Faith's Album

Faith's Album

I made a little photo album using CD folders and cardstock for someone dear to my family. The album has eleven 5" x 5" pages for photos, plus six pockets. Each of the pockets held an insert with two photos, for a total of 23 photos in the book.

I wanted to share the album with you today. Please note, the photos I used in the album have been altered digitally to remove people to protect the privacy of the subjects.

Materials

• Paper and Cardstock
• 2 sheets of sturdy 12"x12" Cardstock
• 2 sheets of coordinating patterned paper (I used K&Co Tim Coffey Cottage Garden, Day Lillies)
• Additional coordinating paper and cardstock for tags and mats as desired
• Embellishments
• Dimensional embellishments of choice
  (I used K&Co's Susan Winget Spring Blossom Daisy Layered Accents & Tim Coffey Cottage Garden White Floral Grand Adhesions.)
• Miscellaneous
• 3 CD Folders

Instructions

• Cut and score the cardstock as shown in the above diagrams (or as described below.)
  
• One piece 5 1/4" x 11 1/4", scored at 5 1/4", 5 1/2", 5 3/4", and 6" in landscape orientation.
• Two pieces 5"x5" each
  (Note:
  My cardstock wasn't sturdy enough for my tastes so I used DOUBLED cardstock on my inserts.
  I cut them all from a separate sheet of 12"x12" yellow cardstock rather than from the cover sheet as shown in the diagram, 4 pieces, 5"x5" each
  and glued them back to back to make my two 5"x5" inserts.)
• Two pieces 5"x12", each scored at 5", 5 1/2", 6", 6 1/2", and 7" in landscape orientation.
• Accordion fold the two 12" long pieces on the score lines.
  
  
  
• With the cardstock turned so that the first and last folds are mountain folds, place glue inside the valleys, as shown.
  
  
  Once glued together, the front of the cardstock at the fold will look like this:
  
  
  This is the INSIDE of the insert.
  Fold it closed.
  
  Repeat with the other insert.
  Set both inserts aside.
  
• Fold the cover piece so that the outer-most score lines form valley folds, and the other two score lines form mountain folds.
  Make hard creases using a bone folder only on the outer score lines (the other scores will allow the book to open more easily but do not need to be hard folds.)
  
  
  
• Form the album:
• Start by folding all of the CD Folders so that the media pockets are on their insides.
• Make a "sandwich" of the CD Folders and inserts... folder, insert, folder, insert, folder... making sure the folders all face the same way.
• Glue the sandwich pieces into place, back of CD folder to outside of insert.
• Glue the cover piece in place on the outside of the sandwich.
• Glue the insert pages into place by putting glue on both sides of the valley and gluing the page into place.
  
  
  
• Decorate the insides of the CD Folders with the patterned paper, cut into 5"x5" squares.
• Slip the paper inside the CD folder pocket with the punched circle.
• Mark the cut out area with a pencil.
  
  
• Remove the paper from the pocket.
• Punch the half-circle out of the paper using a 3/4" punch.
  
  
• Glue the paper onto the pocket front, aligning the punched circle.
• Slip a paper into the slotted folder pocket.
• Mark the pocket's edge with a pencil.
• Remove the paper from the pocket.
  
  
  
• Cut along the marked line.
• Glue the two pieces of paper into place.
• Repeat with the other two CD Folders.

• On the outside of the album, attach an 18" piece of ribbon to enable the album to be tied closed.
• Decorate the front of the album with a paper doily and dimensional stickers as desired.
• Decorate the inside of the album with photos and dimensional stickers.
• Use a large scalloped square Nestabilites die to cut the mats.
• Make tags to insert into the CD folders from scrap coordinating cardstock.
• Mount photos directly onto the mats and tags using acid-free glue.

Here is the completed album.

Card Revisited

Card Revisited

The previously shared quick card can be just as lovely in a color as it is in black and white. Today I made the card in olive green on white and put the knot near the bottom instead of the top.

I hope you'll enjoy this version!

Materials

• Paper and Cardstock
• White cardstock; a standard card plus a piece 4" x 5 1/4"
• Post-it notes to be used as a mask
• Stamps
• Gina K Studio floral stamps of choice
• Small sentiment stamp of choice
• Inks and Embossing Powders
• Olive green dye ink
• Embellishments
• Olive ribbon, 1/4" side, about 12" long

Instructions

• Follow the instructions for the previous post, substituting olive green ink for black.
• Prior to mounting the white panel to the card front, gently and carefully rub the edges of the panel on the ink pad to lightly ink the edges.
  This will provide additional contrast between the two panels.
  
