... it's his birthday later this month, so DON'T TELL him this is his card! 

Recipe:

Paper: DCWV the Guy's Stack; white and craft cardstock from my stash

Cuts: Cricut Cartridges Wrap It Up; Cindy Loo

sentiment: Typed from my computer

Brown ink

Instructions: I used my Gypsy to lay out this card, this way I knew exactly how much cardstock to use.  I cut the golf club cuts from Wrap It Up cartridge (this is 4 layers, however I only used 3 colors), and I cut the florish from Cindy Loo cartridge I cut at 4.21 (If you are cutting on your expression, cut at 4 1/4).

Next, I put together the layers of the golf clubs, and then "distressed" all my cuts by lightly running a sanding block over top of them.  This is somewhat messy but looks cool!

OK, then I cut my craft paper to 5x8.  Using my computer, I adjusted my settings so that the paper size was 5x8, and decreased my margins to a size that I felt fit.  I selected my font and color and typed in my sentiment, using print preview to make sure it was lined up on the edges.  Then PRINT!  It's that easy!

Now, it's time to put it all together.  I inked the edges of the craft paper, roughed up the edges with my distressing tool, and then crumpled it up into a ball (you can spritz with a little water to make this easier, but inks might run).  Then unfold and adhere to the card base (made by folding a white 8.5 x 11 cardstock in half).  I glued down the flourish to the middle of the page, then used pop-dots to stick the clubs on top.

That's it! 

 Happy Crafting-

Jeana

Sale on Cricut this weekend!

OK, so who doesn't love a great sale!  Thought I'd post some great deals going on online this weekend (love a holiday sale!)

Cricut Expression $167.97 on Amazon.com  This is a GREAT deal if you don't already have the machine... especially if you have PRIME (free shipping!)

Cricutmachine.com has a lot of cartidges, bundles and other Cricut products on sale for Labor day... I saw bundles of 3 carts for 30 bucks!  (too bad they weren't any on my list of to buy!)  They also had individual carts around 17.95 to 22.95!  Wowza!

CustomCrops.com still has their back to school sale going on as well, which has some great deals on things like paper, cartridges are 30.00.

At Menards on Tuesday, my hubby noticed that there were cartridges for around $20.00

Hallmarkscrapbook.com has a deal where you buy a "george" cartridge (George and basic shapes), and get a cricut machine for free, this deal is Under $50!  Buyers need to be aware that first of all, this cricut is the smaller, "baby bug", and also, that the machine is REFURBISHED!!  Some of the older carts are also on sale for around 20 bucks or so, and you can also get the new "project carts" Like Sweet Tooth boxes for 24.00.

With all these great sales, the question is just, where to buy what! 

PS- not sure how many of these great deals are for this weekend only- some might be for longer!  I recommend you read the fine print, AND compare prices on the carts you like... For instance, One Cart that I want is Campin Critters, and it is a different price on each site.  IF I decide that this is one I want to buy this weekend, then I need to figure out where I am going to buy from, HOWEVER,  I also need to keep in mind the price of shipping from each site, it may be worth paying 2-3 extra dollars to order from a site if I'm already getting something from there (rather than pay shipping 2 places), this also depends on how much shipping changes when you add an item!  BUT, if the product you want isn't on sale yet, don't worry... if this year is anything like last, there will be HUGE sales in a few months for Christmas!

Welcome

I am so excited to be starting this BLOG to share my cricut projects, ideas, and inspiration for you to create some great projects.  I have followed many blogs in the past year, and always in the back of my mind I have thought, "I could do this"...

My sister and I have had a love of crafting, which we probably learned from our mother and grandmothers... Almost all of my memories of these women include them working on quilting, knitting, and crochet projects, in addition to being excellent cooks!  We have been able to share this heritage though our blog, http://www.sisterssassycrafts.blogspot.com/  if you're new to us, you should stop on by!

Anyway, we've had a lot of feedback from followers on THAT blog stating that they want to know more about Cricut.  I am hoping to use THIS blog to help educate followers on that topic.  I hope to show some simple, easy to follow projects, as well as doing some more advanced projects, for experienced users.

For those living in the Northwest Iowa area, this blog as well as my sisterblog http://www.sisterssassycrafts.blogspot.com/ will be hosting upcoming craft nights where we will be teaching first hand cricut skills, make and take projects, etc.  I'll post more information about that when we get it set up!