hearts home holidays Mini Album

Here's a little mini album finishing off the paper from my Thanksgiving Blessing album. I followed the tutorial  from the "Give Thanks" mini album that Patti Milazzo did.   First off this is a really long post. You may click the pictures to see them in more detail.  The album height is 5 1/2".  I punched my holes for the rings at 1 1/2" off of center.  All of my edges are inked with Vintage Photo distress ink.

The cover is 5 1/2" x about 2 3/4" wide.  I started with a a rectangle of 5 1/2" x 3" and traced a shaped page onto the rectangle then cut it out.  I added a punched shape to the center with my sentiment stamped and matted across the center. A few silk flowers and leaves tucked behind completes my cover.

 
On the back of cover I punched the same shape to cover the one on the front.  The banner is cut at 5 1/2" x 2" wide.  I attached a silk flower with a pearl to the corner.

On the back of the banner I stapled a bit of ribbon in the corner.  For the "Chilly Days" page, I cut 4" x 3 1/2" then punched on the 3 1/2" side.  I added a small piece of pattern paper and a silk flower at the bottom of the page. 

On the back of the "Chilly Days" page the tag is gut to 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" wide with a small stamped image in the corner and a piece of ribbon stapled to the tag.  The tag is cut at 4 1/2" x 3" wide with a piece of ribbon stapled to the top.

On the back of the tag I have two prima flowers with a button and crochet yarn at the top of the tag.  The "Joy" page is cut to 5 1/2" x 4" wide.  I used my 1 3/8" circle punch to make the label and stapled it onto the paper.  I added a small piece of punched blue paper then adhered the "joy" letters to the page. 

 On the back I stamped "together" and matted it and used foam tape to adhere it to the top of the page.  I added a small banner for journaling at the bottom of the page. The tag is 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" wide. I've used the Stampin' Up Large tag with "imagine" stamped, a heart and a small bit of ribbon stapled to the top.

The back of the tag has a couple of silk flowers and a button with crochet thread on the bottom corner.  The next page is a pocket with a tag inside. I use an alphabet stickers "photos"  and added a mat in the center.  The pocket is 5 1/2" x 3 3/4" wide.  I added a bit of the ribbon to one side of the tag and a silk flower to the other side of the tag.

On the back I have a piece of pattern paper as a mat, I stamped "the love is all that matters" and mounted it on foam tape at the top with a rub on which is punched out with the  3/4" and 1" circle punches. For the Pennant journaling spot I cut it to 2" x 3 3/4" wide then punched the heart in blue paper and glued it to the the top.  I reversed my paper and punched another blue heart for the back of the pennant (picture below).

For the "home" page I cut the paper to 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" then added a rub onto a punched piece of orange pattern paper. 

On the back I cut a piece of tan card stock then added a punched strip of pattern paper with "celebrate" stamped and punched out.  The tag is cut to 4 1/2" x 3" wide with a bit of ribbon stapled to the top.  I just love this scrap piece of paper and decided I need to use it.

I used the same paper on the back of the tag but added a flower, button and crochet thread to the top of the tag.  The "gratitude" page is 5 1/2" x 4 1/2" wide. 

On the back I added a pocket page spelling out traditions and added a rhinestone brad to the flower and a couple of silk leaves.  I have two mats tucked inside the pocket ready to go.  I have a banner journaling spot measuring 2 1/2" x 4 " wide.

  The "Life is Good" page is 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" wide.

On the back is a pocket page.  I stamped "with a grateful heart" and mounted it onto a piece of pattern paper with foam tape.  I adhered a small bunch of silk flower behind it.  The pattern scallop paper was part of a border that I used to decorate the pocket.  I added a flower with a pearl on one side of the tag and ribbon to the other side of the tag in the pocket. The tag is 5" x 3" wide with a couple of the Prima Hydrangeas and a button in the center.

I stapled ribbon to the top of the to leave plenty of room to journal.  The next page is 5 1/2" x 4 3/4" wide.  I just added a flower with a pearl to the top corner of this page. 

On the back side I stapled the ribbon in the top corner and added a silk flower and maple leave in the bottom left corner.  I stamped "treasure" and adhered it to a punched shape with foam tape.For the last page I made a side pocket with a couple of mats already to go.  I have a piece of ribbon stapled to the corner of one and a flower with a pearl to the other.  I made a journaling spot by punching out the heart shape and adhering it to the top of the pocket then I used Glossy Accents in the heart shape.

Thanks for stopping by.

