More Mini Books, Notebooks and a Layout.

The weekend that all of us scrapbookers have been waiting for is finally here - CHA WINTER 2012.
What I'd give to be there but I am content seeing all the posts and pics of all the new releases for now. Watch out when it hits the stores though - soon very soon.
I have been trying to use my stash in anticipation of all the new stuff so again I made a mini album as well as a small notebook.
For the notebook I used paper from Basic Greys 'Little Black Dress' line. It's a simple little book with a small mini pen attached and a lined notepad inside. I inked and tore the binding edge but kept it fairly plain by just adding BG alpha's and ribbon lace and pom poms to the front. The inside cover has a small pocket for tickets, coupons, etc.
It's handy to throw in your purse or car to jot little tidbits down.
LOL - my age is showing - NO I do not own a Smartphone!

                                      
                   

Next I made a mini album with My Minds Eye 'Lost and Found Two' line and Theresa Collins 'Caroline' line. I love this album (no pun intended). I'm usually not a yellow person but I couldn't resist the yellow & greys of TC's paper. I only have pics of the cover here as well as the attached Tag. The cover uses MME
'Lost and Found Two' paper with the flowers mostly made with TC's paper. With MME's glitter and stamped  paper not much else was needed - a few flowers, a pearl flourish and some ribbon on the binding.

 Like I said, I'm not usually a yellow person so I ended up making my own flowers (sorry Prima).  I used tutorials found HERE on Helen Croft's Blog - she has awesome easy to follow tutorials.                                                            The first one was quick and easy. It was originally posted by Lynne Forsythe on the Reminisce Blog. 

I like the effect of Lynne's with the inked and distressed edges but decided to do mine more plain  as Helen did. I added a MME glitter chipboard to the centre along with a pearl brad.

The second is a Dahlia flower and took a bit more time - and patience. It involved lots of frustrating folding and manipulating but I was happy with the way it turned out. I added an amber colour gem to the centre to give it some bling.

The last one I added onto the attached Tag. The tag itself I inked with Tim Holtz 'Vintage Photo' distress ink then added a strip of MME wide burlap ribbon. I then added a tag from Kaisercraft and inked up some plain chipboard alpha Thickers from American Crafts. Lace, ribbon and a resin heart from Websters Pages finishes it off. The flower was made by  punching  the edges of paper strips, running them thru a crimper (thanks for lending me yours Marlene) then pleating it into a circular shape. A MME brad from the 'Lost and Found Two' line was added to the centre.

 

Lastly, is a layout I did for a challenge over at The Paper Passion. 

I again used paper and chipboard stickers from MME's 'Lost and Found Two'. The snowflakes were made with a Stampin Up punch and misc. hemp twine, brads and rhinestones were used. These photos are from  1990/91 so it was nice to FINALLY get them scrapped!

Well, I have a busy week ahead and HOPEFULLY will have good news to share with you all.

STAY TUNED and Have a Great Week!

Mini Books and More

I have been busy creating minibooks and a small file folder album in order to avoid the grips of winter. It sounds like a good excuse to me to hibernate in my scraproom! (well technically our dining room.)
But just because I was avoiding winter doesn't mean that I wasn't thinking about it.
The first book is a book for winter and snow day pics.I used paper from October Afternoon as well as lots of embellies from the Bo Bunny 'Snowfall' Line. Unfortunately I haven't taken pics of the inside but it has 4 pages (8) and 3 envelopes which open to put journalling or emphera inside then a picture mat on the other side.I used a Spellbinders die to cut the large circle 'doily', edged it with TH distress ink and popped a BB chipboard snowflake on top. I tied a 'Winter' Tag to the spine which I bound using my Bind-it-all and tied on some ribbons. Sorry  but you'll need to stand on your head in order to see the tag.

                                     

The next two are Baby Books. The first one is for pics of my niece's adorable little daughter.
I used the 'Baby Mine' line from Fancy Pants. (is it Fancy Pants or not?? - I honestly forget!)
NO, I think it's My Minds Eye! Doesn't matter - it was perfect for this!

