KISS (Keep It Simple Saturdays) with Michelle ~ A Simply Made Mini Album Tutorial

Hi Everyone and I hope you are having a great weekend thus far!

This blog post is going to be about making a mini-album. Now I know there are tons of tutorials and videos showing the amazing and vast examples of mini-albums. This post (as with all my blog posts) is about taking the simplistic way to create a meaningful album by using very few tools and supplies you have already in your stash.

You may know that making these types of projects is not my forte. I love seeing them and appreciate the craftsmanship but then I wondered if one mini-album can be created quickly, beautifully and easy to assemble as well. Here's the story behind this mini album...

My girlfriend and I were 1 month apart being pregnant. Currently I am 6-1/2 months along (baby and I are doing really well) but my friend was having a troublesome pregnancy right from the get-go. A long story short, she had gone into labour early (being almost 24 weeks) and gave birth to a son named 'B' (abbreviated for privacy reasons). My friend is obviously going through a challenging time in her life right now. She is in the big city, away from family and friends, her home and surroundings all the while concentrating on helping her son fight the fight of his life. I wanted to give her an outlet to express herself and remember the private yet precious moments of her son's young life. Hence this mini-album (mind the pun, not intented here) was created for my friend.

To assemble this mini album quickly, here is my short list of supplies and tools required:

• Die shape of choice (for this project I used a top note die which was big enough for journalling, photos and/or attaching pockets to). You can use any shape you wish whether it be from a electronic based machine or manual use.
• Cutting machine compatible to cut/create the above shaped die of choice (I used my Big Shot but any die cut machine will do).
• Binder ring
• Embellishments of choice (I encourage you to dig through your stash and use it up)
• Patterned paper of choice (again use up what you already have whether it be full sheets or scraps)
• Stamps and ink if desired
• Adhesive

While I won't go through the steps on how I created and assembled my mini-album; I will share with you my thought process on how I mix and matched my supplies:

1. Gather up everything (I mean everything - from the above list of supplies) you want or think you want to use to create this mini album. Shop once from your stash and do not look again until the project is complete.
2. Create separate piles within your stash that you would want to use on a page. Do not think whether or not you'll use the elements until you start creating.
3. Arrange those piles in the order of the mini-album presentation. Decide at this point if you are going to make it double or single-sided pages.
4. Start creating! The process on how you create each page is up to you - you can create page by page or in mass production (i.e. cut all pages first, layer on embellishments next and so on...).
5. Assemble your pages together for your mini-album.
6. Once you have assembled your finished project, take one good look over. Make any adjustments or changes but try not to re-do (remember this is supposed to be quick and easy). When you have made your final touches complete - DO NOT touch the album again! You are officially done.

My biggest tip for this type of project is... If you spend the time in the beginning to choose your supplies and elements plus arrange them in a way to make creating easy for you; you should not have to go back and make any last minute changes. Again this is my humble and personal opinion only.

Here are some of my favorite pages from this album (this was hard to choose):

I hope I have demystified and encouraged you to make a mini-album. After all paper crafting is not meant to be complicated or seem out of reach for some to be intimidated not to create. Take a deep breath and dive right in. Enjoy the creative process and relish in your finished projects. If you put your heart into it, your mini-album will be enjoyed by others for a long time to come. No matter how simple or elaborate your project may be.

Until next Saturday, Happy Crafting!

KISSes and Hugs ~Michelle

I ♥ You Mini Album

Happy Valentines Day to all!

Here's a very lovely mini album that I got to make, I used Bo Bunny 'Sweetie Pie' Paper & Cardstock Stickers.

First I worked with the letter "I" since it was the smallest letter and piece. I'm a person of distressing so added some Brown Ink to the edges. Then added 3 5mm Crystal Bling to the stem of the "I". Wrapped a piece of 5/8" Clover Double Dot ribbon below the Crystal Bling.

Second I worked on the ♥ piece. This piece for me was a little trickier. Added some Cardstock Stickers here and there did some touch up using Crystal Bling in the center of the flowers and inked the edges.

Third moved onto the letter "Y" adding some cardstock stickers, Crystal Bling to the center of the biggest flower on the back. Inked all the edges. Added 5/8" Pink Punch DD Ribbon by wrapping it around from top to bottom and tieing off.

