Simple Stories Quick Mini Album

I love Simple Stories and the Harvest Lane collection is no exception!  I love how Simple Stories makes your projects come together so easily.  Using the 6 x12 sections of the 12x12 pages I made a very quick album with a few quick snips of coordinating papers and matching stickers.

I plan to fill it with our family's favorite fun Fall 2012 photos!
  You can create one for yourself in 30 minutes or less!

Come to the store and check it out for yourself! 

Scrap Folders for Special Events

Not enough time to scrapbook all the pictures you want.  Scrap Folders may be jsut what you need.  I was excited to try this  new technique that I'd been reading about.  They are a lot like Scrapbooks except instead of many pages for a single event, you make a folder per event and include lots of places to store extra pictures and memorabilia.  I chose to make my first attempt with the Basic Grey Clippings line and pictures from last year’s family reunion.  I think it turned out pretty well.  And in addition, to what you see in the pictures, I have a photo album in a pocket, two files for extra stuff and a CD with all the pictures in a pocket. 

You start with a basic file folder -- like the ones you use for normal filing.  You can use one and decorate both sides.  I used two to make it a little sturdier and to allow me to use brads. (Although I didn’t end up using any.) When you use two, you make one the inside and one the outside and then glue together. 

I figured out how I wanted the inside of the folder to look and that I wanted two pockets – one for a photo CD and one to hold a small photo album and extra memorabilia.  When I had this figured out, I cut out the pieces of paper to fit the folders.  It is not necessary to do this exactly as you can trim afer gluing down.   On the bottom left side, I used two pieces of Novella, so that the pocket totally blends into the page.  For the right pocket (for a photo CD)  I cut out a design out of the Flannel Suit paper and turned it upside down. I stitched the two pockets to the paper..  (If you’re not into sewing, it would work just as well to attach the paper forming the pocket with RedScor Tape or other strong tape.)  Before covering the sides, I put a strip down the center with crease where needed for folder to fold.  Then I put the paper (with pockets on each side) and affixed a strip along the right edge.  I affixed all of these with a glue stick and a brayer.   I needed to trim some of the edges a little.  Also, I inked various pieces and edges of file folders with Fired Brick, Vintage Photo and Peeled Paint Distress Ink.

The  “Generations” you see in the photo is a small hoto album.  (I’ll blog on how to make it on the 14^th.)  I used a large letter “K” to represent the family name.   I love these letters and you  get them in a few different colors at ScrapbooksPlus.  They add a lot and are very inexpensive.    

I used a variety of Clippings items to decorate the inside, the outside and the photo album, including Sticker Titles, Stickers Elements, Printed Chipboard and Alphas, and Garland.  Just get a pack of each and you’ll have plenty of embellishments for a few files.  (I cut the “2011” from the Typewriter paper with a small circle punch.)  I added a picture and mat to the plain black box on the CD pocket and using those great Clippings Alpha letters I added title.  The banner at the top is held on with Tim Holtz Muse Tokens.  

Then I covered the outside of the other folder using Gazette and Typewriter.   I knew from the beginning that I wanted to spell something with the letters from the 5^th Avenue paper.  So I spelled “Family.” To make the letters a little more interesting.  After distressing the edges of each letter, I embossed the edges with Stampendous Aged Taupe Embossing Powder.   I “inked” the edges with VersaMark.  Like with inking I didn’t make it even, I simply rubbed the edges with the VersaMarc so it is thicker in some places than others.  I then sprinkled the edges with the embossing powder and heat embossed.  This embossing powder includes a variety of granules so it can create interesting textures.   (I just learned that with this embossing powder it is better if you heat from the bottom.   I just heated from the top as usual.  Try it both ways and see which you like best. ) I also used it to emboss the word “Photographs” on the cover.  I added a picture and some strips along the bottom.  To make it sturdier, I covered the outside with a couple of coats of Modge Podge. Then I added two large Tim Holtz Word Keys.  (Note: Because of the shape of folders, I used you see a good portion of the inside right across the top of the top when closed.)   

Once the outside and inside were done,  I fastened the two folders together along the outer edges.  As a result I have two large areas to store memorabilia, etc. I made two smaller file folders made from Drafting Table paper and the tabs from the Tim Holtz Sizzix On the Edge Folders to keep some additional photos or memorabilia.  You can see tabs in the photo. 

This is one of the most fun projects, I’ve done in a while.  I encourage you to try to make a Scrap Folder for some of your precious memories. 

Using the Alora Line to Make A Thank You Book

I warned you last month that after I found out how great it was to make a book with coordinated papers and embellishments that my altered item might be a book every month.  Two months doesn’t always make, but the BoBunny Alora line had such cute items I couldn’t resist making a book as a thank you gift.  My aunt included three extra Moms, who weren’t going to be with their children on Mother’s Day,  in the celebration that she was having with her kids.   A book with some pictures of each Mom seemed a great way to say thank you.

And since this was a thank you for inviting us to her home, a house was the perfect shape.   I made the book with a house die that is available for you to use at ScrapbooksPlus.  It is just the right size for a book.  I made both covers from chipboard and then covered them with Alora papers.  One thing I love about making your own book shape rather than using a purchased one is that you can cut the papers to cover the pages with the same die.  Oh so easy!  For the inside pages, I simply glued two pages together.  Even though the Alora papers are double-sided, I still glued them together as I didn’t think a single-sheet was quite sturdy enough.  Another alternative is to make a chipboard base for each page.  This would make your book much more durable.  (One thing I would do differently is to cut off the edge of the roof on the side that I am binding together for the book as it catches.  If you just use your trimmer to cut that side straight the pages will turn easier.  I plan on doing this when I pick mine up.)  

