The Making of a Mini Book

I got started on this mini book late last week. Well, actually, the week before. I'd been on Donna Downey's blog and she posted a video about making album pages using newspaper. So I got out the old newspapers and my glue stick and started on the pages. After tearing and gluing and inking up my fingers something awful, I had about six pages. I let them dry and then I used one layer of acrylic paint and I let that dry. That's when I took a break.

What to do w/these messy pages ... I finally jotted down some items that I could include in an "All About Me" album. I've been wanting to make more mini books ... why not now?

Well, I've made much progress, but it's an interesting process for me. The very reason why I like to make cards - I feel that I can do nothing else until this album is complete. Bummer for me especially since I had to order a wallet-sized picture of my Jeep; that would be a 'special' order ... maybe it will arrive in the mail tomorrow.

Meanwhile ... here's a look at the cover. Love this. Oh another thing, I decided that I would only use scraps and other embellishments that were laying around and/or had never been used before. I like the collage/eclectic look too.

Thanks for looking ... here's what I used:

base: cardboard
patterned paper: K&Co. Basic Grey, craft supply
chipboard elements: American Crafts
twine: Darice
flower: Prima
letter stickers: American Crafts and Paper Studio
button and bling: unknown
stamp: Inkadinkadoo
ink: Tim Holtz/Ranger
other: Fiskars Texture Plates

sketch this cards :: 39

I took a minute to create a card (actually two) based on a sketch this design. The layout is so simple, yet lends room for lots of creativity and lots of fun too.

I'm new to sewing (which is shameful since my mom is a self-taught seamstress). There is a lot going on w/this card, so I thought a simple straight stitch would add a nice touch.

I love the look of cardboard, so there it is - taking up space.

Aren't those hearts adorable? They are dies from CuttleKids. I took a gamble and got them. They do work in the Cuttlebug, but you have to use the sandwich/directions for using a Quickutz die. It still gives a nice clean cut too. For more images of the two different cards, check out my 2Peas Gallery.

patterned paper: Basic Grey

cardstock: Archiver's

stamp: Savvy Stamps

ink: VersaMagic

other: staples, thread, sewing machine

Cranking out the holiday cards

More from the holiday card factory:

pattern paper: Basic Grey

card stock and corrugated cardboard: craft supply

embossing: Cuttlebug

twine: Darice

ink: Versamagic and Tim Holtz/Ranger

stamps: Hero Arts

circle punch: EK Success

circle diecut (cardboard): Sizzix