Tag: paper crafts

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouses

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Making it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouses

How to make a cute little birdhouse for your Indoor Spring Decorations.

Made from an inexpensive Dollar Tree* wood birdhouse and scrapbook paper.

Making it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouses

Materials Used:  (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouse

Directions:

  • Paint the base of the birdhouse, the ridge, and the underside of the roof with acrylic paint.

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouse

  • Remove the perch from the birdhouse.
  • Paint the birdhouse perch with coordinating acrylic paint.

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouse

  • I purposely choose a birdhouse with a simple roofline. 
  • Measure and cut a piece of decorative scrapbook paper for the roof.
  • Place the paper into the 3″ Xyron Disposable Sticker Maker* design side up and gently pull it through. As the scrapbook paper goes through the sticker maker, it adds a layer of adhesive under the paper.
  • Rub and peel the protective coating from the paper. Place onto the top of the birdhouse. Rub over the paper to ensure that it is securely attached to the wood.

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouse

  • Create a template for cutting the paper. Lay a piece of copy paper with the point in the top corner of the birdhouse. Gently fold over the edges of the copy paper to make a crease line or use a pencil to trace around the edge.
  • Cut out the template.

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouse

  • It’s a good idea to lay the template onto the birdhouse to double-check the size.
  • Use the template and trace onto decorative scrapbook paper.  Cut along traced lines.
  • Place the paper into the 3″ Xyron Disposable Sticker Maker* design side up and gently pull it through.
  • Measure and repeat for all four sides.

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouse

  • Cut around the center hole and smooth using a nail file.
  • Re-poke the perch hole and reinsert the perch.

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouse

  • Add cute little word stickers to embellish the birdhouse.

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouse

Here are a few more Mini Birdhouses I created for Xyron last year.

They are so fun to make and decorate.

Make it Spring with Dollar Store Birdhouse

I made this one using a large wood birdhouse picked up at Michael’s Craft Store.

I covered it with paper from Echo Park’s Farmhouse Market Collection.

Card Making with StyleTechCraft Vinyl

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Card Making with StyleTechCraft Vinyl

Cardmaking with Vinyl…

Did you know that the same vinyl you use to embellish everyday items

around your home can be used to create beautiful cards?

StyleTechCraft adhesive vinyl makes it easy to create cards with intricate and delicate designs.

Use it with your Cricut or Cameo electronic cutters and even with steel rule dies.

The possibilities are endless!

Card Making with StyleTechCraft Vinyl

This month the StyleTechCraft Design Team was asked to use Polished Metal Vinyl

to create a project.  In the past several years, I’ve added StyleTechCraft vinyl

to almost every imaginable surface around my house.

I have used it on plates, glasses, coffee cups, vases, metal, wood and more.

But I often forget to use it to create cards.

Card Making with StyleTechCraft Vinyl

Materials Used:

Styletech Craft products brought to you by ATSM Craft

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Card Making with StyleTechCraft Vinyl

Card Details:

Card Making with StyleTechCraft Vinyl

After making the birthday card, I thought the silver was so light and delicate that

it would make a perfect Congratulations card. Perfect for a wedding or anniversary.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Heart Cards for All Occasions

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Heart Cards for All Occasions

If you like making cards with hearts…

there’s no reason to stop just because Valentine’s Day’s over.

You can make heart cards any time of the year.

Maker's Movement Striped Heart Die

I used the New Striped Heart Die* from The Maker’s Movement with several of

their older dies to create several Heart Cards for use with several of life’s celebrations.

Hearts and Love are great anytime.

Maker's Movement

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for The Maker’s Movement.  I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Heart Cards for All Occasions

Pink Heart Card

  • I played with different patterns in the same pink hues to make these simple heart cards.
  • I adhered the paper onto white cardstock using my Xyron Creative Station* to make a double layer before die-cutting the heart.  It gives the “heart” a little dimension without being too much.