   

      

                                                 
The next one is a baby book using Simple Stories ' Baby Steps' Line. I LOVE this paper as I love all things old and vintagey and it does for either a boy or a girl! This one has some 'peek-a-boo windows and some transparent pages. I made 5 'ATC' cards with the same paper line and sanded and distressed core-dinations cardstock for the backs.

                                            
               
                                               

             

Then, last but not least I made a file folder album using The 'Beautiful Dreamer' line from Glitz Design.
This is such a soft, romantic, vintagey line.
I cut and folded a manila folder and covered and embellished it to take it from drab to romantic. Who ever thought an office folder could be romantic?
I used a Martha Stewart deep edge Heart punch on the inside photo mats. It was the first time using MS punches but I am lovin' them. I like them much better than EK Success edge punches but the funny thing is that MS is made by EK Success - who knew!

Time to do some housework and oh yeah - clean my scraproom (umm diningroom).

La Blanche Stamps

Sorry but for some reason I can't respond to comments here nor can I leave comments on other Blogs. I cleared my cache and cookies but it still doesn't work. So, if I haven't commented on your blog I apologize but it doesn't mean that I'm not reading it. I continue to be inspired by all you talented scrapbookers. And NO Val - I am not going to CHA. I wish I was but for now I too will just have to enjoy seeing the new lines on-line. :(
I promised before that I would show you what I did with the La Blanche stamps. I have 'Country House', Rabbit with Daffodils' and 'Birdcage'. I stamped some on smooth white CS and some on a smooth Ivory CS then adhered them to a black mat and adhered to a note card.

I like the simplicity and elegance of the B&W but you can also colour these stamps if you prefer. I did colour some using Tim Holtz Distress Ink and Ranger Pen Nibs but still like them left uncoloured. The one on the left I coloured lightly giving it a softer look and the one on the right I coloured in more solid.

I also coloured one and covered it in UTEE (Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel). UTEE is great when heated as it only requires one coat for a thick glossy coating. I don't like this one as well though - it seems to take away from the overall look of the stamps. (It's hard to see the gloss in Photo)

And HERE is a video from Blanche showing the techniques I used. They are awesome stamps - coloured or uncoloured!  I can't wait to get more!

Shhh - Don't Tell!

But I'm having a love affair - actually a few to be exact!
It's with all the new lines coming out at CHA winter 2012? OMG  is all I can say!
Of course my favourite manufacturers have not disappointed.
Prima is as you know, my all time fave and the one that is going to put me into bankruptcy!!
Their Almanac and Nature Garden lines are my faves so far. But I love En Francais  too! They're coming out with about 7 new lines so of course you never know until you see them IRL - and then you want them ALL!. Also I am loving that some of their trinkets now come in a soft cream colour rather than the normal metal colour and I'm also loving their strands of gems. Oh and did I mention FLOWERS! Are there any other kind but Prima? And now they're coming out with one called Allegra where chains and trinkets are attached! How perfect is that!!
Okay so much for Prima (I don't work for them - honest).
Websters Pages has a new line called Sunday Picnic . Although WP has awesome designs I am not fussy on the colours of this one. Too bright for me. However, I am loving the embellies regardless of colour! Scroll down on the above link and check out the trims, gems, accents and rhinestones - beautiful!
Next is My Minds Eye. Miss Caroline has a nice variety of collections in pretty colours and some cool woodgrains. In the Follow your Heart line the Be Happy collection is my fave although I never thought I'd say this but MME really doesn't have any this time that I 'have' to have.
And then theres Graphic 45. You either love or hate this company. It can be very challenging to work with but I like the vintageness to it (is that even a word?). I figure that my everyday life is full of challenges, so what's one more! Besides, it's a fun challenge.
Their new line Little Darlings is to die for (IMO).
The colours are gorgeous, the design is gorgeous and it's perfect for baby books, layouts or even cards.
I just wish G45 had embellies to go with their lines - but that is where Prima and WP come in! I like to mix and match anyways and not have things too matchy poo.
Still no peeks from Bo Bunny or Glitz Designs but I'm sure they'll be another 'must have'.
Then there's Tim Holtz.  Who can resist him - umm, I mean his products. He always has the coolest, messiest techniques. He has come out with a new line of Alterations dies and embossing folders for Sizzix. Look out Big Shot!
So, that's a brief rundown of my fave manufacturers and their new CHA lines. There are TONS more and I'm sure many more that I should mention but this post would be waaay too long and I would be responsible for you drinking too much coffee or tea or wine!
Oh, but pour one more cup or glass!
I have a new love in my life.
It's La Blanche stamps.(Note: the link is in German but I just clicked on the images of the different collections to see them.
Google La Blanche stamps and you will find lots of stores in Canada and the US that carry them. There are also some Youtube videos)
They're imported from Germany and are made of a high quality heat resistant silicone mounted on a flat 1/2" thick foam base. No wooden or acrylic blocks required! They have incredible detail and they make for easy and detail stamping with little pressure required.The images are unusual and vintagey and are excellent for layouts or cards and wonderful to colour. I spent all day yesterday playing and experimenting - I will share once I stop playing and take some photos! Anyhoo folks, that's it for now - if you happen to be going to CHA - Have fun and be sure take an extra suitcase for all your goodies
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Try This on for Size!

