Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #252 - Green

Hello dear visitors and welcome to my blog.
A special welcome to my new followers.  Thank you so much for joining me.

Another Challenge is starting at Crafty Cardmakers.  Chanya is our host and, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, the Theme is Green!  As always, you may create whatever you wish and, although your project does not have to be for St. Patrick's Day, it must follow the green Theme.

For my project, I have created a Notebook Holder or Folder .. not sure what to call it.

 I found the basic design for this Folder on a You Tube Channel called Burlap and Daily Bread run by a lady named Kristi.  She has a set of three videos that she calls a Folder Journal Kit.  On these videos she shows the kits and explains how to create the Folder.  I simply took the basic Folder design and adapted it to suit my needs.   I will share the link to the videos at the end of my post.

The papers I used are from the Memory Lane 12 x 12 paper pad by Kaisercraft.  I had some scraps left over from another booklet (here) and simply layered them to cover the front and back of this folder.  Saved me cutting up whole sheets and being left with more scraps.  Trying to be more frugal with my papers so there is less waste.

  I inked all the edges with Ground Espresso Distress Ink and, to embellish the front, I added a piece of gauze and a die cut flourish by Altenew.  The flower is by Little Birdie and the quote tag is from the same Kaisercraft paper collection.

This notebook will be used to record any info I may need for different crafting projects.  It will come in handy when I'm away from home crafting with friends.
On the inside front cover there is a pocket in which I have placed a few useful items.

A small note pad to record the things I need to get and take with me.

I simply cut a few pages to size and stapled them together.

A pocket folder to hold die cuts, chippies and other small and delicate items.

For our next craft session, I have included a sheet of paper which has a template of this particular Notebook holder.  I will need that as my friend also wishes to make one of these Folders.
If anyone is interested, please feel free to use this.  Solid lines are cut lines and broken lines are fold lines.  I might actually do a step by step on this booklet but, if you watch the video, you will see how easily it's constructed.

 On the inside back cover is another pocket.

Popped a few tags and bits of ephemera in this pocket.

To hold the notebook I simply tied a piece of clear elastic around the folder.  This way it is super easy to replace the notebook once it's full.

 Here is the cover with the notebook removed.

The back cover was left plain (makes it easier for writing as there is no bulk at the back) and I used seam binding for the closure.

A very simple little booklet but, I think it will be very useful and, it's a little prettier than just a plain old note pad.

Do pop on over to the CCM blog and check out the fabulous creations by the rest of the Team.  Would love to have you join in.

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #252 - Green

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed seeing my project and I hope you will also pop over and take a look at Kristi's Channel.  Here is the link to the first video for this particular booklet but she also has a lot of other videos and projects to enjoy.

Have a wonderful day!
Take care and God Bless.
oxox Marg

My First Envelope Mini

Hello dear visitors and welcome to my blog.  Hope you are having a lovely day.

I have to warn you, this is a huge post as I am sharing a Mini Album I made just recently.
I watched a video by Dawn Meadows where she created this little album.  (You can find her on  the BookVandal Shop You Tube Channel).  I loved her album so  much, I had to make one for myself .  This mini uses 3 large envelopes + 1 small envelope.
This is my very first envelope mini.  Have seen plenty on the net that I loved but never had the right size envelope to make them and so never really bothered.  When I saw this one though, I got the bug and as, again, I didn't have the right type of envelopes, I actually had to make them as well.  I won't actually show you how to make this album as I think Dawn's video does that better than I ever could.

The finished album measures 7.75" x 5.5" and the papers I've used to decorate this Album is from a 12 x 12 pad called Memory Lane by Kaisercraft.

There's not a lot of embellishment on the front.   Just a piece of lace and a small collage.  I think the papers are pretty enough that they don't need covering up.

This album actually opens two ways.  The first opening is from left to right and reveals a pocket (on the left) and a notebook (on the right).  I will show the second opening later in the post.

There is a large tag inside the pocket.  

I attached a small piece of lace at the side and added some washi tape, book paper, a digital image by Ephemera's Vintage Garden and a gorgeous handmade seal made by Lizzy Hill. 

Lizzy is one of the crafty friends I exchange Christmas cards with and we usually include a small crafty gift as well.  I sent her a set of wildflower diecuts and she sent me a set of lovely little seals she had made.  I absolutely adore them and was so pleased I could incorporate one into this little album.

A small collage and a piece of lace decorate the front of the note book.

Used my fave stencils and added some stamping on the inside, but I've left the pages relatively bare as they are, mainly, to be used for journaling ..

.. although I have also added a few bits of lace and strips of washi tape.

The booklet is sewn into the main journal using pamphlet stitch.

A little stamping on the back of the note book as well as a small butterfly plate.

 Behind the notebook is another page with a flip out pocket (made with the smaller envelope) attached to the side.

Inside the pocket is a small tag.  The back of the tag is left blank for more journaling or you could add a photo.

That completes the left side opening of the album.
The second way to open the album is from right to left and this reveals a large pocket on the left and a simply decorated page on the right.

This flower is attached to an altered paper clip which can be moved to any other part of the book.

Inside the pocket is a simple, folded card ..

.. which could be used for photos, ephemera or journaling.

And, finally, the back of the album which also has a pocket ..

.. and a tag ..

.. with a little tuck spot on the back.

A final look at the front ..

Yayy!!  You managed to stick it out to the end.   Doing a little happy dance here!! LOL!!

I had such fun creating this album.  I do hope you will pop over to You Tube and take a look at Dawn's videos.  She has so many interesting albums, etc., and her tutorials are excellent!

I did say at the beginning of this post that I made this album for myself but, I ended up gifting it to a friend.  So now, of course, I am making another one.  The album I just shared was made pretty much as Dawn showed it but the new one will have some innovations of my own.  Hope you will come back to take a look at that one when it's finished.

I am entering this album into the Mini Album Makers Challenge for February

Thank you so much for stopping by and for the lovely comments you leave me.  I appreciate it very much.

Have a wonderful day!
Take care and God Bless.