Recipe:
Paper: All of the paper in this Mini is from other projects. 
Stamps: Stampin' Up - Tiny Tags; Impression Obsession - Express yourself Word Play  (imagine, celebrate, treasure); Unity: July 2011 Kit of the Month {...better together} together; May 2012 Kit of the Month {Love in an Instant} - the love is all that matters,
Markers: Stampin' Up - Stampin' Write - Rich Razzleberry, Poppy Parade and Soft Suede;  Bic -
Ink: Distress Ink - Vintage Photo; VersaMagic - Coffee Bean, Midnight Black
Punch: Stampin' Up - Scallop Edge Border, Decorative label, Large Tag, 1 3/8" circle punch, Word Window; Paper Shapers - Folk Heart; Marvy - 3/4" and 1" circle punches.
Flowers:  Prima - Hydrangea No. 5, Unknown - silk and paper flowers
Alphabets: Pink Paislee - Whimsies - Chocolate(home); Piggy Tales - Georgie Porgie Collections (joy); Kaiser Craft - Mini Alpha Stickers Black & White, Unknown orange (photos)
Rub ons; Cherry Arte - I Love You (flowers on orange tag); 7 gypsies - elements
Ribbon: Sheer Creations 7/8"
Misc.: Adhesive, foam tape, hot glue gun, tiny staples, crochet thread, Stampin' Up - Pretties kit, Glossy Accents, Score Tape, buttons

Matchbox - Tags Bags Boxes and More Series #3

I like to use the matchbox on pages 123 (outside) and 124 (inside) of the Cricut handbook for packaging when I gift one of the jewelry sets I make. My box (the inside) is cut a little smaller than the outside of the box. If you are looking at the overlay it is button 42 (outside) and 43 (inside).

If you missed the Shopping Bag Series 1 click here.
If you missed the Crayon Box - Series 2 click here.

This is my finished box. I used a simple belly band on this one to wrap my box and a little bit of ribbon pull to open the drawer.


I used part of the pattern paper for the main piece of the belly band, then added the blue card stock and two pieces of punched orange card stock on either side. I start out with a 12' for the length, build up my layers, then score to fit the outside of the box and finally cut the belly band. I did some trimming of the border so I do not overlap the lace pattern.




I used a circle punch and a hole punch to attach the ribbon for the pull. Inside the box I have another strip of orange to cover up the ribbon knot.




This is my box all put together, I just need to add the jewelry set.


Thanks for stopping by.

Click here for the cut file.

Recipe:
Cardstock: DCWV - blue and orange; DSP - DCWV The Stack 6
Cricut Cartridges: George, Tags, Bags, Boxes and More
Punches: Hole punch, 1/2" circle punch; Martha Stewart - Swirling Lace Border punch
Ribbon: Stampin' Up - 1/2" Baja Breeze Seam binding
Misc: Score tape, adhesive

Crayon Box - Tags Bags Boxes and More Seires #2

I like to put the little doodling pages and mini albums that I make into the crayon box before I give them away. The Crayon Box is on page 129 of the handbook.

I used the 12x12 mat, Fit To Page and Blackout Features to cut my card stock base. The Cricut will cut this out at 8 3/4". Once it is cut I score, fold, and ink the edges of the box.

Here is what the card stock looks like cut out. I inked the edges. There is small oval that will fit on the flap if you choose to decorate the flap.

The mini notebook I made is 5 1/2 x 4 1/4. I use the bind it all and the small wires to put the notebook together with about 30 pages.

It fits nicely in the crayon box

If you missed the Shopping Bag Series #1 click here.

Click here for the cut file.

Thanks for stopping by.

Recipe:

Paper: DCWV -Cardstock tan and green; DSP - Animal Crackers Stack

Ink: Inkadinkadoo - old olive

Shopping Bag - Tags Bags Boxes and More Series #1

I like to use the Fit to Page feature to cut the bags and boxes out of Tags Bags Boxes and More, but I hate measuring the sides every time so that I can cover it with my stamped image or Designer Paper. So how about a Tags Bags Boxes and More Series showing the layers made on Design Studio.

When I use the 12x12 mat and the Fit to Page feature I selected the shopping bag on page 114 , the Cricut will cut the bag to 5 3/4 inches. Once it is cut I score the edges that will need to be folded and then distress all the edges and folds. I then cut the layers I made on white card stock and stamped my images.



Here is what the shopping bag looks like - distressed edges with stamped and inked layers glued down. I use score tape to put the bag together.

Here is the front of the shopping bag. I added a stamped and punched "Just for you" on a paper clip and a piece of black ribbon ties through the oval.

Here is the back and side of the finished shopping bag.

Now how about using Designer Paper to cover the shopping bag with the black out feature selected.

This is what the 12x12 piece of designer paper looks like. I cut the top down so that I could get the branches and the leaves with a little of the blue sky at the top.

This is what my shopping bag looks like with everything distress, inked and glued to the shopping bag.

Here is what the front side of shopping bag looks like all put together.

Here is the back. I'm not sure what I'm using this one for so I have added a sentiment to it.


Click here for the cut file. The file has all three of the shopping bags - the oval, the circle and the solid fronts.


Recipe:

Paper: DCWV Cardstock - white, tan and green; DCWV The Photo Real Stack 3 for the Designer Paper

Stamps: Stampin' Up - Hodgepodge Happiness - just 4 you; Close to My Heart - Raccoon and Friends

Ink: Versa Mark; Stampin' Up - Pear Pizzazz; Distress Ink - Vintage Photo

Misc: adhesive, paper clip, ribbon, score tape

Cards and Envelopes ...

Using the Card Feature on the Cricut. I needed to make a few card to cheer a friend up so I thought I would do a tutorial for you.

