A Christmas Mini Album

I finished the Christmas mini album that we'll be making at our next Scraps and Prayers and can't wait to share it with you today.  It's design is a bit versatile and could be changed in several ways.

I designed a belly band to go around mine and couldn't seem to get the right fit to keep it around the album but still be able to slip it on and off easily.  So... I came up with using a magnetic closure.  I cut a magnet to size and used it to secure the belly band.

When you open the album, it has 3 sections and you can decorate it to your heart's desire.  I used a different paper for the flaps and then used scallop circles to hold the flaps shut.

I adhered each side of the lower flaps to form pockets.  You could leave them loose and add more photos on the lower flaps.  With the 3 pockets, I thought you could use them to hold 2 or 3 photos each.

Below... all the flaps are open.

Here's a closeup of the decorations I used to embellish the front of the album.  They are all attached to the belly band.

Another idea:
Leave the lower flaps open, attach a photo to the center flap and stamp/write messages and add stamped images on the outer 2 flaps.  This would make a wonderful Christmas card for special friends and family.

Before you go...

I thought you might like to learn more about our Scraps and Prayers group.  

How do we begin:

We have the best time ever!  We start with a brief chit chat time and then have a brief devotional time.  We then move on to share joys and concerns, and close with a prayer lifting up our loved ones and thanking God for our blessings.

What do we make:  

We make whatever I feel like throwing at the group.  We seem to enjoy every project I plan for our group.  We've made scrapbook layouts, decor projects, projects to make little gifts, ornaments, mini albums, and lots more.

Contact me if you have questions or would like to join our group.  Everyone is welcome! 

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration. 

A Tale of Two Trees

Today's post is a tale... a tale of 2 trees --- little punched trees, that is.  I love these little note cards.   

I started out with the card on the left and then bumped it up to the card on the right.  If you'd like to make one, we'll be making this one as one of our projects at my upcoming Christmas Open House Party on November 1, from 2:00-5:00.  RSVP on or before Friday, October 30 and you'll have a free gift waiting for you!

The little sprigs of ribbon make a nice embellishment.  The red from the ribbon and the little punched heart add just the right amount of a needed pop of color.

The Home for Christmas DSP is a great look behind the punched tree. 

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

A Cherry Cobbler Layout with a Surprise

While we're waiting for the turkey to cook, here's a little Cherry Cobbler layout I made up for some fun.  Be sure to read my entire post to learn about the surprise with this layout.

It's the day before Thanksgiving and heavenly smells will be filling our home soon, as we cook our turkey the day before Thanksgiving.  My Bill usually cooks our turkey on the Weber.  It is amazing.  This year, with it being so cold, we're going to cook it inside, to be sure the heat stays even and the bird gets completely cooked.  It will be wonderful, I'm sure.  Now, for the layout. 

I've used our Festival of Trees and Wondrous Wreath stamp sets, our little Banner Punch and some of our gorgeous Cherry Cobbler ribbon. 

The papers are from our All is Calm DSP.  It looks nice with the Cherry Cobbler and totally changes the feel of the color story.

The snowflake is from our Snowflake Card Thinlits Dies.

Now, for the surprise.  
All the pieces for this layout were leftovers from other projects!

The turkey is now in the oven.  The fun is just around the corner!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Christmas Boutique Open House Projects, Part 3

Today's post is all about a envelope/card that can also hold a gift card... or cash!  I've used one of our Gift Card Enclosure Pack pieces to create a special gift for a special someone.  I've kept it simple, to have time to complete several projects during my Open House and you'll want to keep it simple so you have time to make several for several special someones.

So where did I get the tree?  It's punched from a tag I created for one of my next projects.  Come back soon to check it out.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Card #4 for My Christmas Retreat

Here's a closer look at the 4th card for my October 25 Christmas Retreat.

Adding the narrow silver ribbon over the wider seam binding adds a lot of texture and interest.  The tiny rhinestones add some great bling.  I added Washi Tape to coordinate the envelope and a punched star to the top of the tree.  I like this one a lot!

Pear Pizzazz and Pool Party make a great color combo.

Here again are all the cards.  Which one do you like the best?

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Card #3 for My Christmas Retreat

Here's a closer look at the 3rd card for my October 25 Christmas Retreat.

I love the Lost Lagoon/Pear Pizzazz color combo, especially with the crisp, clean white layer.

I've used Washi Tape on the envelope and under the ribbon on the card.  This is one of my new favorites, for sure.  My finishing touch --- a few little rhinestones and a bit of Baker's Twine.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Card #2 for My Christmas Retreat

Here's a closer look at the second card we'll be making at my October 25 Christmas Retreat. 

This card features the clean, crisp look of Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler. 

My favorite touch is the little ribbon around the tree trunk.  I used our new little stapler to attach the ribbon to the punched oval tag piece.  Love it!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Card #1 for My Christmas Retreat

Here's a closer look at the first card we'll be making at my October 25 Christmas Retreat.

The color story is simple and yet perfect --- Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake, with a touch of Old Olive.   I have always loved the look of the Cherry Cobbler/Crumb Cake color combo.  Using a strip of Washi Tape on the envelope is a quick and easy way to dress it up to coordinate with the card.

Adding the extra layer on Stampin' Dimensionals really sets off the embossing.  This card will be one of my favorites for the season.

Come right back to see another card for my retreat.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

A Closer Look at My Retreat Projects

Today, let's take a closer look at my projects for the October 25 Christmas Retreat.  Each of the 3 projects has something special inside!

The first project features beautiful Pear Pizzazz and Lost Lagoon - It's a set of the cutest little cards ever, all in a special stamp case.  This will be as much fun to make as it is to give.  It's one of my favorite projects this year, for sure.

This project uses our Tag A Bag Gift Boxes.  It's decorated so that you don't have to destroy all the beautiful wrappings to get to the gift.  You could place most any small gift inside this box.  I've used peppermint patties for this one.

All you have to do to open it is slide over the acetate 'sleeve' and enjoy your treats.

This project features a gift box for which I've created a top opening and a little ribbon handle.  Inside is a set of cute little gift enclosure cards, along with coordinated (stamped) envelopes.  I've added a die-cut snowflake to the window of the box.

So, now that you've seen all 3 projects, which one do you like the best?
Would you like more details for the cards we'll be making at the Christmas Retreat?  Come on back, because that's what I have coming up next for you.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.