MWL DT: Mini Album | Scrappy Friends (Long Stitch + Twist)

It is my turn up as Made With Love DT sharing a mini album I've hand stitched recently! I am super excited to share this album which features a twisted long stitch binding!

I was inspired by the Kaisercraft 6.5" paper pad #Me collection sitting on my desk, and I love the colors. There were some interesting quotes in the paper pad as well. It is really easy to get started on making a 6" album with a paper pad collection. There is enough pattern papers for the inserts, and some embellishments which are perforated and you could just pop it out from the pack. 

On the front cover, I decided to add the Maya Road wooden mason jar and transparency clock. It is simple to come up with the album cover once you have the main elements decided. Another trick is adding strands of MR jute craft strings behind embellishments or flowers. They act as fillers in this case, fills up some empty spaces and create layers without being overwhelming. Sequins are also simple elements that really cook a storm. Add one or two randomly across the cover, and you get a subtle shine to the page.

There are many ways to construct the album. Each of the methods has its uniqueness, and in this case, I used some fabric to help construct this album spine. The contrast of fabric (on the spine) and patterned paper (on the covers) creates a unique look.

What is an album without stitching? For me, albums with hand stitching complete the look, and add a classy definition. Book binding makes a handmade album extra special! This time, I am adding some die-cut alphabets to my album spine. Like what you see? Want to learn how I did the stitching? Stay tuned to MWL's facebook page for the upcoming workshop in October! *Wink*

Here are some closeups of the album. Add some stickers or die-cuts in the pages - decorating the pages are super fun!

Supplies Used:

• Kaisercraft 6.5" Paper Pad - #Me
• Kaisercraft Sticker Sheet - Close Up!
• Kaisercraft Sticker Sheet - Ooh La La!
• WRMK Sequin Stickers, black
• Maya Road jute craft string
• Maya Road wooden mason jar
• Maya Road transparency clock, white 

All supplies used are available at Made With Love. Hope you find inspiration from the post today and thank you for dropping by my blog today! 

MR DT: Mini Album | December Christmas

Hello! This week, our designers on Maya Road blog are pairing with Photoplay to share some inspirations! 

I was very excited and inspired when I received the gorgeous Mad 4 Plaid Christmas collection from Photoplay. I knew I had to get ready for the upcoming Christmas (it is just 4 months away!) 

Therefore I started with a mini album, which opens up to a Starburst effect. One of my favorite is the homemade holidays stamp set. I used it to emboss some snowflakes onto the pattern paper. Other embellishments include the merry christmas diecut, Fanciful Wish diecut, Silver Snow Crystal Charms and Crystal Circle Buttons.

On the inside of the album, I decorated it with red Rick Rack trims, and Christmas die cuts. Here I used the merry christmas steel die.

The album can be opened up fully displaying a starburst effect. I used the gold bulldog clips to secure the ends. Just to add some flair, I have also added the Vintage Crafting Tassels - Fire Red and snowflake charm, held by the mini safety pins.

But I got carried away and made another 2 more albums! I made these slightly smaller than each other.

Each of these mini albums are binded with coptic stitch using Ken Oliver waxed hemp threads.

The albums fan open to a star shaped manner.

Now with these 3 albums I am ready to build my very own Christmas tree! I intend to place a photo each day as I start the countdown towards Christmas, I think it would be fun! 

Hope you are enjoying the inspiration so far. 

To celebrate this blog hop, we are excited to be giving away a $20 coupon to the Maya Road online store! One winner for the prizes will be chosen from entries on all of the blog posts here on the Maya Road Blog about the swap. Winner will be announced here on the blog next week. So stop by and comment each day for a chance to win! Be sure to also stop by Photoplay and social media for lots of inspiration as well! (Be sure to first check out here and you can hop from there on.) 

This same month, use code KOlove to enjoy 30% off Ken Oliver Charms too!

This month is surely a fun filled month, thanks for checking out the blog today. Don't forget to drop by Maya Road blog tomorrow again! 

MWL DT: Mini Album | 12 Days of Christmas

Try not to be alarmed by the title, yes it is only August, and 4 months away from my favorite season! I always like to make my minis a little earlier for the season, so when time comes, I just have to stick the photos and do my journalling. 

Today I am on the Made With Love design team, sharing a Christmas album I have prepared for this year. Christmas is always my favorite festive season, because it is filled with lots of love and joyous cheers!

