Hello Summer Days Mini Album

Hello Summer Days

I wanted to share a fun little album that I put together using 

the New Sizzix Hardbound Journal by Eileen Hull* and the

“My Favorite Summer” Scrapbook Collection* by Echo Park.

It’s a simple little album that went together quickly.  

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!

  • I used twine and looped it through the top and bottom holes.

  • Slide the little books onto the twine.  

This was one of the quickest albums I’ve made in a long time.

It’s a great little album for adding Summer memories.

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

The Blue Album-Projects Revisited

Do you have any UFOs lying around your crafting space?

This month the Eileen Hull Creative Team was challenged to

complete an unfinished project.  

This one was not as much as a UFO as it was revisiting old stuff.

The Blue Album uses the Sizzix Mini Album by Eileen Hull* 

and a very old scrapbook collection from K & Company.

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!

Does anyone remember K & Company?

I created project samples for them for 4 years.

That was 16 years ago.  

So, this paper collection is at least 16 years old.  

They were one of my favorite companies.  

(And this collection was almost too pretty to use.)

To create the mini album…

  • Add adhesive to the back of the scrapbook paper.  I like to use my Xyron Creative Station* to do that.  It adds a complete layer of adhesive with no bubbles or puckers.  
  • Adhere paper to both sides of a piece of matboard*.
  • Use the Mini Album Die* and the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine* to cut the album from the matboard*.  
  • Decorate the front of the album with stickers and frames.  
  • I also like to add a coordinating paper to the spine to give it visual interest.  

  • I created three small “signature books” using cardstock for the inside of the album.
  • I cut them approx. 1/4″ smaller than the book.  

  • I added them to the album by wrapping a heavy-duty upholstery thread several times around the spine.

  • On the ends of the thread, I added a large blue button.
  • The album measures 5″ x 5″ and is a great size for a small photo album or journal.  

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Inspiration Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own.

Summer Blooms Mini Album

Summer Bloom Mini Album

How to make a Summer Blooms Mini Album…

I love Summer Blooms and fell in love with the new Bloom Collection*

from Echo Park as soon as I saw it.

Using the Sizzix Notebook Die by Eileen Hull* and the Bloom Collection*,

I made this cute little pocket-sized mini album.

Summer Bloom Mini Album

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!

Summer Bloom Mini Album

Directions:

  • Cut two 6″ x 8-1/2″pieces of decorative scrapbook paper for the front and inside of the cover.
  • Lay decorative scrapbook paper (design side up) on the Xyron Creative Station* crank the handle to run the paper through the machine.  As it moves through the Xyron Creative Station it adds adhesive to the back side of the paper.
  • Easy to use and it doesn’t need any electricity.
  • I like using the Xyron Creative Station* when making mini books because you get complete coverage, no wrinkling, no bubbles!

Summer Bloom Mini Album

  • Cut a piece of mat board 6″ x 8-1/2″.
  • Adhere the decorative paper on each side of the mat board.
  • Lay the covered mat board over the notebook die* sandwiched between two cutting plates.
  • Crank the handle of the Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutting Machine* and run the die through the machine.  The Big Shot will cut and score the mat board.

Summer Bloom Mini Album-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 4717

  • The notebook die creases the center of mat board as it goes through the Big Shot Die Cutting Machine* making it easy to fold the cover for your mini album.

Summer Bloom Mini Album-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 4734

  • Cut a 2 1/4″ x 5″ strip of decorative paper to use for the spine and run it through the Xyron Creative Station*.  Adhere the strip to the spine of the book.
  • Cut 5 cardstock pages using the notebook die.
  • Crease the cardstock on the center score lines.

Summer Bloom Mini Album

  • Wrap the twine around the inside creases and around the outside of the book cover to secure the pages.
  • FYI…I wanted this Mini Album to be all about the pictures, so I kept the pages white. There are no fancy embellishments or special pages inside this album.

