Love is.....creating a new mini album

Earlier this year, I discovered the world of mini albums using scrapbook papers and supplies. I was hunting for ideas on how to create a family recipe book and tripped across some online tutorials and videos for building books from scratch using various binding methods and techniques. It went beyond using the traditional photo album and premade ringed binders.  I love love LOVE books. I was hooked!

My world opened up to Kathy Orta....Ginger (mysistersscrapper)....Laura (Following the Paper Trail)...Tim Holtz...amazing and gifted designers that I grew to love watching, and the list still grows. I use an ATG....love DCWV and Graphic 45....and hug my scoreboard, forgetting that not everyone knows what the heck I am referring to. I've lost track of the number of albums, big and small, that I have built (maybe 11 or 12 or so)....experimenting with various sizes, paper patterns, using different base pages and binding systems, but loving every one of them. It was a private passion until late last Spring, when I attended a "crop"....my first....and used the time to build another album. It became my chance to "pay it forward"....sharing a gift that I had been given by others that I didn't personally know, but feel as if I've known them for years. I have been blessed to add new friends to my world, that can share the joy that I feel. I watch their faces light up when I place a book into their hands, and allow them to explore the hidden gems in the pockets and flaps. It speaks to them as it does to me, and I feel blessed to be the messenger of such a wonderful gift.

Well, this week I completed two new albums, using paper bags as the base of my pages.

 





 The paper collection used here was from DCWV Timeless collection, and I used black paper bags and black cardstock for that dramatic, masculine look.  Walnut stain distress ink adds that vintage look and a few metal elements help to tie in with the look I was after. It is loaded with tags and pockets, and journalling spots, and allows for lots of photos to complete this album. This is a peek at one of the albums. I will share the other with you next time...I loved them both!

 

Hugs until next time. I wish you happy scrapping and crafting :)