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Friday 1 March 2019

Mini Album Makers ~ First on the First


Hello Creative Friends,

Back in January I was overjoyed to receive an email asking if 
I would like to join the *Mini Album Maker's Design Team* 

What an honour to be considered let alone be part of this 
amazingly talented Design Team, i'm really looking forward to 
sharing this stage of my creative journey with you all.



Well today I get to share my first creation on the First of the month 
as it's the start of a new challenge over at Mini Album Maker's

Here's a pocket album I created and how it all came to be...


There are so many fabulous tutorials on album making and dies that do the 
maths and measurement for us all. To start my Mini Album DT journey 
I gave myself a task to see what I could create using a sheet of A4 card.

I started by creating a template for a folded 5" x 3.5" album, 
"you can see all the measurements below..."


Cut out, scored and folded you can see the cover when folded 
and those left overs waiting to be used to create features and 
elements within the album.


Scoring and folding 1/4" apart down the length of one 
of those left overs the concertinaed card creates strength 
to the spine and support for the book leaves.


The pages of this album are created by sewing two pieces 
of card together leaving one edge unsewn so they slot 
easily on top to conceal those supports. 

I chose to have three pages in this album 
leaving space behind for up to three signatures.


Heavy calico helps create a sturdy cover with punched eyelets creating the 
anchor for elastic which holds up to three signatures within this album.

I couldn't resist decorating the cover using Tim Holtz Wildflower Stems #1 


Painting the wildflower's using Wendy Vecchi's enamel accents those 
raised areas are exaggerated by sprinkling on clear embossing powder 
activating with a heat tool. 

Pops of distress stickles create a little drama bringing us closer 
to Spring by complementing what will lie within this album.. 


Time to play, create and lose myself in the wonders of Graphic 45 
using Journaling and ephemera cards along with tags and pockets 
from their Floral Shoppe collection to decorate the album inside.


Ephemera cards sewn onto calico are glued onto the inside 
cover using book binding glue, continuing the natural theme.


Here's a flip through the pages...


Sewn corner pockets, flaps that conceal even more pockets and signatures 
used to hold important dates to remember... especially Birthdays!


... this little album really is bursting to the brim with Graphic 45.


Held closed with elastic, a Bee Brooch rests upon a handmade tag 
pillow completing my first Mini Album Makers Design Team project.


We'd love you to share your created albums with us over HERE 
as it's March and a new monthly challenge awaits with a fabulous 
prize on offer from our generous sponsors Graphic 45.


Do pop on over and check out all the loveliness from the Design Team.

Wishing you all a wonderful week and 
Thank YOU so much for stopping by.

Creative Hugs
Tracey xx

I'd like to share today's creativity with:
Crafty Cardmakers ~ Flowers
Kristin & Eva ~ PPF
Try it on tuesday ~ Powder your..
Pixie's Snippets Playground ~ Challenge #346

96 comments:

Brenda Brown said...

Woo hoo Tracey that’s fantastic news and so well deserved. You have risen to the challenge magnificently and created the most beautiful album with lots of wonderful details, I love it. Congratulations and I look forward to seeing what else you design and make for this wonderful team. Have a great weekend xxx

Valerie-Jael said...

What a wonderful piece you have created Tracey, and you will be a great addition to the team there, well done! Love the album and the beautiful cover you made. Hugs, Valerie

aussie aNNie said...

FABULOUS and just love your mini album and big congrats on your success.xx

Redanne said...

Tracey, first of all, I am so thrilled to be working alongside you, having admired your wonderful work for such a long time, it really is an honour!

Your first album make is stunning, I love your nature theme, the soft look of the album cover with those gorgeous blooms and the wonderful G45 papers that you have filled it with. I really enjoyed your tutorial too, I may just have to have a go at making one of these now! A huge welcome to the team! Big hugs, Anne xxx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

OMGosh, Tracey. First, congratulations on this wonderful honor, and second congratulations on the completion of this incredible tiny book. It's amazing and I was so impressed and happy you didn't use metric measurements because it confuses lots of people who can't convert. This was an incredible first entry. I love the nature inspired book and the wonderful way you filled each pocket with lots of nature inspired goodies. I really enjoyed the tutorial, too. It was a great entry and also fit nicely with this fortnight's theme at Try it on Tuesday.

Nancy Wethington said...

This is so cleverly constructed. Love this book!

Cath Wilson said...

