beginning of

a new mini album.

many months ago i picked up a few pieces of the Making Memories love collection....it was just before valentines day. i had loved it when i saw it, but only thought of using it for some lovey-dovey page. that is not me. then i saw how they looked in a mini-album Roslyn had put together. i could not resist. i figured it was smart to pick some up, and then work on how to use them. or get Roslyn to make a matching album for me. either way it seemed like a smart plan.

and then i saw this chipboard album. made by an australian company Buzz and Bloom.

and i thought of the valentine papers.

and sparks flew.

and this is the beginning of my very first lovey-dovey album. full of hearts.

i have covered all of the chipboard. which looks awesome. but a stinking amount of work! i am relieved that the store had just brought in a supply of basic grey precision files. they were a life saver in those little areas.

for the cover:
i cut out a hambly overlay and used cranberry alcohol ink on the back. i saw an album that ali edwards had done at the "Inspired Event" and she just used the ink to make polka dots. so i started that. and didn't like it. then i spread the ink all over and didn't like that either. then i added some of the blending solution, spread that around and lightened the ink. hmmm.... then i added more drops of the blending solution and let it spread on its own. i liked that! i even added a few more drops of the red and let them spread a bit. they looked like polka dots gone wrong.

and a huge brainwave just as i was adhering everything. i had a couple Heidi Swapp chandelier pieced left over from the goodie box event, so i installed one in the open heart tab. (and i say "installed" because that is what it felt like. it is a tiny strip of chipboard and i knew my hole punches were too large. so i used a needle to poke a hole and enlarge it a bit so that the jump ring would fit. and then held the jump ring with pliers while i pushed it through the tiny hole. hence the "installation". try it and you'll understand. trust me.)

and the rest is just paper (used my edge distresser...well one of them!). and pigment inks. and corner rounder. and ribbon. and rub-ons. and velvet AC thickers. and prima flower with brad. and pop dots. and the finshing touch....a MM heart clip.

the remainder of the pages are not done. i need to select or get some photos of us. and then the inner pages will be quite simple. maybe continue the 1 Corinthians 13 theme. or some quotes.

i'll share when i'm done.

i love that the company didn't pre-drill holes either. it gives me more options for the binding. right now i'm thinking one or two holes with binder rings and ribbon. but that might change. any suggestions?


take the time to visit Buzz and Bloom and see their other chipboard albums.

they even have one with dinosaurs. i think it would look cool with Basic Greys Archaic line. but that is just me.

so many to choose from....

i even found a few other ideas i could have used. like this. or that.