We are excited to have Jen Gallacher back with us today with a great mini album idea and a GIVEAWAY! We have loved having Jen here this week and you will also see Jen again in our summer issue as she tackles our Easy, Detailed, Expert article! The summer issue will hit the stores/website on June 21st so be sure to mark your calendars! It's such a burst of colour, we can't wait to share!
"I have been wanting to create a little mini album for my niece who visited us last summer. I wanted something she could easily hold in her hands, but that wouldn't take all day to create. Looking through my supplies, I realized that I could use my 4x6" and 3x4" Journaling Cards as the foundation for an album. I selected this charming tear-out booklet from Pebbles, Inc. to start my album.
To decorate the album, I simply added photos to fit the back of the more decorative cards, printing them at 2.25 X 3" and 3.5" X 5" to fit the corresponding journaling cards:
I also combined both 3x4" cards and 4x6" cards in the album and added journaling to the cards with journaling lines:
Then I added a few embellishments from the collection's matching sticker sheet and some My Mind's Eye enamel dots. A few details go a long way on a mini album. You can add dimensional adhesive like pop dots to the back of your stickers to give them a little "pop" on the page:
And finally, I added a bit of stamping to the back page for a little bit more sophistication. I matched the stamping ink to the colors found in the papers and selected a sentiment which fit the theme of my album. Then I created a scene with the leftover stickers:
This is what the completed album looks like, perfect for little hands to handle:
Supplies: Journaling Cards (Pebbles, Inc.); Stickers (Pebbles, Inc.); Enamel Dots (Pebbles, Inc.); Office Ring (Karen Foster Design); Ribbon (American Crafts); Pop Dots (American Crafts); Journaling Pen (EK Success); 1/4" Hole Punch (EK Success); Stamp (Hero Arts); Stamping Ink (Stampin' Up!); Adhesive (Xyron)
Many manufacturers offer 4x6" and 3x4" journaling cards pre-cut as die cuts or as 12x12" sheets with their collections. While these are often used for Photo Freedom or Project Life pages, they can also serve as the start of a great album. Look for these innovative cards as the foundation for your next mini album project! ~ Jen Gallacher
A big thank you to Jen for joining us this week. If you have not yet clicked on to her blog, you MUST! Jen has inspiration every day to share including tutorials, videos, product highlights and more. Jen also has a beautiful brand new online class over at 2 Peas in Bucket and would LOVE to offer a spot to a lucky SCT reader!!! Here is a sneak peek and a description...
"Tool School" by Jen Gallacher
We all have them: punches, die cut machines, die cut shapes, and even our most basic tools. And while some of these tools get more use than others, some get completely neglected. Jen Gallacher comes to the rescue with this workshop designed to help you use your tools in creative new ways.
The "Tool School" workshop includes over 100 creative ideas for using your tools. Some basic knowledge of how to use a digital die cut machine, a manual die cut machine, and paper punching are required. Full step-by-step instructions are included for all of the 102 techniques found on the 30 layouts for this workshop.
In addition to the 37 page PDF, Jen has incorporated many of the techniques in each chapter video. Learn how to die cut a shape from Washi Tape. Punch and layer two of the same photo. Hand stitch an embossed pattern. Or staple ribbon to your page. There are so many techniques to choose from! Each video also includes a full start-to-finish layout so you can see how Jen approaches designing with tools into her design process.
Whether you're looking to purchase and use new tools, or whether you're looking to stretch your tool supplies even further, this fun and exciting workshop will give you plenty of ideas to choose from. Lessons can be completed at your own pace. A private message board forum is also available to ask questions of both Jen and to connect with other participants. Join in on the fun!"
For the chance to win a spot in this class, be sure leave a comment below by Sunday, May 19th at 6:00 p.m. EST. Good luck! Jen is also working on a series of videos for the SCT YouTube channel so stayed tuned for more information on those too!
Tomorrow we will be revealing all our NSD winners and we have a great announcement too! See you then.
~ Catherine
Sounds great. Love the gift.
I would love to win.
Posted by: Donna Rawbone | May 16, 2013 at 07:15 PM
i would love to win a spot so my once-loved-now-languishing tools get a rebirth!
Posted by: tammy b | May 16, 2013 at 07:20 PM
I love online classes thanks would love to win a spot
Posted by: Jessica Monte | May 16, 2013 at 08:27 PM
I would so like to attend this class!!
Posted by: Mary George Hilbun | May 16, 2013 at 08:27 PM
Oh my gosh. I would love to win this.
Posted by: doreen | May 16, 2013 at 08:42 PM
Oh, this would be an awesome class!!!
Posted by: Erica Hettwer | May 16, 2013 at 08:51 PM
Thanks for sharing the cute little mini album idea! Hope to win a spot in the class :) thanks!
Posted by: Angeline Tan | May 16, 2013 at 09:29 PM
I love Jen's creations and inspiration!
Posted by: Kim | May 16, 2013 at 10:11 PM
Wow-I am sure the Tool School Workshop will have so many fabulous ideas on how to really use all our products...Love that Jen has given us the chance to be part of this workshoP!
Posted by: Shelley Smith | May 16, 2013 at 10:32 PM
Hope I can get a chance to participate.... Thanks, SCT and Jen!!
Posted by: may | May 16, 2013 at 10:51 PM
I have a bunch of tools that I haven't used in years, such as my crimper, corner punches and heat tool. I would love to get some ideas to breathe new life into these items!
Posted by: justasiam | May 16, 2013 at 11:10 PM
Jen's classes are great! Thanks for a chance to win a spot in this new one.
Posted by: scrappin2boys | May 16, 2013 at 11:43 PM
Oh these are beautiful tags. Hopefully they would help my journaling improve.
Posted by: Alma Dirpaul | May 17, 2013 at 12:06 AM
what a great idea for a class!
Posted by: chark | May 17, 2013 at 12:12 AM
Aww..how timely.
i was thinking of making a mini album for my parents and then I saw Jen's idea... so cute and absolutely adorable! Thank you for sharing! *hugs*
Posted by: Roanna | May 17, 2013 at 12:21 AM
Jen's Tool School class sounds like it would benefit anyone and everyone and I'd definitely love to have a seat in it! Thanks for the chance!
Posted by: jengd | May 17, 2013 at 12:36 AM
Great class! I'd love to win a spot in it. I have many a tool lying around that I'd like to brush up my techniques on , even get some new ideas.
Posted by: Memoriesbymanda | May 17, 2013 at 12:38 AM
What a cute mini album. Love the vibrant, happy colors.
Posted by: Melody B. | May 17, 2013 at 01:45 AM
I always love Jen's designs and would love a spot in her tool school class.
Posted by: Nylene | May 17, 2013 at 01:47 AM
I am so debating about die cutting machines - maybe this class would help me make a good choice! Thanks for sharing Jen's inspiration (that mini album is clever!) and the giveaway!
Posted by: Crystal | May 17, 2013 at 02:05 AM
Sounds like a super class. Thanks for a chance to win a spot !
Posted by: karenajo | May 17, 2013 at 03:16 AM
Love this mini album! :)
Posted by: eunice | May 17, 2013 at 03:24 AM
I love Jen's organised presentation on video - this class will be awesome I'm sure!
Posted by: Margot | May 17, 2013 at 04:22 AM
Wonderful album! Love Jen's work.
Posted by: Jean Marmo | May 17, 2013 at 05:08 AM
What an adorable album- My summer break is just starting so hopfully I wil be making many projects like this!!!
Posted by: Kathy Salazar | May 17, 2013 at 07:17 AM