Wow! This is a stunner, Tracey. I love the way you've used those new flower dies, but the whole book is absolutely gorgeous, especially because it's stitched. Love the idea of the calico cover, too. Thank you so much for such detailed instructions. I love getting a lot out of one sheet of card, so this is right up my street. No surprise you were asked to join the DT - your work is so beautiful.
Thank you so much for sharing your art with us at Try it on Tuesday.
Cath x

froebelsternchen said...


This is ever so pretty and so very clever made - my gosh you are such a talented person and such a wonderful blog buddy as well - thank you for all the amazing comments that always cheer me up dear Tracey!
I am absolutely in love with this album and thank you for sharing how you made it!So much work to take all the photos along the process.
Big congrats on being on this amazing DT! They are lucky to have you now in their team! This is so exciting for us, as I am sure you will come up with the most amazing projects! I so like this challenge, even though I have not time enough to try out their fabulous tutorials or participate often. But they are fantastic and show the most beautiful album ideas ever!!

Thanks for sharing this amazing project over at Try It On Tuesday!Much appreciated!!
This is a fantastic entry my friend!
Have a wonderful weekend a I have my fingers crossed for your lovely dog girl furthermore!!♥♥♥
She is in my thoughts!

Big hugs,
Susi

sirkkis said...

This is gorgeous project, Tracey. It is very skillful created. Love especially the wild flowers.
Your link at PPF page goes to the page which does not exist. Get here another way.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and happy March 💜sirkis

JFM said...

Very, very beautiful Tracey!!!

SewPaperPaint said...

Dear Tracey, I am so happy to have you join our team at MAM! This is such a fabulous tutorial and really tickles my fancy as I love to design the "math" on books I think more than to actually design the art! He he! I did get around to doing that and making my prototype, but not to actually "arting" it up this month. I love this challenge to yourself and you have executed it beautifully my friend. This is perfectly charming and oh so lovely... Big hugs, Autumn

Mia said...

Wow Tracey, your album is fantastic!!!!!! You are such a talented lady, my friend.

DVArtist said...

Tracey you are so very talented and I see why you were asked to join this club. This is just beautiful. Thank you so much for showing the step by step. Every piece of this is just stunning.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Great craft work. This is lovely.

Let's Art Journal said...

Many congratulations! Wow, your journal is amazing and I so enjoyed following along to see how you made it too 😀. The cover looks so beautiful with all the flowers and the pretty bee embellishment - I love it! Thanks for the inspiration and wishing you a happy Friday and weekend! J 😊 x

Let's Art Journal said...

... Thanks so much for joining in the fun at Try it on Tuesday too! J 😊 x

Dorthe said...

Oh CONGRATULATIONS dear Tracey , wow , what a wonderful new adventure , you are busy again , lol.
Your book looks so beautiful, and I marvel over your idea of how to construct it , all from one piece of paper!! I love the papers you have used, love their collection, too ,- of romance and sweetness , and the details you have created with them, all looks so pretty and lovely what a big and fantastic work of art .
Sending you big hugs, xoxo

Mrs.B said...

Congrats on your new DT post with Mini Album Makers and WOW! what a fabulous first project. Thanks for the detailed instructions and I loved seeing your process pictures. A beautiful little album made all the more special with the calico cover.
Avril xx
p.s. Thanks for sharing this with us at Try it on Tuesday. xx

BrownPaperBunny said...

Congrats, that's so cool. I love your work so much, it's just lovely. Happy PPF!

Di said...

Wonderful news about the DT Tracey! And your album, as well as all the photos and explanations, is just stunning. You created such a wonderful piece here - well done. Glad you came to play with us again too!

Hugs

Di xx

Di said...

Sorry, I forgot to mention that if you ever wish to be in the prize draw then do say so on the challenge blog post in a comment. Purely as in the past a couple of times folks won and then said they'd been playing for fun only. Which is just fine - the main aim of the challenge is fun and sharing how we use out snippets.

xx

Meggymay said...

Congratulations Tracey, this project sure has the 'WOW' factor, it looks beautiful. It was good to see how you created your mini album as well when you shared all the photos of the stages.
Thank you as well for joining us all over at Try it on Tuesdays, did you notice you were one of our Top 5 choices for the Romance theme.
Yvonne xx

Christine said...

Beautiful album!

Astrid Maclean said...

Big congrats Tracey, how fabulous you are joining the MAM team, they are so lucky to have you as your first contribution only illustrates too well! Amazing details in this wonderful book!!!

Gillena Cox said...

Fantastic!!!

Much🌻love

carol l mckenna said...

Oh these are so lovely ~ they fun but take time to make ~ Gorgeous and creative!

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Kay said...

