An Altered box mini album tutorial using the new collection Hello My Name Is collection by Teresa Collins

Hey everyone!! I am so excited to share this with you today!! This is a little project I made for the CHA booth using the new collection "Hello My Name Is".  I've had a lot of people ask me what my favorite of the new collections is and that's a hard one to answer because I LOVE them all for different reasons. 

This collection inspires me to share my story. This project I made is for my daughter to share her story, where she is now in life and I can't wait for her to write in it!!

FIRST, I want to share with you how I MADE this box into a book!!

ok, so I'll start from left to right - the first photo shows you that it is a craft colored, Graphic45 matchbook box. They come in three sizes and this is the middle sized one (8x8). The second photo shows the box that slides out and I cut the left side off!! Then I just cut the right side of the frame on the outer box which allowed it to open. NOW when you SCORE the left side you need to know that this will become your "SPINE", don't cut all of the way through as it will ruin it so go slooooooow and take your time. And last but not least create a template for your binding rings. I cut a strip the same height as the box and then folded it in half and used my cinch to create the holes where they needed to be. Then I spray painted it all in bright white. YOU could cover it in paper, mod podge it, what have you. Right now I'm just loving white paint on everything so there ya go! :)

So now you need to figure out how to fasten it closed. Starting from top left - I used one of the foam squares from the Teresa Collins Adhesive kits Those black foam squares are super dense so they are perfect for this!! So poke a hole where you want your "knob" add a foam square to one of the largest brads - by adding the foam square it will give the brad some height and because the legs of the brad are so long it will go through both the foam and the cover as shown in picture two (top right). Ok, so now you need to adhere your ribbon to the inside of the outer box line it up with your knob so it will close correctly. Then Adhere the smaller box on top of your ribbon lining up the top and bottom of the boxes evenly. Now when you close the book you can wrap the ribbon around your knob!

I loved the "words" paper so I cut strips and used them as my "staple" throughout this book. Have you seen the new photo overlays????? I love the sayings on them!! I added one of the new GEMS on the decorative tape. This page is actually 12" wide - I folded it to create a flap page!

This is the flap page. I cut a strip of journal cards and added them to the flap page by folding them then tied them together. So when untied, they fold out like an accordion. 

Here is the page all folded out - I used a photo on the back of the flap then added a journal card and ephemera piece on the side I am going to have her journal. 

This is one of the new 4 x 6 journal cards from the "love" paper - I love these!! I added some decorative tape to the left and a clear gem to the top center of it, So so simple!

Ok, at first glance you may not recognize ALL that you are looking at here so I'm going to point it out... That is a 5x7 photo overlay, but I ONLY had a 4x6 photo! Well, no  problem they don't have to be only for your photos. I added a piece of card stock to my page, added my photo then added my photo overlay. (sorry, It's hard to photograph them!)

This is the back page and I love all of the layers for journaling!!

I think this is my "FAVORITE" overlay!! ok, pun intended! Seriously though I do LOVE it!!!

I thought this was a fun page to share - the top paper is called "tags" and the bottom paper is called "Polaroids". Again - a great place to add more photos if you like or just use as journaling spots.

Here's another page with an accordion tag fold out tied with ribbon. I liked all of the layers in this book!! I hope you are as inspired as I am!!

When you are all done with your pages use your template from earlier to punch your pages. Add your cinch rings from the inside down on the right side of holes and up on the left, add your pages then pinch them together and your done!!

You can see here how the spine looks! So, go create one of your own! They are a fun to make and it's something you will treasure!!

~Cheri

A Little of This and a Little of That

Yes, I am using my stash up! I'm going to try to do one project a month using it up! I have been saving this Daisyd's paper for years, and if you've been scrapbooking long you probably even have some of it stashed as well. I decided - what the heck am I doing? Saving it for a rainy day?? I'm going to stop hoarding it and start enjoying it. So, here's what I came up with - something old matched up with something new and it's a beautiful little arrangement if I do say so myself.

This book is a large ledger book that I picked up at Staples and I looked online to share the link with you but they don't have it online?!? Which really blows because I LOVE this ledger book - this is my second one!

I love the new Graphic 45 paired with it, is beyond perfect! Then I added some great rub on's and stickers. A little washi tape. and trimmings. I love the closure!

 

So, this is the inside flap and the pre-stamped numbered pages inside. I cut a few inches off of the width of the back cover then added....can you guess... a sheet of 6 x 12" grunge board so it would wrap around the front and be a little flexible - paper would be to thin and chipboard would not wrap around the way grunge board does.

A little shot of the inside cover.

Here is the spine. I really do use my book - I sketch my classes in it - which paper to cut, and all of the instructions for all of my class kits are in this book. As much as I love all of the trims that cover the spine I also need to be able to write in it so I created it using a book ring. I love the 7gypsies hole thingy - again - something I love and have in my stash! Same with the Teresa Collins Flower - now I can see it and enjoy it!

I hope this inspires you to create something beautiful from your stash - quit saving it for a rainy day and enjoy the pieces you love so much.

Another Christmas book wit Tutorial using My Minds Eye "All is bright" collection & Graphic 45

I think I have an issue... I have now made 5 Christmas books, all different, and I LOVE them all!! And they are all for different purposes. I think I might be running out of display room in my house come this Christmas. I just love the holidays though and you can never have to many, and I am taking a class with Teresa Collins this weekend with my mother in law.. and guess what?? I'm taking the Christmas count down album class!! So that will be #6!! 

1. Start out using the 8 x 8 Matchbook box from Graphic 45

2. Cut the top off of the box that has the window. Gently score the inside left side, do not go all the way thru, you are just creating a "flap".

