The Weekend... Finally

After the week I've had I'm breathing a sigh of relief.



Since I can't get into my scrap room because my father in law is visiting & I didn't plan ahead & pack up some stuff to scrap at the dining room table... and I just couldn't start rummaging thru the room now that he's settled in there with his stuff... not good guest etiquette.



I guess I will do my LOAD project today as a digi page. There's no way I'm going to miss a LOAD post when I'm so close to the end & haven't missed a day. I have to say LOAD (layout a day) with Lain Ehmann has been a great experience.

I already do a LOAD challenge on 2peas but since there are no rules & prizes involved I guess I'm not as diligent though the prize is the encouragement I get from the members. No day is complete without a visit to that board.

I'm "chasing rabbits" back on the topic... Lain sends out an email newsletter each day & that has been so great to read/gain inspiration from. She is quite the talented writer (Her book Snippits is a hoot). I encourage you to follow her blog & join in on the next LOAD challenge you will get a lot of scrapping done & meet a great bunch of people. With my eye on a chance to win the grand prize... I am scrapping every day but oh so thankful that the month of May is almost over & the pressure will be off.


Here's another layout for a challenge over at the Nook. Sorry for the not so great indoor photo. When it's a rainy day my house is a bit dark with all the trees... I had completed this layout already & kept thinking about it when I was dealing with the events of Thursday. Scrapbooking is therapy to me & it took on another meaning this week reminding me to "put my money where my mouth is" & finding joy in the chaos of the day.



Well hope you do something creative over the weekend & make it a great one no matter what you're doing.

What a Day,,,,

Sorry that day is resulting in one of my long winded posts....
Yesterday was one of those days that I sure hope doesn't happen too often....




I woke up sweating up a storm starting to get a head cold & the power was out. Called GA Power & another tree had fallen but thankfully they said 3 hours instead of 3 days like last time. They were on the ball & got it up in less time than that -- GOOD thing. So I sit down at the desktop computer & get the black screen with error message saying invalid disk. I pushed the button again thinking it would go away & no such luck. Put in a text message to DS & he said he would look at it when he got home from work. It's GOOD that I have someone to be my help desk


I had a doctor appt so I got ready & as I was walking outside I tripped over one of the motorcycles that was parked in the driveway instead of the garage (thankfully didn't it didn't drop - GOOD thing). Brushed myself off since I didn't hurt myself physically (GOOD thing) just the ego since neighbor was walking dog at the time & I looked like a clutz & walked to my car (that's parked in the driveway so that the bikes can have a safe dry place for them) & I see a flat tire! I call to cancel the dr. appt since I'm not changing that tire & go back into the house in defeat.


I broke a glass emptying the dishwasher, a bee came in the house letting the dogs out & Miles the cat (indoor only) got out & I had to chase him.


I'm the kind of person who always tries to look for the good in situations.... so there were some GOOD things & I have to think that there was a reason that God didn't want me on the road that I'll never know. I didn't cut myself on the glass, I didn't get stung while killing the bee (I'm allergic & have an epi pen I carry everywhere, & I caught Miles before he got out of the back yard -- those were all GOOD things. The computer was an easy fix after the power outage it somehow lost the boot sequence & it was trying to boot off a memory stick instead of the hard drive -- so that was wonderful & a huge blessing nothing lost & a GREAT THING. I was able to keep up with challenges at the Nook (I made it thru to the 2nd round!!! which is a WONDERFUL thing). I had also staged my blog hop post the night before so it was up -- that was a really GREAT thing! Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to post comments & vote for me. I have the best readers around -- that's another GREAT thing


Yes the cold is getting worse, didn't talk to my best friend as planned (but she is understanding -- another GOOD thing) my father in law is coming unexpectedly to visit (my scrap room that is a disaster is the guest room) & the roof is leaking in 2 spots - rain is gone for couple days so that's a GOOD thing ...


But it could be so much worse so I'm thankful that it's not.... Sorry to sound like Martha Stewart but it really does help me to look at the bright side of things...


Here's a couple My Childhood layouts I did for different challenges.

Our favorite toys. Join me for a Scrap Your Childhood challenge over at Scrapbooking & Crafting Friends. This weeks challenge is to scrap about toys you played with.




