Braggin' on Grandma

I was asked to create a mini album tutorial this month for 

AUTHENTIQUE PAPER

The high-quality of Authentique's patterned papers allows for such an album as I bring today.

  It's quick, it's easy and it's fun to put together for any theme! For this particular 6x6 mini album, 

we'll be using the endearing Cherish Collection that is doubled in design for

 both Grandfathers and Grandmothers.

To begin, cut any 12x12 sheet of paper to a 6x12 size; score in the middle and fold.  

Decorate each page accordingly and then apply a strong adhesive tape to the bottom

 and (opened) side to create a pocket.

 

 

 With this pattern you can insert all sorts of tags and extra photos inside! 

 Here are a few more photos of the pages of my album:

 

 

The 6x6 Bundles come in so handy for this type and size of album.  

The print is to scale for such a mini; you don't lose all of the beautiful artwork in the process.  

Just trim the 'mats' from a 6x6 size to whatever size you'd like to use...

these are cut to a 5x5 and then machine-stitched into place.

 

 The Enhancement Sheets do so much of the design work for you!

  Just layer with Components Stickers, fabric brads, buttons and other cute embellishments to match.

 

Once all of the pages have been assembled, bind at the side with rings, ribbon or use a binding system.  

 

 For my album, I measured in 2.5" from the top and bottom and punched holes at those marks. 

 Tie on pretty trims and ribbons or leave plain.

 

 Now for the tags!  These were as simple as trace, cut and...that's it!  

I used templates from Kiwi Lane Design to create these particular tags.  

Thanks so much for letting me share this with you today...I hope you'll give it a try :)

 

Authenitque Paper Product:

Cherish Collection: Cherish One Paper; Cherish Two Paper; Cherish Three Paper; 

6x6 Bundle; Enhancements 12x12 Cut Apart Sheet;  6x12 Components Stickers

Other Supplies:

Kiwi Lane Template; Ribbons-May Arts; Lace Trim- Recollections; Brads- Doodlebug Design;

 Canvas Butterfly and Felt Rolled Roses- Curtsey Boutique; Buttons- American Crafts;

 Flocked Leaves- Petaloo; Square Lace Die Cut (Cover)- Cheery Lynn Designs

Berry Sweet

There are certain things that I love to collect (hoard? maybe!)

These new Berry Baskets from Curtsey Boutique are my new obsession
and I can't wait to gather up even more colors and sizes!

While creating my latest project, I came up with several more ideas for them.

Today I have an interchangeable display using the wooden forks
(also new at Curtsey) as a way to clip on photos, recipes or notes!

To start, you will need a Pint Size Pulp Berry Basket and floral foam. 
Cut the floral foam to fit into the basket.
For the shred, I used two of the Medium Kraft Bags.  I cut strips using 'fringe' scissors
by Martha Stewart, but you could also use regular scissors to cut the strips.
Crush the shreds with your hands.  Apply a thin coat of quick dry glue to the top
of the foam and then cover in the paper shreds.
 Other Curtsey Boutique Supplies:
Wooden Forks; 5" Paper Doily; and Shabby Chic Paper Bow

Patterned papers and die-cuts by My Minds' Eye

There are many other new items in the shop...check them out at:
www.curtseyboutique.etsy.com

Wedding Week!

Bella Blvd's Stephanie Hunt is getting married this Saturday...

A huge congratulations and best wishes to Stephanie and Steven!

We thought it would be fun to share some of our own wedding photos,

as well as some good old-fashioned advice :)

Stop by and have a look...all Bella Blvd Designers will be participating in this one!

www.bellablvd.typepad.com

Here is my contribution...from a beautiful day in 1991

 My note of 'wisdom'

After being married for 22 years the one thing that stands out to me is how much my husband

 and I have evolved over the years. Things that we had in common when we first met

 aren't the same today. Over the years you will develop new hobbies and interests. 

My advice is to be open to the changes that you will find in your spouse; learn to adapt

 to them as much as you can. It may not be ideal for you to ride around in a pasture

 to check on the livestock, but when it's important to your spouse you learn to share your time. 

