Kindergarten 2 by jltanner

I fell in LOVE with the comic book, whimsical feel of this page…again using Hopscotch and the School additions.  And really, that cute face and sweet smile…doesn’t it melt your heart?  I can just picture my baby boy there in a few short years…back pack and all with a little buddy by his side.  Such a great page, simple yet really bold…great job jltanner, hope you enjoy the gift certificate that Shabby Princess has emailed to you.

Well, that’s it for me today, enjoy your weekend but join us again next week for some more fun stuff.

Today I’m bringing the last installment of my Hybrid Product Picks series to you…a more “advanced level” spotlight for some of my favorite “toys”!  I am a gadget girl, no doubt.  My husband gasped at all of my kitchen gadgets when we met, wondering what in the world one person would do with them all.  What can I say, I love tools that make a job easier.  So, it was no surprise to him when I started collecting scrapbooking gadgets.  I don’t use all of them all the time, but when I need them, I am sure thankful that they are in my craft room.

I loves me some punches!  I have LOTS of punches…and they are probably some of my most frequently used scrapbooking tools.  They are quick, easy and can pack a pretty serious punch when layered or used creatively.  I have tried several brands, but hands down my favorite are E.K. Success.  They make all of Stampin’ Up!’s shaped punches, along with Martha Stewart’s line, as well as many basic shapes that can be stacked or nested.

Another tool that I use all the time, is my Scor Pal.  I used a stylus and the groove in my mini Fiskar’s trimmer for many moons, until I got my Scor Pal, and I just LOVE it.  However, Martha Stewart has come out with her own version, called the Score Board…and I must say, I wish I had it instead.  There are a few big differences, in that the MS one has grooves at regular (and small) intervals…where the Scor Pal only has them every half inch (and a few others thrown in at commonly used measurements).  The other being the width of the scoring tool.  The MS tool is thinner and gives a more crisp score (or so I’ve seen demonstrated in a comparison).  Either way, a dedicated scoring board is a must on my list.

My go-to (small) scissors are Stampin’ Up!’s Paper Snips.  They are compact, super sharp and do a GREAT job cutting out intricate shapes that must be trimmed by hand.  I love them!  For punching holes and setting eyelets, a girl’s gotta have a Crop-A-Dile…a pink one at that!  It is something I use regularly, and does its job so well.  I also have the Making Memories eyelet setting tool, and use it when I need to punch holes or set eyelets somewhere that my Crop-A-Dile  can’t reach.  If you’re a crazy nut like some I know…you might also have the Crop-A-Dile Big Bite, which will do the job of it’s little sister, but will reach anywhere on a 12×12 piece of paper.

Another tool that I don’t use all that often, but I just LOVE, is my Bind-it-All.  It was one of the first book binding tools on the market a few years ago, and I just HAD to have it.  There are several similar products on the market, including the 7 Gypsies Binderie (drills uniform holes but doesn’t bind) and the We R Memory Keepers Cinch (haven’t used either of them) that do basically the same thing.  The Bind-it-All will punch holes in paper, chipboard, acrylic, tin, etc…and them bind all of the pages together using O-wire coils.  I have used my BIA for making minis and several other projects…and I always have fun using it and embellishing the coils with ribbon…aaahhhhhh…ribbon….

Saving the BEST for last…my die cutting machines!  What can I say other than I am obsessed.  It must have something to do with my perfectionist tendencies, but I go NUTS for the perfectly clean crisp shapes of die cuts.  Something that I just cannot achieve with my unsightly mediocre hand cutting skillz.  I bought my Big Shot a couple years back and have used it SO much.  The dies themself are an investment, but well worth it for the right ones.  I just adore that I can cut chipboard shapes with one little crank of the handle…so great!  BUT……my absolute, without-a-doubt, hands down most favorite machine of all has got to be my Cricut Expression.  Yes, I know, they have just introduced the Cricut Imagine (which prints and cuts all in one machine…for an astounding $600)…but I have found a way to use my own Cricut and some add on software to print and cut anything I want to.  Besides, I have found my “sweet spot” setttings for my beloved Epson printer…I don’t want to have to figure anything out again. 

