My Mind's Eye Blog

Use That Stash Part Two

Hey there and Happy March!  Missy here today.  I have another “Use Up Your Stash” layout to share.  Most times I start with a photo and then choose the papers and embellishments to go with it.  This time I took a different approach and went through all of my older MME products and picked what jumped out at me.  I chose the Now & Then “Izzy” collection.  Then I just took a photo I had printed a while ago that was in the stack on my desk.  I love how it turned out!

I chose a few papers from the 6x6 Paper Pad and the 3x4 Journaling cards to begin with.  I created some layers for the photo, and then I decided to jazz up the background using stamps and decorative tapes.  Before adhering them, I used some watercolor paints and gelatos to add a light aqua tint to the background.  I still love the Cut & Paste collection’s stamps.  Those fun arrows made a fun design along with several different decorative tapes from a few different lines.  Some machine stitching finished off the background.

 

Supplies Used:  Now & Then “Izzy”—“Boys” Dapper Paper, 6x6 Paper Pad, “Good Times” 3x4 Journaling Cards, “Dream Big” Alpha/Word Stickers, “Boys” Label Stickers, Flair Pins, Mixed Bag, Decorative Brads;  Record It! Pretty Things—Decorative Tape; Record It! Just Splendid—Decorative Tape; Cut & Paste—Decorative Stamps; Sweetest Thing—Decorative Tape; Other—Crafters Workshop Stencil, Faber Castell Gelatos, Heidi Swapp Color Shine; Artist’s Loft Watercolors, Brother Sewing Machine, Coats Thread, Black Sharpie Pen, October Afternoon Date Stamp; Ranger Archival Ink

 

I added some of the fun die cuts from the Mixed Bag and these cute chipboard banner pieces.  I love stitching them together like an actual banner.  I also mixed the alphas in my title…using my Cameo and some really old Thickers.  They matched perfectly!  I really love that there are always so many different products in most MME lines, like brads, buttons and stickers.  I always try and add a variety of those goodies to my layouts.

This film roll is adorable.  I cut it in half so I could use the other half on another layout.  It worked very nicely with these paper layers.  Adding pop dots to my photo made it simple to tuck in some tangled thread.

Here’s the top cluster.  I used my Tiny Attacher to adhere that cute “Today” tag on top of some tape.  I also added a flair pin.  I love the pop of green it gives.

Here’s a close up of all the tapes, stamping and stitching.  Tapes make it easy and quick to add pops of color and pattern just about anywhere on a layout.  I like to tear it so its uneven.

I hope this inspires you to pull out some more of your MME stash and create something awesome! 

 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

 

 

 

 

Mini Albums with Monika | February 2015 Edition

I'll let you in on a secret, I have a crush on Chipboard Elements! They never fail to elevate a project to just right or even, if you dare, over-the-top perfect. Chipboard Elements add dimension, color and texture and can either take the stage as the star of the show or fall back into the chorus line and be easily as effective.



Hello friends, I'm Monika and for today's mini album project, I hope that you'll join me in pulling out your stash of chipboard elements so you can play along with me.

Supplies Used | Chipboard Elements:  Find Your Wings and Fly "Sky's the Limit", Find Your Wings and Fly "Up and Away", Kate & Co. "Cambridge Court", Jubilee Sherbet "Peace", Jubilee Mint Julep "Live It Up", Just Sayin', All is Bright,  Enamel Dots and Shapes: Just Sayin', 6x6 Designer Paper Pads, Vellum, Foam Dots, Post Attachment

I invite you to create your own "Good Words" mini album using Chipboard Elements. I realize more and more every day that sometimes it's nice to be reminded of the good things in life and how lucky we truly are. And I do love good words.

Gather Your Supplies

1. I began my project by first choosing a selection of yellow themed papers from a variety of new and old 6x6 Designer Paper Pads, but feel free to choose a color that makes you happy...and what might work best with your collection of Chipboard Elements.
2. Dig through your My Mind's Eye Chipboard Elements and pull them all out. All of them. This will help you to see what you have to work with and if you can develop a theme with color, shape or words. 
3. Trim your 6x6 papers to 4x6 and again trim the remaining scraps so that you can add a thin, contrasting strip to the bottom of your 4x6 album pages. 

 

Let's Create!

 

 

1. For your vellum cover, select a few thin paper strips to adhere and cut into each of the ends to create a pennant. Now add a Chipboard Element on top.
2. Using your color scheme, begin layering Chipboard Elements to create pleasing vignettes on each of your album pages. I started with just two elements per page and then added bits and pieces and played around until it seemed finished to me.
3. Don't be afraid to mix and match collections and varying shades of the same color. In real life, I'm kinda sorta a matchy-matchy kind of girl, but when it comes to my creative side, I like to be mixy-matchy and sometimes even add in something that doesn't even relate.

 

JUST A NOTE | While creating my mini album this month, we were in the middle of an ice and snow storm with no power for over 4 days. I had to think quick to come up with a creative mini album project with no photos to scrap and the topic of good words, and seeing the good in life, came to mind.

Have a lovely day,