Tuesday, 30 October 2012

Doodlebug Mini Album Binding Technique Tutorial

Tuesday again!!! and that means a new tutorial on Doodlebug's blog! Today it was my turn to come up with one and I thought it would be fun to create a mini album from scratch, using both the cards and envelopes from a package of Create-A-Card.

This is the end result and below I'll give you a step-by-step:


Here's what I used for the base of the mini, the embellishments will follow later on: one package of "Create-A-Card" A2 polka dot assortment and 1 sheet of crushed velvet cardstock.


And here are the instructions:

1. Cut a strip of your crushed velvet cardstock measuring 4.5" x 12" and score two folds in the middle of the strip (= the spine of your album). I scored the lines approx. 0.5 cm left and right of the 6" written on the top of my score board. Because the crushed velvet cardstock is rather heavy I used my ruler to make sure the scoring bone stayed in it's "lane".


2. Next fold an accordion, using a scrap of cardstock (whatever you have lying around) the same width of your album, to hold the envelopes. Score 7 folds (3 up, 4 down) to hold 4 envelopes. I folded a few more and then trimmed off the excess.


3. Choose 4 envelopes and trim off the flap.


4. Add a bit of adhesive to the bottom of the back of the envelope and place in accordion.


5. Use your sewing machine to adhere the envelope for "real". Now it will never come loose!


6. Do this for all 4 envelopes:

front:

back:


7. Now it should look like this:


8. Next adhere these envelopes to the cover, again using the sewing machine (can you tell I love my sewing machine?). First place the cover open on the table, take the pile of envelopes and adhere the back of your last envelope to the inside of the cover using adhesive. Fold your mini closed and sew everything together! Make sure you don't make your stitches too small otherwise your cardstock will break. If I would do it again, I would use a bigger stitch, but luckily this held too.


9. Next we'll create the inserts of the envelopes. Choose 4 cards and trim off the back (we won't be needing these any more).


10. Insert the 4 fronts in the envelopes and then it will look like this:



The base of your mini is now finished and you can start embellishing!

For the entire album I used papers from the new "Haunted Manor" collection ... not very spooky at all, right? If you use the back side of these papers they are perfect for non-Halloween projects!

And here're my pages one by one:






This is it! Thanks for visiting my blog today and hope you'll have a happy scrappy day!!


Supplies: Patterned Paper "Haunted Manor", Crushed Velvet Cardstock, Create-A-Card A2 polka dot assortment, Cute Cuts from Colorwheel and Haunted Manor, Doodle-Pops "Flutter", Hampton Art/Doodlebug Stamp "Sweet Backgrounds", Stamping Ink "ColorBox/Doodlebug Bubblegum",  Alphabet Stickers "Hopscotch" (on the cover) and lots of Teensy Type, Fancy Frills and two different ribbons. Other supplies: pages torn from an old book and a tag.

Hugs,
Monique

Thursday, 25 October 2012

My Little Shoebox / Want2Scrap = Awesome!!

We’ve teamed up with Want 2 Scrap to bring you some inspiration all this week with the collaboration of My Little Shoebox collections and products from Want 2 Scrap.

I’m so excited to share this awesome "Lattice" mini album from Want2Scrap with you! Together with this album I also received such a fabulous box of goodies from Want2Scrap and combined with the new "Secret Garden" collection from My Little Shoebox I created this mini about all the things I love. 



Before I started adhering my papers to the cover of the album I misted it with glimmer mist from Tattered Angels and used my white ink pad from ColorBox for the edges. I then cut 3 strips of paper, covered them in Modge Podge (so they're a bit stronger), layered them and adhered them to the cover. Then embellished the rest of the cover.

Except for the album itself, both the paper and wooden doily came from Want2Scrap, as well as the paper clip in the top left corner, the journaling tag, the yellow flower, the leaves and the two white ribbons. 