12 Days Of Christmas

12 Days Of Christmas - Front Cover closeups

I couldn't help but to do some fussy cutting for the front cover. The little figures in the pattern paper (supplies below) are just too adorable! Decorations on this album are inspired by the pattern papers. These beautiful papers are by Pebbles - Merry Merry Collection. 

12 Days of Christmas - Sunburst

There are a total of 12 tags in this sunburst album. I made it 12, so it can house 1 picture each on my 12 days of Christmas. I wanted to document my 12 days with a photo of the day. Well 12 tags also corresponds to a sheet of 3x4 grid pattern paper! Since I love them so much, might as well use them all right?

Sunburst, tags close up

Here is the tag close up. I left some white matting on the tag, so I can just paste my photos in afterwards. The white mat also helps to highlight the photos! Then I did some more snipping. Randomly cutting out the florals in one of the pattern paper and used them as tag headers! Not only are they asthetically pretty, they function as a holder so I can pick out my tags easily from the pockets. 

Now don't forget to add some fillers! I used the Tim Holtz punch to punch out some leaves so I can stuff them in between the flowers or behind them. You will be surprised at how these little things add dimensions and layers to your project!

Piano Hinge Binding

How could I not have any binding for my albums? You can say that is almost impossible for me. So yes, I am making use of the piano hinge binding this time. The red and green combination has me wishing for Christmas to come soon! Top it up with weaving to complete the entire look. 

Oh yes, straws are used here. Don't worry, these are absolutely clean ones, used for scrapbooking purposes! I like these straws because they are sturdier than the usual ones, and they come in multiple colors! These straws are by Doodlebug Pixies - ladybug. 

All materials used for this project are available at Made With Love. 

Supplies:

• Pebbles - Merry Merry Collection

• Doodlebug Pixies - Ladybug (straws)

• Tim Holtz Punch - Pine

• Kaisercraft Decorative Block Words Dies

• Sizzix Thinlits - Gatefold Card, Birthday (bracket die for covers)

• AC white cardstock

• Red Twine

• Green Dotted Cardstock (fillers)

Want to learn how to do this? This month, I am conducting a similar workshop teaching how to construct a sunburst album with piano hinge binding. Don't forget to look out for more book binding projects / classes available only with Made With Love. 

Thank you for dropping by my blog today! 

MR DT: Mini Album | What I Like

Hello! I am back on the Mayaroad blog today with a mini album to share! Making this album had been fun! The design team has been sharing many ideas on how to use chipboards in our projects, and today, I will also share how I made use of chipboards in my mini album.

I wanted to make an album to house some of the things I love, and here is my mini album:

First way I usually like to use the chipboards - as album covers! There are many chipboard albums available in different shapes and sizes, great for use to construct mini albums! I used the 5x5 tabbed chipboard album to construct this mini album.

Like always, I always like to spice up the spine of my mini albums with some stitching! This time, I am using the Ken Oliver Waxed Hemp (Tangerine) for the long stitch binding on my spine! I love this waxed hemp for stitching, and it comes in a variety of colors!

Another way I used my chipboards is to paint them white, and draw some stitching lines on them! This is a fun and easy way to decorate the chipboards, and give it an interesting look too. Try dry brushing gesso onto chipboards, I like how some of the pieces give a weathered look!

Of course, adding acrylic paints gives the chipboards an entirely different look. With a base coat in place, I have also added some shimmer with some glitter glues on top. It gives a shiny coat and highlights the title.

Of course, I really love to dress up my chipboards! One of my favourite ways is to add some stamping on top of the base coat. Try it with raw chipboards as well, this gives a different texture and feel to the entire embellishment! On the top right corner, I have also tried coloring the chipboards with brush pens / markers.

Last but not least, use the chipboards as they are! Raw chipboards are pretty as they are - so feel free to use them directly on your projects. Raw chipboards gives a very good background to your embellishments, they are not cluttered or too colorful. On some chipboards, I also used some foil papers to back up the negative spaces for a little glow amongst the raw chipboard pieces.

Chipboards are the basic materials everyone needs for that next scrapbook project! Hope you find some inspiration! You will also be happy to know, that Mayaroad is having a promo this month for chipboards! Use the coupon code CHIPCHIP for 30% off all chipboards during your checkout! Enjoy the promo code!

