Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Essentials, Album Tutorial

 You have to see this...it's so amazing, I just love how this one turned out.  Please come on over and see this HUGE album!

Stay crafty, my friends!

I have a NEW design team project for COUNTRY CRAFT CREATIONS!

 For the month of June I worked with Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Woodlands,    and it is FABULOUS!

This is the perfect paper for a vacation, for anything really.  The colors are amazing and the images are adorable.  The FOX is just too cute!

The album is 8 x 10, has a 2 1/2" spine and 4 loaded pages.

Here are the videos I have using this collection.  There is a lot of information in the video descriptions, including links to go get the items I used, and even a cut guide for the chipboard and cardstock I used in making the album.  

Please do watch the walk through video, as I have information not included in the tutorial.  Sometimes I find things "after the fact".

Thanks for watching, and supporting myself and Country Craft Creations!  Stay crafty, my friends!

Country Craft Creations has an amazing store, so please visit the store .  We have an amazing Facebook Community as well, so please check it out as well.

🌺My social sites:

Instagram, @michellescreativeoperation

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/mycreativeoperation

Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/jamallen/

Blog, http://creativeoperation.blogspot.com

DISCLOSURE: Some links in the description of this video contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission on  purchases made through the use of my referral code and/or affiliate links.  

The Seasons of Creativity June Subscription Box Grab and Go Haul Video!!! Country Craft Creations still has BOXES AVAILABLE!!!

 

OHHHH MYYYYY GOODNESSSSSS!!!

Hey everyone! I have a haul video of the products I will be working with for the upcoming June 2025 Seasons of Creativity Subscription box from  @countrycraftcreations  and you are going to LOVE IT! ❤️And the best news... ***THERE ARE BOXES AVAILABLE***❤️ With every box you get: ⭐️A curated box of supplies, enough for 4-5 large projects, including a "Grab and Go" project that is in a reusable zippered pouch ⭐️A fun new tool (or two) is included in every box ⭐️Entrance into an exclusive Facebook Group where you get all the info ⭐️A monthly newsletter filled with fun articles and bonus projects ⭐️Exclusive video tutorials ⭐️Cut Guides complete with photographs of the projects In the last box, Tamra did the first 6 months of a calendar project. She will finish the calendar with this box. If you didn't get the last box, but do subscribe for this next box/future boxes, you will receive the calendar and access to that previous tutorial so you can do the entire calendar. How cool is that??? 🌸For this June 2025 box, the designers are: Tamera, owner of CCC ​⁠ ‪@countrycraftcreations‬ Michelle Allen A Creative Operation: ‪@michelleallenacreativeoper6112‬ Jenn DuBell Designs: ‪@JennDuBellDesigns‬ Nicole Lynn Made From Scraps: ‪@MadeFromScrap‬ Visit the Country Craft Creations store.  

We have an amazing Facebook Community as well, so please check it out. 🌺My social sites: Instagram, @michellescreativeoperation Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/mycreativeoperation Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/jamallen/ Blog, http://creativeoperation.blogspot.com This video was made with iMovie for iPhone and music used was provided by the iMovie app. Canva used for thumbnail, dividers and end screen creation.

#MerryMakersCraftyCollab Simple Stories Ring Binder and Flip Book Walk Through/Talk Through

 Hi all! I have a fun project that I put together and I can’t wait to share it with you! Not only did incorporate a flip book into a binder album but I also smashed a paper collection in the process. I’ll talk you through all of the process. I hope you enjoy my first weeks submission for our Merry Makers Crafty Christmas Collaboration!

Merry Makers Crafty Christmas Collaboration #MerryMakersCraftyCollab Hi and welcome to the Merry Makers Crafty Christmas Collaboration! Do you have Christmas Paper in your crafty stash? Well, we do too. In the next 4 weeks we are going to make several projects that we hope will inspire you. Here is the schedule: Week 1 Saturday November 9: Holiday Planner, journal, junk journal, mini album or folio Week 2- Saturday November 16:Tags, Atc’s Embellishments, Ornaments Week 3- Saturday November 23 Christmas Cards, Holiday Cards Week 4- Saturday November 30: Gift Card Holders

Each week at 1:00pm eastern we will share our projects. If you want to show your support, please hit the thumbs up and we would appreciate it if you subscribe to our channels! Thank you! Super bonus: We have an entire playlist where we will add our videos as they go live. All of this crafty goodness in one playlist! It doesn’t get any better than that! #MerryMakersCraftyCollab Don't forget to visit the collaborators on the list below, like and subscribe so you can see what we all have in store for you!

