Brainstorming some new ideas...

Good Morning!

Have you all seen this little paper pad at Hobby Lobby? It's in the Valentine's section at the front of the store, at least at the one in my town. I would've missed it if I hadn't wandered into the seasonal section. They used to put scrapbooking supplies in the actual scrapbooking section of the store. Strange, and a little annoying.

Anyways, it's a little different, not overly cute, and I love pretty much anything with a Paris theme. I'm working on a little 6" mini with this paper and I wanted to mention it and show you what it looks like because I'll be doing a tutorial using this one next. Since it's seasonal, it will probably be unavailable here pretty soon.

I know there's a lot of mixed feelings about Hobby Lobby out there right now and I don't want to get people stirred up and start some kind of political discussion on here. That's definitely not my intent:) We have very limited craft stores here and frankly, Hobby Lobby still carries a large amount of scrapbooking goodies and occasionally gets some good stuff in.

On to the "brainstorming some new ideas" part:

I'm working on a few new designs for a Project Life type album that will hopefully stay true to my "style". I love all the flips and flaps (can you tell??) and the interactive nature of a mini, so I'm working on incorporating that into a PL format.

I'd like to hear what you all think about that. I have to admit, PL is one bandwagon I just haven't jumped on. Please don't take that as I'm knocking it or anything. It just isn't the way I normally like to create. I know it's hugely popular though, and I can see why with busy lifestyles and less time all around to "play" with a hobby or document memories, etc. I'd like to offer a slightly different take on it that will allow for a little "play" time (i.e. embellishments and bling, flips and flaps, and magnets), but still be something that gives lots of smaller spaces for pics and journaling spots. It won't be something you can put a whole year of photos in or anything, but maybe a month, and definitely an event.

So, if you get a chance and feel like leaving a comment here or sending me an email, I'd love to hear from you!

I've put a like button over on the side here for my Etsy shop facebook fan page. I'd love it if you'd come on over and become a fan! I promise I won't just post about new listings:) I plan on posting little tips and tricks and probably some hints about upcoming projects. I'd like it to be a place where I can get feedback from you all on what you'd like to see, favorite paper lines, etc.

Hope you're having a great week!

6"x8" Sweet Memories Mini-Album Tutorial

Good Morning!

 I've been working working working!! It's been a lot of fun though and a whole new learning experience:) I was seriously burning the midnight oil last night to put the finishing touches on a new tutorial.

 My 6"x8" "Sweet Memories" mini-album tutorial is now in my Etsy shop HERE.

 As with my other tutorials, this one will walk you through step-by-step how to create the front and back covers and all 14 pages with photo mats and tags. I've also included instructions for finishing off the spine with the ribbon, bow and charm. The tutorial is 38 pages long with 86 photos.

My mini-album tutorials DO NOT include the instructions for the binding and cover assembly. I offer that in a separate tutorial in my shop in both 8" and 6" sizes. I plan to offer many mini-album tutorials in the future in both sizes, so it's a one-time purchase on the binding tutorials that can be used over and over in your crafting adventures.

 I've stitched all of the pages and photo mats/tags in this mini and I've included specific steps in the tutorial for when and how to do this. If you choose not to stitch the mini, that's ok too! You can still create this mini using the tutorial and just skip right over those stitching steps.

 What if you can't find the Basic Grey "Kissing Booth" collection or you want to use a different paper collection? No problem! The measurements in this tutorial are not specific to those papers. In fact, I've used a few papers from my stash in various places throughout the mini. All you need is your favorite 12x12 or 8x8 paper collection and you're off and running!

 I'm currently working on a new 6" mini and should have that finished up this week. I hope to have a video of it up on my YouTube channel by the end of the weekend.


 One other little piece of business news: 

 I'm starting a Facebook fan page (hopefully today) for my Etsy shop and I'd love it if you'd come become a fan! I'll try to get a button on my blog here to make that easy for you:) I've got some plans in the works to help grow my little business venture and shhhhhhhhh....they might just include giveaways on mini-albums.....(I want to see how many people are actually reading all of my blabbering on here:))


 Hope you all have a fantastic Tuesday and I'm off to go get crafty!

6" Mini-Album Binding Tutorial

Good Morning! I hope everyone's enjoying the weekend and staying warm if you're in some arctic weather right now. I've listed a new tutorial in my Etsy shop for a 6" mini-album binding. I'll have a tutorial up soon for a complete 6" mini-album, so I wanted to put that out there now for anyone who wants to get a head start.

This binding uses the same concept as the 8" binding with a few small differences. I've scaled the measurements down, but instead of 14 pages this size has 10 pages with even more room between them for really chunky embellishments and features. When I make a smaller mini like this, I like to make them really dimensional on the inside but still have them able to close nicely like a real book. You'll be able to use those cute and intricate rolled rosebuds on the inside without sacrificing the finished look of the album.This tutorial is a little bit longer than the 8" as I've also included a few extra steps with photos for jazzing up the spine a little more.

For those who have asked for tutorials on some of my minis from last December, please stick with me here! I will get to those next, but as I've mentioned before, I wasn't developing tutorials at the time those were made so I have to re-create those albums. I'm working overtime here to get these new ones out and revisit the previous ones. I should hopefully be caught up in the next few weeks.

I want to thank everyone who has purchased one of my tutorials, left amazing comments here and on my YouTube channel, and encouraged me to continue with this little venture! Thank you for your interest and support:)

Now get crafting!!

6x8 Sweet Memories Valentine's Mini

Hope everyone's enjoying a nice long weekend (sorry if you don't have Monday off)!

 Here's my latest mini-album using the BasicGrey Kissing Booth collection. This is a 6x8 album with 14 pages and a few new features inside. I've designed my own version of a "waterfall" feature with graduated pages that lay flat when you open them (no folds or bending photos like some of them out there) and each page has a tag inside!

 All of the pages in this album are stitched and there's 18 photo mats/tags and room for 50+ photos. I've included accordion-folds,folded pullout photo mats, a gate-fold and lots of magnetic closures (as usual) in this one. I do love those magnets! This was such a fun paper line to work with! The mix of pinks and yellows is so bright and cheerful and the quirkiness of a little bit of office theme and birds somehow works. I was able to make this album with just one package of the 12x12 papers, a few of the stickers and embellishments, and my own addition of accents like mulberry rolled roses and metal/rhinestone hearts, etc.

 This album will be listed on eBay tonight 1/20 ending on 1/27. HERE is a link to the listing, if you're interested.

 Here's a video on this mini to show the details a bit better:


Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll come back soon for more tutorial news!

8" Mini-Album Binding Tutorial PDF

Happy New Year!

I've listed my mini-album binding tutorial in my Etsy shop. All of the details are in the listing, but I'll mention here again that this is to create an 8" long mini-album with 14 pages (this includes the insides of front and back covers). My method allows for the use of solid covers and spine so your albums will look, feel, and act like a real book with space between the pages for more dimensional embellishments, features, etc.

I plan on listing smaller "supplements" with the measurements for different size albums as a time-saver for those who want it.

Hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year's!