I encourage you to take a look at the larger dies available at ScrapbooksPlus for you to use.  You can use them while you’re at a crop at no charge.  During non-crop hours, use of the room and all the tools (including dies) is free if you spend $5.00 .  You can buy the chipboard you need at the store.  Another advantage of cutting your book at the store is you only buy what you need.

I punched holes for the ribbon to hold the book together with my Crop-a-dile and inserted We R Memory Keepers Eyelets.  Not only do they keep the holes from ripping, but they add a bling.   The turquoise ribbon that I used to hold the book together is a bit shimmery as well.

On the front and back cover, I stamped “thanks a bunch” and a heart inside a jar with a stamp available at Scrapbooks Plus.  (The stamp includes some other cute items you can include inside the jar.)   On the back cover, I wrote below the jar what the “thanks” was for with a pen, making the book like a thank you card.  I decorated the covers and pages using letters, borders and designs from ComboStickers, Tiny Type Cardstock Stickers, Alora Brads and Alora Jewels.  The Alora Jewels are practical because they include rhinestones and pearls in a variety of sizes. I love using them for flower centers.  On one page, I used a flower border sticker and put a jewel inside every flower.  I found two more  great ribbons at ScrapbooksPlus to use as accents in the book.   And I cut out Alora papers in a variety of shapes to add to the pages and serve as photo mats.  I especially like the alarm clock and fan cut with the Tim Holtz Movers & Shapers dies.

I think my aunt is going to like this a lot better than the usual thank you note. 

And as I’ve discovered, if you simply buy paper and embellishments from the same line, you can make a book quickly.   You can choose from pre-made shapes of chipboard and cover them with paper, make your own shapes as I did or simply use a square or rectangle shape.  Whatever shape you choose,  I’m confident the recipient will be happy.

Birthday Reminder Mini Book

I have really enjoyed being a member of the Scrapbooks Plus Design Team this year.  It has really helped me stay on top of the new paper lines and encouraged me to step outside my creative box a bit.  I love seeing all the awesome art work my fellow team members create.  They are all so talented!!  Thanks, Scrapbooks-Plus, for letting me be a part of this great team!!

This month's kit was really fun to work with! I was expecting to scrapbook my pictures from last Christmas with holiday themed papers but Lisa surprised me with this cool kit!  It inspired me to look back at the different months of 2011 and also think ahead about one of my goals for 2012.  I confess that I am terrible about remembering birthdays.  Not my immediate families' birthdays thankfully, but others that I really care about that I am also close to.  I really want to get organized in 2012 to help me overcome this fault and put together a perpetual calendar where I can jot down all the important birthdays.  This paper was perfect for this!  The kit has some pages that you can easily cut into 4 x 6" pieces for the pages. 

I alternated my colored pages and used the super cute coordinating stickers to embellish my pages.  On the unlined pages, I used a 'journaling' stamp for my lines but you could easily draw the lines in with a ruler or go with the freehand method without lines!  I used a punch for my month tabs and the letter stickers that came with the kit for the month titles on each.  Below is a photo of the tabs and the page for June.

Stop by the store and take a look at this super quick book.  I used my Bind it All to put it all together and tied ribbons on the outside for added cuteness!  These would also make super cute gifts for friends and family.  Enjoy!

Chomp, Chomp! by Esther

The summer theme and bling appealed to me for this month. But also, I was excited to get my hands on the Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper. It was shown in magazines several months ago. I had to have one. When Scrapbooks got them in, I was there. What a great tool to add to your collection.

I "chomped" corners to my heart's content over into the night. It has a quarter inch & a half inch corners. The bits of paper from the corners are caught in the device. These are easily emptied when you are ready. This tool makes it easy to see that your corner is in place before cutting both lightweight and heavier weight corners. I tried it on cardstock , then chipboard. Next was the acrylic pieces. It is great!

The mini album shown is a product of my excessive use of the Chomper. This mini album is a way to show some of the summer photos, I look forward to taking soon.

You can cut the chipboard pieces to sizes desired at the store. Look under the DT Wall for the cutter. The summer & play themed papers are Flair & Best Creation. Glitter cardstock was easily cornered with the chomper. The paper & cardstock can be adhered to the chipboard and after it is dry, both are cornered for a smooth cut.
Get your hands on this tool & chomp, chomp!

Bo Bunny minibooks

I've been saving this Clear Scraps chipboard book for something special. And this book, this month's Bo Bunny paper and my daughter's recital pictures are just a great match! She loved the book so much she was not very happy with me when I took it to display at the store.

The fun thing about this chipboard book is all the pages have different edges. And I liked the raw chipboard look, so I left a lot of it showing after I inked the edges. How do you ink rounded edges? Simple - use a spongy eye shadow applicator or a dauber.

I used a Jenni Bowlin calendar page here to mark the date of the show. Journaling was added around the pictures, on the paper, wherever it fit.

Sometimes you don't need a lot to make a great statement. Here I used Bo Bunny chipboard, Bo Bunny stickers and a bracket shape cut from the patterned paper.

What to do with all those programs? Add them to your project, of course! I used Mod Podge to glue the interior of the program right into the book covering one of the pages.