And here are all the pages:

What I love are: Little shops and French table ware: 


Travels and my crazy, funny family:


My doggie and married life (the bling border is from Want2Scrap = part of the "Classy Corners - Grace"):


Happy mail and coffee latte (the laser cut swirl is from Want2Scrap):


Fall and love notes from hubby and/or kids (the laser cut flower is from Want2Scrap):


Butterflies and Bags, Purses, Boots, Scarves (the laser cut swirl and the bling butterfly are from Want2Scrap):


My scrap corner in our living room and these stairs at the beach: 


My doggie's hair on top of her head when she really needs a trim, BOOKS (lots of them) and detective films (the bling corner, the white flowers and the white ribbon are from Want2Scrap): 


and definitely lots more, but for now this is the end of my "LOVE" mini (the bling butterfly is from Want2Scrap):


What I love most about this Want2Scrap album is the front of course, with the lattice pattern! It's so unique! But what I also love A LOT are all the different pages; different shapes and different texture that come with this album.


Supplies My Little Shoebox "Secret Garden" collection, Trim Pack "Wildflowers", Muse Cardstock Alphabet Stickers, Mini Alphabet Stickers.
Supplies Want2Scrap: Lattice Booklet 5"x 7", all the other embellishments: bling corners and butterflies, laser cut swirls and flowers, wooden and paper doilies, trims, tag, flowers, journaling cards, chipboard elements.
Other supplies: ColorBox stamping ink, Tattered Angels glimmer mist, Modge Podge, book pages (misc), Hambly sheet, dymo tape words. 

My Little Shoebox is also offering a chance for you to win some My Little Shoebox goodies for yourself. 

The Prize: My Little Shoebox is giving away two complete collection kits today!!!

To win: Leave a unique comment on each blog featured today. The winners will be chosen randomly from all comments on the My Little Shoebox blog AND the designer blogs. 

Make sure you also stop by the Want 2 Scrap Facebook Page and tell them My Little Shoexbox sent you. 

Here is a list of today’s My Little Shoebox designers that are featured: 


If you want to see the projects the other designers showcased this week please visit My Little Shoebox' blog and there you'll find who else participated!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you enjoyed my project!! 
Hugs,
Monique

Saturday, 20 October 2012

Look what arrived ...

... this week!!


So if I'm not here, you'll know what I'm doing!!!

Hugs!
Monique

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Vintage Shop by MLS

As of yesterday you'll find the next projects on My Little Shoebox' blog. I was so excited when I first set eyes on the "Vintage Shop" collection, you wanna know why? Because of the OWLs!!!! I love owls and have them in all sorts and sizes, I've even got an Owl handbag!

Here're the projects I made, first off: Jippie, our Cocker Spaniel


I used the Silhouette Cameo to create the title, the lamp post, the word cloud with the heart and the clouds.



How I love this collection!



Supplies: MLS Vintage Shop: Rose Ribbon (50011), French Lace (50012), Heirloom (50013), Attic Treasures (50014), 3D Roll-Up Flower and Accents (50015) and the Cardstock Stickers (50016). MLS Aiko: Kiss (11819) and Happy Go Lucky: Linen (11859). Other supplies: Kraft cardstock (American Crafts). Digital designs from the Silhouette online store, My Little Shoebox Portfolio

Then the second layout, about my mum and grandmother:


and some details:




Love how this layout turned out. The Webster's flower in the top right corner is from the box I bought during their warehouse sale, isn't it just right for this page?!

I used the Silhouette Cameo to create the title and a border punch from Martha Stewart to create the row of birdies.

Supplies: MLS Vintage Shop: Rose Ribbon (50011), French Lace (50012, Attic Treasures (50014) and the Cardstock Stickers (50016), ML S Aiko: Kiss (11819), MLS Mini Alphabet Sticker (50153). Other supplies: White and Kraft cardstock (American Crafts), Embossed Gold (Making Memories), Feathered Flower (Webster’s Pages), Pearl (Inkido), Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Words-To-Go (K&Company), Doily: Misc.

The next page is not shown on MLS blog but is added as a project sheet in their October newsletter. That means instructions are added on how to create this page. 



