Modern Girl with a Vintage Soul ...

Hi folks!  So much is going on right now ... my Mama is doing well and will be coming home to stay with us next Tuesday until she is ready to go to her home.  We visited the Neurosurgeon today and had a great report.  And I couldn't sleep last night, and was up early this morning playing with paint and burlap and such.  And I love this sweet piece of artwork that I made.  Check it out ...

I used an old frame that I'd had for years.  It was gold metallic, and I spray painted it white, then used black, burnt sienna and burnt umber artists acrylics and a sponge to give it an old, woody look.  The picture that was in the frame had no glass as it was kind of 3 dimensional, so I took out the image and there were 2 pieces of cardboard.  One black and thin, the other very thick.  I wrapped the thinner piece with burlap (yard sale find) and put the frame back together. 

Next I took a chipboard dress form from Basically Bare and inked it very heavily with a bronzey green ink from Anna Griffin.  I heat embossed the stand and the very tip top of the dress form with copper embossing powder from Ranger. I cut pieces of a vintage dress pattern and gathered them and glued them onto the dress form for a skirt.  I tied a big bow from black satin ribbon (another yard sale find, but it is made by Offray), and then I added a brooch that was another yard sale find.  The top of the brooch has a kind of crown look at the top and I loved it for this project.

I used a quote from Christy Tomlinson's new collection that says "She was a modern girl with a vintage soul".  I printed it on ivory cardstock (yet another yard sale find) and then punched out the words using my new Epiphany Shape Studio 'Heart 25'.  I did not use the bubble caps as I felt they didn't work well with the organic feel of the burlap, so I inked them lightly with brown ink, and glued them to the burlap.

And there it is!  A really sweet piece of artwork that uses mostly yard sale finds and cost very little overall.  And I really, REALLY love it!!!  ♥♥♥♥♥

So, please tell me what you think ... I'd love to hear your comments!

Today is National Scrapbooking Day, and I'm going to spend my day at Altered Angel ... my local scrapbooking store, or LSS.  We have a great group of crafty folks who are getting together to play and laugh and catch up.  I hope you get to spend the day being creative, too! 

Blessings, Becky

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

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

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

Crate Paper - Farmhouse Collection - Mini Album - 3 Fun Girls

Back again!  And as promised, I'm here to share a mini album that I just finished today.  I used one of my favorite paper lines and collections ... Crate Paper's 'Farmhouse' collection.  Before I get started I will warn you ... there are lots of pictures!

I called this 4" x 5" album '3 Fun Girls', and I can see this as an album for sisters, friends, cousins, antiquing buddies, all kinds of fun girls!  Here is the front cover ...

Another picture of the front cover ... a little closer in so you can see the letters a little better ...

 

The front and back covers are made from corrugated cardboard, cut from a sturdy box.  I tore one side off to expose the corrugated part, and painted it roughly with an off white acrylic paint.

The image above shows a view looking from the top.  As you can see there are all kinds of ribbon and lace.  Most of the trims from the top are on tags ... there are 11 tags in this album!  The tags can be used for photos, journaling, or just to be pretty!  Here are the first two pages ...

The left page is a photo mat, hiding a journaling tag (see next image).  The right page has a flip mat, which as mats for three photos, and is embellished with some vintage lace,  scrunched seam binding and a sweet button.

The image above shows the journaling tag that fits in the pocket formed by the photo mat in the left hand page. It is embellished with some scrunched seam binding, a button and some bakers twine.

The left hand page is a photo mat.  The right hand page  is a 'treasure pocket', made from kraft cardstock.  The flap holds in place with a bit of hook and loop tape.  The pocket is a great place for hiding small things that you want to protect.  The photo below shows the pocket with the flap open ...

The flowers and gems are by Prima.

The left hand page has a photo mat, framed with a paper doily and some seam binding by 7 Gypsies.  The right hand page has a 'leather look' pocket, trimmed with a vintage button and some Anna Griffin trim.

This pocket holds three rectangular pockets that can be used for journaling or small photos.  They are backed with a coordinating card stock to add extra weight and strength.  The white seam binding is also by 7 Gypsies.

I love these two pages!  The left hand side has a 'gate fold' photo mat that has mats on the inside for three photos.  There is a chipboard settee on the front, with a small bit of hook and loop tape to hold it closed.  The picture below shows it opened up.  The right hand page has a 'criss cross' pocket, or rather 2 pockets.  There is lace trim embellishing each pocket, and two tags backed with kraft card stock that can be used for journaling or small photos.  A photo below shows the pockets with the tags removed ...

Gate-fold photo mats.

Criss-cross pockets and tags.

The next two pages are also pocket pages, and each has three tags for photos and/or journaling.  Each pocket is embellished with a bit of white lace, and the left one has a die-cut of two apples and the other has a sticker where you can jot a note.  The tags are embellished wit black satin ribbon and a creamy colored lace.

Pocket pages with tags removed.

 

The last two pages are simple.  The left hand page has a sticker that says 'Beautiful' and some chipboard canisters with the words 'sugar' and 'spice', and the right hand page has a chipboard frame where you can slip a photo in behind it from the top.

And the back cover has a label where you can write the owner's name or a short note.  The album is held together with a 1.25" binding wire from The Cinch.  I love my 'Cinch' ... it is so easy to punch all of the holes and line everything up perfectly!


And that is this sweet mini album!  I'm going to put it up on Etsy very soon, so if you are interested, let me know in a comment with your email address and I will contact you!  And here are the details ...

Supplies:

• Cardstock - colored and kraft - The Paper Studio, and Core'dinations (yellow mat)
• Patterned paper, die cut elements and chipboard shapes - Crate Paper 'Farmhouse' collection
• Corrugated card board - a cardboard box
• Chipboard (for base of pages) - ebay (about 3 years ago)
• Brown ink - Stampabilities
• Colored inks - Anna Griffin
• Glitter - Stickles 'Platinum' and 'Diamond'
• Alpha Chipboard - Basic Grey
• Acrylic paint - Plaid
• Seam Binding - Miss Myrtle's Sundries, 7 Gypsies
• Ribbon trim - my stash
• Lace - all but teal - my stash
• Hydrangeas and gems - Prima
• Lace - teal - Crate Paper
• White pleated trim - Anna Griffin
• Hook and Loop - Walmart
• Binding wires - The Cinch

Tools:

• The Cinch by We R Memory Keepers
• Craft Knife - Prima
• Scissors, ruler
• Martha Stewart / EK Success Paper Trimmer
• Martha Stewart / EK Success Scoring Tool
• EK Success border punch 'Arch Scallop'

And that's it!  And I think that's enough!  Please leave a comment and let me know what you think ... I'm still fairly new at this mini album thing, and would love to have your input!  Be back soon, Becky