Day Album: Paper Bag Tutorial

As promised, here is a quick tutorial on how I made my Day Album paper bag mini album for the December blog hop with Just a Few Friends.  It's a long post, please go to the end of it as it's the 3rd project.

The paper bag I used was large, it measured 16 1/4" x 9 3/4".  I was designing it to be sort of a "day album".  I used a simple ribbon closure, but you could do any closure you wanted..velcro, magnets, belly band, etc. You can also use any size bag you want.

 First, I folded the bottom of the bag (on the left) over, and gave it a good crease with a bone folder, then I added a 1/4" gusset to the right of that crease, giving the album a little extra wiggle room.

 Then I took the bag bottom flap, and folded it to the left, so that I created a pocket on either side of that fold.  I used wet glue to secure this fold AFTER I adhered my papers to the bag.

 This is just a picture of the 1/4" gusset I created above.

 Then I opened the bag sides, and cut on the 2nd score line on the top and the bottom.

 I put the bag sides back where the go on the left, and left the ones on the right out.  This is going to create page flaps and pockets.

 I folded the bag flaps to the inside of the book, creased well.  Then I folded the bottom of the bag over, finding where the far right flap would go, made a score, then another score at 1/4" away from that.  Again, this gives the book a little more wiggle room.

 I trimmed off the edge of the bag to give a straight edge as well.

 Next, I cut the flap we made with the sides of the bag again to finish the page flaps.  The two smaller flaps folded inside the bag again.

 I didn't use this opening in the album at all, since this was going to be part of the cover and closure of the book.  I folded these little pieces in, and adhered the piece together.  Then, when covering this piece, I wrapped paper around the whole flap for stability.

I then measured and cut two pieces of card stock to adhere to the flaps of the bag that we created, making the flip out pages.  

I covered the flaps with paper, and adhered them onto the card stock pages, one flipping up and one flipping down.  I then had created two pages with two pockets.  

 This shows the flaps closed.  On the LEFT I added a card stock page BEFORE I placed paper on the pocket created by the bottom of the bag.  Closed, it has the pink mat...

...open it has the blue mat on the page.  It was just another way to add more space to the book.  I also adhered the mats so that tags could be slipped behind them for journaling.

I used the same technique with some patterned paper on the back of this book (the red striped paper).  It opens to reveal the back page of this book (the green dotted paper).  Again, I added the page with a 1/2" tab to the back of the album before I added the green paper.

And here it is, opened up.  

I hope that this tutorial helped, and you all have fun trying this out.  You can do this with any size album, and you can get creative and add as many interesting options as you want!  

Have a great day, and remember to ROAR WITH PRIDE!

Stay Crafty, My Friends!

ROAR WITH CHRISTMAS PRIDE!

Welcome, welcome, welcome!  You have pounced right into our December Just a Few Friends Blog Hop!!!

We have been busy since November working in our Den's, coming up with the purrrrr-fect Christmas decoration to share with all of you.  I am so glad that you continued your hunt to my blog!  If you just found me while stalking the internet for goodies, please start with Elsa, our Den Mom, and continue on through the hop.  You should have come to my den from RJ's den.  There are so many things to see, I don't want you to miss any of them!  There is a list at the end of the post with the full line up of awesome and talented Pride members that are just waiting for you to arrive!

 The first project I worked on is this Rosette Christmas Tree.  I found the tutorial, and just had to make it!  I used papers from October Afternoon for the tree and DCWV to wrap the little wooden blocks turned presents.  I did the trunk a little different, making it wider and taller, to sit higher over the presents.  I also created a large rosette covered with a doily and another card stock doily to act as a sort of tree skirt/base.

 Here is the cool part...

 I added battery operated LED lights!!!  The switch is in the back, and the lights twinkle and change colors!!!

I had left over papers from the scoring I did, so I made these rosette ornaments.

I adhered snowflakes from Michael's to the front and back, along with rhinestone centers, and used Tim Holtz baubles as little dangles.

But, then as I was sitting with my leftover papers, I spied a bit of "prey" in my paper bin, I pounced, and created a mini album as well!

 This mini album is made out of a large paper bag, that measured 16 1/4" x 9 3/4".  As I was figuring out a way to turn it into a sort of "day album" I took pictures, and will write up a tutorial shortly.  This is the front, using a simple ribbon closure.

 The back of the album.

 As you open the front flap, the sticker greets you.

 Opening the side page you get this.  The pink photo mat is a pocket, with a tag behind for journaling.  The red flap page has a sticker for journaling mounted so that photos can be tucked behind it.

 When you turn the page with the pink mat, you get a blue mat, again with a pocket and tag.  The right of the book has two other pockets housing a red and brown tag.

