October Afternoon - 9 to 5 - Mini Album

You know I've only been making mini albums for a few months, right?  I mean, up until earlier this year, I only did cards ... period!  But then I made my first mini and I was hooked!  And while I've loved every album I've made, none of them are as special as this one ... I mean, I LOVE ♥♥♥♥♥♥ this mini album, and it's all because of the wonderful papers I used!

I've been a fan of October Afternoon for a long time, but this new collection '9 to 5' is just amazing!  So much fun to work with, although that may have more to do with my memories from the 70's, 80's, 90's and beyond working in offices than anything.  Before I started working on this album, I already knew that I wanted to 'sort of' scraplift an album made by Lindsey.   I have been reading the blog that Lindsey shares with her mother, Twyla, for several years, but when I saw this album I was just amazed, and knew I had to give it a shot!    And I'm really excited how it came out!  Here is the cover of  my mini album ...

As usual, this will be a photo heavy post, so I'm going to share all the pages and features first, then I will list all the supplies, tools and such ... so here goes ...

Pages One and Two

Pages one and two show pockets, tags and photo mats.  Page one has three tags and two photo mats, and page two has two photo mats and one tag.

Pages Three and Four

Page three is a 'flip mat' for three photos, page four has three tags ... one is decorated with the chipboard high heel from the 'Miscellany' package.  I inked it in black and heat embossed it with Ranger black embossing powders.  It wasn't 'shiny' enough for me, so I added two layers (drying in between each) of Glossy Accent to really kick it up a bit!  

Pages five and six are two of my favorites!  I love the houndstooth, and I love the blue and green!  I also just L♥VE the 'Secretary's Friend' typewriter ribbon label.  Page five has three photo mats, and page six has two.  One of the ones on page six ... the 'guest ticket' one came out of my Mama's purse!  She was looking through a book of phone numbers and the ticket was stuck in the notebook.  It had one phone number written on the back, but I told her she had to write that down somewhere else, because I needed - had to have - that ticket!  And doesn't it match the paper perfectly???  Oh, and I think the houndstooth heart, made with the  Epiphany Crafts 'Heart 25' Shape Studio tool is a perfect accent!

Pages seven and eight have diagonal pockets, and each pocket holds three photo mats.  I used the telephone sticker and added Glossy Accents to give it some shine, and added a 'Tin Pin' to one of the photo mats.  

Page Nine has a horizontal pocket, filled with Miscellany bits, as well as a tag.  And up across the top I made a pennant banner using the Epiphany Pennant Shape tool, and the Round 25 shape tool.   Page 10 has a vertical pocket, with a few photo mats inside, but my favorite part of this page is the silhouette which came from one of the typewriter ribbon labels.  I used the Epiphany Scalloped Circle 25 shape tool, and it's such a cute accent!

Page Eleven has a vertical pocket as well, edged with a card stock border, and photo mats made from more of the Miscellany bits.  I love the 'ampersand'  (&) Tin Pin!  Page Twelve has another horizontal pocket with several photo mats, a couple made from the Miscellany bits.  I also used another Epiphany Scalloped Round 25 shape tool on the corner of one of the mats.

Back Cover

I used scraps of coordinating ribbons and trims to decorate the binding.

Supplies:

• Covers - The Cinch 6" square book covers
• Patterned paper -  October Afternoon 9 to 5 Collection
• Die Cuts and other elements - October Afternoon 9 to 5 'Miscellany', 'Tin Pins', '12" x 12" Shape Stickers', 'Word Stickers' and 'Label Stickers'
• The Cinch - 1.25" binding wires
• Stickles 'Platinum' - Ranter Ink
• Bubble Caps - Epiphany Shape Studio Tools 'Round 25', 'Scalloped 25', and Pennant
• Glossy Accent, Black Embossing Powder (high heel chipboard) - Ranger Ink
• Guest Check - My Mama's purse .... she had a phone # written on the back and I pretty much 'made' her re-write the # on something else and give me the check.  The 'distressing' is real!
• Brown ink - Stampabilities
• Tape Measure Trim - Tim Holtz
• Ribbon and trims - miscellaneous from my stash

Tools:

• The Cinch - We R Memory Keepers
• Cricut Expression and Plantin Schoolbook cartridge
• Epiphany Shape Studio Tools - Round 25, Scalloped 25, and Pennant
• Fiskars 'Apron Lace' Border Punch
• Carl PRT-100 Rotary Cutter and 'squiggle' and 'colonial' blades
• Martha Stewart / EK Success Paper Trimmer
• Cuttlebug
• Spellbinders Nestabilities 'Scallooped Circles Small'
• Scissors, ruler, craft knife

This album was so much fun, and even exciting to make, I was joyful, bordering on giddy as I was working on it, because I knew it was going to be something special!  For the last month or so, this album has been on display at my LSS, Altered Angel in Alpharetta, GA, and apparently it has gotten a lot of interest.  I met one lady at Scrapbook Expo who told me she had made pictures of all of it and bought everything so she could make one exactly like it!  They say imitation is the truest form of flattery, and I appreciate her telling me how much she liked this album. 