Summer Bloom Mini Album-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 4776

  • After I had all my pages together, I tied the pieces of twine together in one knot on the spine and added a small metal heart charm.   I placed a small floral sticker from the Bloom Collection* to the center of the heart.
  • As an afterthought, after I took the above pictures, I added Sizzix Effects™ Liquid Gloss* over the heart. The Liquid Gloss gives the heart a clear domed look and will seal in the sticker.

Summer Bloom Mini Album

  • Decorate the front of the album with Stickers from the Bloom Collection*.
  • For added dimension, place the sticker on a small piece of matboard.

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Educator Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

“Autumn Leaves & Pumpkin Please” Album

Autumn Leaves & Pumpkins Please Album

Autumn Leaves & Pumpkins Please

I love all the beautiful colors of Fall.

As the saying goes, Fall is my favorite color.

They make such a bright and cheery Fall album.

This simple album is the perfect place to add all your apple picking,

leaf peeping, trick-or-treating pictures this Fall.

The “Autumn Leaves & Pumpkins Please” album was made using

Eileen Hull’s Field Notes Journal Die by Sizzix*.

I used paper from Echo Parks “Fall Fever” Collection*.

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Educator Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Autumn Leaves & Pumpkins Please Album

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!

Autumn Leaves & Pumpkins Please Album

A few tidbits of information:

  • Before I die-cut the mat board, I like to use the Xyron Creative Station* to add adhesive to the back of the paper.  It gives the paper a complete layer of adhesive with no bubbles.  It really is easy to use.
  • The spine of the album comes with three sections.  I cut the first section off to make the album thinner.  It leaves two holes to add binding.
  • I wanted to try something different with how I added the pages to my album.  I inserted two mini book rings through the holes to hold my pages.
  • The mini book rings are approx. ¾” and with a little maneuvering they fit in the two side holes.
  • I used the cut off section to mark where I would need to punch the holes on my pages.

Autumn Leaves & Pumpkins Please Album

I wanted to make my album vertical instead of horizontal.

I love how versatile the Field Notes Die* is.

Autumn Leaves & Pumpkins Please Album

I created the word “autumn” using a Silhouette Cameo Electronic Die Cutting Machine*.

I cut it the letters out using StyleTechCraft Gold Chrome Vinyl*.

StyletechCraft products brought to you by ATSM Craft*

 

Celebrating Winter with a Little Paper Crafting

Winter Memories Album

Now that the Holidays are over, I’m embracing the quiet of the Winter Season

by creating a few things with Eileen Hull’s and Sizzix’s New Release Chapt. One Dies

and the Simple Winter Woods Scrapbook Collection Kit from Simple Stories*.

Look at this beautiful New Scrapbook Paper Collection from Simple Stories.

I fell in love with the soft, muted colors of the Simple Winter Woods Collection*

and knew I had to have it.  (It was perfect for these projects.)

Winter Memories Album

Supplies Used to make the Projects:    (*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!

Winter Memories Album

First, I must show you the new toy I got for Christmas this year.

After many years of use and abuse, I finally upgraded my old Big Shot Machine with a Newer, Bigger model.

Behold the Sizzix Big Shot Plus Die-Cutting Machine*.

I needed it to die-cut the larger dies like the NEW Sizzix Frame Pocket Journal Die by Eileen Hull*.

Winter Memories Album

Winter Memories Album

The Journal measures 4 1/2” x 6 1/2” x 1 1/4” with an adjustable spine.

What makes this die special are the additional pieces on the die, a pocket to hold ephemera, a frame and flap!

Winter Memories Album

There are several ways to make the inside of your album.  

Winter Memories Album

I created a pocket on the inside of the album using the die and covered matboard.

Winter Memories Album

The pocket is great for adding a small skinny notebook or several little notecards.

I used the 3″ x 4″ journal cards from the Winter Woods Paper Collection for the front of the cards.

Winter Memories Album

I used twine and the holes on the spine to hold a small notebook in place.  

I covered the Small Kraft Notebook* using a paper and stickers from the collection.