Here's a layout for the Flashback Friday Challenge at 2peas. (ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN IN ) Topic was childhood house. I had already done one recently but thought I would focus on the front porch which was my favorite place to play. Fashion Model Gal was a game I used to play with my sister (we were big pretenders) I had a camera & mom would buy me 1 roll of film a week. We loved to pretend we were doing a fashion photo shoot on the front porch. I needed some help with the photos but it's fun to look at the intent behind them.




There is still a couple days left to enter the May monthly challenge over at the Paperclipping forum. I hope you join us for your chance in the spotlight.


Have a GREAT weekend - no matter what happens....

The First Everything Scrapp'n Blog Hop

Well it's that time of the month again.... No I don't mean THAT... it's time for the Everything Scrapp'n Design Team to show you what they've been up to! We decided it would be fun to do a blog hop this month.

Of course we have a special for you too. Free shipping on orders over $35 (Coupon Code KENNY)

All of you regular readers of my blog know that I am a vintage kind of gal... so I was excited to find some Graphics 45 in the Everything Scrappn' Store. It is the perfect compliment for the new Narratives Die Cut Paper that just came in the store last week. This layout is so me & my style.

Supplies: Background Paper - Narratives Remember Ledger Diecut; Black Border Paper - Graphics 45 Photogenic; Red Dot & Gold Stripe Paper - Graphics 45 On the Dot; Vintage Tag - Graphics 45 Communique Tags; Cutout Card Paper - Communique; Chipboard Letters - American Crafts Thickers; Chipboard Button Embellishment - Jenni Bolin Milk Caps; Black Trim; Metal Tag - Tim Holtz; Pin (Maya Road); Letter Stickers (Making Memories); Lace (Hobby Lobby & Wrights); Page From Vintage Book; Ribbon (Creative Imaginations)

For my other project I thought I would go with brighter colors & show you how to make a really inexpensive layout that doesn't lack the wow factor....

I love the pink & green color combo & pattern of this paper by Doodlebug. The print inspired me to create a "faux" diecut edge by cutting out along the lines & adhering it to my kraft cardstock using Gel Medium. Since I was already painting on the gel medium I decided to paint behind my titlework with some inexpensive Green Apple Plaid Folk Art acrylic paint.

My journaling spot was rather large & I didn't have a stamp that big so I used another one of my favorite techniques... machine stitching lines to mimic lined paper. It adds texture & interest wherever I use it. I anchored the bottom of the page with a full row of the patten paper adhered with pop dots to add dimension. To make them look more like an embellishment adding a large adhesive pearl to the inside of each flower adds pizazz. Using some of the Prima Flowers & buttons from my stash I select 3 of each style/color to layer. I placed them on the page in a visual triangle to draw you eye to the focal point of the layout & anchor the top line of the design at the titlework

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Supplies: Pattern Paper - Doodlebug Cherry Cobbler; Chipboard Letters - American Crafts Thickers; Cardstock - Bazzill Kraft; Bling Rhinestones, Flowers - Prima; Buttons - misc stash; Thread - Coats & Clarks.

Make sure you visit the Everything Scrapp'n Blog for a chance to win this Rusty Pickle Brass Knuckles Mini Album Kit. All you do is leave a comment & you're entered. While you are there you'll see links to all the other designers blogs - you've gotta see what they've created!

Creative Day For Me

I've been feeling like I'm being pulled in 10 different directions. With all the activity going on last weekend I'm designating today as Creative Day for Me day! No housework (except cooking dinner) just what I want to do & that's going to be working on scrapbooking projects. Am I the only one who feels like this sometimes?



I wanted to ask you guys to life Katie Watson up in prayer. She is having a hard time with her health right now & her post last week just broke my heart. I don't know her but read her blog regular & am a fan of her work.




I've also been asked to start a couple of challenge groups over at Scrapbooking & Crafting Friends it was originally a facebook group but now on the ning network. Since I'm quite the heritage scrapper I volunteered for the Heritage Group & Scrap Your Childhood Group. I posted the first challenge in each. If it interests you please join us I'd love to see your work. If these 2 groups don't excite you there are a ton of other ones on the S&CF site so check it out & join in the fun.