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Heart Cards for All Occasions

Rainbow Heart Card

  • I used cardstock in several muted colors of the rainbow to create this card. Instead of spacing the stripes apart, I butted them close to each other.
  • I used the daisy and leaf dies from the You’re my Jam Stamp & Die Set* to make the flower on the top of the heart.
  • I made the Frame using the Nested Stitched Rectangles Die Set*.

Heart Cards for All Occasions

Baby Heart Tag Card

  • Monochromatic shades of pale blue make this sweet baby heart.
  • I used the Large Nested Tag Die Set* to create the tag.
  • I trimmed down the bottom edge using the Borders 1 Die Set*.
  • I cut the word B-A-B-Y out of white cardstock using the Alphabet Die Set*.

Heart Cards for All Occasions

Gold Heart Card

  • Perfect to use as a Birthday, Anniversary, or Wedding Card.
  • I used a shimmery gold cardstock to create an elegant-looking heart.
  • The red rose on the top of the heart was made using the spiral flower die from the In Full Bloom Stamp & Die Set.
  • After I die-cut the spiral flower, I gently molded the cardstock using a molding mat* and a large ball stylus*. I used pointed-reverse tweezers* to wind the flower and curl the leaves.
  • Stamp the word “Congratulations” from the Welcome Home Stamp & Die Set onto white cardstock and die-cut a banner using the banner die from the Message in a Bottle Stamp & Die Set.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

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Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

Give a basic IKEA storage cabinet a little personality with a crafty makeover.

I’m a little bit of a neat freak.  I geek out when I find a good storage piece.

I found this IKEA Moppe Mini Storage Chest* on a recent IKEA trek.

The mini cabinet was the perfect solution to replace an old decrepit plastic one.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

If you don’t have an IKEA store close, you can get the IKEA Moppe Cabinet*

on Amazon for a bit more.

The IKEA MOPPE mini chest with drawers is a true classic with its many drawers

and timeless style.  It’s made of untreated wood that you can paint and

decorate as you like, over and over again.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

Here’s what I used Used:   (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

Directions:

  • Lightly sand the surface of the cabinet with a Sanding Block* to smooth away any rough spots.
  • Paint the cabinet and drawers with Classic Black Deco Art Americana Decor® Satin Enamels*.
  • You may need to give it a second coat. (I didn’t paint the inside of the cabinet or drawers.)
  • Lightly sand over the paint to smooth the grain of the cabinet.
  • Wipe the cabinet with a clean, soft rag to remove any dust.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

  • I used Red Gingham Paper* to cover the front of my cabinet. The red gingham matches the decor in my craft room and is a simple pattern to match. (This is important if you want to line up your design.)
  • Brush a coat of Mod Podge Satin Decoupage Glue* over the drawer front. Make sure to get the Mod Podge to the edges of the drawer.
  • Lay the paper onto the drawer and smooth. Allow the Mod Podge to dry.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

  • Place the drawer onto a cutting mat and cut away the excess paper using a craft knife.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

  • Sand away any rough-cut edges using a sanding block on the edge of the drawers.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

  • A small nail file is great for getting into small to reach places.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

Place the labels onto the drawer fronts and fill them with all your goodies.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

Don’t judge me for my weird categories.

Crafters have a lot of random stuff to store, and this cabinet holds a lot of stuff.

Crafty IKEA Cabinet Makeover

You could use wallpaper, stencils, metal hardware to customize this into the perfect organized cabinet. 

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Vintage School Desk Make-Over Before and After-Sue's Creative Workshop


Simple Heart Shaker Card

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Simple Heart Shaker Card

Shake things up this Valentine’s Day with a cute Simple Heart Shaker Card

made with the Simple Heart Shaker Die Set from The Maker’s Movement.

Maker's Movement

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for The Maker’s Movement.  I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Simple Heart Shaker Card

Materials Used:     (*affiliate link)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Simple Heart Shaker Card

How to make a Simple Heart Shaker Card

  • Start with a 5″ x 5″ white card base.
  • Die-cut the pieces for the shaker element using the Always & Forever paper pad.