I started using Sure Cuts a Lot software a few months back.  It is a software program that will allow the Cricut machines to cut any font or .svg file (scalable vector graphic) instead of being stuck with buying the really expensive cartridges.  I don’t like being limited to what comes on the cartridges, and I don’t like paying for lots of graphics I will never use, just to get a few that I would.  Just this past week I purchased a different software that will do the same thing, called Make the Cut.  I like it soooo much better…a more user friendly interface…more crisp and detailed cuts (not sure why that is)…and lots more functions than SCAL.  I will probably still use SCAL on occasion, or maybe not…I just might be converted.  One thing stays the same, I use my Cricut ALL THE TIME…whether I’m just tinkering or making cards, or a hybrid project, it gets a regular workout.

I know, I know…I have totally sounded like a paper scrapper, but trust me, I have only done ONE paper scrapbook, my first and last.  Digiscrapping is certainly my idea of scrapping.  But I just adore paper CRAFTING, and there is simply no denying that cutting paper is therapy…when you’re stressed out, just go punch some paper or die cut some chipboard…you’ll feel lots better…LOL!

I hope you’ve enjoyed a “look” into my craft room (thank God not literally…I’m SO not as brave as Trish) supplies, I hope you’ll use some of the these tools in your next hybrid project, they make my fun a lot MORE fun!  Join me back here tomorrow for my pick for the LOTW!

One of my absolute favorite things to use in hybrid projects is chipboard because it adds such depth and dimension.  I have been smitten with all of Maya Road’s products, but their chipboard shapes are really to die for!  Take a look at those cutie-patootie back to school shapes, wouldn’t they coordinate so well with the new Hopscotch School additions?  Chipboard is so versitile, it can be painted, stamped, embossed, covered with patterned paper, glittered, you get the drift.  Most always I use some distress ink to finish off a chipboard shape.  Inking the edges of chipboard and paper makes them pop and adds a real shabby feel to your projects or pages.  I use Tim Holtz Distress Ink line by Ranger, there are so many colors to choose from, but one of my favorites is Vintage Photo…love it!  Another of my favorite products by Ranger is Stickles, a glitter glue that gives a shimmer to just about anything.  Stickles also comes in a zillion  lots of colors, but if I had to choose just one, it would be Diamond.

I go a little nuts for flowers too.  I love the contrast of delicate flowers paired with the grunginess of distress inks.  I love all of Prima’s flowers, and I love to make my own paper flowers too, it is so much fun and the styles and techniques are endless.  However, one of my most favorite flowers to use are my own handmade crocheted flowers.  Nichole Heady had a great tutorial on how to make them here.  You might remember the Hybrid Recipe Box I made a while back featured a double layered crochet flower with a ribbon center.

Now, I am a GIRLY-GIRL, there is no doubt about that.  I love pink, any color pink, in fact it has always been my favorite color.  Orange is running a close second in the last few years, but pink still rules!  I also love sparkly things that shimmer and shine, like GLITTER!  Yes, I am a huge sucker for glitter…I like fine glitter, chunky glitter, glass glitter, any kind really.  SO, you know that the candy colored glitters in the cute little bottles of Doodlebug’s Sugar Coating are a MUST HAVE on my list.  I love to cover a chipboard letter in glitter and use it as a monogram to personalize things.

I love fabric.  I LOVE fabric.  Fabric does funny things to my heart…it goes pitter patter and feels all funny when I see beautiful fabric.  It is very much like how I feel when I see a great new scrapbooking kit or paper pack.  I love to sew and quilt and make lovely handmade things from fabric…and I love to use it in my hybrid projects too.  Fabric flower embellishments are a perfect way to use up scraps and they add such punch to a project.  The fabric featured below is Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey, one of my all time most favorite fabric designers…EVER! 

Another staple in my hybrid stash is ribbon…lots of ribbon in lots and lots of colors.  Grosgrain ribbon is sturdy, yet elegant and comes in just about any width imaginable.  Ribbon looks great stitched onto a page, tied around a box handle or looped into a flower shape.  A little ribbon can go a long way in adding texture and movement to your hybrid…sometimes even just a little goes a very long way.  I have bought ribbon from lots of places.  Recently, I discovered Trimweaver…I do not think I will ever buy grosgrain ribbon anywhere else.  The colors are gorgeous, and the look and feel of their ribbon is far superior to any I’ve seen.  Of course, there are lots of other wonderful ribbon retailers online (and locally, too) - be sure to Google some of them to find what best fits your needs!

