Holiday Gift Idea: DIY Journal with Cricut Maker

Stay organized and dream big with this creative holiday gift idea.  Make your own DIY journal with the Cricut Maker and keep track of lists and creative thoughts!

 

I am always making lists.  And I am always searching for something to write everything from creative thoughts to my grocery list on.  I recently noticed that my daughter does the same thing, and she is always doodling on something.  I decided to use my Cricut to create a handful of mini journals as holiday gifts for the list-making, creative doodlers on my list.

 

I’ve always loved the idea of giving handmade gifts because it makes the gift feel personal and extra special.  These mini journals will be perfect for several people on my list and a great way to help everyone stay organized in the new year.

 

To create these journals I used several different materials including leather and foil.  I love that they give this handmade gift a more polished and durable look.

 

How to Make DIY Journal with Cricut Maker

Start by opening up the journal SVG in Cricut Design Space.  Resize or adjust the file to fit your specific needs. 

 

For the larger journal I used a plain white canvas journal cover I found at the local craft store.  I picked a bunch of these up on clearance a while back and knew they would be perfect for this project. I wanted to jazz it up a bit so I created an overlay using the gold foil iron-on.  You can also cut your own journal cover with this SVG file.

 

Use the Cricut EasyPress to iron-on your design.  Remove the transfer sheet to reveal the shiny new journal cover.

 

Next, I created a Dream Big decal for the front of the journal using leather and Cricut Foil Transfer Sheets.  Place a piece of the faux leather on the standard grip mat.  Cover the leather with the foil sheet, face up.  Be sure to secure the foil in place with the provided tape.  Follow this tutorial for more information and details on how to use your Cricut and the Foil Transfer Sheets.

 

 

Use the Power-Tac adhesive to attach the leather Dream Big decal to the front of the journal cover.  

 

Add the page inserts you cut with the Cricut and tie everything together with twine.  This way you can easily add new pages when you run out of room for notes.

 

Create leather tassels and attach them to the side of the journal to dress it up a bit.  

 

I used the same journal SVG to create mini journals with inspirational sayings.  Use the Cricut to cut the leather covers and embellish them with foil or iron-on colorful designs.  There are so many possibilities and ways you can personalize this DIY holiday gift with your Cricut.

 

Add the journals and colorful pens or pencils to a box for a fun and personalized gift. Wrap it up with coordinating DIY Foil Wrapping Paper and you have the perfect gift.

 

This DIY Journal made with the Cricut Maker is the perfect way to help your list makers get organized and a place for dreamers to capture their creative ideas!