  
  
• Don't forget to add stamped images to the inside of the card, too!
  
  
  

A Quick Hello in Black and White

A Quick Hello in Black and White

Because I like to do more complicated cards, especially kinetic cards, people seem to think that is ALL that I like to do, but in reality, quick and easy cards are something I love, too. I really love a card that is clean and simple, perhaps even bordering on elegant. And I especially love a card I can put together in just a few minutes that still looks like I fussed over it.

I also seriously love the beauty of black and white cards. There is something about the stark contrast that appeals to me. I have rarely seen a black and white card that didn't appeal to me.

Here is a quick card (seriously, under 10 minutes) made with one stamp set, black ink, and a piece of ribbon. This basic card idea can be used for nearly any occasion; just change up the stamps and sentiment... it is one of my "go to" cards, for those occasions that sneak up on me that demand a great card when I don't have a lot of time.

Materials

• Paper and Cardstock
• white cardstock (5 1/2" x 8 1/2", folded to make a standard card, and 5 1/4" x 4")
• Post-it™ Notes, for masking
• Stamps
• Stampendous Clear Stamps, Dotty Daisy
• Inks and Embossing Powders
• Versafine Ink Pad, Onyx Black
• Embellishments
• Gross-grain Ribbon, 1/2" width, Black, about 15 inches
• Small Rhinestones, Clear, such as those available in Kaiser's Rhinestone strips
• Tools
• black marker (I like Sharpie Markers because they don't bleed through)
• Adhesive of choice

Instructions

• Mask off about 1 1/2" on one side of the 4" x 5 1/4" panel using Post-it™ notes.
• Stamp the large flower stamp somewhat randomly on the uncovered portion of the panel, making sure to stamp off the edges and onto the mask.
• Stamp the dotted swirl between the stamped flowers, also being sure to go off the edges.
• Use the black marker to fill in with more dots right up to the flowers.
  Cover the area as desired.
  
  Please note: the picture below shows the stamped area on the right; I stamp the panel UPSIDE-DOWN because I find it easier to have the area I am stamping on my right than on my left. The area being stamped will be on the LEFT side of the card!
  
  
  
• Remove the mask.
• Tie the black ribbon around the panel, aligning it at the edge of the stamping.
  Apply a little adhesive if needed to hold in place.
• Stamp the sentiment at an angle at the lower right corner of the panel.
• On the inside of the main card, at the bottom of the right side, stamp two of the smaller flowers and some swirls.
  Fill in dots as needed to fill in the card.
  
  
  
• Affix the card panel centered on the front of the card.
  
  
  
• Add a tiny rhinestone to the center of each of the large flowers.

Four Purses Card

Four Purses

This card is based on a card by Lis Whiting. When I first saw her card I fell in love with the little purses, and knew I just had to make a card like it. I was inspired! Unfortunately, though, I couldn't find the little purse stickers so I decided to make my own. I used a variety of punches and materials I had on hand to make my version of the card (Totally CASEd from hers!)

My card is monochramatic in pink; I have a loved one who is battling stage 4 breast cancer, and the card is for her. The next time I make a card like this, though, I will probably try the wonderful color scheme from Lis's card.

Materials

• Paper and Cardstock
• Bazzill Blossom
• White cardstock scraps
• I used pink papers by Mellissa Frances and Daisy D's. Use patterned paper of your choice.
• Embellishments
• Small pieces of narrow ribbon and or floss.
• Assorted mini-brads
• Prima Sprites 2, Fuchsia
• Pink Ribbon, 1/4" width, about 12"
• Punches
•       NOTE: These are the punches I used, but many other punches would be suitable. Experiment!
• EK Success Slim Line Large Punch, Real Estate Sign
• EK Success Whale of a punch, scalloped tag
• EK Success Whale of a punch, Circle, 1 3/4"
• EK Success Whale of a punch, Square, 1 3/8"
• EK Success New Style Medium Punch, Scallop Circle, 1"
• Martha Stewart Medium Punch, Scalloped Circle, 1"
• EK Success Circle Punch, 1/2"
• EK Success Circle Punch, 3/4"
• Fiskars 1/16" Circle Hand Punch
• Cutting Tools
• Fiskars Portable Trimmer
• Cutter Honey Bee Scissors
• Adhesives
• 3D Large Circle Foam Dots
• Glue Dots, Mini Size

Instructions

• Tie a bow in the center of the piece of ribbon.
  Set aside.
• Cut a 5 1/2"x11"piece of the Bazzill cardstock.br Scor and fold at 5 1/2" (in landscape orientation) to make a 5 1/2"x5 1/2" square card.
  
