Time to start

On my new mini album, that is!

After adding the 8 new sheets of paper from the Counterfeit Kit Challenge (I measured wrong and needed this size for my photos - so glad I placed a few on my first page to be sure before making a large number of pages), I started making some double sided library pockets.  I hit my stash for this paper - I tend to buy a lot of a design when I like it, so I had enough left for 8 sheets.  These will be my pages.

 The next two photos show the back of a double sided library pocket with an insert (brown) for additional photos.  I think I have almost 200 photos to include, so only my favorites will go on the outsides, the insides of these pockets are for the short stories from the side trips we made.

 Sometimes I mess up and have a bit of an area left at the bottom of a pocket from the second flap,  Once adhered, I just trim off the excess.  After inserting the binding, no one will see anyway, but I still like to trim the edge.

 So - two double sided library pockets with inserts.

 A single, double sided library pocket with an envelope with large flap on the front and another double library pocket on the back.

 Two double sided library pockets with front short flaps and back large flaps with band to use as an anchor for two particular photos.  An advantage when putting a mini for yourself together - you have a basic idea of a few of the photos you want to include/highlight.

 Another single, double sided library pocket with a miniature library pocket on the front.  I may add more to this pocket, but wasn't positive yet, so kept it simple.

 Finally, rounding out my 8 main pages, two double sided library pockets with tag pockets on the front.  One of the two has equal size tag pockets, the other has a narrow pocket and a regular pocket.

So - where did I learn to do these?  How did I create?  Well, the library pocket is a conglomeration of many, many sites.  It is one of my favorite pieces to use and I used to buy or create by printing out patterns, tracing to pp, then finally folding.  It got to a point that I did create a step by step set of instructions you can find if you want to know how I create them.  I am sure it is very similar to many other sites, but I was tired of always looking up every dimension and now there is no need!  Plus, I love swapping scrapbook items, by getting the instructions ready, everyone over in the swap at Scrapbooking Fun.Biz can create them just as quickly if desired.

The library pockets are one of my favorite pieces to use, along with the narrow envelope I have on one of the pages.  The narrow envelope is basically  from an envelope I used in a project, liked and couldn't find in the right color, so used it as a pattern and make them when I need them.

For the bindings - I watched ustream and you-tube classes and bought various tutorials from Kathy Orta and Laura Dennison.  I have practiced many of their albums (love Kathy Orta's build a page system) and have given away many as gifts.  (though the fairy box by Laura Dennison is still only partially completed - I keep running out of the clear acryllic I am using for pages - maybe I will finish this year :)

I started with various techniques they taught, and now create my own designs.  The Giraffe Double Mini Album (you can find it in December Archives on this blog) is the most complex I have done without a pattern.  I started with some pocket protectors the individual wanted me to use and a Giraffe hanging she had found and went from that point.   I only have a few photos shown - it takes 45 to display all the pages/flaps/etc..

After all the work of the Giraffe album, I realized I cannot remember where I learned how to make various items (there are more blogs and you tube videos, but I cannot remember them all) and so I don't give out patterns for my books as I cannot remember who to credit with the original technique.  I know I have altered from what has been taught, but it would feel a bit like plagerism if I printed them on my blog.  Sooo - I strongly encourage you to visit their sites, try out the tutorials/patterns and enjoy your journey.  I know I have enjoyed many hours of learning and creating and hope you enjoy your time as well.

A Counterfeit Kit challenge

Below are photos from my kit.  It sure doesn't look like I started with the Envisioning Beauty idea on their site from Cassie at Paper Issues, but that is where it all began.  Everything came from my stash.  Once my idea was in mind, it came together very quickly.

First, thinking about what to include.  Then I started gathering, but changed my mind mid-way through from Christmas to Travel.  The results?  A rather large kit.

 First stop - Cardstock.  Two sheets of brown, two green and two white textured AC Cardstock.  Also, a package of kraft Recollections cardstock that will be used to make the album.

Next stop, time to add some patterned paper.  I know I will need at least 18 sheets, however, after adding what I had that I wanted to use (next photos), I was a few sheets short.  Not short on pp, just short on using my stash with a specific line.  So, out comes an old standby - Ephemera papers by Hot off the Press.  Some of the pages are missing, but the next photo shows one of tags and misc. items that can be cut out and I found them very inspiring.

 Next stop, more patterned paper.  These are also from my stash.  Not sure how old they are or who the manufacturer is.  It really doesn't matter, the colors and feel are exactly what I wanted.

 Next stop - more single sided patterned papers.  The top row are from My Mind's Eye Abbey Road collection, one sheet of each.  The bottom row are from a KI Memories pad.  The stripes matched better than I thought and the color hues are perfect.  Two sheets of the red, stripe and blue/green.  Only one sheet of the yellow.  However, I did check out my scraps (stored sorted by basic color) and I found some of the red floral that I have added as well.

 Final patterned paper stop - two sheets of double sided patterned paper from another KI Memories pad.

 Next stop introduces a few 'tools' that I had on hand.  Two sets of travel stamps.  One by Unity Stamp and the other by TPC Studios.

 Next stop, embellishment time.  Below are a few embellishments I found in my stash.  On the right you will see some sheets of pre-embossed paper.  These were all found in my bag of embossed elements.  There is another small bag of embossed leaves towards the left side of the photo that also came from my bag of embossed items.  Next you will see three 12" long strips of distressed rub-ons.  These came to me as a prize and I only selected three from the package to use here.  Below the rub-ons you will see a few pieces I created with alcohol inks for a ustream class a few months ago.  One is made from a piece of acrylic, the other from a piece of chipboard covered with foil and embossed.  Above the rub-ons you will see a border from a travel swap I participated in last year.  I really enjoy swaps - and love to use the pieces.  The final stop for this embellishment photo are the three items of pre-made embellishments - some metal frames with travel words, some Heidi Swap photo plates and some corner brads from a contest over at Scrapbooking Fun.Biz several years ago.

 A quick/up close view of some of the embossed pieces - music, pooh bear, floral, paisley and one other floral type piece.  The black sheets are all core'dinations.

 Next we find a handout from the Retreat attended in September with other ladies from SBF.Biz.  It is a notepad, but I plan to take the top apart and either use for the cover or a page inside the album.

Now we find ourselves stopping at another embellishment baggie.  Inside we find glitter glue, a metal frame, oversized paper clip, some grungeboard tags, various ribbons and fibers, brads, a few flowers and even an American Flag.

Our final embellishment bag stop (and the end of our tour) brings us to some chipboard elements from various sources as well as more swap pieces - leaves, flowers, stick pins, journal elements and even a title block.

I can't wait to get started with this album.  Most of the photos are printed and now that the paper is picked out, I can get going on the actual mini for this wonderful trip.

UPDATE:  I had to add 8 more 12 x 12 sheets to this kit (All Fall by Fancy Pants) as the mini I am making required 12" lengths to create each page.