Friday, July 1, 2011

Young Crafters Unite! :)


Welcome Welcome Welcome to the Young Crafters Unite Blog Hop! Isn't this exciting? :)

If you're here from Jess Larsen's blog, then you're in the right place! If you've come across my blog by another way, I highly suggest you head on over to the Young Crafters Unite homepage and start at the beginning. This hop is huge and it's jam-packed with amazing talent. Plus, every comment you leave on the participating blogs (through July 4th) will increase your chances to win prizes from Lawn Fawn, Simon Says Stamp, and Paper Smooches. Sweet!

What makes me a Young Crafter is pretty much the obvious: I'm young, and I'm a crafter. I'm also still (yes, still) relatively new to the world of contemporary paper crafting, and I like to think of myself as something of an apprentice (in that I'm learning from them, not that I aspire to take over for them!) to "the greats," which, in my opinion, includes amazing ladies like Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire, Stephanie Howell, and Lisa Spangler (just to name a few!). 

For my hop project, I wanted to do something really exciting. (Well, ok, at least it's exciting to me. I hope you agree. lol.) The theme of the hop is My Favorite Things, and I have to admit I was a little bit stumped by this at first. My original plan was to wander around my craft space and choose, say, 10 of the items I'm loving the most lately, and then make a card with them. But I thought that might be too risky. So I decided to interpret the theme a little differently...

Let me be honest with you here for a moment. Lately, there have been a lot of things in my life that I'm not so thrilled about. But I'm working on it. I'm working on being happier, being more motivated, and enjoying my journey. And along with that theme, two of my favorite things right now are challenging myself and setting goals. So here are the challenges I set out to accomplish with this project:
     1. Document more of my everday life.
     2. Try out more scrapbooking.
     3. Use my Studio Calico kits.
     4. Allow a project to take more than one sitting. Don't feel the need to finish now, or rush through
         things.

So, without further ado (aka my propensity for blah blah blah), here's my project...




I'd seen a few of these accordion envelope mini-albums in various places online (most recently this beyond-amazing one that was featured on the October Afternoon blog), but I couldn't find a tutorial for them. So I decided to challenge myself to figure it out :)



Each "page" is an envelope where you can tuck photos, journaling, and memorabilia. The envelopes themselves are decorated, giving space to glue things in a more traditional scrapbook fashion.


I also made some little inserts to make more room for journaling, making lists, and gluing treasures.

Now, because I couldn't find a tutorial for this type of book, I decided to make one! Ok, two actually :) But since this has already been a very long post, and I'm sure you're anxious to get back a-hoppin', I'll let you know that the next stop on the hop is Brittney Baker's blog. I can't wait to see what she's created! And don't forget to comment along the way!

For those of you interested in how I made this mini-album, you can watch my videos below. Part 1 is about the inside, and Part 2 shows how I made the covers. Thanks for stopping by!






52 comments:

  1. What a lovely project!!! The colors are beautiful and I love the pockets!!! Just wonderfulness all around!

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  2. Such a great album! I like the colors, patterns and embellishments you paired on this project =) Thank you so much for joining our bloghop!

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  3. I love the smile on the front cover, so cute! and the pictures of your project are awesome!

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  4. Amazing album...totally love it..inspires me to make one too..thanks for sharing!

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  5. What a nice album. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Love the album and the tutorial videos!

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  7. Wow Anna, your mini-album is just gorgeous! I love it :) Thanks for the great videos! TFS!!!

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  8. I love your album! Way to go for just getting it figured out yourself! And for the video-hurray! After this hop I'm going to find you on YouTube!

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  9. Amazing album!! I also love the goals that you set and your whole
    approach to dealing with your life.
    You may be young but you sound very
    wise!

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  10. Great job! So many fun details and great colors:) This is an amazing project!! TFS. Having fun hopping with you today. I am #58:)
    ~Madison funkycards.blogspot.com

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  11. This is a great idea! I love the free and easy style! TFS!

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  12. Wow, now that is one awesome project! So many fun things held inside.

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  13. What a great project...Thanks

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  14. Wow!!! Your project is amazing, each page is wonderful, I love the colors and the little cute touches. Thanks for sharing the videos :)

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  15. WOW, I LOVE it. I'm not to thrilled with some things in my life (kids), and try to not stress about it, but it's impossible. Kids make life hard!! And mine are adults!

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  16. Definitely on my list of things to make! So happy to link you to today on the hop!

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  17. Great work. I wish I could make such album some day ....

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  18. I love your album! It is just awesome:) Thanks for the video. I plan to come back and spend more time learning how you did it! I am a new follower:)
    http://visionsofpaper.blogspot.com/

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  19. This is totally gorgeous... I loved it.. I have never managed to make a mini album myself.. Have not challenged myself enough... Will give it a shot now after seeing your tutorial video...TFS...

    Hugs,
    Khush

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  20. I adore making these sweet mini albums and yours is FABULOUS. Thanks for sharing the tutorial as well!

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  21. What a cool idea! and so much detail!
    Great Job!
    Thanks for sharing,
    Blessings,
    Bunny
    http://bunnyrunswithscissors.blogspot.com/
    http://www.ajillianvancedesign.com/

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  22. What a fun and fabulous project! I would never have thought I could attempt something like this, but seeing your great tutorials has convinced me that I have to give it a try! Thanks so much! I'm now a YouTube subscriber!

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  23. Fun project! Will have to try this sometime. Really appreciate the tutorial. So nice when people take the time to share new ideas and techniques. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  24. this is such a fabulous project! love it!! :)

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  25. I just made my first similar book recently and was impressed how well they turn out. Mine wasn't quite as beautifully embellished as yours- well done

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  26. Totally cool project! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  27. What a pretty album Anna. Love the colors, the papers... the ribbon pieces are perfect.

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  28. Wow!!! Love your project so much! One of my favourite things to make is mini albums and this is soooo adorable! Thanks for sharing! :D

    I' participating in the blog hop as well, I'm bog number 34!

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  29. What a great project! I have never made a mini album, but after seeing how cute yours is I think I'll have to give it a try!

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  30. I LOVE this accordion album! So darn cute! Very original - FABULOUS.

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  31. Great project. Good, easy to follow tutorial. Thanks.

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  32. This mini album is adorable! Thanks for sharing!

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  33. Cute album and great job in setting a goal and completing your challenge!

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  34. LOVE the mini and THANKS for the video!! I always like seeing how others create their projects!! =) Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)

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  35. Wow, your envelope book is awesome - great job! I just subscribed to your YT channel so I can see all of your videos!!

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  36. This book is absolutely adorable! I love everything about it, but I especially love the cute colors and the embroidered title! Thanks for sharing!
    -Stephanie
    www.stephmade.com

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  37. Great little book project with places to store those must pics. Thanks for showing us "how to" make it.

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  38. Awesome book! Thanks for the video and the inspiration :)

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  39. I love the juxtaposition of the neat vertical lines and the spontaneous grouping of the other decorations!

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  40. Holy cow. This mini album is gorgeous! I love that tag from Amy Tan and love how you used it. I also adore that you made two videos to go with your post. You rock! Thank you sooo much for joining us on the Young Crafters Unite blog hop!

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  41. Wow, you're very talented. Love this.

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  42. Oh man! Are you serious? That album is divine!! Thanks for the inspiration; I'll have to give it a try. :)
    -Elaine Uhl
    http://createNstamp.blogspot.com

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  43. Gorgeous! Love the video!

    jmacarte.blogspot.com

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