French Country

Ecstatic joy is what I am feeling at the moment.  I finished my second Mini Album and boy am I glad.  The concept and design was inspired by Velocityvette, so thanks to Velocity for her design using paperbags.  My ScrappinBFF decided to create a modified version without the need for paper bags and let me tell you I love it (I was her Guinea pig).

She made it easy with her tutorial that had all the steps and measurements right up front where they should be and with I got started creating the structure for the base and the pages.  There are 6 pages and each page has a pocket on the front, and a pull-out that can be used for a photo or as a place to journal.  Additionally, each page has a tri-fold flip open page where you can add an additional 5 photos.  This mini is loaded and it is really isn't that hard to create once you get the measurements and I do prefer card-stock when creating mini albums (I've created a whole 2 he-he-heh).

I couldn't add all the photos but I did want to show a few of the ones I've pretty much finished but you know how we add embellishments as we go along.  It is my intent to create 4 of these to give as Christmas gifts to my boys...I want to add the photos and everything for them.  This is going to be a lot of work...but they're worth it.  Anyway check out what I've got so far.

This is the front cover and if you can see it has two spines because of the closure which is being held together with a magnet located just under the lions head.

I used Rub and Buff on the Lions Head to add a shine and I used Stickles on the flowers to add some shimmer which I'm not sure that you can see very well in the photo.

Most of my embellishments are chipboard and the album itself is constructed with chipboard and cardstock.  I love this paper collection and I think it is perfect for the Fall, and to top that off it is unisex...you give it to a girl or a guy (smiles).

Here you see the mini open although you can't see the whole thing.  It has 6 pages and a pocket on each end of the album along with a tag pocket on each end as well.  The tags are placeholders for now because I haven't cut out the smaller photos for this space.  I would have preferred to use the Stampin Up tab round as my pull tabs but since I didn't have the punch I had to go with Velocity's idea and punch out a scalloped circle and add a few crystals to provide something for folks to grab in order to pull out the mats.

This is one of the pages in the album.  At the top peeking out is the pull tab for the photo mat insert that is tucked aways behind the pocket.  This mat will hold two photos sized at 4.5 x 6.25.  I added a couple of tags and decorated with a key.  This page flips over and then opens to a three panel page where you can add photos on the front and back.

Just another page I thought I would share.  They are all pretty much the same with minor embellishments.

I want the focus to be on the photos I plan to add and not the embellishments so I am putting just enough to gain attention but not overkill (at least I hope not)

Here you see how I decorated one of the two spines.  Again I kept it real simple and clean.  I may add a few ribbons later but for now no ribbons or chains or charms.

Since the album is horizontal the spine doesn't have the length you may be accustomed too so to many embellishments would touch the floor.

Lastly just to give you an idea of how much room there is to add stuff here is a top side view.  The gussets are 1/2 inch so you can overload this little mini and it is built to hold the test of time.

My buddy Joyce Owens, of "My Enchanted Paper Creations" created the step-by-step tutorial with written measurements and all for me but she also created a video that is either on youtube or will be soon.  Additionally, if you want to create this little mini but don't want to create the structure, Joyce has blank books for sale at a really reasonable price.  All you need to do is purchase one, decorate it up and be ready in just a small amount of time.

Supplies:
DP: Graphic 45 French Country
CS:  Bazzill
Chipboard by Recollections
Graphic 45 Chipboard Embellishments and Recollections Embellishments
Ranger Walnut Stain Distress Ink and Stickles
Rub and Buff

Well that's all I have for tonight...whew I am seriously tired but very minute was worth it.  Let me know what you think about my little creation.  I had written down these three challenges I wanted to enter but now I can't find my paper, oh well, I'll look tomorrow when my eyes are open again.

Going to play with the following folks:
Crafts 4 Eternity - #149 Anything But A Card (11/14)
Drunken Stampers - #149 Chipboard (11/15)
All That Stickles - Use Stickles (11/21)
My Sheri Crafts - #123 Fall/Thanksgiving (11/15)

Until next time, I pray you will be blessed and stay safe where ever you are.

Find time to create the beauty nature gives to us freely.

Hugs~

Lesia