When you flip the red flap up, you get more space with tags and pockets...

 ...When you flip the lower "Gingerbread Man" flap down you get this.  The red page opens...

...and this is the back of the inside of the book!

I got all of this from one bag,  a little bit of card stock, and my leftover patterned papers.   I did use October Afternoon, Bella Blvd, and a bit of SEI.

That's it for my den...I hope you enjoyed your visit!  I will be writing up a tutorial for how I made this book soon, so keep a watchful eye out!  Now please hop on over to the next Den and check out what Sherain has made for you!!!  Leave some love for us, and let us know what you think!!

ROAR WITH PRIDE!!

Elsa http://justafewdesigns.blogspot.com

Krystal http://krystalsnight.blogspot.com

Kimi         http://uniquescrappiness.blogspot.com

Suzie       http://scrappingsuzieqtt.blogspot.com

Margaret  http://auntmargaretdesigns.blogspot.com

Bon          http://tootiebeeblebugcreations.blogspot.com 

Rj             http://thriftycrafterdude.blogspot.com

Michelle     http://www.creativeoperation.blogspot.com/

Sherence  http://proudmommy702.blogspot.com/

Violet        http://allthatscrap4him.blogspot.com

Yvette      http://daileyscrapper.blogspot.com

Jules         http://thejulebox.com

Upcoming event!

Stay tuned...Saturday morning will be our December Blog Hop with...

 We have been creating Christmas decor for your viewing pleasure.  The hop starts early Saturday morning.  I can't wait to show you what I did for you, and I can't wait to see what my Pride sisters and brother have in store for us.  Please join us!!

2012 Christmas Cards!

Well, here they are...my Christmas cards for 2012.  I have been making my cards for several years now, and this year's design is super fun and easy to do.

 I used the tutorial I found here on Bobbi's Treasure.  She adapted the triple stamp layered card to use paper instead, and I used her measurements on my Gypsy/Cricut to create my own cut file for them.

For the center of each card I punched a snowflake using a Martha Stewart punch, and tied a string by Lion Brand around them.  Inside, which of course I didn't take a picture of, I stamped with a stamp that says "Happy Hollydays".  I was able to get 4 cards from each set of one sheet of patterned paper and one piece of card stock.  These pieces were then adhered to a standard greeting card.

I had a lot of fun doing this.  And, since I am not a HUGE stamper, I got the same kind of look with my papers.

Stay Crafty, My Friends!

DRUMROLL PLEASE!!!!!

I have FINALLY figured out a YOU TUBE account and I have made my FIRST VIDEO!!!!!

I made this lap book that Kathy from Paper Phenomenon taught in her 7 series You Tube videos, and I LOVE IT!!!  I have done a few file folder albums, but this is an album on steroids.  She calls it a December Daily Lap book, but I wanted a November Daily book to document all of the November fun that I have had!!  Soooooo...Please go check it out!!!  I don't know that I can post it in my blog, as it is FULLLLLL!  (I have been trying to figure that one out too.)  But, I can give you the link to my video and post a picture or two here to tease you a little!

I am still working on it, but you have to check out the video to see this in all its glory.  It is truly amazing all of the parts and pieces that compose this album.

So, here's the link to my video on You Tube showing you what I did with this book.

Here's the link to Kathy's blog with her videos on how to make it.  Thank you, Kathy...I think this ROCKS!!!

Stay Crafty, My Friends!!!
Michelle

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our homes to yours, we hope that your Thanksgiving was a wonderful and fun day filled with family and friends!

Stay Crafty!

Oh, yeah, if you want to make this cool turkey, the instructions are here!!!  Thank you Archivers!

November Blog Hop Time!!

Hello and Welcome!  Welcome to the Pride's November Blog Hop!!!  I am so glad  you pounced on by to see what we all have been working hard on in our Dens.  The hop is Thanksgiving/Fall themed, and it starts with Elsa at her blog here.  If you prowled into my den first, please go back and start with Elsa.  If you have been hopping along, you should have reached me from RJ's Den, here.   If you get lost, there is a list at the bottom of my post to help you find your way.   I hope that you enjoy the feast that we have prepared for you!

But, before I get started, we have another new member to our Pride, Jules!  Welcome, Jules!!!  I can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

So, here is what I cooked up for you for this Thanksgiving.

I was trying to come up with something that was pretty and practical.  I pawed through my stash and collected things I have been hoarding for some time, and this is what I came up with...It's a recipe holder and display.  

 I took a 12" embroidery hoop, distress inked it, and then adhered paper to the back of it.  The paper line is by Tim Holtz.  He had a collection that was themed with holidays, and the Thanksgiving papers were perfect!