For those things that you do have in common, expound on those and make time to enjoy them often.

 And even after the kiddies come along, keep a date night on the calendar...

it's amazing how refreshing a night out can be!

Bella Blvd Supplies:
Love and Marriage: Turner Hall Ballroom, Vows, Just Write Journaling Stickers, 

Alpha+Bits Stickers, Wedding Day Miniatures, Chipboard Icons; Sand & Surf: Paradise,

 Alpha+Bits Stickers; Ciao Chip Elements: Stars & Hearts; Crochet Hearts: McIntosh,

 Punch, Cotton Candy, Pickle Juice, Gulf, Bell Pepper; Flags: Love and Marriage

So glad you've dropped by today...be sure to say "hi"...I'm having a give-a-way soon

and may change things up a bit just for fun :)

Simple Stories + Therm O Web

Last week a few of the Simple Stories gals participated in a product 

swap along with the adhesive specialist, Therm O Web.

Check out all of the projects on the Simple Stories Blog!

I love Therm O Web's products and use some sort of their adhesives almost daily! 

I'm a dimensional girl, so I especially love the Foam Squares and Thick Zots...but recently 

I've found myself using more and more of the thin Zots for things like buttons and heavier

 objects such a resin pieces.  

 In our packs we received the iCraft Dots, which include 1.5 and 2" round double-sided

 adhesive circles.  The examples on the front of the package show them used with 

rolled paper flowers...that led me to wonder how well they would work with fabric flowers?

I made this card several days ago and it's still holding beautifully!

  I used a 1.5" ribbon by May Arts to create the posey-style flowers.  

 Start out with a tail in your dominant hand and begin turning the ribbon while you wrap

 it around the center.  Once you have the size you need, simply adhere to the iCraft Dot of choice.  

I did use a bit of fabric glue between some of the layers so that it wouldn't raise up.

 To the backs of the butterfly stickers I applied a ZOTS Singles. 

 The design was then attached to the cardfront using the Sticky Dot Runner.

Simple Stories Products:Vintage Bliss- 6X6 Paper Pad; Bingo Cards/Stripe Paper;

 Chipboard Stickers; Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers

Therm O Web Products: iCraft Dots; Sticky Dot Runner; ZOTS Singles

And here's a little peek at the other project that I made!  

Hmmm, a magnet board perhaps?  See the entire project at Simple Stories!

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And stay tuned this week...I'm destashing again with a stack of new goodies to giveaway :)

Happy Monday, friends!

 

Cards With Bella Blvd

Happy Saturday!  

I'm bringing my Bella Blvd "Cards on Thursdays" just a couple of days late to the blog.

It seems like I'll have a dry-run for a few days and then have four different projects up

on the same day LOL...so I'm trying to spread them all out :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES

It seems like squares are all the rage these days and I just had to play along! 

Using a 1.25" square die cut, I created a quilt of colors from the Birthday Girl Collection.

 After mounting them onto a piece of cardstock, I machine stitched down the center of each row.

 I kept the top simple by adding on a couple of chipboard stickers and a "wishes" 

banner under the die-cut shape.

 

 Bella Blvd Supplies:
Birthday Girl: Celebrate, Party Dress, Alpha+Bits Stickers, Chipboard Icons; Button Market: Pink Flowers; Crochet Hearts: Gulf; High Five Alpha Stickers: Blue
Scallop Die by Lifestyle Crafts

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

 A small piece of feather gathered and tied made the cutest plume effect to the top of the
 chipboard firecracker! I attached the feather to the chipboard using a Ultra-Thin Glue Dot.
 I built a 4th of July collage using several components from the Alpha+Bits and
Just Write Journaling Stickers. So happy and festive, and I love the idea of displaying it on our
 Patriotic buffet table. Bring on Summer!

Bella Blvd Supplies:
All American: United We Stand, Seeing Stars, Alpha+Bits Stickers, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Chipboard Icons; Button Market: Stars; Feathers: Ice

See more ideas at the Bella Blvd Blog!
www.bellablvd.typepad.com

I probably won't blog again until Monday, so I want to wish all of you moms a
VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!