Friday, September 30, 2016

My Baby Girl Mini Album! (warning, long post!)

Hello!  It is FINALLY the day I have teased you about for months.  I made a First Year Mini Album for my niece and her husband.  I could not show you any photos until she received it.  Well, that happened last Saturday at their baby shower.  So, all this week, I have been gathering info and photos so I can show you what I made.  I have a lot of info to give you but first, here is a photo showing the front cover.  Enjoy!
 

Let's start with first with a little background.  I purchased a 6 x 6 chipboard album from The Crafty Scrapper from Prima.  It had 8 heavy chipboard pages and the cover was a gate fold.  I went to pinterest and you tube and looked at several videos to get ideas.  As I do always, I took a little idea from one, added a little idea from another and came up with a page idea that I wanted to do for all 12 months.  I knew my niece likes purples and pinks so I found online a collection that had those colors and I thought she would like.  It is called Bella Blvd. Sweet Baby Girl. (click the link to see the whole collection).  I also ordered matching chipboard icons, die cuts, and washi tape.  Adding some cardstock, I was off and running, so I cut papers and created a multi fold that would be for each of the 12 months.  Then .... I thought, oh, I should put it in the book and see how it is going to be .... AND the book would NOT CLOSE!  So, I was going to be wasting papers already cut or I could go to PLAN B!  I went back to You Tube and found out how to create my own book FROM SCRATCH.  The binding came from Kathy Orta King and it is called Hidden Hinge Plus Binding System, check out the you tube link here.  I went with the 8 pages since this is the amount I had already planned on when I was adding to the purchased book.  I made my gussets 3/8".  Here are a couple of photos showing the binding ...


One note, I first did it with white cardstock, but I decided the colored cardstock would be easier to bend and it would look better in the middle of my book.  The next photo shows the back side of the binding after I added Tyvek for strength.  (Tyvek is what the material that priority mail envelopes are made of).
 
 
 
For my covers, I cut chipboard for the front, sides and back of my book.  I watched a couple more you tube videos but I found this one here that I thought was super helpful in giving me instruction on how to put the cover together, cover the covers, and add the binding system to the cover.  The photo below is my cover together but before any cardstock or binding was added.  Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of the other side so you could see the Tyvek holding the each section together, but they are there. 
 
 
I want to tell you about a couple of things that happened to me and maybe if you are making a album, they could help. you.  First, I had added magnets on each of the 12 month section of folded papers and as time went on, the magnets were creating issues in that they were pulling my binding away from the cover and so, I used UNDO (love this product!) to lift every paper that had a magnet under it, and remove the magnets. Also, when this was happening, I reached out to a friend who works at The Crafty Scrapper and she told me that Scor-tape and Tyvek don't work well together, that the albums she has made where she used Tyvek, she had to use a glue from 3M called Quick Dry Glue.  So, after the magnets were removed (except for two small ones I used in the beginning of the book), I did squeeze some of this glue into the binding.  It seem to help. 

Before I gave the book away I took a bunch (like 60) photos of the book.  But I also did a video.  Now WARNING on my video ...the sunlight is very bright coming in the window where I was filming the video.  So, overlook this, please.  And there is no sound.  Only my hands in "Vanna White" style.  But, it is a great way for you to see all my book without scrolling thru tons of photos.  Without further ado, go here for MY mini album on You Tube!

I showed this book to lots of friends before the shower.  My friend, Darlene, from church had a good idea.  She suggested I give it to her in a box and then if it falls apart (which I am afraid of, as it is homemade!), it would have a place to "be".  Plus, I also thought she could have a place to store stuff until she gets it in the book and it would help in wrapping.  After looking at several places, I decided on a photo box. Perfect, not too big, not too little.  The box I bought was white and my thinking was I was going to cover it, but then realized I didn't have enough of the designer papers left, so I decorated instead.  Here is the box ...

 
And the view from the side...
 

Okay, one last bit of info I should share and that is about fonts and products used in the making of this album.  I downloaded the fonts.  Check them out on the links.  First, Jenna Sue.  The coolest thing about this font is the heart was created every time I hit the ^.  Next, for the months, I knew I wanted an open design, so I could color in with my copics, that one is Sloppy Hollow.  And last but definitely not least, is the baby icon one MTF Itty Bitty Baby.  Every letter represent a different baby "symbol".  The coolest thing I have ever seen!  The scallop borders were dies from My Favorite Things, the Heart square frame on the front is Spellbinders.  The punched out dot circle around the number months is from a circle die set from Little B.  The sentiment in the shaker card originally came from a stamp from Stampendous, but the rubber stamp was too big so I retyped it in word using the same font as the rest of the album.  Only one stamp and that is on the front of the book from Penny Black. 

I just added a little music to the first part of the video, better than static.  So, if you go there before it gets on there, well, happy static!

I also want to share my card I made for her, but another day.  See you tomorrow for the Saturday sketch share!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Wishing You a Reely Great Day!