Hello Winter 2023 Framed Picture

Continuing with the Winter Theme…

I created a framed picture using the NEW Sizzix Thinlets Tile Alphanumeric Die by Eileen Hull*.

The Tile Alphanumeric is very versatile because you can use both the positive and negative shapes.

Each letter is perforated which makes it easy to create and line up words.

Hello Winter 2023 Frame Picture

It’s so easy to create a little dimensional piece of art using the supplies you have around you.

Simple Vintage Winter Woods Card

And last but not least, I created a 5″ x 7″ card using Eileen’s NEW Sizzix 3D Tablecloth Embossing Folder

as the background for my card.

Eileen Hull 2023 Chapter One New Release Dies

For more projects using the NEW Eileen Hull Chapter One Release Dies…

Please join us for the Ch. 1 2023 Release Party on Tuesday, January 3 at 12:00 ET when Eileen will be joined by team members sharing their projects. We will also have a blog hop that day so we hope you will hop along with the team and be inspired!

LIST OF HOP STOPS:

Eileen Hull Designs  
Pam Bray
Jennie Atkinson
Sarah Lizzie
Lisa Hoel
Susie Bentz
Tonya Trantham
Elizabeth Robinson
Jenny Marples
Maggi Harding
Karen Bearse
Sue Eldred   (you are here!)

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Educator Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Home for Christmas Mini Album

Home for Christmas Mini Album

How to make a Holiday Mini Album…

I wanted to share with you a Simple little Christmas Album that I made for

the Eileen Hull Comfort & Joy Event over on Eileen’s Facebook Fan Page.

Sizzix Notepad Scoreboards Die by Eileen Hull

I used the Sizzix Notepad Scoreboard Die by Eileen Hull* and paper from

Simple Stories Simple Vintage Christmas Lodge Collection* to create the mini album.

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!

Home for Christmas Mini Album

The album may be small, but it has plenty of room for Holiday pictures.

It measures approximately 3 1/2″ x 4 1/2″.

Home for Christmas Mini Album

Sue’s Tips for Making the Home for Christmas Mini Album:

  • I used the Xyron Creative Station* to add adhesive to the back of the paper before adhering it to the mat board and die-cutting the pieces to make the notepad.
  • I adhered the spine of the front and back cover using Rapid Fuse Adhesive*.
  • For the inside of the album, I created four small “signatures” to place inside the album.
  • To secure the “signatures” inside the album, wrap thin twine around the spine and the paper.

Home for Christmas Mini Album

Home for Christmas Mini Album

When it comes to family, Home is the best place to be.

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the Eileen Hull Educator Team, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Sending Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

Sending Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

Everyone can use a little Sunshine on a cloudy day.

This simple card is made with stamps and dies from The Maker’s Movement.

The card uses a little subtle play with different patterns.

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. 

Sending Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

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!

Sending Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

  • I die-cut pieces using the Stacking Flowers Die out of yellow patterned paper from the Cloudy Day paper pad.
  • The flower was assembled using 3D Thin Foam Squares*.

Sending Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

  • I used the “Hello Sunshine Stamp & Die Set” for the sunshine layers on the bottom of the card.
  • I also used the “Hello Sunshine Stamp & Die Set for the small banner with the stamped words “sending you”.
  • My favorite tip for die-cutting small or thin pieces is to add a layer of adhesive using a Xyron Creative Station®* before die-cutting.

Sending Sunshine on a Cloudy Day.

This card was fast and easy to assemble and is sure to brighten up anyone’s day.

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

If you like the look of old embossed tin, the Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket

is a simple project to create.  (easy to follow instructions below)

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket

I’m always up for a new crafty challenge,

so, when asked if I wanted to try the colored aluminum foils

from K & S Precision Metals, of course, I said yes.

These thick colored aluminum foils are not like your mother’s aluminum foil.

They are thick enough to bend and manipulate but thin enough to be able to cut with scissors.

And you don’t have to worry about cuts like from thicker metals. (this is fun stuff)

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals    lHow to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for K & S Precision Metals.  I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

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!