In this step I altered the letter "O". Added some ribbon, Crystal Bling, cardstock stickers and did some inking.

Letter "U" was slightly harder. You had to cut around the swirls in the papers, tuck photo mats behind those swirls. Add some cardstock stickers, crystal bling and some inking. Used 3 Binder rings to hold my mini album together.

I totally had fun creating this little mini album. And I hope you grab yours today and have fun playing. I know I did.

HAPPY CRAFTING!

♥Dawn♥

Thursdays with Kim ~ Notepad Tutorial

Bonjour les filles! Aujourd'hui je vous ai fait un petit tutoriel maison inspiré d'un projet dans le Scrapbook Extra, j'avais un projet similaire mais j'ai profité du fait que la plupart d'entre vous parliez anglais et ne lisez probablement pas cette revue.

Hey girls! Today I've got a little tutorial based on a home project that was featured in the French magazine Scrapbook Extra. I had a similar project to share with you but took advantage of the fact that most of our blog readers are English speaking and that you most likely wouldn't have read the magazine in the first place!

Je vous expliquerai donc comment vous créer un petit bloc note rechargeable pour la maison ou le bureau!

I'm going to explain how you can create a small rechargeable notepad for your home or office!

Je vous ai même pris une tonne de photos pour vous accompagner dans les étapes!

I even took a ton of photos to help you through every steps!

Je vous met les dimensions que j'ai pris donc c'est vraiment à titre indicatif il y a une tonne de choses à faire pour l'embellir et le changer.

I have wrote the dimensions that I used, but there is a ton of things you can do to beautify or change to your taste.

Vous aurez donc besoin de:/You will need:

1 carton solide (chipboard)

1 sturdy cardboard (chipboard)

2 feuilles 12x12

2 12x12 sheets
2 vis (voir photo 8)

2 screws (see photo 8)
Votre étampe préféré

Your favorite stamp
Votre lettrage favori

Your favorite lettering
Colle

Glue
Feuilles blanches (Environ 20)

White sheets (Approximately 20)
Massicot

Guillotine/Paper Trimmer
Lame à perforer

Perforating Blade
Plioir

Bone Folder Tool
Encre Distress et "Blending tool"

Distress Ink and a Blending Tool
Outil Crop a Dile

Crop a Dile Tool

Bon la liste est impressionnante mais c'est moins pire qu'il n'y parait!

The list is pretty impressive but its less worse than it seems!



Commençons!

Let's Begin!

Étape 1:/Step 1:

J'aime bien commencer par tout tailler à l'avance et ensuite faire le montage alors commencez par tailler votre chipboard en 2 morceaux de 4,75" par 5,75". Taillez ensuite vos feuilles dans les dimensions suivantes; 4,25" par 5,50" . Cela vous laissera une marge d'un quart de pouce de chaque cotés sauf dans le haut. (Photo 1)

I like to start by cutting everything in advance and then do the editing so start by cutting your chipboard in 2 pieces of 4.75 "by 5.75". Then trim your sheets in the following dimensions, 4.25 "by 5.50". This will leave a margin of a quarter inch on each side except the top. (Photo 1)

Ensuite taillez vos feuilles 12" par 12"(celles qui constituront la face extérieur du calepin) pour avoir un excédant d'un demi pouce de chaque coté. Soit 5,75" par 6,75". Taillez ensuite votre autre papier qui constitura l'intérieur de votre bloc note de la même largeur que votre carton. (4,75" par 5,75")

Then trim your 12 "by 12" sheets (those that will make the outside of the notepad) make sure you have an excess of a half inch on each side. 5.75 "by 6.75". Cut then your other paper that are suggested as the inside of your notepad in the same width as your chipboard. (4.75 "by 5.75")

Étape 2/Step 2:

L'étape 2 est la plus longue et pénible. Percez vos feuilles blanches à 0.50" du bord, le coté le plus étroit avec votre Crop A Dile. (Photo 2) Ensuite avec votre lame à perforer passez vos feuille à 1 pouce, avec de la chance vous pouvez en passer 2 à la fois. (C'est pour cela que j'ai dit que c'était une étape longue et pénible) (Photo 3)

