Back To School with Close To My Heart

Today is my last project as Guest DT member at Heart 2 Heart Challenges, and this week's theme is Back To School.  My kids started school last Monday, and already had their school pictures taken during the first week.  It's been quite a while since I've had a little "brag book" for my purse, so that's what I decided to make for today's project.

This was super simple to make using the Artiste Cricut cartridge from Close To My Heart.  This folded-up little booklet is made using the Card feature with the cut on page 60 of the handbook.  Also on this page are 6 different page styles that will fit in this book.  I chose to cut all three of my pages (one for each kid) using the Accent 1 feature for a simple page style.  Everything is cut at 3.9", which is the largest size that will fit on a 12"x12" mat.

So, the outside first!  I used the Scholastic papers and the stamp set from the Workshop on the Go.  The image is stamped in the new Ruby ink (I am in LOVE with this color!)  I trimmed the mat to leave off the sentiment part of the image, cut it to a 2" square and added the epoxy numbers from the new Memo Assortment.  I used round Durable Studs (rather than the square ones that come in the WOTG kit) to cover the little holes in the flap because I chose to close it a different way.  The little remaining adhesive was taken care of with a bit of baby powder.  I reinforced the larger binding holes using some eyelets from my hoard and made a simple tied binding.  For the ties, I colored some Color-Ready Seam Binding that I colored with the new CTMH Alcohol Markers in Ruby.

 Now, for the  inside!  I left the inside covers alone, except for this simple bookplate, stamped in Ruby.  I thought it was a neat little touch!

Since I want the pages to hold up to handling, I cut a set of pages from some clear plastic (recycling some heavy plastic packaging) as well as from my papers.  I used a thin line of Liquid Glass around the edge of the "front" side of the papers and adhered them to the "back" side of the plastic pages.  I cut photo mats from the Outdoor Denim CS in the paper pack and adhered them to the front of the plastic pages.

I designed each page trading card style, so there can be things written on the back.  I'm thinking I will have each one sign their name & list their favorite food, favorite song, etc.  "Holly Grade" is stamped using the A Typeset alphabet stamp set in Outdoor Denim.  The "4" is stamped with Rustic Numbers in second generation Chocolate ink.  (This stamp set is discontinued, but there are other large-sized stamps that will work just as well.  The other stamps are both from the Scholastic WOTG kit stamp set, with the number border stamped in Ruby and the dates stamped in Chocolate.

Here is how they look front-to-back in the book.  And there is still room to add another page for each kid if I decide to give them more room to write!

Finally, this is how I keep it closed.  If you look carefully, you will see a little white circle near the center point.  That is one of our new Hook & Loop Dots - its partner is hidden behind the stamped image on the front cover for a bit different style of closure.

I hope you like this little project from the Artiste cartridge!  I had SO much fun making this, and it went together very quickly. 

Don't forget, if you haven't bought your copy of Artiste yet, I have a special offer going on.  For every ten people that order the cartridge, one of them will win their cartridge purchase price back!  All you need to do is visit my website and join the gathering that mentions Artiste - 1 in 10 wins and order your cartridge.  (You can of course add other items to your order, like the stamp of the month, National Stamping Month special double stamp set, or whatever.  But if you win, only the cartridge price is refunded, not the entire order.)

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed my monthly journey with the Heart 2 Heart Challenge Blog; I know I sure did!  And I hope to see you again soon!