***Even though I am showing you how to do this in Design Studio you do not need Design Studio to do this. ***

First determine the size of the card you will be making and set the dial size to that. I am using 4 1/4 for my cards and envelopes. Now leave the dial size alone. You will not need to use it again for this project.

To make the card top press the card feature button and select your image. Load your paper and cut.

Now select the shift lock button and your card feature button again. You may need to cut a couple of different times for the shape to get all the colors cut. I cut four different times for this flower. Twice for green, one each of red and purple. I like to decorate my cards with an image on the inside.

For the card base select the card base, load your paper and cut. The Cricut will score and cut. I have been using 8 1/2" by 11" card stock for card base and another sheet for the envelope.

For the envelope select the card feature button, shift lock, and the envelope. This is the envelope that goes with this card. Load you paper and cut.

I loose just a little bit of the flap when I use and 8 1/2 x 11" piece of paper. It's not a lot, I just make sure that this flap is folded to the inside. When folding you envelope be sure to use a bone folder. I use red line tape for the flaps on the envelope. Since I'm making this as a gift I leave the red plastic on the last envelope flap.

Now that you have all of your elements cut you can assemble your card and envelope.

I like to run my card top through the Cuttlebug to add some interest to the card. I used the Stylized Flowers for this card.

Depending on how you emboss your card front depends on where you window will be. For this reason I use double sided paper.

I then tie a ribbon around the window and the side of the card top before I glue to the card base. I cut off the top of the green tulips before I glued the leaves on. I used pop up dots behind the purple and red tulips.

How you glue the card front to the card base will determine whether you have card that opens to the top or the side.

As I said I like the same design to the inside of my card. I glue the green tulip base to the side, then glued the purple and green tulips on top.

For the Dragonfly Card I used the Argyle folder, Sunflower Card - Bird Call Folder,Turtle Card -D'vine Swirl and the Bumble Bee Card - Mesh folder

Recipe: Cricut: Walk in My Garden Paper: 2 sheets of 8 1/2" x 11", scraps of green, red, purple Misc: glue, ribbon, cuttlebug, pop up dots, red line tape

Floral Stick Pins

I like the look of the stick pin you see in various projects on the Internet. I have not bought any as the only ones I can find come in the color of pink and are shaped hearts. If you have been following my blog you can see that I don't use pink a lot. I have guys so I need guy colors. Here is what I came up with. I went to JoAnn's and looked in the floral department and bought the floral pins.

I dipped them into acrylic paint and let dry. Then applied a coat of varnish. After they were dry I cleaned them up with my fingernail to get the excess paint and varnish off.

This is what they look like with the varnish, nice and shiny,

I used the Ranger distressing ink, stamp pad ink, and alcohol ink on them. I just twirled the stick pin while adding the alcohol ink, or rubbed them across my stamp pad. A Styrofoam plate works well to hold the stick pins up while drying. Once they were dry I dipped them in varnish. The ones I rubbed in stamp pad ink were still a bit damp after leaving them over night, but I dipped them in varnish anyway. They dried very nicely.

With a few buttons, beads, or ribbon you now have a custom made stick pin. This is what mine looks like. I glued a seed bead to the bottom of the pin so no one would poked them self.

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorials

I recently watched a webinar that the National Association of Digital Scrapbookers held. The tutorial was excellent and I learned a lot. This layout is based on the tutorial I watched.

I believe that I am a pretty good multitasker, so I had my Adobe Photoshop Elements on my computer at the same time the webinar was going on. Next time I will just take notes then make my layout based on what I learned.

Digital Layout - questions

A few posts down I was asked this question:


Hi, This is really a great template. I downloaded it and tried it and I love it. I am new to Photoshop and this makes me look professional. Unfortunately I don't have a snowman picture of my grandkids at the moment. Is it difficult to change the lettering? Anyway thank you so much for sharing.


The simple answer is yes. I'm still learning Photoshop Elements, but I have merged the layers together to create the box and lettering. Here is a small tutorial to help make your own - in Photoshop Elements 5.0. This is a long Post.


I will be making this January Template and this is what it looks like with a picture.











1. I work with black as my foreground color and I select it first when I am making another template.


2. Open a new document and select your width and height. Here is my settings: Width and Height: 12 inches; Resolution 300 pixels/inch; Color Mode: RGB Color; Background Contents: Transparent.

3. Select your Shape Tool (cookie cutter) - I have been using the rectangle shape and draw a shape on your your layer the approximate size you want. I play with this step to get it where I want it to be.

4. Select your Text Tool and type the word underneath the shape. For this one I am using the Ravie font. Resize and stretch the font to fit underneath your shape with the top of the font touching the shape.

5. From the top menu bar select Layer and and Merge Visible. This will merge the text and the shape together. If you look on the left hand side under layers you know have one layer. Mine is called January.






6. Add a new layer. I name this one Background and move it underneath my January layer.








7. I then select the Paint Bucket and fill my background layer with white.












8. I have been adding the year at the bottom of my Templates. For this I am using the Vladimir Script at font size 72


If you would like to download this template click here.