                                                 List of Collaborators:

 Your Hostess Debbie

Amy

Angela

Carly Rose

Heather

Karolina

Letty

Linh

Michelle

Michelle (this is me!)

Nicole

Tiffany

Fold Up Folio Tutorial, a project with the #trickortreattreasureteamcollab

Hi all! Welcome back to my laboratory! I hope you enjoy this weeks project. I have a tutorial for a "Fold Up Folio" that I think you will love. It's quick and easy and has so many possibilities.

We are hoping to inspire you to get out your Halloween (or halloween colors if Halloween is not your thing) and craft along with us. We may share projects, we may show you the process, or we might even give you a tutorial, whatever we do it is sure to help get those creative juices flowing. Each week at 1:00pm eastern, we will share our projects. We would love if you liked the videos, and if you haven’t already, subscribe to our channels. And go check out the crafty friends we list below. If you want to share your projects after we have inspired, use the hashtag: #TrickorTreatTreasure #TrickorTreatTreasureTeamCollab

This is our second week, and we are featuring albums or folios. Please check out all who are involved in our collaboration, the list is below. Have fun, and stay scary! Bwahahaha! Super bonus: We have an entire playlist where we will add our videos as they go live. All of this crafty goodness in one playlist! It doesn’t get any better than that!

Here's the line up of our paper crafting wizards in this collaboration. Thanks so much for watching. Your Hostess Debbie Amy Angela Carly Rose Dawne Heather Letty Michelle Michelle This is me! Nicole Linh

This is a simple folio, and I've included the following for you.

CUT LIST: A: 1 - 6 x 8 B: 2 - 7 3/4 x 8 C: 1 - 7 x 7 1/2 D: 6 1/4 x 7 E: 5 1/2 x 6 1/2 F: 1 - 4 3/4 x 6 G: 2 - 4 3/4 x 6

The paper I used in the tutorial is Aged Parchment Artisan Cardstock 

from Country Craft Creations, and you can get it here.

The video can be viewed here.  

I hope you enjoy it.  Happy Halloween!  

 

Country Craft Creations, Hearth & Holiday Album Tutorial, Special Bonus Redo of a Previous Tutorial!

Welcome!  Today I have a fun project for you!  I redid a previous tutorial I made back in 2023 with these Christmas papers I received in  Country Craft Creations Mystery Boxes.  I have wanted to do this for a very long time.

The papers I used this time are from Simple Stories, Hearth and Holiday from 2022.  I love them!  I also decided to add a few fun things to the original design I did with Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Berry Fields Papers.

I added a pocket and a gatefold insert...

a pull tab reverse waterfall...

and an additional pocket on the inside front cover.

Come check out the video...

Have a merry and crafty day!!

 

One Sheet Fun Fold Card Tutorial, a Quick and Easy Scrap Buster!

This is super quick, easy, and a great way to use up scraps in your stash.

All you need are a few pieces of patterned paper and one sheet of cardstock at 7 x 12.  A few decorations and you have cute cards!

I hope you like it.  Stay crafty, my friends!

 

Country Craft Creations 10th Birthday Bash #2 Virtual Retreat Projects!

 This past weekend we had our 

Birthday Bash #2 for Country Craft Creations  10th birthday.  

We are celebrating all year!  In this video I'm sharing the project I created/instructed as well as the other projects our other talented designers made.  I love them all so much!

There is another chance to be involved in the third and last virtual retreat, Birthday Bash #3 is September 7th...

AND IS DISNEY THEMED!

Check out this link to get a retreat box for yourself, there aren't that many left, so get yours today!  I'm so excited because I get to design for this one as well!  WOO HOO!

Thanks for watching and I'll see you soon.  Stay Crafty!!

Grow with Love Flipbook, a Country Craft Creations Design Team Project...You just have to see this!

 This is a great project and a ton of fun to do.  After I was done with the Explosion Box project I made a flip book.  I have a couple of videos for this one...

This is the walk through video.  I love love love how this came out and all of the fun interactions I did with this.

And here is the tutorial for it.  

I really hope you like this project, I know I love it and had so much fun making it.  

Thanks for watching, and stay crafty!

