Monday, May 10, 2010

Welcome to the first ever Fantabulous Cricut Crawl!

Welcome to my scrappy portion of the "Fantabulous Cricut Crawl"...our version of a progressive blog hop!

If you've come from visiting Angie at Cokie Pop Paper Boutique, you're in the right place! If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our Fantabulous Cricut Crawl, start here.

For our Fantabulous Cricut Crawl, each Design Team member will be featuring a specific technique or idea for using your Cricut. There are some really cool ideas being featured, so you won't want to miss any of the blogs along the way! There are prizes to be won on individual blogs, AND there is a grand prize for the participant that incorporates the most featured elements on ONE project!!!

Do you love all the cute journaling boxes that the paper manufacturers are featuring with their lines now? I love the idea of coordinating journaling boxes, but sometimes the premade ones just aren't the right size or shape for my page (and they can be a bit expensive!) Not to worry, though, you can make your own journaling boxes easily with your Cricut! I'll show you a few ideas here.

The shapes that work best for journaling boxes are ones with frames or shadows. Almost every cartridge has at least one image that could be used for a journaling box, but some of my favorites are Stretch Your Imagination, Accent Essentials, Stamping, Ashlyn's Alphabet, Wild Card, and Just Because Cards.

If you're like me and need lines on your paper to keep my handwriting straight, try cutting your journaling blocks from index cards or striped paper. You can also stamp lines on your block after its cut (there are lots of stamps available now with journaling lines). When I want computer generated journaling, I cut my image first, then size my journaling to fit using Microsoft Word. I print my journaling, then adhere my diecut image overtop of the journaling and run it through the printer again so the journaling is now on the diecut image. If you use this method, just make sure your image is adhered well on the top, so it doesn't come loose as it goes through your printer. I run a line of adhesive from a tape runner or ATG gun on the back of the diecut at the top.

The first journaling block was cut from an index card, patterned paper, and cardstock, using the scallop circle from Mini Monograms - cut at 3", using the "shadow" and "framed" options. One nice things about using images with frames is that you can cut the image twice and have both a journaling block and a coordinating embellishment!











This next journaling block was cut from striped paper, coordinating paper, and cardstock. The stripes make automatic journaling lines. This image is from Storybook, cut at 2.5" and then again @ 2.75" from cardstock using the accent blackout feature.










This journaling block was an experiment to see if I could cut plain old notebook paper with the Cricut. It worked, but only with fairly simple images and with pressure set to low and the blade depth set to 3. You might have different results with your machine. This image is from the Stamping cartridge, cut at 3.25", once from notebook paper and once from black cardstock.
















On this example, I stamped the lines on the image after it was diecut, and then handwrote my journaling. The image is from Ashlyn's Alphabet, cut at 2.25" using the icon and icon shadow options.











This last example uses computer journaling, and the apple frame from Stretch Your Imagination, cut at 4".















You can add extra elements to your finished journaling blocks, like stitching, penwork, flowers, brads, etc. I hope you're inspired to try making your own journaling blocks on your next project! To help inspire you, I'm offering a $15 gift certificate to my favorite online scrappy store - ScrapAttackScrapbooking.com. All you need to do is create a project using journaling blocks you created with your Cricut, and post a link on this post, and also on the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog. I'm looking forward to seeing your creations!

Your next stop is Candace's blog, Scrap-A-Doodle-Dee. Candace always has great ideas so I'm sure you'll love her project!

Don't forget about the grand prize....just create a project using as many of the DT ideas as you can, and link it to the Fantabulous Cricut blog. Happy scrapping!

24 comments:

Angi Barrs said...

So cute. I need to make some of these!

Dakota Bear said...

Wonderful ideas they I will try to incorporate in my layouts.

Lori (THCEO) said...

AWESOME Brenda!!! I have NEVER thought to use pre-lined paper to cut my journaling blocks on my Cricut! This is just too awesome.

Thanks for all your great work, Brenda! :)

DtsArt said...

I love journaling boxes like this. I always seem to use these when the kid's have a project do. It keeps it cute and tidy but leaves a place for them to write the needed information. LOVE the little arrow journaling box, too cute.

Sandy Hentzel said...

Love journaling but don't really like my handwriting. Here is my journal box using Hannah Montana cart.
http://scrapbookblessings.blogspot.com/2010/05/hymn.html

Penny Light/Light Whimsy said...

This is very cool!! I never thought of using the prelined paper like that. What a SMART idea!

Candace Pelfrey said...

LOVE this! I really need to do more journaling on my pages. Thanks for the great ideas!

Char Dobson said...

I love your ideas for making your own custom journaling tags. I posted about the Cricut Crawl and your personal giveaway on my blog:
http://vanillabeancreations.blogspot.com/2010/05/winner-winner-chicken-dinner.html

Julie said...

You are a genious! Notebook paper, index card...sheer genious! I'm gonna give it a try!

Julie

Tammy said...

I actually never thought about cutting from an index card before. I like it~alot!!!! Thanks for sharing.
smiles...Tammy

Robin's Creative Cottage said...

Oh soooooooooo clever, I love all your journaling ideas, awesome ideas you've shared!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the ideas! I have some of decorate lined paper and I never think to use it.

Tigger70 said...

I love journaling blocks. Thanks for sharing your wonderful idea.

Gwen's Busy Little Hands said...

These journal blocks are fantastic. I'm going to have to try at least one of these myself. Thanks for the fun hop!

Smiles!
Gwen

Jean said...

I am getting ready to upload my project to the FC blog and I used a journal box on it. Thanks for the tip about using index cards!

Madison said...

Brenda: So fun! Printing from index cards:) Great idea..I like it. I loved this project.
~Madison

It's Jenn! said...

aahhhh! I love journaling boxes! I realllly love these! Great work. You have inspired me to make a few of my own once this week slows down =)

Melissa said...

I loved your idea for the journaling boxes. I used a die-cut of an egg stamped with journal lines. Thanks for the inspiration!

http://melissascrappenplace.blogspot.com/2010/05/fantabulous-cricut-crawl-layout.html

Kate said...

Hi Brenda. Thanks for the challenge! I created a journal box for my layout. You can find details on my blog (http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.com/2010/05/lady-lenore-layout-fantabulous-cricut.html). I just posted at Fantabulous Cricut as well.

Melissa said...

Here is a card I made - I used a top note shape for my journal/sentiment. Thanks for such great ideas!
http://melissascrappenplace.blogspot.com/2010/05/fantabulous-cricut-crawl-card.html

Elaine said...

Isn't that a clever way to coordinate custom journaling blocks!? You ladies are so talented!!!

Gwen's Busy Little Hands said...

http://gwensbusylittlehands.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-very-first-cricut-project.html

I used a cloud shape to create a journal block and did journaling to create the "Puffs" in the cloud.

Smiles!
Gwen

Melissaward said...

http://melissaward72.blogspot.com/2010/05/cricut-crawl.html

I used your idea in my card. I just love Pooh!!! I hope you do also!

Mary Jean said...

Thanks for making...lol...me use a journal block! Here is the link to my layout for the challenge.

http://maryjeansgoldenmemories.blogspot.com/2010/05/crawl-challange.html