Hello!  So, I got another order from a church friend to make 3 fishing and 3 hunting men birthday cards.  I said, oh sure, I can make them, no problem.  I knew my friend Donna would have stamps I could use, so I wasn't too worried.  And then her mom got put in the hospital and it went from bad to worse.  So, my friend Donna is where she needs to be, with her mom, not at home where I can rifle through her stamps, as making cards is not important compared to her mom's health. (This is where I ask you to send prayers for Edie!)  I needed to get one made week before last, so I went to the internet and found  digital stamps.  I did have to reduce the size on my printer to make it work for my card.  She loved the card, hope you do too!  Enjoy!
 
 
 

I paid $5 for the digital stamp, which sucks a little as I will probably only get $4 for the card!  I figure I can make it up on the others.  I found some camouflage paper that I thought might can work for one of the hunting cards, and then also some designer paper for another, and maybe I can come up with a little scene with some old Stampscapes stamps.  I borrowed a couple of fishing stamps from my friend Karolyn that are gonna work.  I just gotta get these made!  I have a lot of fish stamps but mine are whimsical and I felt this isn't the look she was wanting. 
 
I think I have at least one more card on my "catch up" list to show you.  And yes, I promise to finish my baby book post for you too!  I am trying to add links to where I got some of the steps I made. 
 
See you soon!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Get Well My Sweet Friend!

Hello!  I have another card today I made for an order for get well cards for my church friend.  This one is quite simple but also very pretty.  Enjoy! 
 
 

I love the DP with the dark background.  It is so striking.

I will have another card for you in the a.m. and then also my baby book in a different post.  Stay tuned!

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Birthday Cake For You!

Hello!  Still working on my post to show you my baby book.  I don't think it is going to load here so now I am trying to upload to you tube.  I took about 60 photos of the book, but I think you might rather look at a 5 min. video instead.  Give me a few more days to get that one done.  In the mean time, I need to do a little catch-up on cards that I made but you haven't seen.  The first one, today's card, is pretty simple.  But, it's the rule, I make it, I blog it!  Enjoy!


The cake is from Verve stamps and the paper is Echo Park.  Hope you like it!  Simple but nice.

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Saturday's Sketch Share (On Sunday!)

Hello!  This last week was quite a busy. First it was my teaching week, so I had prepping and two classes to teach.  Then my bestie's mom (my friend Donna, her mom is Edie if you would like to say a prayer) went to the hospital with spinal issues and has gone down hill since, so even though I haven't been where she is, I have been worrying.  On a good note, my niece's baby shower was yesterday.  She loved her baby book I made.  I took tons of photos before I gave it to her.  I also made a video, however, I am having trouble getting it from cell phone to this blog, so give me a couple of days to try to figure it out, if not it will be a crazy post with photos galore!  I promise to get it for you this week!  Okay, let's get to yesterday's share.  I will show you my card, Debbie's card and the sketch we both used.  Enjoy!

My Card
 
Debbie's Card
 
The Sketch
Shhh... don't tell Debbie that it was a "tall and skinny" sketch!  LOL!  Doesn't matter, and it gives you an shows you that this sketch works for both sizes!  It is hard to tell in the photo, but Donna's apple has a bunch of clear glaze on it so it looks good enough to eat!  This sketch is pretty simple, but I like it, don't you?

See you soon!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

No Tricks, Just Treats!

Hello!  Below, you will find the post that will be on The Crafty Scrapper's blog today.  With my love of containers, like baskets and boxes, I love creating little boxes.  So, with Halloween coming up, I thought it would be fun to give a couple of quick ideas for treat boxes.  Enjoy!


Hello, Tina here to share a couple of simple treat boxes and a how-to with you.
 
 

Here is a side view...


The box part is a 6 x 6 inch square, scored at 2 1/2' and 3 1/2".
Turn and score 1" on each side.  Then you just make 2 cuts on both sides.
Fold it up and it is a box. 
 
Here is a visual...
 
To complete the box, I simply added two strips of cardstock to the font and the back, and decorated them!  Don't you love that cool witch die from Little B?
 
My second box uses the same box base but this time I made the box smaller than the decoration.
 

Here is a s side view!

 

The smaller box is a 5 inch square, scored at 2" and 3", turned, scored, and cut the same way.
 
Using this simple box design, you can create all kinds of treat boxes!
Trick or Treat!
 
I am teaching this week but I do have a couple of cards for you, so soon I will get them on here for you to see. 
Happy Stamping!
Tina


Sunday, September 18, 2016

Saturday Sketch Share (On Sunday)!

Hello!  I left the house early yesterday to go to a brunch honoring Gold Star Mothers which are mothers who have lost their children in combat.  I met ladies from the Blue Star Mothers group I belong to.  It was very nice.  Since I was up in Dallas, I took advantage of it by then going to visit a friend.  When I got back home, I totally forgot about the share.  Here it is now.  I will show you my card, Debbie's card and the sketch we both used.  Enjoy!

