Mini Book Cards

I always think about making scrapbooks for people I care about for special occasions.  I've struggled with how much time it takes to make a full or mini scrapbook for someone.  So I've come up with a new solution: mini book cards.  I take a few pieced of cardstock paper and sew them together into a mini book.  I keep the whole 'theme' of the card and cut the book into just a little larger than a normal card.  This size is so much more manageable to put together and still keeps the look and feel of a card for occasions.  I'm also playing with the ongoing Instagram print trend.  Anyone who knows me also knows I'm mad for Instagrams. Viola!  Here is a project I recently did for my boyfriend's sister who came to visit us in Florida.

I pulled some K&Company and Paper House stickers from my stash to create a pretty layered butterfly for the front cover of the book/card.  

I added a cluster of buttons and gems at the bottom left to add some more punches of color and interest.  I mixed a glitter ribbon and twine as a tie for the card.  I also used the twine as the 'thread' to sew the pages together.  Its chunky, but works fine and gives a rustic feel.  

I sewed together two additional pieces of paper in the card to create enough pages to include the pictures I wanted to scrap.  I pulled scraps from my hoarded paper, and mix and matched stickers and embellishments from different makers (Basic Grey, My Mind's Eye, Little Yellow Bicycle, Crate Paper, Amy Tangerine) to scrap the mini pages.  

I cut down the middle most page to a smaller size to create mini pages in the book, which are faster to scrap and add some unexpected fun.  

Color blocking with cardstock, rub ons, gems, buttons, epoxy stickers, border stickers, brads, clips, & chipboard fun.  I'll be sharing some more mini book cards in the near future. Thanks for stopping by!

I've entered this in the following challenge:
Use It Tuesday - Challenge #62: Trends

Stashing Inspiration

Before Pinterest came along, I had my own way of collecting images that inspired me.  I would pick up a large scrapbook with plain paper pages at a garage sale to use.  Now I hit the local craft store and pick up an inexpensive sketch pad.  I picked this one up at A.C.Moore for $5.00.  Of course I need to scrap out the front cover.  I fill the books with clippings from magazines for house decorating ideas, organization inspiration, recipes, you name it.  Of course you can also print out your Pinterest snapshots.  I save all of my magazines for these projects.  And a little secret...I actually get my magazine subscriptions free from saving my Coke points.

Here is my latest old school Pinterest book, now ready to be stuffed full of new ideas and inspiration.  I pulled out an eksuccess binding punch that I hadn't used yet. I love how it plays into the whole 'office supply' theme.

 
I also dug through my old supplies and used Crate Paper Stickers, a Basic Grey office tab, Recollections Paper Cut outs and Washi Tape.

I wanted to stick with fun summer colors like pink, lime green, orange, & yellow with some black accents.    

For inside of the book I make some quick and simple page markers. I used large black and white paper clips and tied ribbon around the tops.  This isn't your typical scrapbook project, but I will keep these books with my others.  In several years it will be fun to look back on what styles and ideas inspired me.

I'm submitting this for the following challenge:
Use It Tuesday -- Diecuts, Punches and Cutouts!! (my most hoarded item on this project is card stock)

Thanks for stopping by!