Hello Tracey, Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog today. You are so talented and creative. Wow!

Sue (this n that) said...

Congratulations Tracey! You're not only a talented artist but generous also - it's wonderful seeing how you put things together and your explanations are so easy to follow. They chose well - have fun and enjoy your new activity.
The mini-album is gorgeous! :D) xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Great tutorial Tracey, thanks for sharing this with us and well done at joining the team at Mini Album Makers, just your sort of thing. Happy creative weekend, Angela xXx

peppylady (Dora) said...

Don't know if I would have patience for such a craft. Well done

Glenda Atkins said...

What a terrific album you have made!! Really lovely design with wonderful colours and those flowers are awesome. Such talent!
Thank you for joining our 'Flowers' challenge at Crafty Cardmakers!
hugs
Glenda

leekrek said...

so talented and what a great album

SLScheibe said...

That is so adorable!! What a cool little album that it. I so love the design and colours you used. Super pretty! :)

Kokopelli said...

LOVE this! So adorable! I'm so ready for srping and gardening. Happy PPF!

sarascloset said...

Congratulations, Tracey, on joining this talented Design Team! They are so blessed to have you on board! Your first project knocked my socks off! I love those gorgeous flowers on the cover! This is such a great design, and it's filled with page after page of springtime inspiration. I love how you challenged yourself to come up with this design--you are an inspiration! Sending hugs!

Cindy D. said...

How pretty and intricate! Really lovely flowers. (I will make one suggestion! I am getting older and the font here is just a little bit too tiny for me.) :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

Huge congratulations on joining the MAM team! So well deserved, as you have shown here! This is stunning Tracey!The cover looks amazing and of course the inside is an absolute delight! Thank you so much for joining us at Try It On Tuesday! Hugs,Chrisx

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

It was great to see how you made your lovely album

Courtney said...

Congratulations! That is awesome news. Your mini album is so cute! I love the cover design. Thanks for sharing your process. Happy PPF!

Gibby Frogett said...

Wow Tracey - your album is absolutely stunning!
Loved seeing how you created it - great photos - thanks for sharing.. and many congrats on joining the MAM team.
Happy new week...Gill xx

NatureFootstep said...

congratulations! And, to me, you seem to be worth it. I am stunned really. So much work and lovely design. Love it!

Jackie PN said...

What a super album Tracey! My gosh, you make it sound so easy and then I look at all of those amazing pages and think, holy cats! This would take me a year to complete! heehee
Truly a beautiful compilation of gorgeous pages and those quotes, some of them really speak to me!
Well done my friend!
Jackie xo

BLOGitse said...

Oh boy, so much work but the album looks really beautiful, well done!

Mac Mable said...

Many Congratulations.....What a stunning project, full of inspiration and creativity.....Thank you x.

Roosterhead Designs said...

Hi Tracey, Congrats on being with that DT! Your creativity is shining thru on this post! (So glad you shared the 'step-by-step' process with us! I always learn better that way : ) G45 is gorgeous and you have incorporated it beautifully! Loving your cover and the bright textural flowers~ TFS and best wished on the road ahead! Hugs, karen o

Gloria j Zucaro said...

Wow, you have done some really wonderful books.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you so much Brenda, it means so much to hear you say such things. Thank you x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

So happy you like it Valerie, it's always a worry with first makes.
Thank you as always for your kindness and support xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Awww Thank YOU Annie, so kind xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I feel exactly the same about you Anne, Thank you very very much for all your support over the past years. I'm really looking forward to this new chapter and i'm so glad you like my little album xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you Elizabeth so kind. I'm glad you approve of my measurements, my brain seems to recognise inches so much easier than cm's. Must be my age hee hee!! x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you (((Nancy))) xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thanks so much Cath, the card I used for this was not the best quality and was pretty useless for anything but covering/matt & layering etc. The new TH Wildflowers are a dream to play with i'm sure you agree. It's always a pleasure to play along with TioT when I can x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Always so kind Susi Thank you so much & you are most welcome, I love to join in when I can over at TioT. You know I love to share how things are created when the time allows it's so good to hear that you appreciate the time that it can take.
We would love to see you over at MAM more often with a creation or two xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you so much Sirkis xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you (((Jan))) x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I'm so happy to be part of the MAM family, it has been a hard secret to keep hee hee!! Keeping everything crossed for you getting a little more time for yourself and showing us all how it's done. (((Autumn))) Thank you so much for believing in me xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

So sweet Mia Thank you x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Really glad you like it Nicole, Thank you so much for your kind words x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you Anne x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

