Journey Gift Bag Album

Tried a bit of a twist this time on a paper bag album--instead of the brown paper bags, this one uses two medium size gift bags with handles in a natural color.  The bags are folded in half and the two bags are glued together forming a pocket in the middle AND still have the ususal paper bag opening on each side. Staying in the vintage theme of things, I started with a great two-sided paper in a vintage travel scene.  I added a stamped compass in the middle and heat embossed it to create a shiny, slightly raised image.  The images on the paper of the key, clock, bicycle, and butterflies are all rub-ons (my favorite way to embellish, btw!)  Other cool embellishments came from various monthly kits from my friends over at Swirlydoos.com--they really find the greatest "extras"! Love the Paris postmark wood die-cut, vintage brads, and the black key! The title letters were inked and coated with "Glossy Accents" to make them "stand out".

 Inside page layout

 Mini-Tag Album for the inside pocket

Inside page w/pocket

                                                                             
I tried to make the "Jouney Album" look like a vintage suitcase and was quite happy with the result!  TFL!
                                                                                                                

Le Romantique Paper Bag Album

One of my all time favorite scrapbook paper collections is the "Le Romantique" collection from graphic 45.  It's vintage wedding collection is perfectly done is hues of pinks, golds, & ivory with romantic touches of butterflies, flowers, lace, and gorgeous vintage images.  Using larger paperbags gives finished pages of approximately 6-1/2" x 10 1/2 "--room not only for your photos & journaling, but lots of spaces for gorgeous embellishments.





  For the inside pages, I used my usual combination of pockets & tags for even more photos & journaling.  I love to distress the edges, it not only softens the edges, but also adds to the vintage appeal.  I also accented the butterflies with glossy accents to give them dimension and used "Rock Candy" Stickles for the flower centers and leaves to create a glamerous look and feel.

Vertical Pocket & Tag





My Favorite Page





closeup of front detail



Friends of the "B & B" Mini-Album

Mini Albums are a great way to commemorate a special event or trip or even just a special group of friends.  A group of friends with a commonality of interests, vintage scrapping style, and genuine friendship got together at our favorite scrap booking website, scrapbook.com.  We've formed a little group called "Friends of the B & B and as a memento, we've each made a mini-album about ourselves and each other.  My special friend, Kat, designed our "house" and the vintage pictures of each of us.  We each made six pages of our self, then they were "swapped" out so that in the end, all six of us has a complete set.  Although we each love vintage, each person adds their own  touches that make theirs' unique.  Here is just a peek into our "special place".

Mariposa Paper Bag Album




Front Cover

 

 


Inside Pages





Removeable Tag



My sister-in-law loves flowers and rich colors like red and gold.  I crafted this paperbag album for her as a surprise birthday gift.  I used a little bit larger paper bag to allow for lots of pictures, journaling and deep pockets for all the "extras".  She loved it!!  I chose the gorgeous Mariposa richly embellised paper line from DCWV for this special gift.  Hard to go wrong when you start with quality basics.  My focus whenever I create is to compliment a photo or patterned paper, not to overwhelm my pages or layouts with embellishments.    
 





Another little trick: Instead of tossing those scraps into box for "another day", use those scraps  right away for a card or to decorate a gift bag or tag, keeps those scraps down to a minimum.

Cards From Scraps

Marie Antoinette Shoe

Recently tried making a paper shoe--really out of my comfort zone! My friend, Martica, was hosting one of her fabulous swaps, so I gave it a try.  Love the result, but definitely not the process!  The cameo on the top was either my grandmother's or great aunt's, which I repurposed as the focal point of the "shoe".  The black lace really gave it an elegant look.

Vintage Graphic 45

This is my first successful "truely vintage look" layouts.  Of course, working with the gorgeous Graphic 45 patterend papers make it difficult NOT to create a work of art!  The little ladybugs are vintage buttons from one of my favorite dresses as a little girl.  I am so glad to preserve this little bit of my childhood favorites.