"Our Stories" Mini Album

Mini albums.

I remember a time when they intimidated me. I mean, how in the world do you FIT everything into such a small space??

I've always been a really "full" scrapper...so being forced to hold back a little and focus on just a small handful of things per page was really tough for me. Since that time, I've made quite a few minis and though they are definitely one of the more time-consuming projects, they are now some of my favorites to do.

They are the type of project that can be set out, displayed, and enjoyed over and over again.

I recently created a mini to be used as a sample for a mini album kit offered in my shop. It's simple, pretty, uncomplicated, and allowed me to record some of my favorite memories from the past year.

Can I admit that I ALWAYS struggle with covers? Whether to title them or not? Photo or no? Always having to resist the urge to PILE on flowers and other stuff? Ugh. Keep it simple, Erin. It'll be fine.

I'm obsessed with gold foil- anything. Obsessed.

Well, obsessed with gold in general. And the itty bitty die cuts that come with the new Prima "Tales of You & Me" ephemera pack.

And tassels! Adorable.

Did I mention the collections used in this mini album? I combined Prima "Tales of You & Me" and Blue Fern Studios "Blush" & "Timeless", all new releases. They all went together so well :)

New chipboard birdie, also from "Tales of You & Me". I want to squeeze him :)

I had so much fun with this mini.

How about you? Minis- love them? Hate them? Somewhere in between? I've gone back and forth between my favorite type of project to do...for the longest time, it was layouts. Then it was tags. Now I'm not so sure.

What I do know is I'm loving being able to create for myself. Relaxed. Take my time. Although I am quite excited that I will soon be doing some new projects for Webster's :). I've had a bit of a break and I'm now ready to get back to it. Webster's has always had my heart :)

Anyways, I'll see you guys soon okay?

Take care.

One Final Look @ the February MMM Kit!

Good morning :)

I'm here with you today for one more final look at our {SOLD OUT} February Magnifique Mixed Media Kit from C'est Magnifique!

"This Makes Me Smile" Journal Cover

Collage work is so much fun...and easy. This kit provided so many fun paper embellishments that were simply perfect for this type of project. Most of the Prima cards seen here were cut in two or more pieces and layered throughout the cover.

I've used the stencil included in the kit and some chalk ink to create the flourished masked areas seen here. I've also applied both the Shimmerz paint and Twinkling H20s along the edges, touched by a dab of the Tim Holtz Distress Paint for depth. {I use my fingertip to apply}.

I love ready-made titles :). And this Prima Paintables card was perfect for titling a journal cover.

There really isn't a science behind the layers. Just do what feels right- I've said it before and I'll say it again: there's no wrong way to collage. Really. Just try it!

Thanks for joining me today for one more look at our February MMM kit. Stay tuned for the reveal of our March MMM kit coming up SOON.

Take care!

Webster's Pages Mini Album w/Best Friends & Park Drive~!

**For my November giveaway, please go HERE**

Hey there~!! I'm super excited to show you a mini album I put together last Friday night when I simply got in the mood to create and was blessed with the time to do so! I hardly EVER start and finish a project in one setting, but in this instance I just couldn't put it down until I was done. And it felt SO good to finally do something with some of the beautiful photos I took this past fall of my kids and a few of their cousins.

"Memories are Made of This" Mini Album

When embarking upon this project, I chose to combine the brand new "Best Friends" collection from Webster's Pages and beautiful "Park Drive" collection. I found that the two just work harmoniously together and were the perfect choice for these autumn photos.

Isn't this "Brown Ruffle" trim just gorgeous?! I used it along the edges of each page. But before I added any trim at all, each page was first painted along the edges with gesso, and then covered with patterned paper before finally being sanded to a smooth finish. 

I wanted my album to start out with a group shot of all the kids. And I was really going for a somewhat clean format with just a touch of the shabby elegance I like to add to anything that I do. And because I'm a writer at heart, I like to create fluidity from one page to the next- so you will see that on each page I used coordinating patterns in addition to some repeated elements like the Webster's Pages "Park Drive" Journaling Cards, the Scrap FX tags, seam binding bows, flowers, bling, and Webster's Pages trims.

I'm just so in love with the Park Drive "StoryMarkers". They hold enough "charm" in themselves that adding flowers here was completely unnecessary! I know unheard of for me pretty much! But they truly can hold their own.

I fell in love with this photo of my little Gunner and was so worried about finding the right place to scrap it- in color. But I think it found a perfect home here amongst the two collections, from the "BFF's" script paper to the perfect Park Drive journaling card, to the blue and brown combo trims, and finally to the Perfect Accent flower cameo.

Ah, my handsome, growing, oldest boy Wyatt. He was so easy to get pictures of this day! The single bloom filled with the colors of the gorgeous fallen Maple leaves in my photo, along with the cheerful journaling card as a backdrop just felt right!

My nephew River and his "pirate face"! Too cute NOT to have his own page!! I was a little worried about the red in this picture but paired with the Park Drive "My Town" paper? Not a problem!! The peachy "Hearts" trim from the Best Friends collection added just enough softness to the color palette and supported the rich brown tones as well :).

Wyatt (middle) and his cousins Laura and Bear. Laughing and having a good old time!! Gotta love that! I finished off the final page in my album with another StoryMarker from the Park Drive collection- again, no need for any flowers here! And have I even made mention of the awesome Sentiments, Tags & Prompts, and Word Block Stickers?? Honestly, I haven't hardly touched a sticker since my early scrapping days, but these have brought the desire back into full force! LOVE them~!!

Products Used:

"Best Friends" Collection Pack

Best Friends Trim Pack

Best Friends "Floral Blue" Cameo

"Park Drive" Collection Pack

Park Drive StoryMarkers

Park Drive Journaling Cards

Park Drive Sentiments

Park Drive Tags & Prompts

Park Drive Word Block Stickers

Park Drive "Scallop Sunshine" Trim

Palm Beach "Blue Bliss" Trim

Other Products Used:

Tags, Mixed Kraft

Tags, Mixed Cream

SO glad you paused here to check out my latest Webster's Pages project! And I hope your week is off to a great start! But it's off to bed for me now~ have a great night/day :)~!!