***The following are the products in my design team package*** Graphic 45 Grow with Love, I received the patterned paper, the coordinating solid patterns and stripes, Chipboard sticker Set, and the chipboard tags and frames, but there are more items available in this collection... https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/products/g45-grow-with-love-12x12-collection-kit#cd9f/fullscreen/m=and&p=2&q=grow+with+love Buttons: https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/products/buttons-grannys-craft-buttons-violet Graphic 45 Brass Feet https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/products/g45-staples-antique-brass-decorative-claw-feet I'm also using Black and Banana Split Artisan Cardstock https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/collections/artisan-cardstock score tape https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/collections/scor-tape and Art Glitter Glue https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/collections/adhesives#cd9f/mobile/m=and&q=art+glitter+glue as well. Twine, https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/#cd9f/fullscreen/m=and&p=2&q=jute I used green in this project. The powder tool I used to remove sticky off of the stickers, https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/products/ek-tools-powder-tool-applicator-18g The dies and mold by Heartfelt Creations are no longer available but other options are in the shop if you would like to check them out, https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/collections/heartfelt-creations/products/heartfelt-creations-cling-stamp-small-wild-rose#cd9f/fullscreen/f[brand][]=Heartfelt+Creations+Dies&m=and&q=heartfelt+creations+dies The Snap Flipbook is here, https://www.countrycraftcreations.com/#cd9f/fullscreen/f[brand][]=Simple+Stories&m=and&q=sn%40p%21+6x8+flipbook

Smashing my Stash...Simple Stories "Let's Get Crafty"

This is a video share that I thought I'd share.  I'm trying to smash my crafty stash, and I made some fun things...

I hope it inspires you to do the same.  There are so many fun things you can make with leftover items.  

Stay crafty, my friends!

Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Love Story Photo File...You have to see this!

 I have a tutorial you are going to LOVE!!!!

This is an extra design team project for Country Craft Creations using this amazing paper collection.  I make this photo file that will hold a ton of pictures and journaling.  It is a great album to show your love for someone, and it is different and interactive. 

I hope you love it, I know I do!

Stay crafty, my friends!

Check out what I did with Simple Stories "Simple Vintage Berry Fields"!!!

 Hey all!

Once again, this is a catch up post.   I have been busy and then sick and it has messed up my whole plan of action lately.

For my May design team package for Country Craft Creations I received this beautiful collection of Simple Stories "Simple Vintage Berry Fields" and it is amazing.  I did a shopping/design team haul in this video, so you can see all of the goodies I received.

My first project using this paper was this very cool Honeycomb Ephemera Organizer.  I also made ephemera to go into it.

The "big", and I mean BIG project is this album.  It is 10 x 10 with a 3" spine.  This paper was beautiful with it.  I can also see it as a baby album, recipe album, wedding album, or even an October or December Daily album.  It has so many opportunities with it.  

The full walk through is here.

And the tutorial is here.

I hope that you enjoy this project.  I will be back soon, sooner than I have been lately, and share more goodies with you.

Thanks so much for your continuing support.

Stay crafty, my friends,

Michelle

By the Seaside Traveler's Notebook, a Tutorial Featuring the New "Slotted Hinge"

 Good morning! 

I have another design team project for you for Country Craft Creations!

My tutorial is live for the Travelers Notebook that I did with Simple Stories "Simple Vintage Lakeside" and Country Craft Creations "By the Seaside".  

This features a NEW "Slotted Hinge" that I created.  

With an amazing collaboration with Jacqualine Hart, she has created a SVG file you can access through the tutorials. She also has done a variation of this hinge and has a tutorial to share as well.  

There are A LOT OF LINKS and INFORMATION in the video's description. I hope you enjoy it!

Stay crafty, my friends!

Simple Vintage Lakeside Mini Album Tutorial

Hi and welcome back. I have a fun tutorial that you will love. This album features "layouts" on the inside covers, and three fully loaded pages with tags, pockets, tags and pop out elements. I used approximately 14 sheets of Antique Grey Artisan Cardstock, I sheet of Kraft Cardstock, about 20 sheets of patterned paper (which included the coordinating patterned paper that you can get with this collection), and 2 sheets of heavy weight chipboard.

 Please note: I used a lot of patterned paper in this project, but did have several "half sheets" of patterned paper left over. If you do this album like I did, you will need approximately 20 sheets but it can be done with less if you desire. It all depends on how you use your patterned paper.

If you would like to check out the walk through video I did, you can find it here.

I'm using Simple Stories "Simple Vintage Lakeside" which is available at Country Craft Creations.  