Before Christmas I saw a Prima album that I fell in love with. The problem was that it was 8.5X11 and I have always scrapped 12x12. With my friends persuasion I decided to give it a try and bought the album.
After the holidays I sat and stared at the stack of 12x12 layouts that  need more albums and then looked at the beautiful 8.5x11 album that sat empty. Was I crazy? So, I bit the bullet and did a 'smaller' layout.
At first it felt strange as I couldn't fit everything on that I wanted. But the photo (4x6) seemed to take centre stage more. So,  I kept telling myself  'I can do this'. I cut, rearranged, eliminated and before I knew it I was done!
And I loved the result - actually I loved the whole process! It was quicker and used less supplies and best of all I can put it in my new album!








I used the 'Printery' line of papers from Prima. I handcut the rose 'swag' from one of the papers then adhered it onto another after adding a photo and mat. The bottom journalling block was also cut from another paper in the same line. I punched each side edge with a lacy type flower punch and added a self adhesive lace ribbon to the top and bottom. A self adhesive lace 'sticker' was added to the top right of the photo with a butterfly from My Minds Eye. Assorted flowers and leaves from Prima were added to 'frame' the photo.
I enjoyed working with the smaller size and I have a feeling that my new album is going to be filled before I know it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe New Years and I wish you all the best for 2012.

A few days before Christmas I received the amazing first kit put out by The Paper Passion - an on-line store based in Alberta. The kit is titled 'Let it Snow' and includes papers from October Afternoon, Crate Paper and Lily Bee Designs as well as TONS of embellies. This kit is HUGE and such a good buy at $43.00. A smaller size is also available at $31.00  but Santa said I was good this year - so I went for the biggie! Thanks Santa!!
I looked at it, fondled it and even drooled a bit but had no time to play. However I still had loads of fun visiting with family and friends and enjoying my grandsons first Christmas! I did manage to make a playdate though in between Christmas and New Year celebrations. I first used the kit to make a layout of my adorable grandsons first Christmas.

I cut the blue scallopped CP pp down to use the edges to create a narrow mat. I also added a strip of the scallop to the OA pp on the right. Everything is from the kit except for Tim Holtz seasonal (winter) ink that I inked most edges with and Ranger Stickles in 'diamond' that I added to the OA snowflake diecuts to give them sparkle.

For the second layout I thought I would use some older photos of my kids on Christmas morning to go with the retro/vintage look of the papers and embellies. It's a lot simpler but was fun to do and sooooo nice to FINALLY get these photos scrapped. (1986!!)Again, everything was from the kit except some awesome adhesive fabric lace from 'Love My Tape.'

I have tons of paper and embellies left - did I mention that this kit was HUGE! I still have a bottle of 'Studio Calico' Mister Huey mist, a 'Studio Calico' mask, 'Hambly' vintage rub-ons, 'Maya Road' gauze blossoms, 'Maya Road' canvas tags, 'Martha Stewart' adhesive borders, an adhesive backed felt flower, lots of 'October Afternoon' pp and 3 sheets of 'Bazzill' Cardstock THAT ARE STILL UNTOUCHED and waiting for another project! I also have lace, brads, pearls, crocheted flowers, stickpins, vintage tags and stickers all used in the above lo's BUT plenty left for more! Looks like I better get busy!