There are so many ways to embellish your hybrid project, it is the most fun  part, I think…as it allows your creativity to fly free.  It can also be very frustrating if you are unsure of what you are doing or what products to use.  I hope that my insight and suggestions have been helpful.  Allow yourself to play with embellishments, trying different techniques and combinations of things,  go outside of your comfort zone… try something new.

Bounce is a very up-beat and whimsical kit, perfect for capturing little boy’s antics, summer fun, or spring time mud puddle frolics.  Here is my layout, a reminder of how fast my BABY is growing up, using a straw sippy cup and sitting on his knees.  He is all boy, and I’m looking forward to playing more with Bounce to capture all of his “little boy” moments.

We can’t wait to see what fun layouts you create with this vibrant kit, meanwhile, here’s what some that the team created with Bounce.

Thanks girls, and we hope you’ll post your layouts using Bounce in the gallery for all to admire!

Now, on with this post…it is no secret that I LOVE to create hybrid projects, some of them simple and some more elaborate.  However simple or involved the project is, I always count on some basic products to make the creation process easier and more efficient.  I’m going to share my tried and true favorites, some products that I would really be LOST without.  Now, there are so many products that I use regularly, it would be a really, really looong post if I included them all here, so I’m going to break them up in to “beginner, intermediate and advanced” categories and share a few at a time.

PLEASE NOTE - I did NOT ‘link’ all of these, simply because you can find them at so many different sites and stores – just GOOGLE them, or look at your local scrapbook/hobby/craft store :o)

First up is my Purple Cows 2-in-1 trimmer…I seriously have no idea what I would do without it.  It is model # 1040 and has a rotary blade with interchangable blades for perforating, straight cutting and wavy cuts.  I don’t use that side often, but occasionally I will use it for specific projects that require a perforation (like my son’s airplane boarding pass invitation) or a wavy trim.  Mostly, I use the guillotine side which cuts even the most hair-line thin cuts with a super crisp edge.  The guillotine blade is not actually sharp at all, so it is safe for even kids to be around…I love it.  But really, you’ll have to take it for a test run to believe how wonderful it is and see all of it’s potential.  Ask your local scrapbook store for a demo…you’ll be converted, I’m sure!

 

 The second most basic need you’ll have in any hybrid project are a variety of adhesives.  They are not “one size fits all” in that each type of project will likely require a specific adhesive.  This doesn’t mean you’ll have to break the bank to have every single one, there are several that will do more than one job, however, to get the optimal results, you’ll need to know which adhesives work best for your projects.

My “go-to” double sided tape is my handy ATG tape gun…I personally have the yellow 700 model as seen below, but I sell the slightly smaller red version that is also on the market.  They use the same refills and once you get over the initial investment of the gun itself, the refills are far more cost effective than most any other tape runner on the market.  I use my tape gun for making cards, mini albums, gift tags, etc…the list goes on and on. 

 

 Next up in the adhesive line up is my FAVORITE strong tape…the Scor-Tape.  It is very similar in it’s adhesive qualities to the red-backed Terifically Tacky tape, which I also love, but is easier to use because you can tear the Scor-Tape, where the Terifically Tacky tape has to be cut.  I use this tape on any project where I need a stronger more permanent bond, such as on paper boxes (like the Strawberry invitation boxes I made here) or to attach covers to mini albums where it would get a lot of wear and tear.  It is really pretty economical and comes in a variety of widths, including full sheets.  I use the 1/4″ width most frequently. 

 

 For everyday use on a variety of surfaces, I turn to Tombow adhesives.  I use the Tombow glue stick on lots of things.  It is a really workable glue that gives a great bond on most things.  As I mentioned in this post, I often use a glue stick to adhere paper to projects that I am going to Mod Podge.  The glue stick offers a some wiggle room in paper placement, while not getting it wet, which will make the paper curl and makes it prone to bubbles underneath.  It is still important to use something like a credit card or kitchen scraper/spatula to gently go over the surface to ensure an even adhesion and to smooth out any bubbles that may have formed under the surface.