There's 4 more days left to submit a layout or 2 for the Paperclipping Monthly Challenge for May. Remember the winner is showcased on the Paperclipping site & newsletters. I know when I won my blog traffic really jumped.



Here's a couple of layouts I made for challenges over at the Nook. I managed to keep up with all the challenges. The blog hop points really gave me a boost in points to get me out of the middle of the pack & gave me the kick in the pants to work on the weekly challenge that I had put off since I couldn't get into my scrap room with out of town guests visiting. I hope I have enough points now to keep me in the running for next week (half of the competitors are cut tomorrow based on points). I'm hoping for the one month GDT spot. The prizes are 6 months, 2 months, & 1 month.... even at the 3rd place spot that's still dreaming big with the talented scrapbookers.




This challenge was to scrap an emotional time in your life (good or bad) & I was inspired by the Jenni Bowlin bingo card on my table looking at me to pick this topic. It's been raining here for days so the photo is the best I can get indoors. I didn't even start it until 2 hours before it was due... posted in the gallery & message board will 11 minutes to spare.




This layout has no adhesive all the layers are stitched, stapled or attached with brads. That was a cool challenge. I almost didn't do this one as I had gone to bed intending not to submit a layout for the challenge. Then laying there stewing & thinking if I miss the cut by 5 pts I'm going to kick myself... so back into the scrap room & cranked this one out in 35 minutes (a record for me) - and it's not half bad either if I do say so myself lol


Have a fantastic Wednesday

Wow What a Great Turn Out...

I'm so glad that the first Memorial Day Cards For Heroes Blog Hop was a huge success! The participation from both the bloggers & visitors was amazing. We sure did a good job getting the word out about this wonderful organization.

I can't believe the "love" that y'all left me. Such sweet comments & they really mean a lot.

Well I wouldn't make you wait any longer.... (I still can't get the widget from Random Number Generator to work here on blogger.... so these are the 2 numbers that came up

The winners are:

Comment number 103 wins the $20 Everything Scrapp'n Gift Certificate
Congratulations JPScraps

Comment number 20 wins the My Priceless Memories Mini Book Kit from EMI Scrapbooking & their Etsy shop CreativeKits4U where they sell mini book kits worldwide.
Congratulations LETUMom

Winners please email me at sgray110 at gmail dot com your name & snail mail address to me & I will have these shipped out to you.

These winners will also be added to the Cards For Heroes Blog since there were so many prizes this weekend we wanted to put everything on one page to make it easy for you to claim your prizes.

I hope you keep CFH in mind when you are making cards for personal use. I challenge each of you to make just one card a week for the troops. It really does make a difference. I'm not going to let us forget about this... I'll be challenging you & I hope you challenge me too. I'm planning on sending my Unity Hip Hop Hangover cards for the summer to CFH.

Have a wonderful Tuesday & take some time to be creative.

Blog Hop For Heroes

I'm tickled to death to be a stop on the Memorial Day Weekend Blog Hop For Heroes. This is such an awesome organization. Helping our nations armed forces stay in touch will loved ones at home. Since I love making cards it's a nice little way for me to say how much I appreciate their sacrifice for our country. Two of my cousin's children are serving in war zones at this time & I know that these kinds of things really do make a difference & brighten their day.

If you've just stumbled upon my post & would like to do the blog hop from the beginning or just want more details on what you can do to support Cards for Heroes visit their website. Trust me you will be overloaded with inspirational stories & beautiful cards.

I've made several cards that will quickly on their way to Heroes. (I know not all are in the red-white & blue color theme - leave it to me to be a renegade)

Stamps by Unity Stamp Company & Hero Arts

CFH is offering some great prizes this weekend. They will be picking the winners from all the comments posted on all the blogs. So I hope you've been commenting

I thought I'd do a couple giveaways in honor of CFH. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for:

A $20 gift certificate to Everything Scrapp'n an online scrapbooking store (they are having a 35% off entire order sale this weekend - coupon code MEMORIAL). They are also doing a giveaway for every $20 you order this weekend you get 1 entry to win a super chic scrapbook tool tote.

My local scrapbook store EMI Scrapbooking has generously donated one of their beautiful mini-book kits My Priceless Memories retail value $23. They sell worldwide in their Etsy store check out their other amazing kits -- they look great in photos but let me tell you when they are in your hands they sure have the WOW factor. These kits are designed for the store with the help of the super talented Michelle.