I hope to be back soon with something new ... Blessings, Becky

Authentique 'Inspiration Color Challenge', and Little Red Wagon 'Beach Theme' Challenge

Hi Folks!  I know it's been a while, but sometimes life gets in the way of crafting and/or blogging about your crafting!  But I am back today with a sweet card that I made with two challenges in mind!  The challenges are ...

• Authentique Paper "June Inspiration Color Challenge", and
• Little Red Wagon "Beach Theme Challenge"

Of course the beach theme AND the color inspiration photo ...
 

went perfectly with Authentique Paper's 'Fresh' Collection, and I just happened to have the whole (almost) kit of 'Fresh' goodies.  Here is the card that I made ...

And here are all the details ...

Supplies:

• Card base - Bazzill Basics 'Card Shoppe' card stock
• Patterned Papers - Authentique Papers 'Fresh' Collection, 'Pure' 'Free' and 'Crisp'
• Stickers - Authentique Papers 'Fresh' Collection 'Elements' and 'Details'
• Bubble Caps - Epiphany 'Round 25' 
• Trim - Anna Griffin
• Ink (only on edges) - Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad 'Frayed Burlap'
• Adhesive - Beacon 3 in 1 Advanced Craft Glue and Glue Arts 'Gluedles'

 Tools:

• Martha Stewart / EK Success Paper Trimmer
• Martha Stewart / EK Success Scoring Board
• Epiphany 'Round 25' Shape Tool
• Ruler, Scissors, Craft Knife

 Tips and Tricks:

• Just lightly inking the edges of papers and images gives them a finished look and makes them pop off the page!
• Trims that aren't perfectly straight, like this curvy trim by Anna Griffin, give a sense of movement on your projects!
• Can't find the perfect button or embellishment for the paper you are using?  The Epiphany tools make great embellishments that match your papers perfectly, because they are made USING that paper!  The one on top right was made using a sticker from the 'Details' sheet, and the bottom left was made using an element from the 'Pure' patterned paper.

I hope you  have enjoyed my project today!  Come back soon for another paper crafting project!  Blessings, Becky

Epiphany Crafts Color Challenge

I finally got to see an Epiphany tool - and all you can do with them - in action earlier this year, but I am now totally sold on them!  You can use the tools with the matching bubble caps and 'findings', or you can use them just as a punch!  Seriously, if you haven't checked them out, you really should, because the possibilities for using them are endless!  I am now proud owner of the round 25 and heart 25 shape tools, and the flower 20 button tool.


This week Epiphany Crafts is having a color challenge, asking you to use a 'rainbow' of colors on a project.  As soon as I saw the challenge, I knew what I wanted to do with it.  Can you say Simple Stores 'Summer Fresh' chevron paper???  What's better than a rainbow?  Well, a chevron rainbow, of course!!!

Here is my card based on the challenge ...

And here are all the details ...

Supplies:

• Kraft card stock (base) - The Paper Studio
• Patterned papers and sun element - Simple Stories 'Summer Fresh' collection
• Flower buttons - Epiphany 'Flower 20' button bubble caps
• Sentiment - SRM Stickers
• Brown ink - Stampabilities
• Stickles 'Diamond' and 'Platinum' - Ranger Ink
• Brown corded twine - Maya Road
• Red twine and bumble bee - my stash

Close up of flower pot using Epiphany Crafts 'Flower 20' Button Studio Tool and button bubble caps

Tools:

• Epiphany Crafts 'Flower 20' Button Studio Tool
• Martha Stewart / EK Success Paper Trimmer
• Martha Stewart / EK Success Scoring Board
• Scissors, Ruler, Craft Knife

Steps:

1. Cut kraft card stock to 5" x 10".
2. Score center line to make card 5" square.
3. Ink edges with brown ink.
4. Trim 'chevron' paper to 5" square and adhere to kraft card stock.
5. Fussy cut sunshine element with scissors and adhere to card.
6. Cut flower pot shape from burlap paper using scissors and adhere to card.
7. Adhere sticker sentiment to scrap of kraft card stock.
8. Trim card stock to slightly larger than sticker.
9. Ink edges with brown ink.
10. Adhere sentiment to card using foam dots.
11. Cut basic leaf shapes from green polka dot paper and ink edges with brown ink.
12. Adhere leaves to card, just above the flower pot.
13. Make the flowers by using the Epiphany 'Flower 20' punch and buttons.  I used scraps of 5 different pages from the Simple Stories 'Summer Fresh' papers.
14. Thread flower buttons using red bakers twine.
15. Make a small bow from twine and adhere to flower pot.
16. Adhere bumble bee to card.
17. Using a black sharpie, make a dashed 'flight pattern' behind the bumble bee.
18. Add 'Diamond' Stickles to the flight pattern.
19. Add 'Platinum' Stickles to the rays of the sun.