My other favorite Tombow product is the Mono Aqua liquid glue.  It is a clear glue that gives a great clean bond and it dries clear, so if you get a little too much in one spot, you can quickly wipe it off and it will not show up after the glue dries.  I use this often when I need to glue down letters I’ve cut from the Cricut, or punched shapes, etc.  A little goes a long way and it is very versitile.

Lastly, I also really like the Tombow Mono Multi adhesive, but it is a little more messy and requires a bit more care when applying.  It is very versitile in that it will create a strong permanent bond when two objects are placed together while wet, such as applying paper to a chipboard shape.  Alternately, if applied to a surface and left to dry, it becomes a repositionable glue and does not have as strong of a bond.  The biggest draw-back is that when it gets on your fingers, they become very tacky and it can mess up your project with gooey glue residue if you aren’t careful.  That being said, I ALWAYS use this glue to cover chipboard shapes…it works awesome. 

Well, if you know me at all, you’ll know I loves me some Mod Podge.  It gives a great protective finish to lots of different projects.  There are so many different types of Mod Podge on the market, for any type of crafty project you can think of, but I tend to stick with the original MP, in a Matte finish.  I also sometimes use the Paper Mod Podge, if it is something that I want to last for a very long time, such as the recipe box found here.  The Paper Mod Podge is acid-free and archival safe, but really it’s up to you, I haven’t found any difference in how they go on. 

 And last stop on our adhesive tour, are Glue dots…a staple for me.  I use all three of the Glue Dots seen below on a really regular basis.  They are great for when you have a small item that you need a really permanent bond for, such as buttons, 3-D flowers, gems, rhinestones, charms, etc…  I also use the Pop Up Glue Dots when I want to add some dimension to a card or hybrid project.  The minis are great for really small items.  I LOVE them, and they come in a resealable pouch on perforated squares, which makes them really convenient. 

 I couldn’t end this “Basics” post without including the Basic Grey Precision File Set.  It is a real must have for hybrid projects.  I use it every time I cover chipboard with paper or when I make a shaped mini album.  It comes with a variety of shaped files that are great for getting into any little corner or ridge and smoothing out rough paper edges.  Best of all, it is really reasonably priced for how easily it gets the job done. 

 I really hope you’ll try some of these wonderful products on your next hybrid project, I’m sure you’ll like them too.  Be sure to join me next time when we take a look at some “intermediate” level products that make hybrids so much fun!

Join us back here tomorrow for the next product spotlight (brought to you by Lu)!

Right after high school, I went to school to become a hair dresser and worked briefly doing hair and make up for photography and weddings.  Shortly after, I went back to university for a degree in Communications, but have spent the years since pursuing the perfect beauty products…and I am excited to share with you a handful of my faves.

Let’s start with a clean slate…or face… and talk about skin care.  I was a looong time Lancome fan, and still love their products, but about 4 years ago, I got hooked on a skin care line called Arbonne.  Their NurtriMin C RE9 anti aging skin care line is amazing, and I was an instant devotee from the first time I tried it.  I love how it leaves my skin feeling, and the clean citrus scent is heavenly.  Their Swiss formulated products are all natural, made from botanicals and have some wonderful and unique anti-aging properties.  You can see the full line of Arbonne products here.

Next up on my top pics list is a line called Make Up Forever, a French company that has been around since 1984, but has only emerged in the main stream in the last several years.  Make Up Forever has been widely used in theatre, film and broadcast and is best known for its use the Cirque de Soliel productions.  I have been cursed with dark circles under my eyes and have tried every concealer known to man.  Their HD Invisible Cover Concealer is hands down the best concealer on the market, in my humble opinion.  It is a full coverage product that is not cakey and does not streak.  The silicone applicator allows a smooth application with a small amount of product. 

Make Up Forever HD Liquid Foundation is another favorite in my arsenal. It is a full coverage light weight foundation designed for use with High Definition cameras, but you don’t have to be behind a camera to reap the benefits of this fabulous product.  I love the flawless appearance this product offers…Lord knows I need it!!!  Lastly, I love the staying power of Make Up Forever’s Aqua Lip Waterproof Lip Liner.  My favorite shade is Nude Beige 1C.  All of the Make Up Forever products are available at Sephora.

