..:: be bold and brave ::..

Hi Friends! I am up on the {a flair for buttons} blog and my You Tube channel with this layout using flair from my favorite shop and the May 2019 Clique Kit Great Expectations. This flair is from the Brave Soul Flair set. Here is a look at my mini book.

I used a Paige Evans cut file called 1 Piece of Paper Mini Album. I added gesso and then color using mostly Shimmerz sprays. Finally, I added papers and embellishments mostly from Crate Paper's All Heart collection -- that is in the Great Expectations kit.  Here are a few more close ups.

I used stickers and die cuts from the kit (All Heart collection) as well. This was so fun to put together.

I made a few tags from the papers using my Big Shot. Some of the tags are peeking out of the book. I love that!

I have a full process video and a quick flip through (which includes a close ups of each page) on my You Tube channel if that's something that suits your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by -- see you again soon!

:: Our Adventure : a mini book ::

Hi! I am up on the Paper Issues Blog today sharing a mini book that I made about our adventures to the Indiana Sand Dunes. For this project I used mostly Crate Paper's Journey Collection.

I repurposed a very small clipboard for this mini by taking off the original clamp and replacing it with a Tim Horton two ring binder piece. I cut my papers and printed my photos in a variety of sizes (mostly the same width but varying lengths) to create a bit of extra texture and interest.

I worked on this project over a period of time.  In order to make it as easy as possible I stuck with one basic collection, pulled items that matched the collection and/or theme from my stash, and then placed everything in a tray (from Target).  This was so helpful. I was able to work on this project just about anywhere because I put everything together and I could just grab the tray and go (to another house, another place within our home, etc).

I simply love all of the gold and transparent pieces in this collection!

Sometimes I chose to print a photo or two (usually a favorite) a bit larger and let it just be a page on it's own (with a few embellishments -- digital and/or traditional).

One of my favorite things about creating mini books is including the ephemera that is part of the story.  An example: I created a few pages with "pockets" in them and included all the ephemera (like the room key, or a receipt).  I did most of my journaling on tags that I was able to place in pockets throughout the book, shorter stories were handwritten on journal cards or labels.

 

I had a blast creating this mini book!

If you would like to purchase the Crate Paper Journey collection, or all the things, click on the links and head over to the Paper Issues store!  Make sure you use the code orangegearle for 20% off your entire purchase!

:: hello baby mini book ::

In this post I shared our wonderful family news -- my oldest daughter will be having a boy on or around October 7. We are excited for this wonderful addition to our family! For the reveal party, I started a mini book as a gift. My daughter has asked me to go ahead and keep it, add to it, and give it back to her when it's finished. She has a busy few months ahead of her, including moving, and so this makes complete sense (and I am excited to do it)! Thought I'd share a few photos:

Both the front and back covers are chip board that I covered with white card stock, and added a bit of washi tape that goes around the edge. Before putting the card stock on, I used Gelatos and Tim Holtz distress daubers to create a fun pattern.

Foot Stamp + StazOn ink + Transparency = fun title page

For the inside pages I found a great 6x6 pad of American Crafts papers at Target. The pad is called "Hip Hip Hooray" and there are two of each pattern.  I love the colors because most of them are gender neutral. When I started this project we didn't know if she was having a boy or a girl. 

Most of the tummy and ultrasound photos I stole off her Facebook page! 

The book is complete up to the present.  :-)  I plan to put some photos of the baby room and any other tummy/ultra sound photos that she takes. Then, I will leave a few pages at the very end for when we get to meet that baby in person! 

Check back here tomorrow for a new Scrap Your Story Challenge! Here's a sneaky sneak!

Happy 4th of July!  Have a safe one!

:: exciting day ::

Today my oldest daughter had a gender reveal party. On May 30, she had an ultrasound, the Dr. Office wrote down the gender of the baby and sealed it in an envelope.  It was then sent to the baker.  Until today, only the baker and the Dr. Office knew the gender....

 I got to cut the cake!

It's a boy!!!!!

I started a minibook and gave it to my daughter today. It has ultrasound photos and belly shots, etc. Will share soon!