Supplies Used:

• Lucky Stars Chipboard Set
• 5x5 Tabbed Chipboard Ring Album
• Love Chipboard Banner
• Ken Oliver Waxed Hemp (Tangerine)
• Hexagon Chipboard Set
• Camera Chipboard Set
• Speech Bubble Chipboard Set

MWL DT: Shine Mini Album with Hungarian Stitch

Hi everyone! It's my turn as Made With Love DT to share a little hand stitched mini album today~ I am so excited with this one, I did spend some time on the stitching and it was therapeutic!

I intend to use this for my baby niece, and she is a star. Therefore, I named this album "Shine". To construct this album, I have used 2 collections from Simple Stories - Faith Collection & Domestic Bliss Collection. These colors are my current fav to work with!

Making albums are a wheeze with the correct tools. For this album, I have used the Xyron (both the 1.5" and 5" unit) for the background pages, covers and tiny details like the title.

Yes, these are my current must have for album making! This saves around half the time taken to adhere the pages, and makes life easier for the tiny elements like the title. 

The inside pages are constructed using the We R Memory Keepers Tab Punch board! Details like these help to enhance the album! Just 2 punch action and 1 cut - yes it is that simple! 

Another great use of the tab punch! I like to slot some tabbed pages into pockets, so I can remove them easily to add journaling to the back of the tabbed pages.

I love the hungarian stitch, it is one stitch with volume and details; and it is perfect for albums! This time round, I am using the hungarian stitch again, but with variation. The signatures in this album are sewn on with the hungarian stitch. 

All materials used for this project are available at Made With Love. 

Don't forget to also look out for more book binding projects / classes available only with Made With Love. Want to learn how the hungarian stitch is done? I will be running the workshop "You are awesome" in June which features the same hungarian stitch done in the vertical fashion. Do check out the dates in June!

Thanks for dropping by my blog today! 

Maya Road & Xyron Blog Swap | Mini Album - Enjoy

It is Maya Road and Xyron blog swap this week, and all week long, our Design team members have been sharing great inspirations! 

Today is Day 4 and it is my turn to share my mini album for the blog swap - Enjoy.

Creating mini albums are a wheeze with the right tools and embellishments. I like to categorize my work into several parts so making albums take lesser time for me. In fact, this album took me 3 hours from start to finish. The xyron creative station lite has given this project a big time booster! 

First I usually gather the necessary supplies for my album. I am using a selection of Maya Road dies as the base in this album. You can find my list of supplies at the end of this blog post. The dies from Maya Road can cut a variety of materials, I commonly use pattern paper and foam. After die-cutting, I collect the die cuts in a tray.

   

The second step is the secret of what makes the making of the album a whole load faster! I place all the elements through the Xyron Creative Station Lite and viola! What I like is the ease of use, just roll all the pieces through and you are all prepared to stick the elements into your album! You could even run your ribbons / laces through this unit. It saves you from the hassle of using liquid glue and getting a big mess onto your projects. Yes, do that for your photographs too! What I love about it is the full coverage of the stickiness, therefore ensuring that your photos or papers would stick permanently and not fall off over time.

The next part is really getting the album together. I used the xyron station to make the cover of the album as well. Then, I wanted to add some interest to the spine, so I used the MR Jute and Twine Cording to perform some stitching. The album cover is first done by adding the MR lace, clock transparencies and kraft bracket tag. Later, I added the MR coffee wood token, resin diamond (coming soon!), wood slices, pearl ribbon and felt flower.

Speaking of flower, did you know that Maya Road is also having a special deal on flowers this month? Check this out!

Here are some close ups of the album using my favourite dies from Maya Road! It is easy to adhere the smaller pieces when you have the Xyron, you just need a pair of tweezers to help pick up the finer pieces and then place them onto your work. 

Thank you for joining me today and don't forget to leave a comment at the Maya Road blog for a chance to win some fabulous prize! Blog swap details can be found here.

Maya Road Supplies Used:

• https://mayaroad.com/products/enjoy-coffee-die-bundle
• https://mayaroad.com/products/diagonal-atc-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/dots-atc-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/glasses-and-stache-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/heart-atc-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/scalloped-frame-atc-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/sunburst-atc-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/vintage-dressform-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/oh-snap-camera-die-bundle
• https://mayaroad.com/products/felt-roses-taupe
  
• https://mayaroad.com/products/mixed-mini-wood-slices
• https://mayaroad.com/products/kraft-journaling-tags-decorative
• https://mayaroad.com/products/resin-mini-mums-sand
• https://mayaroad.com/products/jute-twine-cording
• Resin Diamond (coming soon!)
• Coffee Wood Piece (coming soon!)
• Yellow Lace