It is really important to “set“ a liquid foundation with a translucent powder.  Some powders on the market can be heavy and cause your face to look cakey and too heavy.  I LOVE to pair my foundation with one of 2 light and FUN powders from the Benefit line.  Most often I use the Georgia pressed powder which has a subtle peachy tint AND scent.  I am always impressed with how it alone makes my skin glow, and it doesn’t hurt that it is named for my home state…and that my husband’s nickname for me is “Peach”…LOL!  Alternately, I also really like Benefit’s Dandelion powder which has a pink-ish hue and sweet smell to match.  They are sure to perk up your face and set your foundation like a dream.

I am SO fussy about mascara, because I have the puniest scraggly eyelashes in the world.  Thank heavens that my kids got their Daddy’s gorgeous long lashes.  I have used Lancome’s Definicils mascara for years but recently discovered Benefit’s Badgal mascara which is a drier application and separates my lashes more effectively.  If you have puny lashes like me, give this product a try…I think you’ll like it.  You can also find Benefit products at Sephora or most any department store cosmetics counter.

Last but CERTAINLY not least is my most favorite lip gloss on the planet…Bath and Body Works Liplicious Pink Grapefruit.  I have used it for years and have about 4 tubes on the go at any given time.  I keep one in my make up bag, one in my purse, one in the car, and one on my desk.  I am A-D-D-I-C-T-E-D…seriously.  I’m sure that not every husband knows what lipstick or lip gloss their wife uses,  but ask my husband or my kids, and they can all tell you…I LOVE IT!

I hope you’ve enjoyed a sneak peak into my make up bag…and I hope you’ll go out and try one or all of these awesome products, I think you’ll be just as impressed as I have been.  I have been depending on my “full coverage” products to work over time for me this week (and next) while I’m back home in Georgia for a visit with my family.  Traveling alone with all three monkeys has been interesting to say the least, but thanks to my make-up partners, I’m still fresh faced despite being dog tired…LOL!  Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

When Nalley became obsessed with Strawberry Shortcake earlier this year, I knew that I had to step back into my childhood and live vicariously through her.  I too, loved Strawberry Shortcake and still have my figurines…and they still smell!!!  These PRECIOUS strawberry boxes from SP’s XOXO Confection Collection were absolutely perfect for the party.  I had thought originally that I would use them as the party favors, but there were 20+ kids at her party, and that’s a lot of work.  So, I turned them into the party invitations and filled them with strawberry and creme jellybeans in a cello bag. 

I printed the party details on some cardstock, punched a scalloped circle from leftover red and white damask paper (from the Sweetie Pie Collection), punched a smaller green cardstock circle and topped it with a cute strawberry image.  I attached it with some green wraphia  and tied the box closed with some white grosgrain ribbon.  I did enlarge the box slightly from the original and I also cut it all out on my Cricut…LOVE the Cricut!  I hand delivered all of the invitations, as they wouldn’t fair well in the mail!

I wanted Nalley to have a special birthday outfit to go along with the Strawberry Shortcake theme and that would tie in to the invitations.  I bought a plain white shirt at Walmart for $4 and used the same papers from the invitation to clip into the strawberry shape.  I printed the image onto some iron on transfer paper and cut out the shape, leaving a small white border all around.  I have used a couple of different transfer papers, and my favorite by far is the “blue back” Super Soft Iron On Transfer Paper from Dharma Trading.  It prints beautifully and it goes on like a dream.  When it is washed, it is so soft and not “plastic-y” feeling.

I made a very simple ruffled twirl skirt and headband to match in a red and white polka dot fabric that I had bought to make her birthday dress last year…but that never happened, LOL!  The morning of the party, I put her outfit on and the shirt was too long and covered up a good portion of her skirt.  The wheels started turning and I thought about when I was younger and we woud tie up our t-shirts with a knot in the front (anybody else grow up in the 80′s and do that?).  Instead of just knotting her shirt, I made a QUICK button covered pony tail holder out of the red and white polka dot fabric and a white pony tail elastic.  It worked like a dream and took me all of about 3 minutes, tops!  If you look closely in the photo below, you can see it in the back.

