DIY Personalized Notebooks with the Cricut Explore Air

I’m back again with another super easy DIY using my Cricut Explore Air. (It was only a matter of time!) I’ve had my Cricut for about 9 months now, and it’s safe to say that I’m still as obsessed with it as I was on day one.

I’m sure most of you are familiar with my machine by now, but just in case you’re not I’ll catch you up…

Cricut machines are personal cutting machines! They can write, score and cut a variety of materials such as vinyl, paper, faux leather, adhesive foil, iron-on and so much more. They come fully equipped with access to a web-based program called the Cricut Design Space that houses fonts and over 800 projects and 50,000 images for you to use to create projects out of. If you are design savvy, you can also create your own graphics and upload them.

Now that we have all the basics covered, let’s get to today’s DIY!

If you’re anything like me, you are probably addicted to cute notebooks and stationary (Indigo’s gift/paper section is my weakness). I was in Michael’s craft store, picking up some supplies for another DIY, when I saw these plain notebooks that were on sale and had what can only be described as an “ah-hah!” moment. I realized that could make my very own one-of-a-kind typographic notebooks using my Cricut! So, I grabbed some notebooks and some vinyl and off I went.

This notebook was seriously so incredibly easy to make and no one has one like it! To make your own custom notebook, you’ll need:

First things first, launch the Cricut Design space by visiting www.cricut.com/design or by launching the app on your mobile device. Select “create a new project”.

You can now either upload my design file by selecting “upload images” or you can create your own design by choosing from Cricut’s free images or using their fonts to create a design using your favourite quote.

Measure the area of your notebook where you want your design to go, and make sure the dimensions match. After that, it’s time to get cutting! Select “go” on your screen.

Remove the protective film from your Cricut mat and carefully place your vinyl on top, using the scraper tool to smooth out any air bubbles.

Turn the dial to “vinyl” and load the mat into your machine by pressing on the flashing arrow button. Once it’s loaded, press on the now flashing “go” button.

Once your machine is done cutting your design, press the load button once again to unload the machine.

Using the Cricut basic tool kit, remove all the negative space from your design. Next, cut a sheet of transfer paper, remove the backing and place it on top of your design using the scraper tool to smooth out air bubbles.

Remove your design from the mat and peel off the back. Place your design on your notebook, again using the scraper tool to remove any air bubbles. Because I have two parts to my design to create an overlay effect, I had to do this part twice starting with the design I wanted to be “on top” of the other one. Once that’s done, carefully peel back the transfer paper.

The last step is to start writing in your new customized notebook!

I’m probably biased, but I loved this DIY so much. I can’t wait to make some more cute notebooks.

What would you want yours to say?