Simple Heart Shaker Card

  • Cut 3¼” x 3¼” piece of striped paper, die-cut the heart shape in the center of the striped paper.
  • Cut a 3¼” x 3¼” piece of Valentine’s words.
  • Die-cut a silver heart border using silver adhesive vinyl or silver cardstock.
  • Die-cut a pink gingham frame using the scalloped frame die.

Love You Forever Valentine's Day Card

  • To create the dimensional rose on the front of the card, “fussy cut” a large and small rose from the rose background paper found in the paper pad.
  • Place a small a thin 3D foam square* under both roses and adhere the smaller rose to the top of the larger rose.

Simple Heart Shaker Card

  • Adhere the scalloped gingham frame to the front of the striped paper with the heart cut-out.
  • Cut a 3¼” x 3¼” piece of clear acetate.  Remove the protective coating off of the acetate and adhere to the back of the heart-opening.
  • Adhere the silver heart border to the front of the acetate inside the heart-opening.
  • Die-cut the adhesive craft foam using the square foam cutter die.  You’ll need to use one that is larger than the heart-opening.
  • Adhere the craft foam square to the back of the acetate.
  • Cut a 4½” x 4½” rose background layer and adhere to the center of the white card.
  • Adhere the Valentine words layer to the center of the rose background layer.
  • The easiest way to add the shaker sprinkles is to place the sprinkles onto the middle of the valentine words layer.  Remove the protective coating from the back of the foam square frame and place the layers over the shaker sprinkles and onto the white card.

Simple Heart Shaker Card

  • Adhere the dimensional rose to the front of the card at the top of the heart.
  • Cut the tiny words “You are the best” using the Valentine’s word paper and adhere to the bottom of the gingham frame.
  • Add valentine’s greeting (found in the Always & Forever paper pad) to the inside of the card.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

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Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

I was recently reintroduced to the Gel Press, a reusable gel printing plate.

I’d seen the Gel Press in action a few years ago and even briefly tried my hand at it.

The Gel Press is a fun and creative way to make backgrounds.

This month, the Eileen Hull Teams collaborated with Gel Press

to create some awesome samples.  Check out Eileen’s Blog Here.

gel-press-logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for Gel Press.  I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

Materials Used:  (*affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

I watched several Gel Press videos online before jumping right in.

I was impressed with the idea of using die-cuts to make backgrounds

and used a few of Eileen’s Dies to make mine.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

Here’s how I made the Snowflake Background:

  • Start with several colors of acrylic paint and use a Brayer* to blend the paint onto the gel press.
  • Place the Snowflake die-cuts (cut using the Wreath & Snowflake Thinlet Die Set*) directly onto the paint.
  • Place a white piece of paper onto the gel press and press over the cardstock to remove the excess paint.
  • Remove the snowflake die-cuts.  Place another piece of cardstock over the Gel Press to pick up the remaining paint and patterns.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

I die-cut another snowflake in blue and adhered it to the background to create this card.

I used the Eileen Hull Sweater Embossing Folder* to create the background layer.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

I also tried the same technique using dye inkpads instead of paint.  

I used small inkpads and dabbed them all over the gel press.

Use a Brayer* to blend the inks before adding the snowflake die-cuts.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

Use the Xyron Creative Station* to adhere the snowflake background paper

to Mat Board*. Die-cut the mat board using the Tiny Book Die to create

this sweet little album.  (This tiny album measures 2 1/4″ x 3″.)

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

The perfect mini-album to add those snowy day pictures.

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

Create a simple accordion out cardstock for the inside pages of the album.

Interested in learning more about using the Gel Press?  Check out this video.

Love You Forever Valentine Cards

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Love You Forever Valentine's Day Cards

Spread the Love this year with handmade Valentines.

The Love You Forever Valentine’s Day cards were created two different ways

using the “Love You Forever” Die Set from the Maker’s Movement.

Maker's Movement

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for The Maker’s Movement.  I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Love You Forever Valentine's Day Cards

The first card is a clean and simple shaker card,

and the other is more of a traditionally decorated Valentine’s Card.

