Mini album in Carrying Case!

 Hi friends!
If you know anything about me, it's that I LOVE MINI ALBUMS!! Having recently watched Nicole release a set of Dies that made a 5" mini album with fabulous little pages, I decided I had to make one!! She also designed the dies that make the frames you will see throughout this pot.

On the cover I knew I wanted to make a SHAKER and these dies made it so easy to incorporate one into my book. The other circle doilies added to the delicate look of this book, and I topped them off with miniature flowers and Tonic Nuvo Drops in Lemoncello.

Here is a Top view of the small album, which will easily house twelve pictures. The perfect first gift for a new mom, or grandmother of a new baby girl!

 Each page in this book also has twelve opportunities for either more pictures, or journaling, as each page is a top-loading pocket housing a tag with matching mint-colored twine. The cardstock is nice and heavy, so there is no fear of this paper not holding up to use.

Inside, there is only one sentiment: "Enjoy the Little Things", suitable for the book, and all right-facing pages also have a Gorguss Girl image in a matted frame. These are all hand-colored!

Can you just feel the whimsy?? I love the colors of the Maggie Holmes paper I incorporated in this book, and the images! 

As most of my books are gifts, I like to incorporate a template so the user can easily cut pictures down to size. To add this to my book, I altered a pink clothespin with a small green bow. Perfect! 

Speaking of bows, there is one more on the back page of the book. It tops off a gift tag that reads: 

WITH LOVE.

This will allow the purchaser to write a small note to the recipient, or perhaps mom can note the date of the pictures included.

Did you notice the BOX?

I added this GORGEOUS bow to the spine of my book, so not every box could fit this little album. This led me to design my own!!

I am so happy with the results!!!

Your little book can be set atop a table to enjoy, or gifted inside the little box that surrounds it for safety, but also give a sneak-peek of what's inside!

I just HAD to make sure the box was simple but cute, so I added another shaker! This time, it's a small camera, so the recipient can be reminded that this little gift is to house very special pictures. 

I am happy to make such special items, and hope that you can enjoy them too!

Most of all, I hope that you can 

Be inspired, Be Blessed!

Raquel 

Watch my video!

Tonic Studios Craft Kit #19

Hi friends,

Today I am sharing an absolutely adorable card I made with Tonic Studios Craft Kit #19 as well as other products in my crafty stash of goodies. 

I received the kit in the mail, and wanted to try out the size of the sentiments right away, so I decided to go with a square card for my project.

I knew I wanted to use the "Always Believe" sentiments. They were so easy to cut, and I decided to layer the "Believe" as a pink cardstock on top of white. 

The sentiment cuts out with what looks like a sunbeam pattern. To make it fit my design, I colored it using Nuvo Markers that matched the colors of my papers. 

I also used Ranger Distress inks and heat embossed the butterflies that I stamped using BoBunny's Butterfly Kisses stamps. This allowed me to add more sparkle to the card, and a place for it to land when it opens, as it reveals a blue butterfly on the inside, topped with small pearls. 

I used an embossing folder to add texture to the background, and distressed the edges of the paper by tearing it, and then coloring it with Distress Inks and a Nuvo Glitter marker.

The inside of the card also has additional texture with corners cut out with Surprise Bouquet from Tonic Studios, and finished with Nuvo Drops.

Products Used:
Polkadoodle image
Tonic Studios: Nuvo Markers, various
Nuvo Glitter Marker
Nuvo Drops
Dies: Surprise Bouquet, Kit #19, others
Ranger Distress Inks, various
Bo Bunny Stamps: Butterfly Kiss
Embossing Folder:
Provocraft
Embossing Powders:
Recollections

I hope that you have enjoyed this post, and as always, I hope that you can 

Be inspired, Be Blessed~

Raquel 

Please watch the video if you like, and give me a thumbs up! Plus subscribe for more content like this!

Little Jam Jars and Tag Embellishments with Video Tutorial!

Hi friends, I recently shared a tutorial on my Youtube channel on how I made some adorable tags and jar embellishments. These were tons of fun to make, and work perfectly as either happy mail or gift toppers for many occasions!

