Happy Mother's Day! The Authentique Team is sharing lots of Mother's Day inspiration this week! Make sure to check out the Blog!
I have been creating home decor panels for you for over a year. I love seasonal decor, and enjoy having a new panel sitting on my desk for each new season or holiday! See the full list of panels below!
Today I have created this lovely pink and black panel to share, using the Flawless Collection! Since my mom passed away in 2015 and my mother-in-law does not like handmade items, I will be sitting this beauty on my desk for the month of May! My mother-in-law LOVES getting flowers, so we send her a bouquet for all major holidays. She is 80 years old, so she gets what she wants! {smile}
This 6" x 6" chipboard-wrapped home decor panel is so fun to make! If you would like to see more information, and see a tutorial for making a panel for yourself, check out the original tutorial HERE. The basic concept is the same for every panel, but by changing the size of paper strips and adding different images and sentiments, you get a NEW panel every time!
For this version, I I stayed simple, and just used the lovely paper and some pretty flowers to showcase the ephemera card.
I used a scallop rectangle die to cut around the edge of the ephemera card for some extra pizzazz. The Flawless Collection comes with a full page of ephemera cards to cut apart, plus a full sheet of cardstock die cuts!
If you want to make some pretty decor for your desk, here is a list of all the panels in the series. As you can see, there are more panels to come!
Valentine's Day - Love Notes Collection Spring - Dreamy Collection St. Patrick's Day - Dublin Collection Easter - Cottontail Collection Mother's Day - Flawless Collection Summer Father's Day 4th of July Autumn Back to School Halloween - Twilight Collection Thanksgiving - Gracious Collection (original tutorial) Christmas - Nostalgia Collection
IMPORTANT INFO: I do have some very sad news to tell you. At the end of this month (May) I will be stepping down from the Authentique team. I will share one last project near the end of the month. I am not sure if this change will be permanent or just temporary. Authentique will be adding some new talent to the team in the coming weeks! Make sure you stop by the Authentique blog and say hello!
You may have noticed that I explained on a few other posts that I am needing to focus on some home/life things, plus I am feeling the desire to perhaps go in a different direction with my crafting and with my blog content. As of June 1st I will have stepped down from all my teams, with the exception of Power Poppy. Since one of the things I want to focus on is my coloring art, I will still be coloring and posting things to the blog, but it will be a bit different and a bit more spare for a little while. I hope you stay with me through this season!
Authentique Supplies Used: Flawless Collection: 12x12 paper Additional Supplies Used: Cardstock: WorldWin Midnight Trims: ruffle ribbon, sheer ribbon (from my stash) Chipboard: Grafix Paper flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts, Prima Dies: My Favorite Things stitched scalloped rectangles Adhesive: Scor-tape, ATG tape, hot glue
I have been waiting for Graphic 45 to come out with another country collection, and they hit a home run with the NEW Farmhouse Collection! It is just beautiful and so very farm-ish! {smile} Granted, I have zero reasons to need a farm themed collection, other than I love farmhouse style and decor! We just repainted our kitchen cabinets so that I can switch from the late 1990's Tuscan/Mediterranean style that came with our house to a more modern farmhouse style! Every time I come into the new space, it is FLOODED with light and seems so much larger and happier!
The dark cherry stained cabinets were faded and many were damaged. The kitchen is over 18 years old, and after years of wear and tear, they needed an update. The cabinets have been painted a creamy white and farmhouse style knobs and pulls were added. I am getting started on the decor. (One rooster painting...check!) We have plans for new stools and a new kitchen dining set. I will share a full post of the renovation once I have it all decorated, which will probably not happen until after the COVID-19 shut-down! I need to shop in PERSON! Now, on to the real post...the Farmhouse album!
This album is a bit of a copy cat from an album I made a few years ago. The 8" x 8" size is so awesome, however you need a TON of paper to make it happen. I only attempt this size when I have loads of matching paper. (To see the original album, click HERE.) I hate even calling this a mini because it is so large! It is 8" x 8" x 2". The inside has four "stacked" pages! There are lots of pockets and flips and pull-outs! Such a large mini requires a lot of cardstock and decorative paper! I used one 25-pack of black cardstock and one half of a 25-pack of ivory cardstock (for photo mats)! For the decorative paper I used: 12x12 Farmhouse, 12x12 Farmhouse Patterns and Solids, 8x8 Farmhouse, 12x12 Domestic Goddess (a few sheets), 12x12 Home Sweet Home (soon to be available in a Deluxe Collector's Edition!), 8x8 Home Sweet Home, 6x6 Home Sweet Home Patterns and Solids, 12x12 French Country, 8x8 French Country, 6x6 French Country Patterns and Solids. I added in the extra papers so that the Farmhouse paper would "stretch." You can only get one full 8" x 8" section from each 12" x 12" paper, so you MUST plan well!
