More Mini Album Pages

'Because I am 4, there are many advantages, like standing very close in quoits'

Stampin' Write Markers are very useful when you only wish to ink a portion of a stamp. The word 'because' was taken from the 'Just Because' stamp from the Simple Sayings 11 Stamp Set.

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

'Because I am 4, I want to do everything just like my dad'

Decorating a tag is an excellent way to vary design features and accents in your pages. Tags are a fun way to experiment with different ideas and techniques.

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

'Because I am 4, Life is a Beach'

Try cutting out letters with the convex square punch. This is a really easy way to put your letters where you want them. Adhering these letters with Stampin' Dimensions adds depth and texture to your page.

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

The Mini Album Tour Begins

'Because I am 4,

I am happy having more candles than my age'

This is the first double page of my mini album. Expect to see alphabet stamps used throughout the album. Alphabet Stamps are an excellent way to add titles and journalling because you never run out of popular letters and you can colour coordinate the letters.

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

'Because I am 4, I am big and tough and small and gentle'

This mini album is 8 x 8 inches in size and you will be beginning to see a formula emerge. Having a structure or formula for your mini album will not only tie the project together, but will also make it easier to complete. My basic furmula for the layout was to start with a 'basic black' mat of 8 x 8 inches and also 2 central mats cut from 'Confetti White' ans 'Going Gray'. I then added one colour that complimented the photograph, between the black and the two central mats.

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

'Because I am 4, I'm not old enough to know how lucky I am to be Australian'

Stamps are also a great way to add elements, such as the stars, that tie in with the photograph. You will also be noticing another theme running through the album, which is the use of the new Spiral Punch from the Spring Mini Catalogue. It is wonderful and so easy to use, creating an interesting visual border.

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

'Mini Themed Scrapbooking Album' Series

Well I am back after being struck down with the dreaded flu. However, I have not been totally inactive whilst recovering, keeping busy working on a special album for my son Benjamin, who recently had his 5th birthday. I love scrapbooking, however, I often hear how people are dismayed that it is a never ending task that they never seem to get finished and it is just something else they stress about because they are falling behind. The answer to this problem is to make mini albums by concentrating on chunks of time, events or themes. This way you have the satisfaction of completing a defined project. Making a 'mini themed album' also encourages you to use only the most relevant photographs - there is after all, no need to scrapbook every photograph that you take! Over the next 2 weeks I will take you on a tour of this album, sharing tips and techniques about how you can make your own album.

Christmas in July Stampin' Up! Tags

This is one of my favourite tags from the Christmas in July Class that was run at Botanix on Saturday. Everyone made 10 Christmas tags (2 each of 5 designs) as well as decorating 2 tins to put them in. This particular tag features the snowflake Stampin' Around Wheel with Whisper White Craft Ink, Heat and Stick Powder, and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. Gold Cardstock from the Metallics pack made the perfect foundation for this mini masterpiece. The glitter brads were created by adhering a mini glue dot to the top of a silver brad and then dipping into glitter. Paper Angels are in the process of mapping out our Christmas Workshop, which will be held on the 6th of October at the Carina Leagues Club. We have some great projects planned and it is going to be a great day. Invitations for this event will be mailed out within the next fortnight.

Images © 1990 - 2007 Stampin' Up!

Same Design | Different Stampin' Up! Colours

Once you have created or copied a design that you like, I suggest recreating it in different colour schemes. Inspiration for changing the colour scheme may come from the photographs, the fabulous Stampin' Up! colour wheel or even magazine layouts are a great source of beautiful colour combinations. On the above examples, I used Elegant Eggplant, Real Red and More than Mustard; using the same stamps and design from the previous posting.

Images © 1990 - 2007 Stampin' Up!

Matching Cranberry Card and Page

Simple striking colour combinations such as Cranberry Crisp, Cool Caribbean and Marigold Morning are worth repeating, and so I have created a matching card and page. Both of these projects feature Stampin' Up's Hostess Set - Riveting as well as the stamp set Shelly so kindly gave Stampin' Up Consultants at Christmas - Seeing Spots. These projects are made ever so faster using the companion circle punches. The striped section on the card was created using the Background Sampler Set - expect to see heaps more of that stamp set!

Images © 1990 - 2007 Stampin' Up!

Using Paper Scraps

Sometimes the best way to incorporate patterned paper into scrapbooking layouts is to use small amounts. This has the added benefit of using up all those scraps that might otherwise hit the bin. Hodgepodge Hardware and Designer Ribbon work to tie the design together.

Grand plans were in place to add several pages this weekend. However, my trestle tables have been borrowed for a party, so my supplies are currently sitting in piles all over my workroom floor - so not very functional at all!

Materials

Natural Vanilla and Cranberry Crisp Cardstock; Recollections Scrapbooking Paper; Chocolate Chip Classic Ink; Wonderful Words 11 Stamp Set;Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware and Prep School Ribbon Originals.