First, I received some adorable stamps as a swap gift, and you can see one pictured here to the right. I had also recently purchased some stamps from BoBunny I wanted to play with, and decided to combine both. I added the little girl image to a tag, colored her with Spectrum Noir and Nuvo Markers, and  stamped the sentiment and Hot Air Balloon using Ranger Distress Oxide Inks. 

To distress the papers I also used Ranger Distress Crayons, and finished them off with Ivory Seashell Nuvo Crystal Drops.

Here you can see several items I was inspired to create and share also in my video...

Above is a close-up of the Jar embellishments I created with Crafter's Companion Jam Jar dies, and Sizzix Funky Floral #1 die set. The little flowers were the perfect addition to my acryilic shimmery jars. I cut them out of felt, and hand-stitched them adding small pearls to their centers. They are delicate and pretty!

I also added twine, little acrylic hearts, and stamped mages to make each jar unique. To "fill" them with jam, I used BoBunny glitter paste in Tutu, as well as Martha Stewart fine glitter, and an embossing folder left little bows in the blue jar, topped with a vellum and mulberry flower. 

I love adding unique touches to my embellishments. Not only do they add a hint of glimmer, but they also add gorgeous texture to all my handmade projects. 

I hope that you have enjoyed this post, and that you can

 Be inspired, Be Blessed~ Raquel

Watch the video below, and don't forget to give it a thumb's up!

Fabulous 1950's Mini Album with Authentique and Tonic Studios

Hi friends,

In this post I am sharing my latest Mini Album. I used a 1950's witty paper collection from Authentique, and several dies from my stash, as well as old and new pieces to make this album unique and absolutely lovely!

The front cover starts off with a cut out that I layered four times with papers from this collection. It reads: "Remember You Are Fabulous"

Need I say more? 

I fell in love with this paper line, and made it my own by adding little details that would highlight the laissez-faire attitude of this paper.

To add to this, I made a flamingo using felt instead of paper. The top corner has antique buttons, a pink bow, and an enameled polka-dot heart.

By incorporating paper flowers  made and colored using Ranger Oxide Inks, as well as embellishing with a gifted doily and antique buttons and trims, I was able to complete the cover with texture, style, and feminine details that are reminiscent of a bygone era.

The spine also got lots of attention, and I made a layered charm piece with beads, flowers, and even little stars in a globe. These are attached to a red bow made with vintage Seam Binding of the 1950's!

This is the inside front cover. On this layout I created a lacy bottom pocket on the left, and tucked photo mats and a tag for later journaling. On the right, I also made a layered tag, this time using vellum, and the pocket also contains more photo mats.

The sentiment on the left reads: Classy and Fabulous

To keep this lighthearted I used the sticker from the collection on the photo mat envelope:

Kiss My Grits...

On my second page layout, "Stay Sassy" is the sentiment that stands out with a lovely lady wearing a polka-dotted dress. So 50's! There is a taller pocket with additional photo mat. On the right, a fold out page with a teacup as a handle...

This is topped with a doily, flowers, sequins, a feather, and a sticker that reads:

"Bless your Heart"...

This page opens, and another sentiment with 

BE You Tiful is topped with glittery roses. It's shiny, and fabulous!

This is the rest of that layout, which opens to reveal more room for pictures. This page reminds me of a dance floor! I added hearts and shiny cherries here for a playful vibe.

The third layout includes another photo mat with a Grace Kelly Quote, and the pocket on the right reads:

Life's a Bowl of Cherries. 

I loved the floral paper and wanted it to be prominent on these pages.

I finished it with more cherries and made sure to frame the card for a finished touch.

Page four brings us to another witty sentiment:

Heavens to Betsy

This is on the cover of a flip-page, with a stunned girl who is keen on listening in.

I used Washi tape to embellish the edge of the matting on this page, and break up the pattern of the papers used.

On the opposing page there's another pocket, a typewriter I embellished with inks and an Oh So Dapper image framed in circles. 

The small page opens to reveal a larger photo layout, and tuck spots I made with ephemera and stickers from the collection. 

This layout was one of my favorites! I added texture with dry embossing, sequins, pearl trim, lacy die cutting, embellished Sunglasses, a Vintage Camera, and a soft ribbon to open the flaps on the left.

I also created a clip making a black bow topped with a vintage style brad. The sentiment reads:

"It's all part of my mystique"...