Thanks to Heather owner of Everything Scrapp'n for matching my gift certificate & to Susan owner of EMI Scrapbooking, Cumming GA for the mini. Be sure to comment to be entered to win. The two winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator on Tuesday, May 26 at noon eastern time.

Thanks so much for visiting I hope you will make some cards or make a donation to Cards For Heroes. If you are a card maker their summer challenge is 25 + 2 cards. Have a safe & happy Memorial Day holiday.

Your next stop is the fun & talented Liza Marie

Update: It's Sunday evening & I just finished the blog hop including and I just have so say wow! What heartfelt & inspirational stories, beautiful cards & loads of prizes. I really believe in this organization & it's just awesome the participation and response by others. I've been emailing my local tv stations to let them know about this great cause. Call me a crazy dreamer but I even sent some to CNN & Fox News. Look out Cards For Heroes -- you wanted to get the word out lets hope it gets picked up on the big guys!

Hip Hop Hangover

What a busy week this has been... It'll be great to have a long weekend. Even if it looks like we'll have some rain everyday of it.



It's Friday & you know that means Unity Stamp Hip Hop Hangover. If you'd like to do the hop from the start head on over to the Unity Blog


I sure am having a great time creating with all the new Unity Stamps I ordered last week. My sweet hubby after 23 years knows how much I love my crafts & prefer practical gifts so for our anniversary he let me pick out some kits to add to my growing collection. I sell cards so he knows I'll make some money too in the long run (to buy more stuff lol shhhh don't tell)...



I don't know about you but I need some great paper & embellishments to go along with those new stamps so I filled up my cart & placed an order at Everything Scrapp'n. They are having a great Memorial Day sale. Get 35% off your entire order. Coupon code "memorial". This sale begins May 22 and end May 25 (midnight EST). I've got some great stuff in my basket. There is also a giveaway. For every $20 you spend you get one entry to win this cute tabletop tote. See Denise's blog post for photos.



I had a layout challenge to use stamped images as embellishments. I love the Unity butterflies that came in the September KOTM. The cut slightly distressed polka dots are perfect. Just stamp them on pattern paper, cut out & they are ready to go.


Now now week is complete without making a cute card. Here's a super quick one using the FOLK INSPIRED kit. As a quilter I will get a lot of mileage out of this set.

In honor of Memorial Day Cards For Heroes is doing a Blog Hop. I'm excited to be one of the stops on the hop. I hope you will join in & hop for heroes this weekend. It's a great cause that provides blank cards for our soldiers to send home. There are some great scrapbookers/cardmakers who are participating including: Jennifer McGuire & Nichol Magouirik




Hope you have a great Memorial Day. Take some time during all the fun to remember what it's all about - those fallen soldiers who served America so bravely & their ultimate sacrifice.

I Need a Life...

I've already typed this long blog post... so I'm back up here at the top to spare you who just want to see a layout reading thru my moment by moment description of my evening....

This was the other layout I made for the Scrap Nook contest & was torn between which to enter. I liked this one better but worried about the fragmented sentences (since full sentences were a requirement) that's why I chose the one I posted yesterday. Sentence structure or not I liked this one better & it was much more unique.... oh well there were so many amazing layouts entered. If you have a chance go to the Scrap Nook. You'll see ones shaped as guitars, rainbow with clouds, birthday cake with candles, etc.

Ok so if you are brave continue reading & delve into the madness of a total crazed woman.

I was so tired last night after the events of the day. It was nice just to veg out -- I was on reality tv overload.... I'm laying in bed with the laptop on - catching up on email, websites, & blogs...

8:00 American Idol final performances come on. I'm a Kris fan. He & Allison were my faves from the start. I think Adam can sing & will have a great career - Kris is just more my style.

So thankfully the first hour of Dancing With the Stars was just rehashing.... but that didn't stop me from clicking during commercials. I'm not a fanatic about that show but this season I really liked it & watched it more often & I actually did vote on Monday for little Shawn.

Back to Idol... what the heck was Kara thinking with that song. It was in one of Simon's favorite sayings "dreadful". It was filled with cliches & the key, oh my, was almost painful for both of them. Surely other people than the 3 writers listened to this song. One of them should have said something. Is it just me?

