Basic Grey Out of Print Bead Bound Mini

I have so much paper and decided I needed to 'use the stash'.  It's so easy to just buy as each new collection comes out, we all love that paper don't we (and bling and flowers and embellies  and... and... and...) I found it's much easier when I have a whole collection to work with. Paper, stickers, chipboard, stamps, flowers, bling.  It's so much harder to hunt and peck and find what looks good together. But it's a nice feeling when you're done knowing that you didn't hit the local scrapbook store or Michaels once during the process!

Most papers are Basic Grey, the Out of Print 6x6 Paper Pad
I added others to fill in from just what I had in supply.
You'll see Prima on the front and lots of K & Co Die Cuts,
For some reason last year, or perhaps the year before, I really went
crazy buying these, not sure why but decided now was the time to
put them to good use.  That's what started the mini, wanting to use
up these cardstock and acetate die cuts.
Next was finding paper that would work will with these colors.

I used Laura from Following the Paper Trail's 
Bead Binding to attach the pages with pony beads as
spacers, these are multi colored and pick up whatever
colors are nearby.

Many pockets, tags, flip ups and outs

The larger tag on the right is strips of leftovers, glued to a backing
paper and then cut to fit the mat.  I like the striped look don't you?

Large mats go into each end pocket, three have double backed
Martha Stewart flowers and the other three have pull tabs.

I did an extra flip out on this page to give a little extra room

The sunflower on the left is a large cardstock die cut which
I added Martha Stewart glitter glue to the center, looks so
nice when you're up close.  It actually has magnets behind that lift
and reveal a larger mat behind

Pockets, envelopes and mini books stashed here and there

The bird on the left is a fold out revealing 3 spots
for photos (I took an old Starbucks gift card holder for the basic pattern)
I love the look of the pocket on the left.  I fussy cut the paper
and then cut more of the flowers weaving them into themselves

A look at the larger pocket mats.

Congratulations and Thank You

Congratulations to the new Graphic 45 2013 Design Team.  And thank you Graphic 45 for putting my name on the list with the top 30.  I would have loved to have been chosen one of these final 16 but I know that Graphic 45 has picked an outstanding team to showcase their 2013 line.

To everyone that has sent emails and posted messages on my blog and YouTube I want to give a huge thank you!  I am just amazed at the out pouring of love and support that surrounds the crafting community.

Have a wonderful crafty day my friends!  Make something new to brighten your day and put a smile on your face.

Hugs, Patti

PS -  If you haven't checked out the new design team and videos of their submissions then jump over here and do it now.  You will no doubt be inspired by each and every one!

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Graphic 45 2013 Design Team Final Audition

Well everyone I've created my projects and my final video so now it's in the hands of Graphic 45 to pick their  team for the 2013 year.  I hope I'm on it, but if not I'm sure they'll have a fantastic team of crafters whomever they pick from the 30 finalists!  Each one on that list has a unique talent and style.  I am so honored to have been listed with them!

Here's my video recap of the three projects I made to showcase my style of crafting

You can find the File Folder Date Book blog post here 

The 'Leftovers' Box and Cards here

and finally the Bird Song Mini Album with Bead Binding here

Graphic 45 Bird Song Mini Album with Bead Binding

Oh how beautiful is this paper line, and so outside my norm.
Amazing how as I worked with the paper
I began to love it more and more.

There are six pages, each page separated by black beads.
The beads are strung from cord through the back and
tie in the front securing the book together.
(See links to how I learned this type of binding
at the end of this post)
Large mat inserts pop into each side pocket.

It took a bit to remember how to make a fan
which now becomes an easy way to hold my
folded photo holder in place.

Here the blue butterfly mat tucks under the strip on the
left once pulled out it reveals other photo mats behind.
The two girls are intertwined together and glued
along the right edge and bottom to form a pocket.

Each two page spread is matted with the same background
papers.   The front and back insides are also matted alike

I tried my hand at lots of fussy cutting.  In this case the birds
in the top right act as a stopper to hold the mat from moving about

The circle alphabet is from a previous Graphic 45 Collection
The birds come untucked from the little flap
to hold photos or jouranling

All six book pages are standard 8.5"x11" paper folded gatefold
style.  Over the top matting is placed to about 1/8th inch of the edge
then the decorative elements are added

The center folds up and down behind the umbrellas

Don't you think the twig branch works well over the windows.
Lots of cut out flowers.  Behind the windows the larger
photo mat tucks in quite nicely

Here on the left is a Waterfall, you can check my YouTube

Playlist under Page Insert and Tutorials for a link to how

I made it.

I drew the lanterns on black paper and then paper pieced
them from the collection, added cording and a back piece
to sandwich it together for strength.

Check out my video to see all the pages and many more photos.

I used ideas for the bead binding from
Laura at Following the Paper Trail 
and Debbie Hemsworth

SVG cuts (Pagoda and Symbol) were from
The Frugal Crafter

Graphic 45 - 'Leftovers' Box and Cards

One of the greatest things in working with Graphic 45 papers
are the huge amount of images to play with.
I'd already finished my Date Book but had so many wonderful pieces left
I decided to decoupage a used 2# See's Chocolate box
with some of the paper's 'leftovers'

I used a Tim Holtz Library pull here.
The feet are actually the wood on wood mount stamps that
I had saved when converting them to cling.
I used Vintage Photo to stain them.

The cards are light on bulky embellishments so
they would fit nicely once the lid was closed on the box.

I wanted to add a little something to the box but 

still make it versatile to fit in a tight space

The solution is a removable Belly Band

made from burlap and secures to itself with velcro strips.  

You can see my video  

(the link is at the bottom of this post)

on how I made it and how it closes

I used the Tattered Floral dies to cut my flowers

from scraps (of course) misted them with LIndy's

to get the same old worldly look as the box

Next I made a dozen cards to fill my box 

Cards for all occasions, 

some with sentiments inside

some left blank to add the right personal touch

at the time they're sent.

 

This is one of my favorites.
I carefully cut around the baby and popped it up with a dimensional.

It just adds so much to the card

OK I couldn't resist!  Don't you just love this little guys expression?
Disgusted with the whole world!
I wondered how many young people hadn't
heard the word 'Drats' lol
(Inside reads: Sometimes life is hard, hang in there)

Graphic 45 File Folder Date Book

Working with A Place in Time paper collection
from Graphic 45 I decided to make a Date Book.
Some place where special days and moments could be
recorded and remembered.

I had a HUGE abundance of file folders we had purchased
for some long forgotten project. I thought these would
be perfect, each folder representing a month in my
Date Book.

Adding a folded tag/mat to slip in the side
pockets would give the opportunity to
add photos or memorabilia special
to that month.

Tucked in the back pocket I included
a check off Christmas list
attached by (can you guess what it is)
a hanger made from a Christmas ornament holder.

The front, spine and back were coated well with
Matte Medium to provide a strong surface to
last through many hands and many years.

To secure the book I added several ribbons
Which tie on the side

If you'd like to see a page by page view and many more
photos please check out my YouTube video below.

I will be making a tutorial on how I created this type of book,

so watch for it.

Top 30 for Graphic 45!

Woo Hoo, super excited here!  

I made the top 30 in the audition for the 

2013 Graphic 45 design team.  

Check out the announcement here

The preceding post has links to my audition projects.  

Keep your fingers (toes, eyes, anything else!!!) crossed!

Happy Crafting, Patti