Love You Forever Valentine's Day Cards

Materials Used: (affiliate links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Love You Forever Valentine's Day Card

Directions:

  • This card measures 6″ x 6″.
  • Cut a 5″ x 5″ piece of white cardstock.
  • The die set comes with two different dies, the outline, and the words. Place the “outline die” onto the white cardstock and die-cut using a die-cut machine.

Love You Forever Valentine's Day Card

  •  Turn the cardstock over and adhere a piece of clear acetate onto the cardstock.
  • Cut the double-sided adhesive foam into thin strips and place it around the edges of the cardstock.
  • One of my favorite tips for die-cutting small pieces is to run the paper through the Xyron Creative Station* to add a layer of adhesive to the back before I die-cut. The paper pieces become stickers which make adhering them to cards very easy.
  • Die-cut the words “Love you forever” using cranberry paper ran through the Xyron Creative Station*.
  • Adhere the words onto the front of the acetate.
  • For the card base, cut a 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ piece of striped paper (found in the Always & Forever Paper Pad) and adhere it onto a 5 3/4″ x 5 3/4″ cranberry cardstock layer.
  • Adhere layers onto a 6″ x 6″ card.
  • Place shaker sprinkles onto the middle of the card base.
  • Remove the paper backing from the foam strips and place the white acetate layer centered on the card base.

Love You Forever Valentine's Day Card

  • To create the dimensional rose on the front of the card, “fussy cut” a large and small rose from the rose background paper found in the paper pad.
  • Place a small thin foam square under both roses and adhere the smaller rose to the top of the larger rose.  Adhere to the front of the card.

Love You Forever Valentine's Day Card

Shaker Cards are both fun to make and fun to receive. 

And I think this one is my new favorite.

Love You Forever Valentine's Day Card

A completely different look using the same Valentine die set and paper pad. 

  • I used the Xyron Creative Station* to add adhesive to the back of the “Valentine Sayings” paper, from the “Forever & Always” paper pad, before die-cutting the words.
  • This card has a lot of different layers and several dimensional flowers that help make this card special.

Tulla & Norbert’s Love Story Album

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Tulla & Norbert's Love Story Album

Tulla & Norbert’s Love Story Album

I thought I would share with you a fun little album I made for Xyron using

Tulla & Norbert’s Love Story Collection by Photo Play Paper.

A great album to add your photos.

Xyron® is your official site for all your crafting needs
“This post is sponsored for Xyron.  I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Tulla & Norbert's Love Story Album

Materials Used:

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Tulla & Norbert's Love Story Album

Directions:

  • For the cover, cut the matboard into two 5” x 7” pieces.
  • Cut two 5” x 7” pieces of black dot scrapbook paper and two 5” x 7” pieces of diagonal stripe paper.
  • Place the scrapbook paper into the Xyron Creative Station®* design side up. Crank the handle to run the scrapbook paper through the machine. As the scrapbook paper goes through the Xyron Creative Station, it adds a complete layer of adhesive to the back of the scrapbook paper. (You will need to add adhesive to all four pieces of scrapbook paper.)
  • Remove the clear protective coating. Peel the paper from the white backing and stick it directly onto the matboard. Each piece of the mat board* will have black dots on one side and diagonal stripes on the other.
  • The Black Dot Scrapbook paper will be on the front and back cover with the diagonal stripe paper on the inside.
  • Cut two 1 ½” x 7” strips of diagonal striped paper. Run the strips through the Xyron Creative Station®* to add adhesive to the back.
  • Stick onto the edge of the front and back cover. Pay special attention to the placement on the back cover so that the pieces line up on the right side.

Tulla & Norbert's Love Story Album-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 709

  • For the inside pages, cut six 5” x 7” pieces of black cardstock.
  • Cut two 9¼” x 7” pieces of black cardstock. Score the cardstock at 5” lengthwise to create a page that has a flap.
  • Adhere a variety of Tulla & Norbert Love Story scrapbook paper onto the front and back of each section of the black cardstock using the Xyron Tape Runner*.
  • Using a Book Binding Machine*, bind the album together.
  • Cut apart the 3” x 4” journaling cards to adorn the front cover and some of the inside pages.

