Monday 18 August 2014

Discover Beauty ~ Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge (Anything Goes)

Hello everyone...

Another busy week has flown by and another weekend is over but that means it's the start of a new week, new adventures and a brand new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog, and this week ~ ANYTHING GOES!!

Yes, you can create anything you want and we can't wait to see what you make!

For my project, I created a little mini album inspired by my love of my garden. I absolutely adore making these little albums as keepsakes and as soon as I saw the new Layered Bee from Tim Holtz, I just knew that it would be perfect for this project and for once, it turned out exactly how I envisaged it in my head!!
So, here's how I made it...

To begin with, I took a couple of chipboard covers from We R Memory Keepers and covered both of these with some gorgeous burlap paper from DCWV. I gave the front cover a coat of Gesso and dried it with a heat tool before layering a piece of Tissue Wrap over the top, attaching it with Multi Medium. Once this layer was dry, I added a wash of Distress Paints and inked the edges with Walnut Stain Distress Ink. I loved how the edges frayed a little to give that really shabby look to the cover. To complete the basic cover, I then added some Idea-Ology Mini Corners to the front cover.

Now it's time to decorate and for this, I started by using the Honeycomb Framework die and die cut a piece of Grungeboard. I painted the Grungeboard with Distress Paints to give the look of verdigris and then threaded a piece of hand dyed crinkle ribbon through and attached it to my cover, using the mini attacher. I added a bow and then then hung a monocle from a wire pin, which you will see that I added a little Remnant Rub too, then attached the monocle to the centre of the bow and added some decorative pins.
The next step was to create the bee, which is die cut from Grungeboard, then embossed with the Texture Fade. 
I used Distress Paints to colour the bee and then used Black Soot Distress Ink to highlight the embossed areas of the die cut.
I then added the bee to my album cover, slightly shaped the wings to give dimension.
The final touch for the cover was to add some Alpha Parts, Remnant Rubs and a Idea-Ology word band, which I added some colour to using Antique Bronze Distress Paint and attached using Prima Mini Brads.
For the inside, I used some of the papers from the Wallflower Paper Stash and distressed them around the edge using a sanding tool. 
To complete the album, I used DCWV woven paper cardstock to create my pages, kraft tags for me to journal on and added a Stencil Mark Clip to bookmark my pages. I then punched holes into the covers and added eyelets before holding the album together with book rings, aged with Antique Bronze Distress Paint.
So now, all I need to do is fill the album with my precious garden photos and I'm going to have such a wonderful time choosing which ones to feature.
I really hope you've enjoyed this week's tutorial and I've inspired you with my mini album. As always, if you're looking for some more great ideas and inspiration, then you need to look no further than the blog to see all the wonderful creations from my very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. Good luck....

Thank you so much for all your visits today, I really do appreciate them all and love reading all your comments!!
See you again soon...love Emma xx



Products used:
Distress Ink ~ Walnut Stain and Black Soot
Distress Stain ~ Shabby Shutters, Tumbled GlassAntique Linen used to hand dye the ribbon
Ranger Size 8 Manila Tags



25 comments:

  1. Morning Emma, what a gorgeous Mini Book....your attention to detail is amazing....and you'll have such fun choosing the photos to go in it. xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love this Emma! Great inspiration as always. Nikki xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just love seeing (and using) the beautiful bee and he is perfect for your beautiful garden album - the monocle is a lovely touch. Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  4. Super mini book....bet you can't wait to start filling it up ;)
    xoxo Sioux

    ReplyDelete
  5. I can't believe you can envisage such beauty in your head and then create it! Beautiful! The burlap sets a lovely stage for the soft whitewash and all the embellies and that lovely bee!

    ReplyDelete
  6. REALLY REALLY CUTE!! I think the mini is such a surprise after that beautiful cover!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such a beauty. Perfect for garden photos.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your garden mini album! Your use of burlap is perfect here.
    Sandy xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Such a beautiful album, Emma. Love those fabulous embellishments you created. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Fabulous mini book, think i need the layered dragonfly as well as the bee as it looks amazing. Another spark of crafty genius :-) xxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. what a gorgeous album, Emma! Love the burlap and all the beautiful pages inside! Hugs, Sandra

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love the burlap paper what a great mini book :))

    ReplyDelete
  13. oh Emma this is stunning. i just love it. it works so well together. and that burlap cover.... need to invest in some of that xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a fabulous idea! I love your album - the painted burlap looks great and the bee and honeycomb and other details make it perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  15. this is a fabulous garden themed mini book-great composition of colors and layers on the cover!

    ReplyDelete
  16. And the rise and rise of Emma Williams continues with no sign of abating - yet another incredible project that oozes an exceptionally professional use of techniques and finishes. You're a star! Jenny x

    ReplyDelete
  17. The mini album is adorable!!! The contrast in textures you used is awesome, Inspired!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Such a beautiful album Emma!! Love the burlap cover, bee, all the textures and wonderful inside pages.

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is GORGEOUS! I hate gardening, but even I was totally inspired by your album! It made me almost..ALMOST...get on my gardening gloves and go outside (and if you knew how much I dread working with plants, you would realize just how inspiring your piece was to me)! I especially love the ribbon and how you used the monocle. I always look forward to your projects and you never disappoint. You really are one talented lady!

    ReplyDelete
  20. A fantastic album! I love the burlap cover and the bee looks brilliant.
    Rebecca.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wonderful mini! The burlap cover looks awesome! Love all the texture!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fun mini book!! I just love the burlap cover and added textures :)

    *mwah*
    Steph
    Simon Says Stamp!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Completely gorgeous and amazing!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for all your comments and messages, they are all appreciated and I hope you'll come back and visit again soon...
Emma ~xx

Powered By Blogger

Total Pageviews