Here is a view of the spine. I constructed this album in the same way I do most of my made-from-scratch albums. For details on how to construct albums of this style, please search my blog or find your favorite designer who has YouTube videos. Note: The covers are 8" x 8" and the spine is 8" x 2". The inside pages are 7 3/4" x 7 3/4" and there are four hinges.
Cut the decorative paper to fit the front cover and the spine. Add a chipboard element to the spine.
Choose a Farmhouse ephemera card for the cover art. Decorate with flowers, charms, and other embellishments as desired.
Cut paper for the back cover and attach one of the Farmhouse die cuts to the bottom center of the back cover. You are now ready to add your pages. I cut the base pages from black cardstock, sized to 7 3/4" x 7 3/4". For each hinge, I cut TWO base pages, gluing them together with the hinge sandwiched between. I only glued around three edges so that each page could have a side pocket. (The video linked below will show how the side pockets work.)
I attached the pages to the hinges, making 4 pages, 8 sides. Each page may have a pocket, flip up, or pull out portion. (See below.)
The inside front cover contains a large pocket, 4" x 8". Page 1 also has a pocket, sized 3" x 7 3/4".
I love having a nice, deep pocket for the inside front cover so I can add a lot of photo mats or memorabilia.
I created various sized photo mats and also used G45 regular and square tags. I mixed and matched the papers and all the embellishments. To make things easier, I also used the G45 Tag Dies to cut the paper for the tags.
Page 1 has a side pull-out mat that measures 6 3/4" x 6 3/4". All of the side pull-outs are the same size. The page has a pocket holding photo mats, tags, and photo cards that are perfect for the 4" x 3" ephemera cards. I also added a photo mat above the pocket. (To view the interactive pages, check out the video attached below!)
Here is a view of Pages 2 and 3. I used ivory photo mats throughout the album.
Page 2 has a side flip-out, 4" wide. When creating the flaps, add a 1/2" scored tab to the side that attaches to the base page. Simply cut the cardstock 1/2" longer or wider than your required measurement, score at 1/2" from the edge to create the tab. A 4" x 6" photo will fit the photo mat on the base page.
Page 3 has a top flip-up with a large pocket hidden underneath. The top flap measures 6 1/4" x 7 3/4". The pocket is 3" x 7 3/4". There is plenty of room for photo mats and photo cards. I used all different styles of photo mat - circles, squares, and rectangles. This will make it easy to add tons of photos!
Pages 4 and 5. Page 4 has a side side pull-out mat, plus a divided page flip-out. Each of the flip-outs has a pocket. Page 5 has a triple flip-up and a side side pull-out photo mat
The side flip pages are 3 3/4" x 6 1/2" (plus a 1/2" score on the right edges to make the attachment tabs). The little pockets are 3 3/4" x 2 1/2" and hold ATC tags and 4" x 3" photo cards.
The flaps open to revel space for photos.
Page 5 has a side pocket and a pull-out photo mat, plus a triple flip up/down area for more photos.
Note: I made a mistake with this section by gluing the chipboard chicken sign off center! I had to improvise the center flip area to make the chipboard look centered.
The flaps fit 4" x 6" photos, ephemera cards, or decorative paper.
You can see that my center panel is cut wider to fix the chicken issue!
Pages 6 and 7. Page 6 has a side flip-out containing a pocket. The little pocket is 2 1/2" x 4". The page has a large pocket (3" x 7 3/4") to hold all sorts of things! Page 7 has a top flip-up and a bottom flip-up!
The pocket for Page 6 holds lots of photo mats and little 4" x 3" photo books.
The flaps for Page 7 are 4 1/2" x 7 3/4", plus you need to add the 1/2" tab to attach them to the base page. Once both flaps are open, you can see the large mat on the base page.
Page 8 contains a side side pull-out mat and a fun waterfall element, with a hidden pocket! I have created many waterfall pages, here is one example to help you make yours. For the Farmhouse waterfall, I made the pages all different sizes, rather than making them all the same.
The inside back cover contains a large pocket, the same measurements as the front cover pocket.
More photo mats, tags, and photo cards!
Check out all the interactive elements by watching this video!
I hope you enjoyed the "show-off" video of all the pages!
Thanks for joining me today!
