Hi everyone! 

This is Dana (DomesticatingDana over on the Cricut MB) and I’m so happy to be here with everyone.  September brought us an awesome 1^st month here at the Cricut FANatics, but it also brought us back to school.  Back to school means back to homework, including nightly reading.  Need a little something to make reading a little more exciting for your kids?  I have  a fun little project that is quick and easy and makes a great little gift for readers of any age. 

 

I love to make these magnetic bookmarks- practical, easy, and super-FAST!   They cling around your page in your book so they dont fall out & you can locate your page easily.  They are great for kids especially because they don’t fall out of the book when they are tossed in and out of backpacks! Here is how I make mine:

Cut a strip of cardstock to 2.5” x 5”, and then score it at 2.5” (half) and fold.  This creates the base of the bookmark.  Use a bone folder on the crease to help it lie flat.   Cut 2 strips from an adhesive backed magnet sheet (found in the general crafting section of your local craft store) to approximately 2”L x 0.25”W each.   On the inside of the bookmark, adhere one strip along each of the short ends, lining them up so they magnetize.

 

Then decorate your bookmarks with your choice of cuts! 

 

Done! (Told you it was super-FAST!)  Fold it over the page in your book and it will stay in place.

The great thing about this project is the limitless possibilities!  You can make it any size and embellish it any way you want.   Like…

Monograms:

 

Shapes:

Holidays:

 

These make great birthday presents (to go with a book or a bookstore gift card), party favors, and even treats for your child’s classmates!

A few hints: 

• When I am choosing my Cricut cuts, I use my Gypsy (or CCR) and place a square that is the same size as the finished bookmark on the mat and size up my cuts.  If I am using patterned paper, I want to make sure that my cut doesn’t cover all of it up.
• To line up the magnets on the front and back pieces, I cut the magnetic strips and magnetize them together so the adhesive is on the outsides.  I remove the backing on one side only and adhere it to one of the short sides.  Once that is in place, I remove the backing from the other strip (now face up and magnetized to the other one, and fold the book mark closed.  This will line your strips up evenly.
• I wanted to laminate one to see how it turned out, but my laminator is packed away due to some remodeling we are doing right now.  I have not tried it before, but would recommend the thinnest pouch in order to allow your bookmark to fold and stay together.  I would also recommend laminating and then adhere the magnets.

I hope that you get some inspiration from this project.  Thanks for stopping by!

 

Cricut Info & Supplies Used:

Designed by: Dana Bilson

Cricut Machine Used:  Cricut Mini

Cricut Cartridges Used: Create a Critter (apple, cut at 2”), Hello Kitty Font (monogram D, cut @ 1.5”), Life’s a Party (soccer shaped bookmark- used the card feature cut @ 2.5”), Mini Monsters (Jack-o-Lantern, cut at 1.75”) 

Other Supplies Used:  Cardstock, adhesive magnet strips (found in the general craft section of Joann’s), adhesive

 

Vacation Memories

Good day all! It's L.B. from Cool Bean By L.B. and I am so happy to be part of the Cricut FANatics family. School may be back in session but many are still clinging to summer memories. In honor of making memories today I get to share two autograph books I made for a friend about to journey to Disney World for the first time. 

 For these two books I started with 2 5x7 albums by The Paper Studio. These albums have 24 pages and are just the right size for autographs and pictures if desired.

My friend's son is very into Jake and the Never Land Pirates so I selected the adorable treasure chest off Life's A Party. I cut it at 3.75" high to cover the center photo hole on the album. To add the Disney touch I cut gold coin Mickey Heads at 1/2 inch from the Disney-Mickey Font cartridge. 

Every princess needs a castle so for an adorable little girl's autograph book I cut one from Paper Doll Dress Up at 2.65 inches high. I placed the castle on a double layer of backing from Lacy Labels(4.3 height and 3.64 height)

I have made many of these autograph books for my own daughter and family friends. They have so much room to get the signatures you want and you can always add photos or stickers to them to capture the full memory. 

Thanks for joining us at Cricut FANatics today and we hope to 

"See Ya Real Soon!" 

Cricut Info & Supplies Used:

Designed By: L.B.

Cricut Machine: Expression (with Gypsy)

Cricut Cartridges Used: Disney - Mickey Font, Life's A Party, Paper Doll Dress Up, Lacy Labels 

Other Supplies Used: Paper Studio 5x7 album, various cardstock, Scotch Scrapbooker's Glue