Maine Mini Album

This may be a long post so I ask for your patience....  I recently saw this cute, cute little, little mini album made using 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 coin envelopes by the fabulous Mary at CardzTv and here are the links to the instructions:  http://cardztv.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-to-itty-bitty-mini-album-part-one.html and http://cardztv.blogspot.com/2013/07/how-to-itty-bitty-mini-album-part-2.html .  I knew I HAD to do one of these for my sweet sister.   I went to Staples to get some coin envelopes but the smallest box they sell was 100 of them.  You only use 2 per mini album so that would be enough for 50??  I might need 8 or 10 but not 50!!  So I went home and went through almost 400 images of envelopes (thank you mycutsearch.com ) and found several that I thought would work well.  There were lots of the right kind of envelope but they sealed on the sides and due to the stress I figured the album might get, I knew it needed to be an envelope that sealed in the middle.  I ended up using the envelope from CTMH Artiste on page 33.  It has a little "dip" on the backside of the envelope and doesn't go straight across like Mary's did so I did not use the little half circle punch on it.  But you will need to use adhesive very close to the edge of the rounded area so that your little tab inserts don't get stuck.  I did a little half-hole on the mat only.  Because of the size, I used Design Studio to manipulate the size to 2 1/4 x 3 1/2 but you wouldn't have to do that... you could just use whatever size you tell your machine to cut.  This is the cut but not taped envelope.  Hope this helps...

This is the outside of the album held together with a small bit of ribbon.  I stuffed it a little more than I should have but I took 1600 pictures on this trip and it was a killer to choose just a few.  I put a small circle of blue beads and a lighthouse charm from my stash on the tie, just to dress it up a little.  I plan on doing one for each of the ladies who went on the trip but will use some of the same pics, some different.  I have Picasa as my web-based photo storage so I just ordered wallet size photos through Wal-Mart.  They have to do two of each (can't do only one due to the size) and I did a lot of cropping to get the pictures to fit but it was so much fun!!  I used white paper to back the photos but since the photos on the inserts of the little pockets were so small, I did not mat those. 

This is the album with the ribbon off

This is the top layer, flipped up with the little inserts in the pocket

 

And this is the album with the little inserts out

These are the inserts for this part--first the front, then the backside

Open up the mini and this is the center.  I used the Don Juan Cricut cartridge for the letters and welded them in Design Studio.   First with the tri fold closed, then with it open:

 

And this is the backside of the mini album

This is the backside flipped up with the inserts and then without the inserts:

 

Here's the inserts front side and then back side: 

 

I used Tags, Bags Boxes and More for the double sided tags.  Mary shows how to do two of these for the coin envelope mini but I had to do three... one is just loose and not inserted into a slot.  These pics are the front side, the middle and the outside.  I broke off the prongs on some seashell brads and attached to the tabs with pop dots to help pull them out easier.  I just had so many favorite pics that I had to do three tabs!!!!

 

I will be entering this mini album on the Fantabulous Cricut blog challenge #169 at http://fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com/2013/07/challenge-169-set-scene.html

 

And here's the box I put it in.  The sentiment is a stamp from Impression Obsession and the Seaglass cutout is the label from a wine bottle.  I scanned it, had a wallet size photo made of it and cut it out.

ADDENDUM:

After submitting my project, I had a "DUH" moment... instead of using a cut out from the scrapbook paper of the state of Maine, I should have used my 50 States Cartridge!  I did the state and shadow at 3 3/4 inches then another shadow at 3 7/8 inches.  I did the Maine at 1" but shrank it in Design Studio to very small (don't even know the size) and also shrank the shadow, too.  I like how this looks so the other two mini albums that I do will have the cricut cut out for the state of Maine and wording.

 

 

THE END!!!   FINALLY!!!!   :o)

4th of July card

Here's a card I made awhile ago for my sisters.  I used Cricut Stand and Salute cartridge.  The frame is on page 68 which was manipulated and stretched in Design studio.  The fireworks are from page 50.  Since I didn't have any glitter paper, I used a gel glitter pen for the fireworks.  The doodles are done with a Signo white pen and the fireworks were pop dotted once the mat was put on the blue paper.

Hope everyone has a wonderful, safe and sane 4th of July.  May we always remember what the holiday is truly about.  I celebrate this holiday for many reasons, one of which is the service of my Father in the Army-Pacific Campaign during WWII and my Grandson who was given a medical discharge from the Marines after obtaining the rank of Lance Corporal.  He truly grieves not being in the Corps but Once a Marine, Always a Marine.  He is currently a pre-med student and doing well.  Below is a picture of him at home shortly after completing boot camp and the Crucible.  Thanks to all those who have served!!

Gone for awhile...

I have been so busy lately.  Went to a fantastic stamp event in California (to post pics later), then to Yosemite, home awhile, then to the Scrapbooking event in Arlington, Tx, then to Maine for 12 fabulous days.  I have had little time to craft but will be posting some things soon

Busy, Busy, Busy

Wow, time sure does fly when you're having fun!!  We've been on a weeklong motorcycle ride to the Texas coast, a FABULOUS trip to the Great Yosemite Stamp Escape sponsored by the Cat's Meow (http://www.catsmeowstamps.com/index.htm ) with my sweet sister, spending time with the kids and grankids for Mother's Day, trying somewhat (haha) to catch up on laundry and house cleaning and getting ready for an upcoming trip to Maine, with my sister and some friends plus lately kind of dodging and dancing with all the tornadoes that recently smashed our area.  Prayers go out for all the people who have been so adversely affected by the weather and other recent events in the news.  Everyday when I wake up, I find some marvelous reason to realize how blessed I am, even if it's something as simple as waking up to see a hummingbird zipping by for a drink on the feeders outside. 