Graphic 45 Supplies: Farmhouse 12x12 Collection Pack (with stickers) Farmhouse 8x8 Pad Farmhouse 12x12 Patterns and Solids Pad Farmhouse Chipboard Farmhouse Ephemera and Journaling Cards Farmhouse Die Cut Assortment Selected items from these retired collections: Home Sweet Home 12x12 Pad (soon to be a DCE) Home Sweet Home 8x8 Pad Home Sweet Home 6x6 Patterns and Solids Pad French Country 12x12 Pad French Country 8x8 Pad French Country 6x6 Patterns and Solids Pad French Country Banners Domestic Goddess 12x12 Pad Other Supplies: Cardstock: WorldWin Midnight, Natural Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts, Prima Mini brads: stash Mini clothes pins: Canvas Corp Charm: unknown Magnets: Basic Grey magnetic discs Dies: various for photo mats Tools: Kadomaru Pro corner rounder, Stampin' Up circle punches Adhesive: ATG double-sided tape, 3M foam tape, Scor-tape, Blick Essentials glue
If you are looking for the Graphic 45 Raining Cats and Dogs Mini Album project, please click HERE.
Happy Friday, Colorists and Card Makers! The Power PoppyTeam is here with another Friday Fun Day! In other FUN news, the Bloom Brigade and the Instant Gardeners are now one BIG team called THE POWERHOUSE! How cool is that! We will be reintroducing ourselves with some fanfare as soon as we can! Stay tuned! Here is my Fun Friday project!
I confess that I have had this Well Hello Dahlia digital image in my stash for a long time and never printed and colored it. Then, a few months ago, I colored it...and lost it! I found the image the other day in a stack of this and that, but it had a stain on it! {Coffee or chocolate perhaps?!} I ended up fussy cutting around the edge in order to save it! The card is a standard A2 size (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") made of black cardstock.
I colored the image with Copics, but did not keep a list, or if I did, I cannot find it! {I know, I am getting very sloppy with the blog content!} Please note that this digital stamp set contains FIVE images and is on SALE for a measly $2.99 right now! I fussy cut around the image and then used foam tape to pop it off the card. The sentiment is from the Farmer's Market clear set (SOLD OUT).
The background is an embossing folder that I sponged with various blue Distress Inks. The embossing folder is a Tim Holtz folder called Ink Splats. I have had this in my stash for AGES and I am not sure I've ever used it! Shocking! I am frankly sick of buying things, only to never have time to use them, then buying more NEW things! I've realized that not only is it a waste of my family resources to do that, but that I am DROWNING in stuff! I have all this cool stuff that I never have a chance to share with you! I am going to be taking some time to sort, purge, donate, and sell some of this excess! Stay tuned!
I love the little bit of dimension that the embossing and the raised image give the card. Simple, but not too plain! I am learning to embrace simple! Well, a little hug perhaps, not a full embrace! {giggle}
I tied on a little white twine to finish off the card. I think it's so bright and fresh looking!
FOR MORE INSPIRATION
Please visit the Power Poppy Blog to see all the other projects from the team!
One of my favorite assignments for Graphic 45 is to upcycle one of the #ClubG45 projects! Each month a few of us are asked to take a past club instruction sheet and put our own spin on it! It is such fun to NOT have to invent my own base project, but to take something designed by one of the wonderful special project designers and...spin it!
I chose the beautiful Le’ Romantique Tag and Pocket Keepsake Album designed by Annette Green. View the original video tutorial HERE. I always love Annette’s work, and since our styles are very similar it was easy to take her project and put my own twist on it!
Note: I actually used the original released collection. You can make my version of the project by substituting the DCE, but you will need at least TWO of the DCE collection packs. For any items found only in the original collection, you can substitute similar items from the DCE instead.
Besides needing two of the Raining Cats and Dogs DCE, you will need:
Tip: I highly recommend you remove one of each of the ephemera and cut apart sheets and cut those apart prior to beginning the project. There are three cut apart sheets in the Raining Cats and Dogs DEC (Four-legged Friend, Well Bred, Animal House). Set the cut aparts aside to use in the project. I also recommend that you save two Signature sheets as you will need a portion to fussy cut. Save one sheet of pet postage (Mr. Whiskers) and one sheet of the flowers (Cat’s Meow), also for fussy cutting
Follow the rest of the supply list from the original tutorial, linked above.
Tip: Using the original set of directions, label each of the papers from the original project with a number. For example, every time the original directions tell you to cut Le’ Romantique “Sending Flowers” paper, replace that with “pattern number 1.” Then label the Raining Cats and Dogs papers with numbers. Every time you see a “pattern number 1” in your directions, choose the Raining Cats and Dogs paper that you have labeled “pattern number 1.”
Following the tutorial directions, I added paper to the outside covers of my album.