Tulla & Norbert's Love Story Album

  • A great way to add adhesive to the Tulla & Norbert’s Love Story Ephemera is to place them into the 3″ Xyron Disposable Sticker Maker*. Just pull, rub, and stick. To remove any excess adhesive around the die-cut pieces, use the Xyron Adhesive Eraser*.
  • Create fun page flaps and pockets to add your album using stickers, die-cuts, ribbon, and twine*.

Tulla & Norbert's Love Story Album

Tulla & Norbert's Love Story AlbumTulla & Norbert's Love Story Album-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 738Tulla & Norbert's Love Story Album-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 756Tulla & Norbert's Love Story Album-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 765Tulla & Norbert's Love Story Album-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 786

Easy Valentine Treat Pouch

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Easy Valentine Treat Pouch

A simple little project to make for Valentine’s Day.

The Valentine Treat Pouch would make a cute gift for teachers and friends

or anyone you want to share a little love and kindness with.

Easy Valentine Treat Pouch

Materials Used:          (*Affiliate Links)

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Easy Valentine Treat Pouch

Directions:

  • Cut a piece of scrapbook paper (or cardstock) 4″ x 10″.
  • Using a Scoring Board and Scoring Tool*, score the paper at 4″, 4 ½”, 5″, and 9″.  (The lines on the above sample are just for reference.)

Easy Valentine Treat Pouch

  • Fold the paper along the score lines.  Create a “valley” fold at the 4 ½” and 5″ mark.  Fold the 1″ section over to create a flap.
  • If you don’t want to see the paper pattern on the inside, you can adhere a 4″ x 4″ piece of white paper on the inside.

Easy Valentine Treat Pouch

  • Cut a 2 ½” circle on the first 4″ section.  (Make sure to leave room for the 1″ flap.)
  • Cut a 3″ x 3″ piece of clear acetate.  Remove the protective coating from the acetate and adhere to the inside of the pouch under the circle.

Easy Valentine Treat Pouch

  • Instead of using stickers on the front of the acetate, I cut a Valentine Heart and Circle Design using a Silhouette Cameo and StyleTechCraft Red Transparent Vinyl*.  I sized the design to fit inside the 2 ½” circle.
  • After removing the excess vinyl from the design, use transfer paper to adhere to the acetate.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

Easy Valentine Treat Pouch

  • Fill a clear bag with treats and place it inside the treat pouch.
  • Punch two holes through the front and back of the pouch and bag.
  • Insert ribbon through holes and tie.

You can easily adapt the measurements to create a larger or smaller treat pouch.

Top 3 Favorite Paper Crafting Projects of 2021

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2021 Top 3 Paper Crafting Projects-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com

My Top 3 Sizzix/Eileen Hull Paper Crafting Projects.

As part of the Eileen Hull Educator Team, I post projects every month using her dies.  

This month Eileen asked us to pick our three favorite projects for 2021.  

These three projects are my top three favorites.  

Click on the pictures or links below ↓ to go to the original post with all the details.

Winter Fun Folio Album

The Winter Fun Folio Album was made with the Eileen Hull Folio Journal Die from Sizzix*.

If you like an album with a lot of options, then the Folio Journal Die is for you.  

You can see the full project details here.

*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

The Sweet Life Tiny Book

Good Things Come in Small Packages.

The “Sweet Life Tiny Book” was made with the Eileen Hull/Sizzix Tiny Book Die*

and Hershey Peanut Butter Cup Wrappers.  You can see the full project details here.

Simple Vintage Fall Memories Scrapbook Album

The “Simple Vintage Fall Memories Album” was made with

the New Full-Sized Journal Die* from Eileen Hull and Sizzix. 

This was probably my most favorite one.  I love this die because of its impressive size. 

The finished album measures 6 1/4″ x 8 3/4″.  

You’ll need to have a Sizzix Big Shot Plus*or Sizzix Big Shot Pro* to cut this.

You can read all the project details here.