Weekend Creative : Mixed-Up Mini
Do you have bits and pieces left over from other projects that you don't know what to do with?
My guess is that you probably do.
This weekend the goal is to use stuff you may already have on hand: bits and pieces of minibook pages and other good stuff. It's a great opportunity to use up some of those supplies that have been waiting for a creative home.
Here's a look at all the stuff before putting it all inside the album:
When I am telling stories with minibooks I don't always use all the pages that come in the package. I use as many as I need to tell my story: sometimes there are too many pages + sometimes not enough. I began to notice a collection of mis-matched minibook pages and larger chipboard pieces piling up (and you know how I feel about my piles) and started thinking of ways I could use them.
Sometimes I use the leftover pieces on layouts such as this (featured in Life Artist):
[ chipboard tabbed pieces from Fancy Pants, white pen from Sharpie ]
But most of the time they just sit in a pile or in a basket. And that's not very creative.
Today we are celebrating mixed-up stuff and layers of pages.
The concept is simple: grab a bunch of pieces from minibooks or other scraps from your collection of stuff and bring them all together in one album. It's a super simple process of punching holes (and/or trimming off current holes + punching new ones to fit the current album) and trimming certain pages to fit within the covers.
My front and back covers are thick acrylic file folders from D Reeves Design House.
Take a peek inside:
I am thinking my album may be a book about purpose.
Remember that frame from Tuesday's Three Things post?
[ sheet of Grungeboard from Tim Holtz ]
[ circle page designed by my friend Loni + printed on a Silhouette ]
[ white grid page from Scenic Route minibook ]
[ Scenic Route chipboard people ]
File folders that were stitched together. I trimmed one page all the way down to less than an inch to create a space for the holes to be punched.
Don't forget about pieces from transparent albums [ Clear Scraps scallop album page ].
[ Fancy Pants large chipboard tab page ]
[ black tabbed piece from Scenic Route ]
[ the back of a 7gypsies chipboard album ]
[ Cosmo Cricket black scallop album ]
And you can always cut pieces of transparency or thick patterned paper to fit as well [ patterned transparency from Hambly ].
I will probably paint the chipboard pieces once I figure out a specific concept for this album. Maybe I will paint them all white? Most likely it will be something neutral...or maybe not. Maybe it is time to get a bit riskier and move away from white, cream, and brown?
What story will you tell in this mini? What is one you have been waiting for?
I am thinking this concept would make a cool foundation for a travel album/journal for documenting a trip, or it could definitely work as a start for a December Daily if you are thinking about doing one of those for the holidays this year.
Have fun and use up some of those things you already have on hand. The perfect time is now.
Oh my goodness! I love the photo of Simon! He's growing up and that photo makes him look like such a little man...too cute.
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LOVE this idea!!!! I am going to find my scraps and get my december daily all ready to go for this coming Christmas! LOVE it!!!
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Hi Ali! I just love your blog!! The inspiration is endless. I love this idea! What if you pulled your colors from the "Find Your Purpose" card at the front? I think the shot of orange would really make it special.
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As usual you never cease to amaze with your creativity!!!!!!!!!!!! Love this idea. Must give it a try.
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Go Green, Girl!!! Paint those pieces green to match that really cool circle page(very drool-worthy) and then make the book about recycling. It works on soooo many levels! LOL! :D
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this is a really cool idea. i have lots of bits and pieces i can use. thanks for another brilliant project.
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THIS, is a fantastic idea, thanks!
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this came at a great time, I'm having a class on using your scraps on Saturday and this would be a perfect addition to the examples I have. Thanks!
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I am LOVING this idea. I am so into mini books and unmatched items right now, so this is wonderful inspiration for me!
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Ali - I love this idea. It was also rattling around in my head too. I can't wait to start. Mine will be titled "WORDS" and contain quotes and sayings I really like. I will also add some pics of family and friends that go along with those. Cool Book.
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Love this -- of course I do!
Question -- you mention getting "risky" and moving away from your stock colors... how do you know when you are limiting choices because you are falling into and embracing your style, vs. falling into a rut? When do you know to branch out (risk) and when to stay with what you love and what feels good?
Something I struggle with...
xoxox
Lain
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Ali,
Once again you rock!
Blessings.
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Love the idea of making this NOW to use as a December Daily. Once the business of the holidays roll around it would be nice to already have the book finished & just waiting for photos/journaling.
Have a great weekend! :-)
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Man, you're clever...
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Yes! Make the December Daily now so it will be all ready to go when the whirlwind called "The Holidays" sweep into our lives! It rubs againt the procrastinator in me, but I'm gunna go for it.
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fab idea! think I'll include this in my NSD makings.
Have a great weekend!
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I like this idea a lot. It brings us back to the original notion of scrapbooking- using what's on hand. I think it'll be fun!
Thanks again for the inspiration.
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Oh goodness, this is idea is genius! I love your concept of using up leftover scraps and such...thank you for the fabulous inspiration and have a great day! :)
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this looks cool ali.
i love when emily does this! its my most favorite thing i have learned from her.
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this is way cool and a wonderful GREEN idea!!! thanks for the "challenge" and inspiration...
i just completed a LO using bits and pieces of scraps and embellishments to dress up each beginning letter of each of my words...and it gave me such a satisfied feel, using some of these bits and pieces.
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Great Idea! I love it!
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I love this idea! And, I would totally paint the chipboard stuff red or a pretty sage green for summer/spring!
Do you mind if I ask what you do with all your little mini albums. I am always thinking that they would be fun, but I never know if I would look at them again, and I am on the clutter-fear bandwagon, in theory anyway.
I know that you have said that you have them for Simon to look at, but I wondered if you used them for anything else as well. Or, do you find that they are ever close to the clutter category?
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Thanks for the inspiration!!! I actually wrote down some ideas, in my idea book, this a morning about what I plan to work on this weekend. This has given me a better idea of how I can do my mini album!!!!
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Ali, thank you for this great example of using what you already have. I have so much extra stuff that just sits in drawers. With the prices of everything going up these days - I need to use what I already have. Seeing your ideas reminds me that I have so much that I can still do things with and that I don't need all new product for a new project. To just see... A pen tested page... Perfection... Love it !!! Thanks...¥
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i actually have a few things sitting on my desk that i want to use for a mini. since u posted this maybe i will actually get it done!
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