And last but not least and owl card:



The base of this card is the Kiss side from an Aiko sheet and on all 4 sides of the card I adhered a small strip of paper which I then machine stitched to the base. In the centre of the card I stitched one of the journaling cards from the Vintage Shop sheet “Attic Treasures”. I added a row of buttons, a title (cut with Silhouette Cameo), a cardstock Owl sticker (use foam adhesive for extra dimension) and finished with a banner from the Vintage Shop sheet “3D Roll-Up Flower and Accents”.

Hope you like it!

Supply list: MLS Vintage Shop: Rose Ribbon (50011), French Lace (50012), Attic Treasures (50014), 3D Roll-Up Flower and Accents (50015) and the Cardstock Stickers (50016). MLS Aiko: Kiss (11819) and Happy Go Lucky: Linen (11859).Other supplies: Buttons (Misc.).

I think this is my favorite collection ever from My Little Shoebox!

And if you feel like leaving me a comment on MLS' blog, then please do! I would love that!! 

Thanks for stopping by!!
Hugs,
Monique

Monday, 15 October 2012

I'm Cycling with LYB!!!



I got such a wondeful email from Liz Qualman this morning telling me I'm on LYB's Cycling Team for their "Once Upon a Christmas" collection!! See the anouncement HERE! (you'll find the details of their "Winterings" call there too, just saying :) ) HERE's the link to the entire collction. Fabulous right?

Doing a little happy dance right now!!

Hugs,
Monique

MONDAY MONDAY!

It's Monday again!! Can you believe that? Where did the weekend go? I had such a great time these last few days, as I was having a weekend-away with 3 of my best friends. Every year we rent a little cottage in the woods about a 2,5 hours drive from here and there we have the best time ever. We scrap, shop, watch films, talk, laugh and eat a lot! I created 3 layouts, but before I show them to you I want to submit them for a call, so you'll have to wait a little. However, I do have a few fun photos of our weekend:

Our weekend home:


Some serious scrapping was done:




Having a real Englis Autumn Tea:



Being silly (my kids would be soooooo embarrassed if they saw this photo, LOL):


And then this morning it was Monday again ... Every morning when I wake up I reach for my iphone to check my email and you know what?????!!! Today I had such a HAPPY email in my inbox!! I can't tell you yet, but soon I will!

And then on a sadder note: by now you probably all know that the kit club I've been hanging out for the last 4 years closed down as of October 1st. No more "Nook". I'm so terribly sad about this. The girls I've got to know there have been my scrappy pals for years and I just hope we'll stay in touch,  but it will never be the same again.

Ever since I knew the Nook was closing down I've been looking for a new place to hang out and for now I think I've found it at the "Scraptastic Club". A few of the Nook girls have signed up there as well and some even joined the DT.

Every month they have two kits to choose from. For September I chose this one: "Just Beachy"


and the "Just Beachy" add-on:


And because the sketch challenge for Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge came up I decided to use this kit. So, although Fall has arrived I have a very summery layout to share with you, "On the Beach":


and a few close-ups:



and the sketch the layout is based upon: 


If you want to see what the other designers created (and it's really worth it to have a look!) or if you want to play too and use this awesome sketch then hope to the blog of "Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge"!! Hope to see you there! 

Now if you want to know more about the kits and forum of the "Scraptastic Club" have a look HERE!

Thanks for stopping by today and letting me share all this!

Big hug!
Monique

Thursday, 11 October 2012

SNOW FUN with Doodlebug!

I was so happy when we had snow last February! I so wanted to take some snow photos to scrap! The kids were happy for a totally different reason of course :)

Today this layout of mine went up on Doodlebug's blog.

I used Doodlebug's brand new North Pole collection. I love the traditional colors of this line.


I just adore the matching cardstock stickers!



Supplies: Doodlebug's North Pole Collection: Patterned Paper: Christmas Cheer, Santa's Scarf, In a Flurry; 6x6 Paper Pad, Cute Cuts, Mini Pearls, Doodle Twine, Cardstock Stickers: Banner and Icons.

Did you see Doodlebug is having a Design Team Call right now?? Can you believe I've been on this team for more than a year already?!! How time flies when you're having fun!! That's because it's an AWESOME team to be on!!

Thanks for stopping by today!!
Hugs,
Monique