We did really simple party favors, a coloring book and crayons, some strawberry candies and a party blower…

Nalley’s favorite part of her whole party was the cake (and the chocolate covered strawberries).  But the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…the cake is my favorite part of ANY party!

The morning of the party, I realized that the table needed a little something else…it was kinda boring.  I punched out some 3″ scalloped circles from the leftover green polka dot paper from the invitations and adhered some “3′s” in red and pink cardstock.  I attached a skewer and plopped them into a champagne glass filled with extra jelly beans.  I tied some grograin and chiffon ribbons on them and there you go.  You can only see one of the in the pic above, but there was one on either side of the veggie tray.

The little details always make a party so special.  So go take a look around the Shabby Shoppe and see how you can mix in a little Digi detail into your next party!  Until next time…Cheers!

I’m sure you can all guess how difficult it must be for us to choose just one layout.  It is excrutiating, really…there are just so many great ones… and I’m not just saying that, take a look for yourself and see what amazing talent is in our SP community!  I was really looking for something that spoke to me in some way, and my pick, mcmoran’s Fashion Victims of the 1970′s, made me laugh so hard. 

 I grew up in the 70′s, and have some of the same hilarious “fashion challenged” pics of my family.  The captions with arrows pointing to each person, were not only humorous, but a great use of the elements in the new Hopscotch kit, on sale now for $5.95.  I also love the blurry/aged look of the scanned in photo… it is PERFECT for this layout, in that it really gives a vintage/nostalgic feel to the page. Great job mcmoran, a $10 gift card to the Shabby Shoppe has been e-mailed to you! Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone who posted your layouts in the Shabby Princess gallery this week, it is always fun to see everyone’s unique style and personal stories.  Have a fantabulous weekend!

So, needless to say, simple is my BFF lately.  Simple means stress free…but simple can still taste good…and be healthy, yay for that!  Today I’m bringing you two original recipes, the first for roasted carrots, and the second for a COATING that we use for BBQ’d (yes, you read that right) chicken thighs.  I had never heard of BBQ-ing a breaded chicken before, but let me tell you, it is TO DIE FOR (thanks to our buddy Tim for the amazing recipe)!  There really isn’t much of the actual breading that stays on the chicken, but it’s just enough to make them heavenly, while still healthy…did I say that already?  But let’s just start with those carrots, shall we?

I was looking for a different way to serve carrots than the same old steamed carrots with maple syrup, or butter and parsley that I always used to make, I was sick of them, really.  I had seen Ina Garten roast root vegetables years ago (when I could actually sit and watch Food TV without interruptions) and the way she rough cut her carrots had stuck in my mind.  So, I went to chopping…cutting the carrots on a 45 degree angle, then turning them a quarter turn, and chopping again.  Cutting them this way allows for more surface area for roasting.

Next, I tossed them into my Pampered Chef bar pan stoneware (LOVE PC stoneware, BTW) and drizzled a little Extra Virgin Olive Oil on them.  I added some coarse sea salt, freshly ground pepper and thought…hhhmmmm…I wonder how the Pampered Chef Rosemary Herb Seasoning Mix would be on them?!?  So, I sprinkled a little on, and popped them in the oven to roast away.

Oh my goodness, they were roasted to perfection and the flavor was out of this world…bye bye boring carrots…hello yum!  And they are so pretty…aren’t they?  They have become a staple at our house, and everyone that has eaten them asks for the recipe…but there isn’t a “recipe”…really, it’s so easy!

I do have a recipe for the Chicken Coating, but it’s really easy too, my kind of meal.  First, you want to start out with some boneless, skinless chicken thighs (I don’t typically like ANY dark meat, but these are soooo moist and flavorful).  We buy the club pack at Costco, half a pack will feed our family for one meal, and usually my hubby’s lunch the next day.  If we have company, we use the whole pack.  The great thing is, it is just as tasty reheated…and that is saying a lot coming from me who doesn’t like reheated meat…I know, I’m weird. 

Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and drizzle enough olive oil to coat the chicken, but not so much that they’re swimming in it!!  Pour some of the chicken coating into the bowl and toss around with some tongs.  It is trial and error the first time you make it, as I can’t give you an exact ratio of chicken thighs to olive oil to coating mixture.  The great thing about it is that if you start small, you can add enough of each back and forth until it looks right.  You don’t want the coating to look caked on, just sparsely coated, as you can see in the picture below. 

Lastly, cook on medium heat until the chicken thighs are done.  The great thing about using the thighs is that they don’t dry out and they are so flavorful…yum yum!  We eat the chicken and carrots with some jasmine rice, and a salad…a really easy summer meal.

And, if you like these recipes, please feel free to download these premade 4×6 recipe cards.  Just print and add to your recipe box!

I hope you’ll make these recipes and let me know what you think.  Bon Appetite!

Anyway, back to today’s hybrid project.  I must confess, it isn’t today’s project, or even this week’s.  I did this project way back in the fall last year and have kept a lid on it so that I could share it on the new blog.  Life is kicking my butt very busy lately, and I am so glad that I had this little gem to show you.  There is NOTHING hard about this adorable Mini Accordian Album.  It is a little treasure of facts about my pregnancy with Lawson.  Every child seems to be fascinated with the stories and pictures surrounding their pregnancy and birth, and with this album, it’s easy for them to flip through and see.  My almost 3 year old daughter, Nalley, has LOVED looking through hers, and even though she can’t read yet, she loves to ask questions and gets me to read it for her.  However, you could EASILY make this mini to fit any theme you want, that’s the beauty of digi and hybrid.

I sell traditional paper crafting supplies through my business, Magnolia Designs, and was looking for ways to use some of the rectangular coasters I had ordered, when I stumbled on an idea to use them as covers for a mini accordian album.  It makes the perfect size album for little hands to hold.  These are medium weight coasters that measure 3 7/8 x 5 3/8. 

I printed my papers from the Barefoot Collection, perhaps my favorite kit that SP has ever done.  I chose this collection because Lawson’s birth announcements and a “Welcome Home”  banner were both made using this kit as well.  I think of my little dude every time I see this kit…so it was a natural choice.

When printing digital papers for use in a hybrid project, I ALWAYS use double-sided matte photo paper (mine is Staples brand) and print them on the “Best Quality” photo setting.  I have tweaked my printer’s settings for color, quality, etc…and saved them as a custom setting.  So whenever I want to print them, I don’t have to fumble and try to remember what the settings were…that would never work, my brain is like swiss cheese most days after wrangling these kids!

To assemble this mini, I adhered the printed papers to both the front and back covers using my ATG tape gun.  As digi scrappers, you may or may not be enlightened about the ATG tape gun, but it is one of my PRIZED possesions…really.  I am not a paper scrapper, but do LOTS of hybrid and other paper crafting projects…and I would be LOST without my tape gun.  It is easy to use, although a bit BIG…but the tape quality is awesome and CHEAP…way cheaper than most tape runners on the market.  Anyway, I digress… I covered the insides of the rectangular coasters with Core’dinations cardstock that I distressed with sandpaper.  Next, I tied a ribbon around the coaster before adhering the cardstock to the back side. I then sanded the edges of all the papers to get a smooth/worn look to the cover.

I used Photoshop to create the text boxes and tabs for each page, printed them on my matte photo paper and cut/punched them out.  I distressed each text box and photo with Tim Holtz Distressing Ink and adhered them to cardstock before layering them on top of some Barefoot papers.  The corners of both the “bones” of the album as well as the digi papers were rounded using a corner rounder to match the shape of the chipboard coaster covers.

I intentionally left this mini free of excessive embellishments, as I knew they would be handled frequently by little hands, and might end up in little mouths.  But I have made several of these minis for other themes, and think that embellishing hybrid projects is such a fun process.  In this case, the simplicity of the design allows the Barefoot papers to take center stage. 

I hope you will make one of these adorable mini accordian albums, as a pregnancy keepsake for your kiddos, or any other occasion that you can think of.  I can think of Father’s Day coming up…I’m just sayin’… a Dad would probably love something like this hybrid album to prop up on his desk….don’t ya think?!?  If you do, post your pics in the gallery so we can all take a look!

I’m signing out, Happy Friday…have a great weekend!