" The Garden" Mini book by Suzanne Crowther

Hi everyone welcome to Megs Garden blog. Its Suzanne here today to share a mini book with you all. The book features the beautiful butterfly collection from Megs Garden. Grab a tea or coffee relax and come into “The Garden” a mini book by me!!!

When I received this stunning paper from Megs Garden I was so happy I had so many ideas of what to make that sadly I ran out of paper.

“The Garden” Mini book by Suzanne Crowther

When I designed this book I had made up my mind to use some dies to cut out my mini book. I think it gives it a little bit of style.

I used my largest die size 98.67 x 121.88mm inches + 3.88inch x 4.8inch. With that picked 1 die cut 8 shapes in black card stock as I wanted the beautiful butterfly collection to shine. I mixed and matched all the papers in together. I then trimmed the paper to fit all the pages and I also cut some blue card stock which I use as matting to these beautiful papers.

As you travel the garden book you will notice I have used back ground stamps, other stamps, glimmer mist and inks. I measured and cut everything onto blue cardstock I used 2 way tape and the pages were all inked. Then I fussy cut some butterfly’s from the acetate sheet I glued them onto white cardstock. When fully dry I added some glitter and I also used some white flowers which I sprayed with ink and glimmer mist. I did die cut a few butterfly’s just in case I needed more with all this preparation done it was time to put the book together.

At this stage I also had blue fingers lol, with the help of a black coffee I was ready to get it all together.

I took 8 pages and measured up for a spine. I cut some black cardstock 2 inches x 3.2 inches and trimmed top and bottom to match the inverted corner I scored this at ¾ inch in on both sides this gave me a ½ inch spine for my pages. This was glued to the front cover and the back cover leaving a ½ inch spine down the centre, while the covers layed flat on the table I took this time to cover he front the spine edges are glued to the inside of the book front and back this will leave the outside of the book nice and smooth. I cut one long piece of paper I trimmed it to fit, inked edges and with the cover done I turned the cover over and got the pages ready six in total but I did add 2 small pages as I put this all together.

I had pre-cut some black pieces that I used between the pages that fitted into the spine, but has no page, I wanted to have room to embellish the book. The blanks and pages where all glued with Helmar 450 for strength with all this done I glued 3 striped of black top, middle and bottom of spine. I then glued all this into the spine and left it to dry overnight it needs to be fully dry before you open the pages and work on the book. When you first open the book it will be a bit stiff but this glue is amazing.

On the front cover I used some beautiful lace from Megs Garden and I threaded some ribbon top and bottom the piece I cut fitted end to end. I glued this down to give more strength to the book. The metal piece on the cover, I added a brad and some seed beads and filled it with glossy accents I then let it dry and glued it to the lace I also added a couple of little flowers, a bow and one of the butterfly’s with glitter.

I had pulled out a few stamps with some positive words for this mini book. Butterflies give hope, everyone loves butterflies so this Garden Book is a positive up lifting book a book of hope and love it was made with love. You could decorate your pages with whatever you have in your stash a lot of these bits and pieces all come from Megs Garden. All the ribbon, laces and trims are from Megs Garden so come along and check out the store you will be amazed and inspired.

 

Products Used: Megs Garden Products

The Butterfly Collection card pack

The Butterfly Collection – A Flower Garden for Butterflies

The Butterfly Collection – A Butterfly Garden at Night

The Butterfly Collection – A French Butterfly

The Butterfly Collection – Another Delicate Garden for Butterflies

Sheet of Acetate Butterflies

Selection of Ribbons

Selection of Metal Embellishments

Stick Pin Products from Megs Garden

Seed Beads and Beads

Selection Trims and Flowers