Taking Baby Steps for a Mini-Album

A coworker recently celebrated the birth of her baby daughter.  I made this mini-album using a Simple Stories Baby Steps patterned paper collection.  Nothing too challenging and I let the collection drive the design of the mini-album.

Thank you for staying with me until the end of this picture-full post.  I really like how the mini-book turned out.

A Baby Girl Gift Set

I had occassion to whip up a little mini-album for a co-worker who celebrated the addition of a baby girl to his family.  I think the short timing of this project allowed for multple mistakes and so I am a little critical. However, I think that might be in my own mind, so I share...

I used leftovers of different baby projects from the past several months.  I think the projects is relatively cohesive and a good example that I don't always have to go out and purchase supplies for every project.  I tried to keep the project goal in the forefront - a simple photo album, 4 x 6 sized so the new mom didn't have to edit much, just paste photos into the page.

Most of the charm is in the fabulous patterned paper which comes from the Simple Stories Hello Baby paper set.

I made the album pages out of white cardstock and set my three hole punch to the proper two hole setting in order to utilize the Ranger/Tim Holtz premade binder.  Last, but not least, a small card to wish the happy couple joy in their latest daughter.  All simple stuff, but with the charm filled patterened paper the whole thing is adorable.

I challenge you to look to the stash and the leavings from other projects.  There are gems waiting to be used - papers feeling lonely and longing to be adored in a project. Satisfy their needs and consume them.  Look what might happen!

Handmade Baby Album Continued

Whew!  I got distracted editing the photos for Our Beautiful World.  Here's the finish of my handmade mini album.  There's a few more photos here, so grab a coffee and a sweet and scroll through.

I purchased the chipboard elements, the sticker sheet and the matching brads.  You'll see these pop up on the pages.

The pink is some handmade paper from Michaels.  There is a fair bit of texture to this paper and so it is great for use in projects like these.  Here, as a backing for the photo mat, there is just the right amount of lift to the paper and it sets everything off nicely.

I tucked a little lamb and a small mini book in the back of the album.  Both can be removed and or left in.

The book ends with this adorable flap to add a few more pictures into the album.

Lucy Marie was born on Sunday and I received a pic today.  I couldn't resist adding it here.  I can't hardly wait to see photos of Lucy Marie in this album.  I know she will be cherished and I can already see how beautiful she is!

ETA:  I'm linking up to Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #200 Let's Celebrate.  Come join the fun as we celebrate their 200th challenge.

Handmade Baby Album

When I said moving on, I meant that I had a project that I was working on.  This book took a little time to make, so various parts have been together for a while.  This book was a gift made for my nephew and his wife as they are expecting their first child, a girl!  Since the baby's room theme was lambs I thought using Echo Park's Bundle of Joy collection would fit right in.

I started with a Tim Holtz grunge paper 6 X 6 mini album.  I fashioned much of the book and layouts off this video, changing things here nd there.  Each page is inked before I used wet glue to adhere the background paper to the grunge paper.

I tried to add lots of places to write thing down or add pictures.  This little bit folds out to reveal multiple locations for photos and handwritten notes.

I left most matting open so that the photo could slide into the space.

There are a couple design fails - here you see the flap that would not lay flat because I didn't think of the ring binding.  A little hack fix that you *barely* notice.  😊

Most of the shaped tags were cut using my Cricut and Accent Essentials cart.  Some were simply cut with the paper trimmer and stickers were used to make the handle.  The double sided paper works so well here as they may be used for picture or handwritten notes.

  

I simply love how the border dies work to make lacey edges.  There is more to share, but I've not yet edited those photos.  Going to try to finish that t om orrow and get the second post up so you can see the finish.  Hope you've stuck with me through this picture heavy post.  See you tomorrow for the finish.