So at 9:00 I have my pretty blue Palm cell phone in hand texting "vote" to 5702 over and over and over. I saved it as a template so I could just hit the button 2x & 10 votes are sent. I even twitter about texting (I'm just getting into the twitter thing) GO KRIS

9:20 I'm really multitasking I have Dancing With the Stars on waiting for the winner announcement, cell phone in hand still sending text messages, & Paperclipping Live on ustream open & ready for Noell & Dedra to start while chatting with other paperclippers.

My hubby walks in & said "I want to watch the Tudors on demand". I just look up at him & say nothing.... he then says "I'll watch it in the living room" ha ha ha I must have looked like a crazed loon. He never gives in that easy & doesn't pick up on the unspoken clues unless they hit him like a ton of brick lol.

I always enjoy Paperclipping Live & look forward to it all week. Noell is so talented & the women in the chat room are just a delight. So last night Noell had Dedra Long on the show with her. I call them the Dynamic Duo. They are both amazing scrapbookers & so artistic but the best part is the "banter" between them. Their friendship really plays well over the web. It's just plain fun to watch. (you can watch recorded shows if you missed it)

They were also very sweet to mention me & my work several times which caused a shower of lovely comments from the "peeps" in the chat. I was very touched. Thanks so much.

They were doing a scrap lift of one of the members layouts they found in the gallery. I can't wait to see the finished layouts on the blogs. They both have very different styles so it was interesting to see their takes on a challenge.

All the while I'm watching/type chatting on the computer I'm glancing up at the TV - DWTS yay Shawn won! I really didn't think she would pull it off but good for her. She is a doll.

It's 10:00 & I'm still hitting the button 2x on my cell phone to send my 10 votes for Kris. I wonder how many votes I actually cast in that 100 minutes.... (I just went & checked my AT&T bill when you hear however many votes Kris gets for the night 1, 360 are from ME! That is too scary. I think I need an intervention.... "like" I'm a middle age teenybopper.

I finally stopped at 10:44 when hubby came back in the room with a look like "please can I go to bed now & not have to listen to scrapbookers giggle & talk about some embellishment or what adhesive to use...." I picked up on that look with & said my goodbyes (reluctantly) before the show ended (I was just to lazy to get up & boot up the big computer) & put my cell phone on charge.

I'm shaking my head as I'm typing this... I'm a grown woman. I don't know why I get caught up with AI each year. I just love that show & there are many talented people. I am sentimental & always want to see the dreams fulfilled. It's a life changing opportunity to all who get in the finals. I love music & really enjoy hearing the contestants sing their songs for the first time. When it's a hit cheering for them & cringing & genuinely feeling bad for them when it's a miss.

I hope I'm not alone & but if I am oh well that's me... with age I've learned to accept & embrace who I am & what I like/don't like. That really is big since I'm a bit of a people pleaser. How did I get here with a heavy self topic from reality tv? I better quit or who knows where my babble will take us.

A New Week

The Unity Kit of the Month Blog Hop was so fun. I finally finished it on Sunday. Blog after blog was filled with inspiration.

I placed an order on Thursday & it was here at my door on Monday -- wow that is some super service & one of the many reasons I love Unity Stamps. I have lots of new stamps to create with. Just in time for some cards I need to make.


Doing a one day challenge is so much easier than the month long....


I used the random.org number generator

The RAK winner is # 26

Congrats Fiber Junky please email me at sgray110 at gmail dot com with your address.


Everything Scrapp'n has some new Creative Imaginations products in stock. They are 15% off along with the new Queen & Company. Check the blog for photos & more info - click here

I didn't have as much creative time over the weekend as I'd planned... so what little time I did have I created this layout. I've been doing a challenge over at the Scrap Nook. I love using 12x12 diecut shapes for a layout anyway but this challenge was to make your own.

The shape was based loosely on the blue ribbons Grace would win. The title "Her Name is Gracie, She was a Show Girl" came from the Barry Mannilow song "Copacabana". I had just picked up my new Jenni Bowlin products at my local scrapbook store EMI Scrapbooking - it's the perfect color & addition to this layout. Well I'm crossing my fingers that I will win the extra points this time. I sure need them since I'm in the middle of the pack right now.