My Card
 
Debbie's Card
 
The Sketch

I am teaching my next card class this week and knowing that they are fall and Halloween cards and that holiday cards are soon to follow, I wanted to do another summer card!  I like how both cards came out.  And I like the sketch, how about you?

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Friday, September 16, 2016

Have a Bloomin Good Day!

Hello!  Today I have a card I made with left over pieces from an old card kit.  You see, I was in need of making some cards for an order I got from my friend at church and figured it would make the process faster if some items were already die cut or stamped.  I did add another piece of DP and a yellow cardstock panel.   I will show you the card I made first and then also the kit card.  Enjoy!

 
 

New Creation
Card Kit 2014
What a great idea!  Love how it came out.  Don't you?

I have a couple more cards that I made to show you, so hopefully I will get them on here for you soon.  Tomorrow I will be back with the weekly share between Debbie and I.

Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello!  I am back today with another sketch between Debbie and I.  Let's get right to it.  I will show you my card first, then Debbie's and then the sketch we both used.  Enjoy!

My Card
 
 
Debbie's Card
The Sketch
When I saw the sketch, I thought of that triple layer stamping technique where you adhere three panels together with removable tape, stamp all three at the same time (I used one background stamp but you could also use smaller stamps too).  Then you add coordinating colored panels between the circles which will cover up the parts that didn't get inked in the stamping.  This sketch was a good one to see two different interpretations of the same sketch.  I love the flowers that Debbie used and also I think it is cool that I put my sentiment in the smallest circle and she put hers in the largest.  We both really liked this sketch, how about you?

See you soon!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Friday, September 9, 2016

September Class Share!

Hello!  My class samples are done!  Yipee!  It is a great thing that I have some ladies that plan on coming to class even before I get my card samples created, for the months like this where my class is less than 2 weeks away!  This month is always the hardest transition, as it seems crazy to think about fall and Halloween cards when it is still HOT!  But, this girl has gotta do it!  I have two Halloween cards and one Fall card, all three I love!  Let me show you ... enjoy!

The last two months of classes, there has been two versions of a Double Z Fold card.  This time I have another but this one has a surprise pop up inside, kinda of a "card in a box"!  Here is the front and what you see when it is closed ...



And then it opens and SURPRISE ....



The cards I saw made like this had a crate of strawberries or a fence with trees, but it was my idea to do the leaf edge of ground.  I love this card!  So adorable! 

Next, is a Twisted Easel Card with a Glow!  Here is what the card looks like closed ...


 
 And then it twists open ...



To make the card even more fun, you can include the tea light and give the Haunted House a "glow"!  The next version is a close up so you can see what I mean ...
 

And one more photo, to show you the placement of the tea light ...



The third card is called a Corner Fold and I opted to make it simple with some fun Halloween dies.  It is a card that looks like it would be hard to make, but it is easy peasy!  Here is the front ...


 
 And here it is opened ...


I really love how all three cards came out.  I hope you do too!  If you interested in either coming to class or would like a kit, call the store at 972-923-3151.  Here are the class details ...Do NOTE that this month only I will be teaching on a Friday night instead of a Saturday.  My niece is having her baby shower that day and since I spent so much time on her baby book, I don't want to miss it.

Halloween & Fall Creations 2016 - Wed. Sept. 21st 11:00 a.m. and Friday Sept. 23rd 7 p.m. 
Come make three cards for the Autumn season.  First up, is an adorable fall card with another version of a double Z-fold, this one with a surprise pop up inside.  Next, is a diagonal fold card with a great Halloween haunted house die.  Adding a tea light (included in class) will make the haunted house glow!  And the third card is a corner fold with some fun Halloween dies.  Please bring adhesive to include pop up dots, 1/8" scor-tape, detailed scissors, and your preferred coloring medium.  All other supplies provided.  (Copics I used: E55, R81, YR04/YR16/YR18, G21, YR24, E37, C7, Y26, YR14, R29, R27, E31, E37).

I will be back sometime tomorrow for the Saturday sketch share!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Saturday's Sketch Share!

Hello!  I have been cleaning house today for family that is coming.  Is it clean?  No way, but it is better than it was!  Ha, ha!  So, finally sitting down to relax, I think what day is this?  Saturday, time for the weekly share!  Okay, I am on it ... I will show you my card, Debbie's card and the sketch we both used.  Enjoy!

My Card
 
Debbie's Card
 
The Sketch
Great cards and great sketch!  You will see this sketch from me again.  One note, I can hear you saying ... a hot pink fish?  Well, no I wouldn't think that either but if you closely on the pattern paper I used, they have hot pink fishes, so I was just matching the paper!  Love Debbie's cute little owl image.  One last thing, I searched my room for a stamp that says "best fishes", as I wanted to add it to the vertical strip.  I know I have one, but after looking on every set I thought it would be on, I gave up.  That is what happens when you have a lot of stamps, like I do!  :LOL!

Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Happy Stamping!
Tina

 
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