So much has happened in my life personally and creatively over the last few weeks. New to paper crafting, planning, and all things "dori", I still haven't been able to establish a routine of crafting and planning that works with my business and family life.
Today is the first day that I'm officially using my DIY planner. I've made a few entries, but I know that I want to further customize each day of the week to work for me.
I would like to schedule multiple actcities for my crafting and my graphic design. I also need to have room for personal activities. I knew going in that a prefab planner wouldn't work for me. I hope to sort out a custom layout for my 2016 pages soon. I also need to develop a color scheme. I like pink A LOT but it's not doing it for me with this planner.
I did a little craft shopping for the pet album I'm working on today, and I picked up a roll of black Kraft-tex from Hobby Lobby. I originally wanted to use it for the cover of the album, but it was too thick for my design.
After looking at photos on the packaging, I had one of those great ideas of mine. I can use the Kraft-tex to create a cover for my 2016 planner! All I need is the binder rings and I will have complete control over the size and design of my planner! I don't know why I have the need to make everything. Maybe it's the control freak in me.
I'm not happy with the hard cover binder on my planner now, so switching to the durable and flexible Kraft-tex cover will be great! I can even make my own pockets on the inside cover.
Deisha's Divalicious is a mini album designed for my 16 year-old neice using the Black Currant paper collection by Die Cuts With a View (DCWV). Featuring 4 pocket pages, a waterfall and various pockets and photo mats, this is a step up from the previous albums I created.
I decided to create the mini album for Deisha at the beginning of March 2015. I sent her the following message:
Hey I'm doing a little project and I need to know what things you like. For example favorite colors, things you collect, favorite animal or insect, etc... do you like girly stuff? Do you like vintage stuff? I know you like bling and sparkle right?
She replied:
My favorite color is pink, i dont really collect anything, my favorite animal is snow tiger. Girly stuff is definitely my thing but if i see some vintage thats nice then I'll definitely get it
And yes, i like bling and sparkle lol
With her reply in hand, I went through the paper pads I had in my stash and decided to use the Black Currant collection. I think it was the perfect choice, and even before I finished it, I received a request for a TP (toilet paper roll) mini album using the Black Currant papers.
Without further ado, here is my latest Scrapcraftastic creation!
I decided to create a handmade box to protect and store the mini album. I am somewhat hoarding the remaining paper from the pad I used for Deisha's album along with at second full pad I have, because I received several request for albums using the Black Currant paper, and as far as I know, availability of the collection is very limited.
Because I didn't want to use too much of the Black Currant papers to cover the box, I went to my local Joann store, and picked up some single sheet papers that I felt coordinated well with the Black Currant collection.
Along with a black lace trim around the edge of the box lid, I added a mini rose trim to a small pocket that will hold a folio for adding photos and journaling.
Here is a box lid closeup of the floral collage featuring a die cut double layered butterfly finished with Stickles and a flourish of bling for the butterfly trail. The flowers are a mixture of Recollections from Michael's and Prima flowers from Hobby Lobby. I also used flat back pearls, some rhinestone bling and other sparkly accents to embellish the lid.
Deisha's mni album fits nicely in the custom box with room to store photos and other memorabilia for safe keeping or until she has time to add them to the mini album.
Because of the bold paper designs, I decided to keep the inside of the book simple and let the paper be its own embellishment, so for the cover I went all out and made it "girly" with bling and lots of sparkle. The cover features a custom Divialicious banner layered with Mod Podge, Stickled edges and Glossy Accents lettering.
The trellis on the spine is velvet punched paper... I am fascinated by velvet paper! I've used it several times and I even purchased a sheet of bright red velvet paper recently.
Custom dangles and hand died seam binding finish off the spine along with a chain with built in bling.
The scalloped edge of the textured paper covering the spine and wrapping around to the back of the mini album acts as an embellishment while keeping the back of the album simple and clutter free.
The magnetic closure flap features a Hobby Lobby brad centered in two Prima flowers. The silver flower was originally gold. I made the flower silver with Tim Holtz silver alcohol ink and inked the edges of the flowers on the flap, the papers on the cover and throughout the album with Tim Holtz black soot distress ink.
Here are the interior pocket pages, pockets, flaps, photo mats, embellishments and all the interactive goodies that make mini albums so fantastic!
I started feeling a little separation anxiety since I knew I would be presenting it to Deisha today which is why I took so many photos. I enjoyed creating and designing this album and I can't wait to share my next project!
Please let me know what you think and comment below.
After posting and watching my first mini albums video I realized how much I didn't say about the albums I designed for my two youngest children so I'll do my best to fill in the blanks here.
In the Beginning...
I started the album for my daughter in late December after stumbling across tutorials on making books with paperbags on Pinterest.
The beginnings of my stash came from Wal-Mart with the purchase of inexpensive 6 x 6 papers and glue sticks for the kids along with a small package of "O" rings for the paperbag books.
From there I researched an learned a bit about making books and binding. I ordered an Awl and book binding thread and needles from Amazon.
Smash Books, Scrapbooks, Mini Albums... Oh My!
Eventually I figured out that I didn't just want to make books with blank or lined papers, I wanted to do something a bit more creative, and I found Smash Books.
With Mini Albums, I could be in complete control of how the album is designed. I could choose the size, the style of the album and even the theme or papers. Everything was up to me. I could create the whole look and feel of the book. (Guess I'm a bit of a control freak, huh?)
I was hooked!
So that brings me back to my first mini album. I am still learning, but back then I just wanted to get started so I used cardboard from an equipment box my husband had discarded. I knew about scoring and folding from my visual arts training, and I was able to craft a spine and front and back covers in the size I wanted from one piece of cardboard. I covered that with craft paper.
After multiple trips to Michael's, Joann's and eventually Hobby Lobby, as well as consuming countless video shares and tutorials on YouTube, I now have a growing stash to work with.
I've started an enormous NOT SO BABY OR MINI, BABY MINI ALBUM for my oldest daughter (my first grandchild is on the way). I also have Mini Albums underway for 2 of my teenage nieces, and several other mini's that I've started, just because.
I've had so many "firsts" in the realm of creative things this year, and it feels wonderful. I keep thinkng, why didn't I know about this before? Well, I know now, and I'm obsessed... in a good way!
To keep up with my creations, please find me on...