A fellow scrapbooker asked for our help... she needs votes to win one of those fantastic desks by the Original Scrapbox. You can vote daily here. Ashjoy's creation is number 303

Wow what a desk!

Here is a photo of her project

Well hope you have a great week & take some time to be creative.

Unity Kit of the Month Blog Hop

So what have you thought about the first ever Unity Stamp Company Kit of the Month Blog Hop? Well you're almost near the end as I'm #97 out of 100. If you stumbled onto my blog or are one of my regular readers you can start the Blog Hop from the beginning by going to the Unity Stamp Blog. Also if you get lost along the way, just click HERE to go to the Unity Splitcoaststampers forum.

I have been a Unity customer for about 8 months. Their stamps are super cute & great quality rubber. April was my first Kit of the Month purchase & all I could say when I received it was WOW. There are so many different images & they're not just little tiny stamps they even work on scrapbook layouts in addition to cards. If you sign up to receive KOTM by Sunday May 17th, 2009 you are eligible to purchase prior KOTM for $24 (regularly $45). Isn't this May kit just too cute? I can't wait til next week when I get my hands on it.

There are also some amazing sales going on see the Thursday Unity blog post. In all the time I've been a Unity customer I've never seen sales this fantastic. Even better IMHO than the one during their 1 year anniversary sale last week....

Here are a couple of cards I created with my April Kit of the Month. I have only had it a week so I've only made a few....

This was for a challenge yesterday... Not sure I'm loving my color combo but the butterfly stamps sure are sweet.

These are my favorite images from the kit. I love the butterfly & the vintage dress form. I love the details & it has made some great cards.

The 2 girls stamp is just too cute (love the new papers from Scenic Route & Little Yellow Bicycle)

If you have an extra moment Everything Scrapp'n has launched their first design team reveal on the store blog. I'm proud to design for them. Leave a comment for a chance at a RAK.

These tree stamps are Unity but not a KOTM stamp. I just had to show you what a great match it is for the tree images on the new Fancy Pants paper

Scrapperie is having an online crop this weekend with plenty of prizes & fun challenges.

Finally leave a comment for me & I have a RAK in honor of the Unity KOTM Blog Hop.

The next stop on the blog hop is Kelly.

Budget Friendly Mixed Media Album

This is my version of a mixed media album

I love the new mixed media mini albums from Fancy Pants. There are several styles in stock at Everything Scrapp'n. They really are reasonably priced & make quick work of making a fantastic mini album. I've found that you can use the pages for several albums instead of having it all in one mini if you cut & add other pages yourself

But with the economy right now I was trying to think of a way I could pull off the look with items in my scrap stash at a lower cost. Minis make wonderful gifts for family & friends. They really have that wow factor going for them. A bit more labor intensive but an option for those of us on a creative budget.

I made the pages in this mini with an overlay, felt, & faux chipboard (layered cardstock diecuts) . I think it gives the same mixed media feel for much less money. I've made several "acrylic" look albums using overlays & the Hambly are by far the most sturdy for this purpose.

I know many of you make mini albums but I'm writing this so even the beginner would feel comfortable taking on a project like this.

The way I make a mini that seems to work for me is to pick out the paper products I want to use & get the "bones" of the pages done with the photos & even journaling. Then I will start layering the embellishments. I love the look of things hanging out of traditional book boundaries. Also since the viewer is holding the book in their hands the more texture the better. I just keep going thru my embellishment stash & try to think outside the box what would work.

Supplies you will need if you want to make your own 6x6 mixed media album (I've linked them to the Everything Scrapp'n Store for you): 1 Hambly Butterfly Overlay cut in quarters; 1 Creative Imagination Holey Moley Cardstock Overlay; 1 sheet embossed felt from craft store; Chipboard for pages or kraft paper that you can layer as I did to make faux chipboard; 3 Binder Rings or Bind it All Rings; Collection of Coordination Patterned Paper - Including some that are diecut this adds interest; Several colors of Coordinating Cardstock; Ribbon & Trim; Embellishments: Bling, Clips, Buttons, Flowers, etc; Letters for Titlework; Journaling Spots/Tags; Stamps/Ink; Diecuts; Rub - Ons