Tip: I chose to remove the metal label holder from the spine of the album. To do this, use a pair of pliers to GENTLY pry the holder from the spine. You have to be strong and gentle to accomplish this! Don’t worry if there is a little damage, because you are going to cover the album with paper.
I added some chipboard and punch out elements, tied with twine to the spine, just as described in the instruction sheet.
For my cover, I chose elements from the paper collection that were similar to what the directions called for, but since the paper collections are very different, I just chose what seemed the best for my theme - an album about my cats!
I used a regular tag, placed upside down as a mat for my main image. I fussy cut a lot of flowers from the “Cat’s Meow” paper, and then I added some chipboard elements, too.
I used foam tape to pop up some of the fussy cut pieces. Since the project requires so much paper, I wanted to keep the extra supplies to a minimum. I think using the paper collection in various ways is a lot of fun! Fussy cutting is a great way to add lots of dimension and interest to a project.
Tip: I use a pair of sharp, pointed scissors to do my fussy cutting. Don’t worry about cutting everything perfectly! Once everything is glued into place, no one will notice if your cutting is not ultra-precise! You can run the tip of a marker around the edges of your shapes to hide any imperfections.
I followed the directions to make a pocket for the inside front cover.
I placed two tags into the pocket, a square and a regular size.
Tip: I used the Tag Dies to cut paper for all the tags in the album, except for the square tags. I had an older style of square tag and the die does not cut the paper the correct size for these older tags. I simply cut paper to fit the middle part of the tag, and rounded the corners of the paper. You can do this with ALL the tags in the project if you do not have access to the tag dies.
I followed the original directions to cut the paper for the right and left hand pages, pockets, and above pockets pieces. I did not cut any of the borders or other decorative strips ahead of time. I also did not add any of the hinged or scored pages described in the instructions, so you can skip those.
I chose to “upcycle” my project by adding ivory photo mats to the pages and tags. Many folks complain that, while they love the LOOK of mini albums, they can never understand where to place their photos! I think it is important to add photo mats to mini albums, especially those given as gifts.
Tip: Since I used the tag dies, I did not use the measurements to cut the paper for the tags. I decorate both sides of my tags, so I cut two pieces of paper for each tag.
I used the original directions loosely for ideas on how to decorate each page.
This album has 36 pages! I did not photograph each page. To see every page of my album, view the video linked below.
Tip: Make sure you pay attention to the directional papers! You don’t want to end up with papers cut sideways or upside down!
Page 1. I used a portion of two of the Signature sheets to create this pop-up element for page one. I fussy cut the kittens from the second sheet and popped them up! It is easy to slip a photo behind the popped up images.
Tip: Another way I “upcycled” the original project was to add paper strips to the gutters between pages. I felt there was too much white space between each page set, so I cut some paper strips to add to those gutters. In this way I was also able to cover a bit of damage that happened when I removed the metal label from the spine of the album.
Page 3. Each pocket page of the album also has a side pocket! I created a large photo mat for each of these pockets. Each photo mat is 7” x 5” and has rounded corners. I cut these from ivory cardstock. I added printed paper to BOTH sides of the photo mat, cut to 6 ⅞” x 4 ⅞”, also with rounded corners. I added a little decorative circle to the edge of each photo mat, making them easy to pull out.
Pages 8 and 9. As you can see, I added photo mats throughout the album. I have used portrait and landscape mats, as well as circular mats!
Pages 14-15. I also added some square photo mats. Each pocket also contains tags or other items. This album has a lot of pages, and lots of room for photos and memorabilia! I decorated with all the various stickers, chipboard, and cut aparts. (Since I also had the full original collection you will see banners, plus tags and pockets.)
Pages 18-19. Some pages have a large photo mat to fit 7” x 5” photos. Every “tuck spot” allows for a photo to be slid under it.
Pages 24-25. I also combined different styles of photo mats, and even added a few frames.
Pages 30-31. The chipboard is so amazing to use to decorate the pages! For most of the chipboard pieces, I tied on a bit of black twine.
Pages 34-35. Remember, to see EVERY page, view the video linked below!
I followed the original directions to make a pocket for the inside back cover.
I used a regular tag and a large tag for this pocket. I did cut a little off the bottom of the large tag to make it fit!
To see a full walk through, visit the YouTube video below.
Thanks for watching!
I hope you are inspired to create your own version of one of the #ClubG45 projects! Edited to add: I totally forgot to share a photo of my cats! How silly of me!
The big guy is Milo, who is 18 pounds and nearly 8 years old. The little one is Molly who is 6 pounds, about 5 years old. They were both rescue kittens from the pound, and they were both quite sick when we got them. But, as you see, both are looking great now! They are not siblings, but they sure act like it!
