Raining Cats & Dogs

This is my twist on the Garden Journal album by Terri Burnette.   I added my side pockets using a binding strip to make the  pockets larger so the photo matts slide a little
 

easier.  I used the same hidden hinge binding system to adhere the pages.  For me this is the fastest and easiest way to put an album together. 

I used the Raining Cats & Dogs paper collection by Graphic 45 .  I love the bold colors used in this collection.
The album itself is built using black card 

stock, the patterned paper is inked using Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Brushed Corduroy.  I use this color to distress most of the pages in my mini albums.  It is a favorite. 

 I used the chip board pieces from the collection for my embellishments and did some fussy cutting of the pattern sheets to layer.  The tags are cut a parts from the collection.   

On the cover I colored paper flowers with watercolor markers.  These I hot glued on when dry.  I am pleased with the outcome.  Comments are appreciated.  Enjoy!

Garden Journal

This album was designed by Terri Burnette at Scrappn'Savvy in Spring, Texas, and offered as a class several months ago.  Terri has amazing talent and her albums are always beautiful.  

The cover has hand crafted and hand painted flowers and uses a feather die with dry embossing folder by Tim Holtz.  The enclosure has charms and ribbons.    

The picture does not do justice to the cover.  I am not much on using flowers or a lot of embellishments but this combo really makes the cover pop.  I loved painting the paper flowers,  something new for me.

 The name of the paper collection is Garden Journal by Bo Bunny.  The colors are soft and fresh, worked perfectly for a Spring album.  The frames and die cuts are also by Bo Bunny and are used throughout the

 album.  The majority of the tags are cut from the paper collection as well.   The album has only three pages but many pockets and flaps that will hold a lot of photographs and journal spots.  Magnets are used to keep these flaps closed.  

This album would be perfect for a mini wedding album or a destination album to display on a table.  Enjoy!

Newest Cards

It's been quite awhile since my last post.  Life gets in the way sometimes and posting is put on the back burner.  I have been busy with my StampinUp! business, doctors appointments and two very active grandsons.  There is still some time for card making, album making and classes at my favorite scrap store, Scrappn'Savvy.

The cards shown are my latest ones, they were fun to do but not the easiest cards to make in my humble opinion.  I was going to offer these as a class but after making them decided it would be too stressful.  All products used are Stampin'Up!  Great cards for our military!  Enjoy!

Weekend Retreat

A group of friends went on a retreat this past weekend in a little town called Clute, Texas.  The retreat center is called Cutaway Lodge and about an hour South of Houston.  It is a small house that will sleep ten crafting adults. 

I can't tell you what a wonderful time we all had.  We had so much fun coming up with a name for our group of ten but I think we nailed it.  We are now the TenBFF's, now figure that one out!  

Each of us was responsible for a meal at the retreat, the recipes were simple yet very, very good.  Most came right from Pinterest.  We also celebrated Leisa's birthday.  It was like a little surprise for her.  We had cake! 

So much talent in the craft room and so many projects finished.  Of course, there was much laughter, a few movies, some teasing and of course lots of snacks and drinks.  We even shed a few tears as memories were shared.  

It was a totally awesome weekend.  Sorry no pictures this time, I forgot my camera, what a bummer!  Until next time.......  

MINI ALBUM

   

A friend needed to make a baby album for a shower coming up and asked me to build her the album.  She will do the decorating using the theme of the baby shower.  

The album is 6" X 8" and has a total of five pages.  This album is made of pocket pages with double tags in each pocket.  Tons of room for new baby photographs and journaling.  

 I used a zig zag punch throughout to add a boy feel to the album.  The inside front cover has a folded flap that will attach once the cover is completed.

 I used single and double pockets for tags, magnetic flap pages and several fold outs.

 Whatever paper line she uses to cover the  album will blend nicely as the album was built using cream card stock.
The back inside cover of the album will hold a side waterfall that will attach once the album is completed.  The album when finished will hold seventy plus photographs. 

I based this album from a video posted by Jenna over at Scrapbook Maven. 

Happy New Year!

First time on the blog since November so it was a struggle to get here.  My friend Ashley came to help me get back up and running.  Thanks so much, Ashley, I knew you could help me out.  Love ya!

 

Christmas Tags

I am having a Christmas Tag class next week and these are the tags that we will be making.  I spent all day yesterday holed up in the ARThaven putting these together.

All the paper, stamp sets and majority of the punches are by SU.
I did use Elizabeth Crafts Candle die for the sprigs and holly leaves and the Props 1, for the snowman hat and scarf.  The Jingle Bell punch is by Martha Stewart and the small Snowflake is a punch from Paper Studios.  