Adhesives I use: Kokoyo dot runner, PVA (a bookbinding adhesive for layering pieces of paper this is aggressive & the layers stay together), Xyron is great for shooting small things thru, a good liquid adhesive with a wide applicator, Diamond Glaze (not only does this make embellishments by adding a glassy finish but for adding embellishments you want to stay put this stuff is amazing. even on metal everything stays on the page which is important with minis that will be handled a lot or even greeting cards), glue dots (for buttons & embellishments quickly attached), foam adhesive for adding dimension & popping the embellishment up off the page. We all have our favorites so this gives you an idea what I've tried & works

The front cover is 1/4th of a 12x12 Hambly overlay. I added bling to the butterflies. Since it's a transparency I used a contrasting color pattern paper for the 2nd page to really make the green butterflies pop. Even though the transparency is sturdy I put the the Thickers titlework & the clip/tag on this page because over time they could still be a bit heavy for the transparency sheet since it was serving as the cover of the book.

Pages 1-2 With my minis I like to add narrow "pages" in between the full size pages for visual interest & it also gives me a great place to journal. As the transparency page is turned different parts of the page layout are visible so I take that into consideration. On previous minis I put actual photos on the "acrylic" pages but this time I have them in there just for the butterfly motif.

Pages 3 & 4. The blue floral diecut narrow "page" is a Quickutz border punch that was layered on Bazzill Bling. It was a make n take from Archivers last summer.... I save everything & cutting it in half here from it's original 12" long size was a perfect journaling spot. Buttons, bling & flowers add texture.

Pages 5-6 I liked using the fullsize photos of my flowers so it didn't leave me a lot of space for journaling. Having the page with just journaling gives a resting spot in an otherwise busy album.

Pages 7-8 Adding stitching to the cardstock not only helps to adhere the layers together but adds texture & subtle lines to the page. Adding the felt diecut border strip & dimensional floral stickers along with the paper flowers decorates the page while keeping with the theme. Notice the 12x12 scallop diecut paper hangs out a bit from the album for another design feature. The circular shape also helps break up the squareness of the book.

Pages 8 - 9 I adhered the orange paper to the back of the diecut scallop paper & hand cut with scissors. Adding some rub ons helped to fill in the space since I used different size photos in my collage. The heart is a Creative Imagination Jouranling spot & I just did the same technique to back it so it would be pleasing on the "wrong" side. The more shapes on pages the more interest.

Pages 10-11 Repeating the same pattern papers from earlier in the book. Some of the flowers I didn't feel needed journaling so I just let the full size photos shine.

Pages 12-13 Continued with similar techniques & patterns for unity thru the book. I kept the butterfly overlay in mind when placing the embellishments as they would peak thru. Metal embellishment are a fun addition to pages.

The back cover of the mini is the embossed craft felt. Stitching it to the several layers of same shape cardstock really made for a sturdy back cover & the tactile feel in my the viewers hands adds to the minibook experience... Notice with the cover closed how the diecut scallops are not all flush in the book. That to me is a good thing. At the end is when I added the ribbons to the rings & top of the album. With the album closed I checked to see where each ribbon would end up hanging out of the top of the album. I chose according to what looked good on each page.

I hope you enjoyed this fun project I made with one of my favorite topics... flowers blooming.

The new Hambly overlays are so cute. I can see many different mini's just from the patterns on them....

This traditional black hounds tooth pattern is masculine enough & would make a wonderful father's day gift. Also available in red in the ES store.

The cute Onesies for a baby mini. This pattern comes in pink & this teal

This Vintage Patchwork pattern is perfect for the cut in quarters technique & gives you 4 different coordinating designs on one page. It's available in pink too.

Here's a grungy graph pattern that would make a great teen boy mini. It's available in several colors. I can picture using this for photos of my hubby & sons motorcycle riding....

There are a couple different floral patterns in some great colors for a girly or heritage albums. Since they are available in not only pink but also white, brown & black

There are several other great patterns available in the store that are sure to get your creative juices flowing. Here's the entire section of overlays.

Make sure you head on over to the Everything Scrapp'n Blog today for the full design team reveal. Leave a comment for entry in a RAK Prize