I'm using Artisan Cardstock in Antique Grey. I also use one sheet of Kraft cardstock for photo mats. The flowers are by 49 and Market. I also use Seam binding in Chocolate Brown. The twine and green ribbon used on the cover are from my stash. If you are unfamiliar with the Lay Flat album cover method I use for the cover, the tutorial is here.

I do have a cut list in the video description for this project. I hope you enjoy this project as much as I do.

Stay crafty, my friends!

Just a Little Catchup! A Country Craft Creations Design Team Package and a Tutorial...

 

First, I want to share the amazing goodies I got from Country Craft Creations in my March design team package.  I get to play with Simple Stories, "Simple Vintage Lakeside" and I love it!  Truth be told, I bought extra stuff also!  I can't wait to share with you what I'm starting off with, I came up with a page that I think you are going to love, and a different take on something I designed years ago...Stay tuned!  

I have also shared this tutorial.  I made a Victorian Sewing Box, in a different style, using items I got in the Your Creative Studio's December "Sewing" Box.  It is a great project, and very versatile. 

I did make another version of this, using papers from Country Craft Creations, "A Mother's Love". That video is below if you missed it.  

Good Times Tag Pocket/Frame Album

 Hello!  I am “back” from the Country Craft Creations Virtual Retreat, Crafting at the General Store!  What a fun weekend. If you haven’t checked out the retreats at Country Craft Creations you have to!  They are so much fun and, WOW!  The projects are fabulous!  I have one more to make and then I’ll do a little video share to show you what we do all weekend! 

http://countrycraftcreations.com 

I’m the meantime I have this share of a quick album I made. This happened because of a clearance sale at a local store I just ran into. I used Simple Stories Chipboard frames, papers from my stash, and voilà, a new mini. This is a walk through/talk through video. I don’t have a tutorial but I tell you exactly what I did. 

I did use Art Glitter Glue, seam binding and some Artisan Cardstock from Country Craft Creations. The papers I used are scraps from previous projects by Echo Park, two different collections that I put together. I think that they all worked beautifully together. 

Have fun and I’ll see you soon with another tutorial. I have so many things in the works!

Simple Stories meets Heartfelt Creations, an Album Project Share

 

This is a video that will show you what I did with the Heartfelt Creations 8x8 Insta-Album that I purchased from Country Craft Creations.  The papers (some of them from Country Craft Creations and some from a local craft store) are Simple Stories, Simple Vintage Lemon Twist.  I've been hoarding these for a while, and this was the perfect album to use them on!

This is a fun and easy album to create as the album is all pre-made.  I did alter it a little, and I discuss this in the video.

Have a crafty day!

Simple Stories Boho Baby Mini Album Tutorial, a Country Craft Creations Design Team Project

I have my baby tutorial up and available.  

I'm using the Simple Stories "Boho Baby" collection for the tutorial as it is my design team paper collection. I did the prototype in the exclusive Country Craft Creations collection "Baby Dreams Boy".  Please check out the store here.

I will share a walk through of the "Baby Dreams Boy" at the end of the tutorial. There is a walk through of the "Boho Baby" album at the beginning of the tutorial. I hope you enjoy the tutorial.  

There is an extensive list for cutting the main pages and the mats/interactions added to the album in the video description. Also, there is a list of the supplies used and where you can get them. 

Stay Crafty! Enjoy!

 Happy New Year!  

Let's make some fun inserts for your Travelers Notebook!

I am adding to the Travelers Notebook that I just made for the Country Craft Creations New Year's Eve Crop.  

I am making a folder and even some junk journals for it.  I will also show you how to make a simplified larger junk journal with the pamphlet stitch.  

I am using found papers from my stash and leftover design team package papers for this tutorial.  

I hope that you like the tutorial.  This junk journal was done from a request from one of our Country Craft Creations members!  Other designers will be doing other projects also.  I can't wait to see what they come up with.  

Check out Country Craft Creations for the Graphic 45 Travelers Notebook, the Simple Stories Hearth and Home paper collection, and the Kraft Artisan Cardstock.  

Hearth and Home Kitchen Center Altered Box Project

 

This is a quick walk through-talk through video that I did as a part of the Country Craft Creations design team.  I love this paper collection!!  Hearth and Home is by Simple Stories, and is available at Country Craft Creations.

I had these wooden boxes in my craft room and the inspiration struck me.  I think the colors are fantastic and they match my kitchen PERFECTLY!

I hope you like the video and it gives you inspiration!  Have a great day, and stay crafty!

Michelle