The pocket reveals Audrey Hepburn wearing pink glittery sunglasses, and decked out in her pearl necklace, complete with bow!

Page six reveals a waterfall, and it will hold small pictures and thoughts. The opposing page holds two small pictures, and I added the film strip dies backed in acetate to ensure there is still room for even smaller snippets of pictures that will "float" on the page. This page also reveals a side pocket with a secret!!

The secret to the previous page...it's pocket reveals the picture that can be seen on the last page!!!

It's also a SHAKER!!!

The sentiment reads : "Live life with a Little Spice"

Woo hoo!! The couple kissing is a little bonus **wink**

I added shiny bits, flowers, and lots of love to this album.

I hope you have enjoyed this post, and as always I hope you can 

Be Inspired, Be Blessed!

Raquel

Watch the video if you prefer a live presentation:

True Friendship Card with Tonic and Tim Holtz Dies

Hi friends, 

So you know how I love to make all those detailed little embellishments? Well this is why!

I also adore making cards for people I love, whether they be family, friends, or "new friends",lol!

This is when the embellishments come in handy, as I can incorporate them to my cards and make them look unique and different!

Here I made a card for a new friend, and I used some of my favorite products!

Above, you can see that I added the small camera from Tim Holtz for Sizzix, and a Tonic Studios stamp in the center that reads: True Friendship Lasts Forever

I also completed the embellishment with a raffia rosette, and scattered pearls and sequins for a sparkly effect.

The small stamped image is from Santoro London Gorguss Girls, and I cannot express how much I love using these little girls every chance I get! I colored her using Nuvo Markers and Gelly Roll pen for additional shine. 

Layering the die cut papers allowed me to frame the image without taking away from the coloring, and I also framed it with handmade flowers that matched my card perfectly!

The gorgeous card base is made with Tonic's Memory Book Collection dies, and it lends a book-style front to this large card that makes a big impact even though the colors and textures throughout are all soft.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post today, and if you like to take a peek at more detail, watch me make this card here!

Be inspired, Be blessed!~Raquel

Flower Tutorial Using Cricut and Metal Dies

Hi friends!
It comes as no surprise that we love to add flowers to our projects. Whether it be card-making, book-making, or altering items for home decor. This is all wonderful, but what happens when the store doesn't have the perfect color bloom you're looking for?
In my case, I like to put the tools in my crafty stash to work, and come up with my own!

Here is a bunch of little flowers, all easily made with my Cricut, and with several dies from my stash. I used Ranger Oxide inks in Abandoned Coral, and Spun sugar. You can use these individually, or combine them for gorgeous color combinations!

Also pictured above is Liquitex Gel medium, mod podge, and Nuvo drops. These are optional, but I like to add them to my papers to give my flowers great texture and different centers!

To shape my flowers I use McGill tools that allow me to manipulate the paper and add tons of dimension also!

Making these is time-consuming, but the end result is well worth it, as I then get to incorporate them to any project I like, or add them in happy mail for friends to use also!

Here is a video if you like more detail, and a peek into how I make these!

Enjoy, and Be inspired, Be blessed!~Raquel

Christmas gifts, Quick and Easy!

Hi all, 

This blog post is late, but this is something I wanted to note, and share with others. 

I love making projects that are not only decorative, but useful. This past Christmas, all gifts in our home needed to be made quickly, but not at the expense of a good presentation.

The answer to this was easy! I used my Silhouette Cameo, and quickly decorated some jars with a "Merry Christmas" and adorable little Snowflakes in  shiny Vinyl. 

In a short period of time, my son had some adorable gifts to hand out to his teachers. That, and he helped to make them!! 

evidence of tweenager helping!

I want to teach my children that gratitude is important, and that it's never a bad idea to let his teachers know that their hard work is appreciated. The gifts may not be expensive, but taking the time to give them is what matters most. 

These were made by filling each jar with enough hot chocolate mix to make at least two strong cups.followed by mini marshmallows, and topped with chocolate chips. 

This is a versatile gift, especially in the wintertime, and the jars are reusable! To me, that is a win-win!

I hope you like this, and that it give you an idea for the next occasion in which you have to quickly come up with gifts for a group.

Be inspired, Be blessed!-Raquel