You very welcome Jo, Thank YOU as always for the inspiration too... it's always so lovely to visit and share our creativity in this big blogging world xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you very much Cindy but i'm so sorry you may have had problems reading the text. I have recently had to change my font & size due to packing so much into some of my posts.
Please remember you can change the size of any page by holding down the Ctrl key and using the + or - Key: + to make it bigger and - to make it smaller of course.
I hope this may be of some help to you for future visits :)

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Always ever encouraging and kind Dorthe, thank you very very much. It means a great deal that you liked my little creation, being a huge influence to me i'm humbled by your words Thank you xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Your most welcome Avril, Thank you for always giving us a magnificent challenge, it's a pleasure to play along x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you so much x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you so much Di I'm so happy you like it. It's been fun joining in with the challenge. I just love to plat and share so no need to add me to your generous prize draw but Thank you as always for asking x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Really happy you like it Yvonne, Thank you for your kind and encouraging words they re very much appreciated. Thank YOU xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you Christine!

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Astrid that means the world to me to hear you say that, I think I am the lucky one to have been asked. A pinch me moment indeed Thank you x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you Gillena xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you Carol I love tinkering around with these sort of things. I'm glad you appreciate the time they can take to create x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Your so welcome Kay, Thank you for finding me. I'm very glad you like my creations, It makes it all the more of a pleasure to share.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you ever so much Sue, I love blogging and sharing how things are created, if I can inspire just one person then my job is done. There is talent within us all, it's being brave enough to share xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

You know me so well Angela, i'm so privileged to be part of the amazing MAM team xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you, It's so much fun and something we can take our time over and stop and start at our own leisure.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you very much Glenda, it's a pleasure to play along x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you so much :)

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I think we are all feeling that way. Thank you so much for your kind words.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I really am blessed to be part of the MAM team Sara. Thank you very much for your kindness and words, i'm really looking forward to this journey xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you very very much Chris and of course Thank you for the TioT challenge xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

I'm glad you enjoyed it Linda x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you very much Courtney, so glad you like it :)

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you very much Gill very much appreciated & so glad you like my Mini Album xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Awww Thank you so much Monica. Always a pleasure to have you come visit x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Jackie it's so lovely to see and hear from you today, I'm happy you liked my little album, it's something you can create over time or just get lost in it's creativity. You would be surprised it's a lot easier than it looks. Those G45 papers are inspiration in themselves
I have missed you.. I hope you are keeping well and that life is kind? xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Awww Thank you so much!

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Really happy to know you like it and Thank you very much for your sweetness and words xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

It's always a pleasure to share creations like this Karen, Thank you so much for your kindness and comments, it makes sharing extra worth it. I'm happy to know you have enjoyed it all, the G45 papers are fabulous and the new TH dies are totally amazing, i'm addicted to cutting those beauties out & I hate die cutting!!
Hope you are keeping well & the snow has stopped falling ?? Take care xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Thank you very very much Gloria, really pleased you like my mini album.

craftytrog said...

This is such a beautiful project clever lady! xx

Cyndi L said...

What a gorgeous gorgeous album! It made me so happy to see it this morning. Even though it's March, it is well below freezing today. Spring seems to be so far off, and this just lifted my spirits. Thank you! <3

Words and Pictures said...

Huge congratulations on joining the MAM team - you'll have a wonderful time. And what a glorious album to kick off your design team duties. I love those opulent flowers on the front cover, and the calico panels add such lovely texture to the internal pages. Fabulous binding too. Looking forward to more album-making adventures.
Alison x

Kim x said...

Congratulations on your DT spot Tracey, and what a fabulous first project, so much work involved.
Thank you for entering my Flower challenge at CCM.
Hugs Kimx

crafty said...

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing with is at Crafty Cardmakers.
Mary

HMax said...

Beautiful Tracey! I've only just now had time to come over and have a peek at your lovely journal. The cover is totally fabulous! I love the flower garden and Mr. Bee keeping watch. I'll admit, I haven't yet been brave enough to do a measured cover like this - maybe I will now that I've seen yours. :) Love the G45 pages too and all the cool little details you've added. Congrats on joining the team!

~ Heather

Jane Elizabeth France said...

Im still wondering why you are so surprised that MAM have asked you to be on their team!!!... nobody else on this planet is surprised Tracey, heck, bet they are thrilled to have you. And for your first make you have definitely not disappointed, I'm in awe as usual, not just by the way you have decorated the journal, but with the little extras you add that just take it to that extra level of awesomeness, I mean.. that bee!!!!... 😍😍😍 xxx