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

I could have used the metal as it comes, but I wanted it to be slightly thicker, so I double it up with cardstock in the middle.  It also helped it hold the embossed shape.

Directions:  

  • I used an unfolded small white envelope as my pattern.
  • Measure and cut a piece of colored foil slightly larger than the unfolded envelope.
  • To add adhesive on the back of the foil, place the foil colored-side up on the Xyron Creative Station®*Turn the handle of the Creative Station to run the foil through.  As it runs through, it adds complete adhesive covering on the underneath side of the foil.
  • Place the foil onto a piece of white cardstock the same size.

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

  • If you’re not artistically inclined, you can easily find a swirly scroll pattern to print and use as a pattern.
  • Place the foil with the cardstock side up onto a soft surface.  Tape the swirly scroll pattern onto the back of the cardstock.

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

  • Using medium to firm pressure, use a small ball stylus* to trace around the design to transfer it to the foil.

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

  • Remove the pattern from the back of the cardstock.
  • Trace around the opened envelope onto the back of the cardstock.
  • Cut the envelope shape using scissors.
  • Cut a second piece of foil the same size as the first and repeat the adhesive and embossing process, except do not add the foil to the cardstock. Place this piece of foil onto the back of the cardstock and retrim the envelope shape.

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

  • Use a ruler and bone folder to mark your envelope fold lines.

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

  • Paint over the foil with white multi-surface acrylic paint to give the pocket a brushed denim look.
  • Make sure to paint in one direction only.
  • Once the paint has dried, lightly sand over the embossed areas with a sanding block.
  • The sanding makes the embossed areas stand out.

How to make an Embossed Metal Envelope Pocket with K & S Precision Metals

  • Glue the edges of the pocket using rapid fuse all purpose adhesive*.
  • Tie a 1″ piece of ribbon around the envelope pocket.  I added a little bling using a broken silver barrette.
  • Cut a thin slice of floral foam* and place it inside the pocket.  Stick small flower stems into the floral foam.  (Both the floral foam and the flower stems were from Dollar Tree*.)
  • Punch two small holes in the envelope and add a piece of twine for hanging.
  • Add the embossed pocket to the middle of a boxwood wreath for a simple and elegant wreath decoration.

More great designer projects using K & S Precision Metal on the DCC Blog.

Designer Craft Connections Pic

Mae’s Treasure Box

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

I wanted to share a little more about how I made Mae’s Treasure Box.

I am getting my first granddaughter, Mae, sometime in May.

(To say I’m excited is a bit of an understatement.)

Mae’s Treasure Box is a little box that her mom can slip into the top drawer

of her dresser and add all the little snippets of babyhood that she wants to save.

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

As some of you may know…

I currently have three adorable, sweet, and loving grandsons in my life.

I wouldn’t trade them for the world.  But after all the trucks and blue stuff,

I’m excited that I’m finally getting a little “pink” in my life.

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

The “treasure box” was made using Eileen Hull’s New Book Box Die*.

I dug deep into my hoard of paper and found this sweet blue and pink floral paper.

It reminds me of Vintage Florals from the ’40s or ’50s.

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

To make the treasure box:  

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

  • I used the Xyron Creative Station* to add adhesive to the back of my paper before sticking it to the matboard.  (Usually, I adhere the paper to the matboard before die-cutting.)

*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!

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

  • Apply adhesive to the bottom tabs.

Mae's Treasure Box-Sue's Creative Workshop www.sueeldred.com 2039

  • Glue the sides to the bottom rectangle.

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

  • I added an extra piece of Mat Board* covered with matching paper to fit inside the box to cover up the side tabs.
  • I glued a pink glittery chipboard letter M on the inside corner of the box.

Mae's Treasure Box made using Eileen Hull Sizzix XL Scoreboard Book Box Die

Eileen Hull Educator Logo

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post for Eileen Hull and Sizzix.  As an Eileen Hull Educator, I have been provided product in exchange for my creative ideas.  The view and opinions are my own. 

Creating Backgrounds with Gel Press

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.