Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Bloom Mini Album

Finally! My latest mini album is finished. This album has been one of the reasons that I haven't been playing all my usual card challenges lately. Minis take me a long, LOONNGG time. I'm really picky about how I put things together so i go through lots of ideas before I finally setlle on what each page is going to contain and look like.
I had decided that I was going to make a mini album as a giveaway prize once I reached 500 subscribers on YouTube. Well, 500 came and went and I still didn't have the album made. My friend Rina kind of summed up the way I feel about making minis. Basically she said she didn't want to just slap something together. She wanted it to have purpose and meaning. This mini had a purpose--a thank you to one lucky person who liked my work enough to subscribe to my channel so they could see more of it. I wasn't just going to throw something together willy nilly. Now I'm not trying to say I'm some spectacular crafter. I can name off quite a few ladies out there who are. Everything they make is just incredible. I just enjoy working with paper, I love to share ideas with other people, and I felt the need to make something to give back as thanks for all the encouragement and support I get. Don't get me wrong. Who doesn't love to get goodies like TH stuff, or cool papers. I just felt compelled to make something handmade to giveaway--something personal from me.
The album idea finally came together after I watched someone I subscribe to on YouTube make the flowers I used on the cover of this album. I absolutely adored the combination of Distress inks she used to make these daisies and lo and behold, when I went to Michaels (one of the numerous trips I make there each week LOL) I saw this We R Memory Keepers paper that matched perfectly. I also knew right away that I was going to use the brand new Cricut Lite Bloom cartridge that I had just bought at Wally World on this album. My Cricut has definitely been underutilized since it was bought, but I gave that little bug a work out on this album, even learned how to do some new stuff with it. :)
So here are a few of the pages. This is not the whole album. If you'd like to see the whole thing you can check out my video for it here. If you'd like a chance to win it, all you have to do is be a subscriber to my YT channel and leave a comment on the video.


For those of you who don't do YouTube and are more into card making, don't worry. I'm going to come up with a special giveaway in the future for you too. YouTubers aren't the only ladies I've learned from and been encouraged by. I follow some awesome cardmakers who are teaching me about art without even knowing it.
I'm ready to make some cards, but I also have an itch to make another mini so we'll see. At least this one won't have a time constraint on it. Whew! LOL
My new Sarah Kay and Penny Black stamps came yesterday and today I dropped by my LSS and my buddy Jen had gotten in some of those scrumptious October Afternoon Thrift Store and Fly a Kite papers. YEAH! I'm ready.
It's the start tomorrow of another challenge at Papercraft Star, so if you haven't already, check out the blog AND the Forum and give it a look see. This week's challenge is a sports theme. There's so much you can do with that theme so come on over and play along with us for this weeks challenge.
Have a blessed day!

11 comments:

♥Jan♥ said...

I just had one minute before I started cooking some chicken for dinner, and stopped by to see what you were up to ! (I am heading over to YT right after I eat so I can see the whole thing !) It really is something special, isn't it. I understand how you agonize over the details, I really do, and your work always shows that. Cannot wait to see the whole thing up close ! Super job, Tracy, as always !!!

Geri said...

Tracy...I love your album and I love the idea of giving away something handmade! Sweet, sweet, sweet...and full of ideas and inspiration, too! I checked out your blog the other night and I only got through the first page!!I have a lot of catching up to do. I am going to hop on over to the Papercraft Star blog and see how it is going. I bet you are loving that! Haven't visited there since I was on vacation!! Gotta go see what I've been missing!! Have a great day!!

Tracy said...

I posted my comment to your YT video before I saw the end of it. You are giving this beautiful album away!! So generous.
Don't you just love crocheting those butterflies. I am so addicted to making them.

Unknown said...

What a fabulous looking album you made Tracy! It's oh so pretty, you turned every page into a little piece of art. Your use of colours makes it very summery, there's just so much love in your book, it really shows. It's stunning! And your crochet butterflies!! I could go on forever, each and every piece is beautiful!! LOVE IT!! Hugs, Ira

Robyn - injoystampin said...

Tracy, you are amazing girl! I truly enjoyed seeing this amazing mini. It is a real work of art filled with lots of love. Thanks you for sharing it. I always enjoy your videos, and just had to pop on over to your blog for a close up of this. You've outdone yourself girl. Hugs from Ireland, Robyn

Unknown said...

WOW. Tracy this is wonderful.. I just love all the details you put in. I have done a couple of mini albums before. And seeing yours is inspiring me to maybe try another one. I am going to hop over and see your video..
Hope you have a great day. ~Linda

Kristina said...

Tracy, you never cease to amaze me! This is truly a work of art!! It's beautiful. I'm going to head over to YT and hopefully see more of your mini!!

xoxo,
~K

Mona Pendleton said...

WOW! What an awesome book! Love all the detail & hard work you put into this project! It really shows :) TFS

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

This is so pretty Tracy, lovely gift! Thanks for sharing!

Suzanne C said...

This is Wowzer!!! Love every page and all the details. Wonderful! I know how time consuming... I only made 3 tags with two sides and it took me way too long. :)

Beebeebabs said...

Beautiful work thanks for sharing