We did some wonderful things at the GYSE and I have GOT to take pictures to share.  Before I zip off to my grankids dance recital I will leave a picture of my best friend, my sister Joy, at the Cat's Meow Scrapbook store.  We are already making plans to attend the Escape next year!

Great Contest

I have been so busy and gone for awhile...  But I'm chiming in to let you know about a TOTALLY FABULOUS giveaway on a blog favorite... Obsessed with Scrapbooking at http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/ .  I have been entering contests for years and years and I think this is probably the best EVER.  Go check it out and GOOD LUCK!!

The Apron Chronicles

After doing my post about Susan, I noticed on the Sizzix website that she had a blog about baking/sewing/crafting at http://mymothersapronstrings.blogspot.com/ . I read a few of her posts and was so reminded of a really wonderful outing for Mother's Day 2006. There was an exhibit at the Dallas Women's Museum called The Apron Chronicles http://chronicles.apronmemories.com/ and we decided to have a Mother's Day Outing for lunch and to see this exhibit. It was such a good day... my Mother had Chronic Lymphocetic Leukemia, which she battled for over 23 years. She passed away just a year after this outing and since it was such a good day for her, it is one of my most precious memories.

This first picture shows sister Jean, Mom, sister Joy and daughter Sharon at the Old Mill Restaurant on the State Fair grounds which was by the museum. We had a wonderful lunch with Elvis!

We put on aprons when we went through the exhibit and everybody loved it!  We got stopped and asked about our aprons and it was just such a fun time.  Afterwards we went outside and took pictures.  We were all laughing so much...I thought Mom would fall over laughing.  I still love the memory of her laughter.....

My daughter, Sharon, took this last picture and we decided to "flash" her by raising up our aprons.  By this time, Mom was laughing so hard, she was crying.  What were we laughing about so much?  I don't have a clue.  All I remember is the laughing.

 

Flowers with Susan Tierney-Cockburn

Here I am at CHA with another one of the Rock Stars of my crafting world, Susan Tierney-Cockburn http://www.sizzix.com/shop/susan-tierney-cockburn  .  She is a total phenom with fowers and can turn paper into the most beautiful creations.  They look so real, not at all like my clumsy attempts.  Everything she does is so exquisite and REAL looking.  Not only is she talented but she is encouraging and so very nice.  She took time out of her very busy schedule to talk to us..not just business but to actually TALK.  She is a true gem and if you ever get a chance to meet her, you will be amazed at her kindness and talent.

Here's one of her creations...a FABulous wreath.  EDIT:  after going through many of Susan's blogposts, I found this one on this wreath with closeups:  http://mymothersapronstrings.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-touch-of-spring.html?showComment=1364324857177#c3669722531435856127

Here's my daffodil...which by the way, my little grangirl absconded with once she saw it

Here's the box and flower we made in the class.  We also got a kit with the rose and wheelbarrow cuts to do but I am so slow that I didn't get around to doing it in the class.  But it's on my desk, ready for me to finish.  Also, Sizzix and Susan were TOTALLY generous hosts....as they gave us....for free....the Susan's Garden Tool kit (amazing!), the Flower Seed Pots and the Seed Packet Envelopes.  WAHOOO!!!!  We were also given a container of a wonderful glue for these flowers called Crafter's Pick-The Ultimate.  This was such a fun, fun class and Susan has inspired me to try more 3-D flowers.

Easter card

Here's a card I made for Easter using a stamp set by Inky Antics called Swirly Easter Clear Set .  The scrapbook store I go to (PS Scrapbooks in Allen) had sample cards done with their stamps so I copied the one they had and tried to do the same type of coloring technique.  I had fun doing it and will be doing more with Inky stamps.   I made my own gathered ribbon by putting a swipe of double sided adhesive on the back and just pleating it.  I love how the sentiment jiggles on an action wobble.  I used Prismacolor pencils and a gelly roll clear star pen on the flowers and for some jiggles in the grass.

More Rock Stars from the Crafting World

Here is a picture taken at CHA in Anaheim, California in January.  These are some of my favorite Rock Stars of the crafting world.   Left to Right:  Melissa Cash ( http://inkclinations.blogspot.com/ ), Me, Vickie Dutcher ( http://allidoisstamp.blogspot.com/ ), Joy Hadden ( http://piecesofjoyhadden.blogspot.com/ ) and front: Sharon Fitzgerald, owner of The Cat's Meow ( http://www.catsmeowstamps.com/ )

And here's another FABulous Rock Star who is so talented!  I first met her at the Cricut Stampede held in Frisco, Texas in 2011.  I wasn't able to take one of her classes but was so impressed with the projects done and loved how she interacted with people, showing us her Stamp Maker and just talking and greeting people.  Every time I have seen her at other CHA events, she is always so charming and takes the time to talk to everybody.  I hope to some day be able to personally take one of her classes.  

Edit on 01/09/2014:  Teresa, her husband and her family have been going through some very difficult situations lately and I ask that you keep them in your prayers.  http://teresacollins.typepad.com/teresa_collins/2013/12/update-he-is-home.html

Water painting card using Watercolor pencils

I recently took a card class at Scrapbook Expo in Grapevine, Texas that was given by Melissa Frances Designs...she did not give the class but her very capable assistant did, and it was fun!  My watercolor technique definitely needs some work but it was so much fun and something I will be trying in the future.  My sister and I have met Melissa Frances at CHA and numerous crafting shows...she is so very sweet and such a talent and we spent a lot of time at her booth, talking to her and looking at her wonderful products (and yes, buying some!!).  That is only one perk of being able to attend the scrapbook/cardmaking shows...getting to personally meet the "Rock Stars" of my crafting world!  The darling little girl images are from the Melissa Frances line called "Pearl"