3. Cut off the left side of the "inside" box.

4. Wrap the outside of your box and window: 

Glue the inside of the box to the outside of the box first with the opening on the left facing the flap side (both should be on the left.)

Then wrap the bottom and sides. This is the template that I used, but you can wrap each side individually if you want. (The red dots are the opposite of this paper.) Once I was done wrapping my box I added the matching Washi tape to it as your sides using the template above do not reach to the very edge. 

Then add paper to the outside of the "window" part of the box.

At this point all of your outside pieces should have paper on them. Don't add paper just yet to the inside of your box.

For added fun I painted all of my edges at this point, this is totally optional, I just happen to love to paint everything (ask my husband, he'll tell ya! lol!!)

5. Punch a hole on the right side of your box about 1/4 from the lip. If you have a grommet or ring or even a paper reinforcer to use around the hole then go for it, if not it's all good! Now cut off about 18 inches or so of the red and white twine and fold in half. Tape the string in the middle of the box and up the side then pull your folded side through the hole you punched. This keeps the string really sturdy since you will also be covering it with paper when all is said and done.

For the "knob" on the front - add three pop dots to the post of your brad of choice. Line up where the ribbon will wrap around your brad, pierce a hole for your brad. Insert your brad - because you added pop dots to your brad it won't go all of the way in. This "wiggle room" will allow for the string to wrap around it. Glue and bend the back side of the brad.

6. Grab some chocolate, it will take you to your happy place. Let's add some hinges! I like to line up my hinges then mark the holes with a pencil then make the holes with a piercer.  Now, you may notice that your brads may seem a little short but they aren't, give them a little glue and bend them back as best as you can, then go get your hammer and hammer them, voila - those baby's aren't going anywhere! I like to hammer the fronts too, I like the texture. :)

At this point go ahead and decorate your spine before you get to #7.

NOW you can add paper to the inside of your box, the inside of the spine and the back of the window. You will see you had to wait to do this until all of your hardware is on so you can cover up the brads from the hinges, knob and the string for your closure.

7. Take a piece of scratch paper and cut it to the length of your book and fold it in half. Punch holes using a binding system or hole punch. This will create your template where you will put your holes on your book spine. Trace your holes from your template and punch them using a punch or hole setter. Cut your wires to length, then insert them into the punched holes from right to left. For a step by step photograph tutorial on how to do the binding check out my blog here: Binding tutorial

8. What your spine is going to look like with the rings and hinges.

So... Your inside pages! FUN TIME... 

I used the matching 6 x 6 paper pad. There is a little strip up at the top with a hole. You COULD and most people do cut that off so you have a true 6x6 piece of paper, but hey, this isn't a card, it's a mini book. I like to just go for it so instead of spending time cutting the tops off, I covered them in WASHI tape! Super cute, plus my pages are 1/2 taller now, BONUS!!

I love how these pages are pretty much decorated just add embellishments, brads, bling, layered stickers, chipboard pieces & buttons. Once you are done punch your holes in your pages.

Slide all of your papers in then you will need to pinch the wires together with your fingers. 

I hope this inspires you to create something outside of the box! HA!  This album will be at the Creating Keepsakes Expo in Bellevue this coming weekend, look for The Hens Den booth!! 

Merry Paper Linen Paper Joy Paper 6 x 6 Pads Twine Rhinestones Layered Stickers Decorative Tape Decorative Buttons Decorative Brads Chipboard Elements 12 x 12 Stickers 8 x 8 Matchbook Box Metal Hinges

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Happy Halloween!!!!

 I just love Halloween, I can not believe that I have not had one piece of candy corn this year, I have been so good!! I should reward myself today... with a little bag of candy corn, ha!! Just kidding... sort of...

I was so honored to be asked to create some Halloween stamps for the Teresa Collins Stamp Maker, here are a few projects that I created using the stamps:

You can download the free pdf here: http://www.teresacollinsstampmaker.com/downloads-2

I also wanted to share a few projects that I created for the Hens Den this last month, they celebrated Halloween by doing a Halloween project every day this last month, it was so much FUN!!

In all of the excitement I completely forgot to post about my cup of the month project because I also did the wall clock and this cutie little mini book/box.

So you all can see it here! :)

I just loved this paper!

 Wall Clock project

I love this new 12x12 matchbook box!! 

To recreate this project:

Cut the top off of the window box

Paint all edges of both boxes black

Punch large hole in upper center of "outer" box (this hole is where you can hang it on your wall with a nail.)

Cut square in center of "happy haunting" paper and adhere to top of box. 

Attach hinges to top of box

Using alcohol ink rub onto door knob, cut a 18 length of black ribbon and attach to doorknob.

Punch hole in center of bottom, attach a grommet over the hole. Pull ribbon with doorknob through the hole and adhere the remaining into the box. (the 2nd box will cover up the ribbon and will help secure it nice and tight!)

Adhere the back on the inner box to the outer box.

Cut 4 strips of midnight magic paper and wrap around box

Open the lid and adhere the trick or treat paper to the bottom of the inside of the box. 

Cut the center out of the Fright Night paper and adhere the border over the trick or treat paper.

Cut out largest clock from the Pumkin time paper, use black stickles on the the numbers. Punch a hole in the center of the clock. 

Attach clock mechanism to center of inside box using velcro (this is so you can take it our and change the battery over time) then assemble your clock pieces.

Hope you all have a very safe and fun Halloween!!

12 x 12 Happy Haunting Fright Night Midnight Magic Pumpkin Time Trick or Treat 12 x 12 Matchbook Box Metal Hinges Ornate Metal Door Plate and Knob

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