Hello everyone, Patti here from the USA, this is my first blog post for Meg's Garden and I must say how happy I am to be a part of this team. For my first project I had anticipated making a set of note cards until I received my package. Once items were in hand I changed it to a File Folder mini album. I love making mini's and have seen so many tutorials floating around YouTube the last few weeks I thought I'd make one to share with you.
I fell in love with the Vintage French Girls and wanted to incorporate them within the pages of the mini. As I said the construction was done with 1 1/2 manila file folders cut, folded and glued to form pockets and pages. You can see from the photo above I had a fabulous time using all sorts of bits from Meg's package. I used the pearl sprays and my favorite flowers, the Carabella Rose Posy in Fairy pink, oh how I love these flowers. I dyed the seam binding and the lace to match the papers and embellishments and to finish off the front.
Throughout the book I used The Gentlemen's Collection and The Correspondence Collection designed by the talented Kerry-Jean Watson for all pages, mats and tags. The girls became a focal point on each page. Using the scraps from the file folders I made tags and supports for the backs of my pockets. You can see I've matted and fussy cut the girls to form pockets for the photo mats. I also created a top pocket which has a post card. All papers are highly distressed using Tim Holtz Distress inks in Gathered Twig and Tattered Rose.
I must confess when I first started the mini I intended on just using The Correspondence Collection but as I got started I saw how easy it was to interchange the papers and elements, like the clock above (which is part of the Ephemera Cut & Create paper), with The Gentlemen's Collection as well.
I loved how these pages turned out. By using the little tiny girls (which are included on the included bonus strip) I created tiny postage stamps which I grouped together and double mounted to form the pocket for the tickets. Creating an angle pocket draws the interest to the opposite page where the pocket holds a tiny booklet for three 3"x5" photos.
This is probably my most favorite page, I'm sure because I love this sleeping little cherub. I backed her for support and then cut around her body to form the pocket for another tri-fold photo booklet. There are several pages I haven't shown which will be included in the walk through on my video below, along with many more photos to give you ideas and inspiration to create your own mini.