• Cut four pieces of the Bazzill cardstock, each 2 1/4"x2 1/4".
  Set aside.
• Cut four pieces of a lighter toned patterned paper to 2 1/8"x2 1/8".
  Mount these onto the reserved Bazzill squares.
  Set aside.
• Cut four pieces of a darker toned patterned paper to 2"x2".
  Mount onto the the reserved squares.
  Set aside.
• Cut a 5 1/4" square piece of the lighter toned paper used above.
  Center the bow on the front of this paper, and wrap the ends around to the back of the paper and glue or tape into place.
  Mount the paper onto the front of the card.
• Mount the four squares onto the front of the card.
  Set the card aside.
• Create the four purses.
• Punch a Real Estate Sign out of a striped patterned paper.
  Fold it in half.
  
  
  
  Use a small piece of foam tape to seal the open edge.
  Trim the fold edge as shown.
  
  
  Trim the other side the same way.
  The main purse is formed.
  Punch a scalloped tag out of white cardstock.
  
  
  Align the bottom of the tag with the open edge of the back of the purse piece and glue into place.
  Fold the top of the tag over the fold edge of the purse to form a flap.
  
  
  Attach a small loop of ribbon or fiber to the fold of the scalloped tag.
  
  
  Affix the flap to the purse with a glue dot.
  Punch a 1/16" hole in the tip of the flap.
  Add a square mini-brad through the hole.
  
  
  
  The first purse is done.
• Punch a square of one of the brighter papers.
  
  
  
  Fold up about 1/4 of the bottom edge of the square.
  Affix that folded piece to the back with some foam tape, forming the purse body.
  
  
  Punch a 1" Scallop Circle out of white cardstock.
  
  
  
  Fold the scallop circle in half and center on the top edge of the purse body.
  Affix the scallop to the back of the purse body.
  Trim the purse body from the lower corners to the edges of the scalloped flap.
  
  
  
  Prepare a handle by punching first a 1/2" circle out of white cardstock.
  Punch a ring by punching a 3/4" circle on the white cardstock, ccentered around the hole left by the first punch.
  Cut the ring in half.
  
  
  
  Attach the half circle to the back of the purse body to form the handle.
  
  
  
  Affix the front of the flap to the body of the purse with a glue dot.
  Punch a 1/16" hole centered near the edge of the flap.
  Attach a circle mini-brad through the hole.
  
  
  
  The second purse is done.
• Punch a large circle out of a light-toned patterned paper.
  
  
  
  On the wrong side of the circle, fold in two sides about 1/4" each.
  
  
  
  Use a small piece of foam tape to affix one of the folded panels to the back; affix the other flap with glue of choice.
  Create a ring of a darker toned patterned paper by double punching with the 1/2" and 3/4" punches (described in more detail in purse II.)
  Punch a scallop circle out of white card-stock.
  Fold the circle in half.
  Make small slits along the fold in the circle.
  Pass the ring through the slits in the circle.
  
  
  
  
  Glue the scallop circle in place.
  
  
  
  Punch three 1/16" holes near the purse edge of the scallop circle and insert three mini flower brads.
  
  
  
  The third purse is finished.
• Punch a large circle out of double sided printed paper.
  
  
  
  
  With the lighter toned side up, fold over about a third of the circle to form a flap.
  Trim off a portion of one side.
  Use the cut piece to help guide your cut from the other side, making sure they match.
  
  
  
  Crochet a 1 1/4"chain from some ebroidery floss.
  
  
  
  Punch two 1/16" holes near the fold, but toward the front of the purse.
  Use a floss threader to pass the ends of the floss through the holes.
  
  
  
  Attach the ends of the floss to the inside of the purse flap with a small piece of tape.
  Curl the flap slightly around the end of the crochet hook or other small cylindrical object, and affix the flap with a glue dot.
  
  
  
  Punch a 1/16" hole in the edge of the flap. Attach a small star brad through the hole.
  
  
  
  The fourth purse is finished.
• Add a purse to the center of each of the four squares on the card with a 3-d foam dot.
• Stack two Prima flowers together with a brad in their centers.
  Affix the flower to the center of the card with a 3-D foam dot.