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Welcome! This is the place where I share my artsy and crafty projects. I am an evolving artist these days ... finding myself enjoying less of the cards and mini albums that I have made for years, and turning to art journaling and more artistic endeavors. I have always enjoyed some craft or other, and some of my earliest memories of my mother helping me make paper dolls and other crafts. I am now in my 60's and finding myself more passionately enjoying creating beautiful things and learning new skills and techniques and products.

While you are here I hope you will find inspiration and ideas for making your own projects, however any images or projects you find here are my personal property and should not be used for your own monetary gain, or for contests or challenges. Thank You!

4/29/2012

Graphic 45 - Olde Curiosity Shoppe Mini Album

Hi There!!!  Do you believe it?  I have time to do a post!   My mama is doing well.  We were able to get her placed in a rehab facility only 8 miles from my home, and she is working on getting her strength back so she can come home with me for a while before she goes back to her home.  Thank you so much for your prayers and good thoughts on her/our behalf!!!

I finished this mini album a couple of weeks ago, but haven't had the time or opportunity to take the pictures or get them posted.  It is another mini album that I made using Graphic 45's 'Olde Curiosity Shoppe' collection.  I have found that I really enjoy designing the structure, or 'bones' of mini albums, and when I had the inspiration for this one, it seemed a good idea at the time, but as work progressed on it, it became more and more of a chore to complete.  But I persevered and am so glad that I did because it turned out really beautiful!

There are a lot of pictures, but I want to show you each page, so let's do them first ...


Front cover



Side View


End View


Inside Front Cover and Page One Closed


Page One Closed.  Flap on right held with hook and loop tape.


Opened pocket with places for photos and journaling.


Pages Two and Three.


Page Two.


Page Three Closed


Page Three Open - The blue photo mat lifts up for space for two more photos.  The tag in the black pocket pulls out for journaling space.


View of flip-up photo mats and tag.


Pages four and five ... Page 5 is corrugated cardboard. 


Close Up of Page Four


Close Up of Page Five - Pocket holds 3 small tags for journaling.


Pages Six and Seven


Page Six Close-Up


Page Seven Close-Up.  This page opens at the flap, but it is an envelope for storing ephemera and treasures.


Pages Eight and Nine


Page Eight Close Up - There is a tag tucked behind the post card pocket.


Tag that fits in behind the pocket made from the post card.


Page Nine Close Up - Closed


Page Nine Opened


Page Ten - Tag in pocket has space for journaling on reverse


View of Page Ten with Tag out of pocket


Inside Back Cover with mat for larger photo


Back Cover


Whew!  That's a bunch of pictures!  Here's all the info ...

Supplies:
  • Base Card Stock (Kraft) - The Paper Studio
  • Patterned Papers, coordinating stickers and chipboard - Graphic 45 'Olde Curiosity Shop'
  • Bling - Prima and Want 2 Scrap
  • Epiphany Crafts Round 25 Bubble Caps
  • Binding Wires - We R Memory Keepers
  • Hook and Loop Tape - Velcro
  • Stamps - Anna Griffin
  • Stickles 'Platinum' and 'Copper'
  • Yellow Ribbon Flower - Maya Road
  • Ribbon, lace, burlap and rick-rack - my stash
  • Vintage Button - my stash
  • Seam Binding - Bluebird Lane Etsy Shoppe
  • Corrugated cardboard - shipping box
  • Brown ink - Stampabilities

Tools:
  • The Cinch - We R Memory Keepers
  • Cricut Expression and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge
  • Martha Stewart / EK Success paper trimmer
  • Martha Stewart / EK Success scoring board
  • Scissors, ruler, craft knife, 1/4" hole punch
  • EK Success Medium Corner Rounding Punch
  • Fiskars 'Apron Lace' Border Punch
  • Epiphany Crafts Round 25 Shape Studio Tool

As I said before, this wasn't the easiest album I've ever made, but it sure did come out nice, and I love the pages that open up for your layout.  Thanks for visiting today, and I hope to see you back here soon!!!  Becky

4/22/2012

What's Up???

Hello!  I know I've been away for a while, but the last few days have been pretty rough!  On Wednesday afternoon (4/18) my 81 y/o Mama was trying to climb into a chair to get a bowl from the top of her cabinet, and slipped and fell, hitting her head on the refrigerator, and fractured her neck ... between the 1 & 2 vertebrae.  I have stayed in the hospital with her constantly except for a couple of quick trips home (hers and mine) to get things we needed.  She has a lot of pain, and is a neck collar and will be for at least 10 - 12 weeks. 