Step 2 is the longest and most painful. Pierce your white sheets, 0.50"from the top edge, the side closest to your Crop A Dile. (Picture 2) Then make sure your perforating blade will cut each sheet to about an inch, with luck you can cut two sheets at time. (That's why I said it was a long and painful to accomplish) (picture 3)

J'ai ajouté cette étape au projet original car j'aime pouvoir déchirer sans que rien ne s'abime, c'est tellement pratique! Votre déchirure suivra votre pointillé. (Photo 4)

I added this step to the original project because I like to rip my notes off, and like that nothing ever breaks, it's so convenient! Your tears will follow its perforated/dotted line. (Photo 4)

Étape 3:/Step 3

Recouverez vos morceaux de cartons de votre papier collez les solidement. Ensuite sur le contour passez votre plioir afin que votre papier fasse un pli net et sans bulles ou dégats. ( Photo 5)

Collez vos papiers au dos de votre carton.

Ensuite on perce à ,50" du bord des trous, si vous pensez ne pas être droite servez vous de vos papiers pour vous aligner.

Marquez un pli à ,75" sur votre carton qui sera votre couverture, de cette manière vous pourrez facilement ouvrir votre calepin. (Photo 6)

Cover your pieces of cardboard with your patterned paper and glue. Then on the contour pass your bone folder tool so that your paper makes a neat fold without any bubbles or damage. (Photo 5)

Glue your paper on the back of your card.

Then when it gets to, 0.50" from the edge of the holes, if you feel they cannot be aligned properly then use your papers to help you align them together.

Mark a fold of 0.75 "on your card which will serve as you cover, that way you can easily open and close your notepad. (Photo 6)

Étape 4:/Step 4:

Encrez les bords du calepins avec de l'encre Distress. (Photo 7)

Il ne reste qu'à monter le tout à l'aide des vis!

Décorez à votre gout et le tour est joué!

Lorsque vous manquerez de feuilles il vous suffira de refaire l'étape 2 et de remplacer les bouts de feuilles déchirées!

J'ai fait d'autres modèles sous le même principe que j'ai offert à ma gardienne pour qu'elle puisse envoyer des mots en classe (Chuuttt!) Le format est un peu plus petit qu'un coffre à crayons!

Ink the edges of your pad with Distress Ink or any other ink. (Photo 7)

All that's left is to screw all the screws!

Decorate to your taste and voila!

When you run out of sheets you can simply repeat step 2 and replace the torn pieces of paper!

I made another model for my babysitter so she can send notes to her friends in class (Shhhh!) Hers is a little smaller than a pencil box!

Voila! I hope you enjoy! Kisses, Kim

Voilà! J'espère que vous apprécierez!

Bisous

Kim @ KlDezign

Cricut Tuesdays with Michelle

Happy Tuesday Everyone! Where ever you are reading this post I hope you are having a great start to what appears to be a glorious Fall season. Personally I am a Fall kinda of gal... Love the crisp air, change in color of the leaves and especially the Indian Summers (my favorite)! In the upcoming editions of Cricut Tuesdays I will be showcasing some Fall related projects.

For this week's project; I created 2 Mini Albums for my girlfriends as a thank-you gift for coming to my home for a weekend visit a few weeks ago. They were camera happy between fishing, boating, swimming and warm nights around the fire pit; lights were going off like crazy. These albums were a first for me to create but certainly not the last; they were so much fun to do!

Check out the album covers below:

For the pages on each album, I used the Mini Monograms cartridge. To give weight to each of the pages and in-between them, I recycled cereal boxes! Additional pages can be found on my blog located via the community site.

You maybe a follower of this blog, and you may have noticed that my style is pretty simple! I am a die-cutter gal who adores her Cricut. I make no bones about that. Being only a scrapbooker for just a mere 18 months now and a busy SAHWM; I am finally breaking through my usual creative process and am including other techniques you see in other of the DT projects such as stamping, embossing, inking and of course layering.

To create these minis, I scraplifted some concept ideas from a vblog I follow on YouTube! So as you can see I take inspiration from every source I possibly can. As a result of all that inspiration and absorption; these Mini Albums I created are ones that I am really proud of!

To be honest... I really don't want to give them away (just kidding... sort of). Mel and Dawn be on the lookout; these are for you!

Thanks for stopping by and until next Tuesday, Happy Crafting :)