And there you have a very cute card that could be for a birthday, congratulations, or encouragement card.  Please check out the Epiphany Crafts blog (link above) to find out more about this week's challenge!  Blessings, Becky

Simple Stories 'Summer Fresh' and Maya Road Wall Hanging

I spent most of today at one of my favorite places ... my 'LSS' or Local Scrapbooking Store, Altered Angel near Alpharetta, GA.  There were just a few of us there playing and chatting and laughing and just having a good time.  The owner of the store, Mary, came in for a while and brought with her a box of new goodies from Maya Road, and as she pulled them out of the box and priced them, I grabbed a little cellophane bag that caught my eye.  It was the "Mini Rectangular Chipboard Accordion" ... a set of six 2 1/2" by 4 1/2" (approximately) chipboard rectangles connected by fairly heavy duty jump rings.  I immediately saw a wall hanging, told Mary there was no need to hang that one on the rack as it was MINE, and got busy!

I decided to use some of the 'leftovers' from the Simple Stories 'Summer Fresh' collection that I used for the mini album I made a few weeks ago.    And this is what I had a couple of hours later  ...

And here are the first two sections of the wall hanging ...

And the next two sections ...

And the final two sections ...

I love it, and I think it's going on the wall in my kitchen ... I have it decorated in a 'farmhouse' style with lots of red, blue and a mustard-y yellow ... so I think it will look cute on the wall in there.  Here are all the details ...


Supplies:

• Chipboard base - Maya Road 'Mini Rectangular Chipboard Accordion'
• Patterned paper, and coordinating sticker - Simple Stories 'Summer Fresh' collection
• Other stickers - SRM Stickers
• 'Bubble Caps' - Epiphany Crafts
• Red Twine - May Arts (I braided three strands to get a heavier hanger)
• Pleated Denim Trim - Maya Road
• Brown ink - Stampabilities

Tools:

• EK Success Corner Rounding Punch - Small
• Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tools - Round 25 and Circle 25
• Martha Stewart / EK Success Paper Trimmer
• Scissors, Ruler, Craft Knife

I thoroughly enjoyed this project, and it went by in a flash!  I've already made up my mind that I want to buy another one when I go back on Saturday, but make it as a mini album ... I think it would be really, really cute used for an album, too!  Thanks so much for visiting today!  Blessings, Becky

Authentique Paper - Fresh - June Sketch Challenge

Hi there!  Welcome to Camellia Cottage!  I hope you are ready for something a little different from me today, because that's what you're going to get!  I have made a few 12" x 12" layouts, but my area of expertise is cards and mini albums, but I just bought the new 'Fresh' collection from Authentique Paper, and then I saw their June Sketch Challenge, and I have lots of beach pictures, so I decided to give a layout a whirl!  And I'm quite pleased with how it came out!  First, take a look at the sketch ...

I stayed fairly true to the sketch, so here is my layout ...

The two pictures that I used were taken at the same place - Gulf Islands National Seashore - but about 4 1/2 months apart.  The lower picture - the 'sunny day' one was taken May 4, 2011 when my husband and I stumbled upon this amazingly beautiful place.  The upper picture was taken as the same place on Sepbember 22, 2011 when we took my Mama to see it for  herself.  But the rain was torrential and the wind was strong and the clouds were dark, low and heavy.  As we got into the car to leave, Mama saw the rainbow, so I jumped out of the car to get pictures.  One place, two days, two totally different types of weather.

Supplies:

• Patterned Paper and Stickers - Authentique Paper 'Fresh' Collection
• Card stock - Bazzill Basics
• Stickles 'Star Dust' - Ranger Ink
• Ink - Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad 'Brushed Corduroy'
• Bubble Caps - Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio 'Round 25'
• Vintage lace and ric-rack - my stash
• Tan with red and white trim - May Arts
• Twine - October Afternoon 'Sasparilla' Collection

Epiphany Accents - The Fleur de Lis paper came from the back side of the labeling for the 'Fresh' Collection.

Two Days, One Beach!

 

A Sunkissed Day!

Tools:

• Martha Stewart/EK Success Paper Trimmer
• Carl PRT-100 Rotary Paper Trimmer (decorative edges)
• Cricut Expression with Plantin Schoolbook and Songbird cartridges
• Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Round 25 Tool
• Scissors, craft knife and ruler

Here is the layout with the journaling tags showing ... they are tucked in under the photos and can be pulled out using the twine pulls.

I hope you like my first layout in a long time!  Considering I'm so out of practice, I am proud of how it turned out!  Please take a minute and leave a comment to let me know what you think!  Blessings friends!  Becky