I used my  Cuttlebug and some Lifestyles dies to make the doilies that I inked and layered with some of the cutouts from the paper line.  I matted them with card stock.  I added some Recollections leaves and bling.  I also filled some Tim Holtz bottles with some small beads, hopefully resembling salt and pepper.  I made miniature flowers using a tutorial I found here.  After adding some more of Tim's metal goodness, I added some lace with ribbon to the ring of the hoop.

All of this was layered over a kraft envelope.  The idea is that you can put the recipes in it that you want to make for your feast...

...and as you are using them you can use the clip to display the card so you can read it.  I used a simple ribbon on the mechanism of the hoop to hang it with.  I hung mine on the fridge for the pictures, but I plan on using a Command hook to hang it on my cupboard where it will be easier to use for the big day.  

I hope you enjoyed my little project.  Please pounce on over to Sherence's Den and see what she has cooked up for you!!!

Stay Crafty, and ROAR WITH PRIDE!!!

Elsa: http://justafewdesigns.blogspot.com/
Krystal: http://krystalsnight.blogspot.com/
Kimi: http://uniquescrappiness.blogspot.com/

Suzie: http://scrappingsuzieqtt.blogspot.com/
Bon: http://tootiebeeblebugcreations.blogspot.com/
Rj: http://thriftycrafterdude.blogspot.com/
Michelle: http://www.creativeoperation.blogspot.com/
Sherence: http://proudmommy702.blogspot.com/
Violet: http://allthatscrap4him.blogspot.com/
Yvette: http://daileyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Jules: http://thejulebox.com/

Good Morning!

I just wanted to say hello to all of you and let you know that I am still here!  A lot has been happening and I wanted to let you know what's going on.

Jackie and I went to the Creating Keepsakes Convention in Seattle last week...and did we have a blast! We took classes and did make-and-takes, and did the Friday and Saturday night crops.  I am still unpacking from that adventure, and I have some pictures to share later.  I bought some awesome new supplies and I can't wait to start crafting!  I will also share the projects that we made in our classes which include an album on the numbers that are important in our lives, a Smash book creation (that I am using for my craft room remodel this year), and a Button Farm mini that is tooooooo cute for words.

Friday, I am in another blog hop with the "Just a Few Friends" crafting group that is lead by Elsa from Just a Few Designs.  I hope to see you here.  We are doing a Thanksgiving/Fall themed hop, and I have come up with a cute little project that is not only pretty (at least I think so....) but also useful for the busy Thanksgiving feast...are you curious?  You have to wait until Friday.  Please join us.

I am currently working on a few projects that I will be sharing soon. I have a mini album that I have come up with and after I put on the finishing touches I will share and do a tutorial on how I made all of the pages...the album has 8, but I have 4 more designs that I will do tutorials on.  I can't wait to share it, it is definitely different than some of the albums I have done in the past.  I used Graphic 45's "Old Curiosity Shop" papers, and it is GORGEOUS!

Another project is a sort of "November Daily" that I am creating using the YouTube tutorial's by Kathy at Paper Phenomenon.  She is doing a December Daily project, but I need one of these for November...I am planning on using it for all of the November activities that my family has...My CK trip with  my BFF, Jackie; my birthday; my youngest son's birthday; and Thanksgiving.  I can't wait to share it with you!  Please check out her blog for the videos!!!  As I copied the link to Kathy's blog for you, I see she has posted part 7...Guess what I will be doing later today!!??  I also am finishing up on a vacation album from September, also using one of Kathy's tutorials.  Sometimes I am the queen of multiple projects, but I can't help it, I get tooooo excited sometimes.

And last, but NOT least...I did a tutorial here for folded Christmas trees back in December of 2010.  I have noticed that it has become quite the pinned post on Pinterest lately, and I want to thank everyone for that!!!  I am super excited and pleased that lots of folks have found that tutorial to be helpful!  That is why we are here, to create and share and have fun.  Thank you so much for supporting us, we really do appreciate it!  And, please, if you make projects using this tutorial we really want to see, so please leave a comment and let us know if you post it so we can check it out!!!

So, please, stay tuned. I have a lot of fun stuff ahead!!!

Stay Crafty, My Friends!!!
Michelle

A Diaper Cake for Becca

One of our friends that we work with is expecting a baby boy in December...and we are having a shower for her at work.  I was asked to make her a diaper cake.  Here it is!

 I was trying to go with a primary color theme for the goodies I bought.  I also did a rectangular shape to the cake.  The first one I did was circular, and I wanted to try something different.

 I used two receiving blankets as "icing" of the first two layers.  The binkies are looped through the loop of a bib that is tucked between the layers.

 The side view.

 The back view.

Kind of a top down view.  I used a toy that attaches to a stroller as the cake "topper".

Stay crafty, my friends!