Right now the pain is spiking from time to time ... the result of muscle spasms and the pain of the fracture.  She is a trooper, and trying so hard to do well!

She is still in the hospital, where we have been since Wed. night.  I have been with her almost 24/7, except for a couple of trips to her home and mine to pick up things we needed.  The cot they've given me isn't terribly uncomfortable!  The hope is that by tomorrow she will be moved to a rehab facility near my home, where she will be 2-3 weeks to build up her strength and learn to deal with the collar.  Then she will probably be at my house for a while and hopefully then go home to her home. 

My life won't be the same for a while, but as soon as we get her in rehab I should be able to resume most of my routine, but with daily visits with her.  I can't really bring my scrapping supplies into the hospital, although I've really tried to figure out a way!   So please be patient with me, and in a few days I should be able to get back to creating and sharing my projects with you!




And if you are a praying person, we would appreciate any prayers you lift up for Mama!  Thank you, and Blessings, Becky



4/16/2012

Graphic 45 'An ABC Primer' "My Grands" Mini Album

Hello!  I'm back!  I know I've been gone for a couple of weeks, but with good reason!  First, just life things, things like taking my Mama for a doctor's appointment, and packing for our camping trip to Savannah, GA.  Then, of course, vacation in Savannah!  And most of the things I've been making creatively have been for design team assignments or submitted for publication, and I haven't been able to share them with you ... until now! 

Here is one of my latest mini album projects, using one of my favorite paper collections ... Graphic 45's 'An ABC Primer'.  I had actually submitted it for publication, but it wasn't accepted, so now I can share it with you!  This mini album is available for purchase, so if you are interested, please contact me at lifeatcamelliacottage (at) gmail (dot) com.

First the pictures, then the info ...


Front cover ... corrugated cardboard, painted lightly with white acrylic paint.


I am the queen of fat mini's!  See how chunky this one is???

Inside front cover and page one.

The image of the little boy in the chair flips up to expose two (2) photo mats.

Close up to show the hidden photo mats.

The tag slides in under the picture of the little boy ... great spot for journaling.  Photo mat on t he right side.

The black mat on right looks like a blackboard.  The right side is an envelope for storing ephemera.

Close up of the envelope.  These are so easy to make!

More hidden photo mats under the left side, and a small journaling tag on the right.

Photo mat on the left using corrugated cardboard.  The pocket on the right side holds a tag that is perfect for journaling.

Close up of the pocket and tag.  These pockets are so much fun to make!

Photo mat on the left side, another hidden tag under the image of the little girl.

Back cover ... corrugated cardboard painted with white acrylic paint.

Supplies:
  • Corrugated cardboard - a cardboard box, broken down and stripped
  • Cardstock (kraft) - The Paper Studio
  • Patterned paper - Graphic 45 'An ABC Primer'
  • Ink - Stampabilities
  • Paint - Plaid
  • Stickles 'Platinum' - Ranger Ink
  • Flowers - Prima
  • Burlap ribbon - Maya Road
  • Other ribbons and lace - my stash
  • Vintage buttons - my stash
  • Brown ball fringe - Bazzill Basics
  • Journaling stamp - Anna Griffin
  • Woven jute ribbon - Anna Griffin
  • Wide Jute trim - May Arts
  • Hook and loop tape - WalMart
  • Binding wires - We R Memory Keepers 'The Cinch'

Tools used:
  • Paper trimmer -  Martha Stewart/EK Success
  • Scoring board -  Martha Stewart/EK Success
  • The Cinch - We R Memory Keepers
  • Cricut Expression and Plantin Schoolbook Cartridge (tag)
  • Ruler, scissors, craft knife
  • EK Success Border Punch - Arch Scallop
  • Recollections 1 1/2" Scalloped Circle Punch

I really love my Cinch ... it's so easy to make albums of all sizes and shapes. 

I hope you've enjoyed this mini album!   As I said above, it's available for sale, and if you are interested, send me an email at lifeatcamelliacottage (at) gmail (dot) com.  Come back soon!  I've got a couple more mini's and some cards to share, plus a big announcement coming up soon!  Blessings, Becky