The box is a new die from Reverse Confetti that I decorated to hold all the tags.  It comes with a handle, bow, several sizes of circles and a mat for the front of the box that I used for the Santa Face tag. 
This box is a perfect size for a couple Hershey bars or flat treats and the Christmas Tags.  

The tags were fun to make and once started, I couldn't stop.  All the kits are cut and ready for the class next week.   

 

Baby Album.....

My friend came over to play in my Arthaven
yesterday.  She was working on completing a few unfinished projects and I wanted to finish up this baby album.

Leisa made one of these albums for a baby gift and it turned out so cute.  The album was made by Cheryl from Gemzile and found on Youtube.com.   After watching the video, I decided to make it myself.
 

 I also used a baby theme but any theme would work.  This album will hold at least fifty or more pictures and journaling.  Cheryl walks you through each step on her video so  it was rather easy.  It helps to watch it at least

 
once before starting the album.  I used magnet closures on some of the fold outs but ribbons can work just as well and adds an additional embellishment to the page.  On the flaps, I used a border punch to make it

a little more feminine.   The paper I used is Bundle of Joy by Kaisercrafts.  I used regular card stock to construct the pages before covering with pattern paper.  The only embellishments are pieces fussy cut from the
 

collection.  The papers are really pretty that not much embellishment is needed.  This album measures 6" X 6" with the cover being slightly larger.  Each page has a top loading pocket with full sized tags.  I added photo

mats to front and back of the tags.  Picking out the right papers for each page is the time consuming part of this album but overall it was very easy to make.  Thanks for taking a peek at my finished album.  Enjoy!

By The Sea Album

The talented Terri Burnette designed & taught this album at S&S.

  The paper used is by Graphic 45 called By The Sea.

The colors are vibrant & pull you into the album. Enjoy!

Mini Sampler

  
Scrappn' Savvy had their Sampler yesterday & after seeing & listening to all the fabulous classes they are offering in the next three months, we proceeded to make this adorable album.   I think it was designed by Terri Burdette, one of the 
instructors at S&S.

 The card stock is by Bazzill and is heavier than the norm.  I love this card stock & the weight is perfect for this type mini album.  The pattern paper is also by Bazzill.  Perfect for July 4th photos. 

This mini was so much fun to make, not hard and has tons of places for journaling & photos.   If you are ever in Spring, stop by S&S to say hello.  You will be pleasantly  surprised by all that they have to offer.  Karrie & her team of instructors are absolutely amazing!   They really do treat you like family.  I love it there!

Cards swaps......

This has been a busy week for card swaps.  Our Scraptabulous swap was held in Houston on Tuesday night with a wedding theme.  The cards really showed off everyone's stamping style as all were so very different.  Great group of talented ladies.

The Stampamania card swap was last night in Sugarland.  Our theme for this swap was a get well or sympathy card.  Again, all the cards were so different with each lady having a style of her own.   These ladies are so talented and some new techniques were introduced that I will be trying in the future.  I love getting ideas from these swaps. 

Enjoy the samples and until next time, happy crafting.......

HEY!

I apologize for the poor photography of my posts.  My room is dark and lighting very poor.  I really need to work on this.  If any of you have some tips on how to take indoor pictures of cards and such, please shoot me a message.  I really need help in this department.
Thanks in advance.  Later......Patsy

Scraptabulous Swaps

Scraptabulous Swaps meets every month for a night out with friends, food and of course, swap cards.  This months swap theme is weddings.  This is the card I made for the swap. 
   

I used the Elizabeth Crafts floating heart die.  I made this card in a class given by Karen Burniston at Scrapp n' Savvy.  It's hard to see the very shiny silver paper I used on the hearts and the greeting.  Love it!  Enjoy!

Fussy Cutters shoe box swap.....

 The Fussy Cutters swap & luncheon this afternoon was very nice.  The cards were all from the new SU catalog just out on June 2nd.  I am missing one card that I must have left.  It was my most favorite using the

Traveler stamp set.   The Hamburger box die is new & large enough to hold a couple cookies or treats.  It was an afternoon well spent with stamping pals.

Card classes....

I attended two card classes yesterday given by Jenn Gulch, a fellow SU demonstrator.
Loads of fun and laughter at this class with old friends.  Sorry for the poor lightening.

We did five fancy fold cards that were so different and rather easy.  It is so hard to pick out my favorites.  Love the gift card holder and will do more of these.

We used the new In Colors for these cards.   The colors are so vibrant.  Maritime DSP is really, really nice.  Great for summer projects.   Hello Honey & Blackberry Bliss are my new favorite colors.   Enjoy!