Sunday, July 15, 2012

GRAPHIC 45's ABC PRIMER ALBUM

It's time for another "ANYTHING GOES" week over at Simon Says Stamp and Show.  Hop on over and check out the really cool and unique projects that my Design Teammates have created for you.

Since this is an "Anything Goes" week, I decided to make an album to display my grand children's school pictures.  Even though they are not even in Kindergarten yet, they still have pictures made at their preschools.

Front cover of my album 

You probably know by now that I love all things vintage.  So, I ask this question....is there any paper more perfect for creating a childhood school album that Graphic 45's ABC Primer papers?  I bought both the 12x12 and the 8x8 pads to do this project.  I also used a couple of papers from Graphic 45's Playtimes Past and Communique collection.  Graphic 45 papers seem to always coordinate with most of their collections from year to year.


This is a thick album with TONS of pull ups, pop outs, pockets and pages.  The pattern is The "Glam Girl" Album from Kathy Orta of Paper Phenomenon.  Here is a picture of the outside covers of the album.  The chipboard spine in the center measures 3 1/4" across.  The chipboard covers are 8" tall x 6" wide.  So, you can see that this is a substantial album.  I love it!

  
In this picture, you can see the inside covers and the inside pages that are attached using a hidden hinge system.  There are 6 interactive pages.  Each page has a different pattern for pops, pull outs and pockets.  I created the entire basic book out of Kraft Cardstock.  Then I distressed all of the corners, creases, pages and pull outs using Gathered Twig Distress Ink followed with a touch of Black Soot Distress Ink.  Once that was complete, I began covering each piece with the images from the Graphic 45 papers.  This took a lot of time but the end results are worth it! 

Most of the gluing was done with 1/4" Double Sided Scor Tape.  I LOVE this stuff!!!  The backing comes off so easily!  It's easy to work with; not as messy as liquid glue or glue sticks.  It's quick, easy and always dry!  I inked all of my edges of my matted pieces of paper with a Black or Chestnut Roan Cats Eye Ink Pad to give them more of a vintage feeling.

   
Here are all of the inserts that fit in the top slots of the 6 pages.  They are matted on both sides.  I punched the top edge of the inserts with an EK Success Binding Edge Punch for added detail.  




Here is a closer up picture of the first page.  You can see the flip up that is in the red polka dot.  Underneath it is a pocket.  You can mat photographs on these pages and then stick little memoirs inside of the pocket. The top flap (in red polka dot) also houses a slit in the side that is holding a tabbed insert made out of kraft paper.  This will be great for either adding more pictures or for journaling. 




Flip over to the next page and you will see this.  On this photograph, the flap on the right hand side is down. 




This is the same page as above but the flap is pulled up and opened out to extend the page even further. There is a big pocket in the center.  The other pages are perfect for matting photographs.  See what I mean about this album being so interactive and loaded with all sorts of pockets and pull outs?




On this set of inside pages, the flash cards on the left are also a pocket.  And the graphic of the girl on the right is also a large pocket.  Behind the pocket on the right is a hidden pocket with a tabbed insert peeking out.




More inside pages.  On the left...just a page to mount a photograph on.  The page on the far right is actually a folded out and flipped up extension of the right side page.  There is a pocket at the bottom of the far right.  In the center, the ruler is right at the top of a pocket that is decorated by images from the Graphic 45 Playtimes Past collection.  I love how those papers work so well with the ABC Primer papers.




Still another set of pages.  This time, the left side of the page is folded out to reveal the "ABCD" panel.  There are two pockets on the other side of this fold out.  The little boy on the right side is actually the top of a flap that is attached to a pocket underneath it.


As you can see, this is a really wonderful book; full of all sorts of interactive features.  I think that it one of the reasons I love it so much!  As my family is looking at all of the pictures that will someday cover this book, they will be surprised to find all sort of little pockets and pull ups hiding little "treasures" and journaled memories.

Now it's YOUR turn to create anything your heart desires and post it to our challenge.  You could be the winner of Simon Says Stamp's



This is drawn randomly each week.  We also pick the TOP THREE entries for the week for special recognition.  This is quite special as we have some wonderfully talented artists that play our challenge each week!  



So, get your creative juices flowing and let's see what you come up with!


 
  

29 comments:

  1. A gorgeous vintage make, there are so much work here and it has all been so worth it! This is absolutely wonderful!! Love it! Trace. X

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  2. What a treasure! The way you've decorated this book, it's beautiful even without photos. I'm sure it will be a family heirloom for your grands. Beautiful!

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  3. Wow! This "mini" is fabulous! I watched Kathy's ustream on this one, too. I bought everything to make it, but time slipped away. You have done an amazing job with this. Makes me want to pull mine out & get going. Love G45 & adore your work!

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  4. oh my god. where do you find the time and the imagination? the front cover was good enough and then you went and did a hole book. love visiting. mark

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  5. This is spectacular... just a brilliant project with these glorious papers. Love all the ins and outs and ups and downs and flaps and pull-outs and pockets and distressing (shall I go on?!)... fan-tas-tic!
    Thanks also for your lovely comment over on Words and Pictures x
    Alison x

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  6. WOW what a fabulous art work is your book. Really magnificent!
    Hugs Anja

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  7. Hi Candy. This is a gorgeous album. The papers are stunning and I particularly love the flap over with pockets. Thank you for sharing such a stunning creation. The photographs you choose will look fabulous. What a gorgeous keepsake. X

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  8. Glorious album, those Graphic 45 papers are so delish and you have used them beautifully here. Love all the pockets and flaps, adds so much interest to your album. The domino images are perfect combined with the numbers and letters included in the papers . Gorgeous composition Candy. As always beautifully executed. Tracy x

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  9. Fabulous mini album! I love how interactive it is, it must be so much fun to discover everything when you look through it. Love the papers you used. TFS!!

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  10. This is a mini masterpiece. I love that you have used G45 papers for a children's album and it really, really works. Love the pockets, the hidden bits, the cover - well everything! A x

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  11. Loving your wonderful album you have filled it beautifully Candy, Annette x

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  12. Thanks Candy for another outstanding creation: your mini is gorgeous!
    Hugs and creativity form Italy
    Manu

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  13. Wow Candy, love this amazing album! It has so many pages and things going on! You can add so many of your grandchildren's pictures in it! I'm so glad to be your teamie! Hugs, Sandra

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  14. Hey there my sweet teamie, well all I can say is YOU DID IT AGAIN, another STUNNING masterpiece where you can put lots and loads of pictures of your grandbabies in wowzersss I just love Graphic45 papers and you have done such a great job with them. I just love all the little detaills of your album wowwzersss absolutely stunning Candy, hugs terry xxxx

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  15. Gorgeous mini album and this is going to be so wonderful with your grandkids pictures! Love the gorgeous patterns you put together. Wonderful!

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  16. Love Love Love this album, I am not going to say mini because there is nothing mini about it. Fantastic job.

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  17. This really is beyond awesome! I love the way you have used this collection!

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  18. Gorgeous...love all the flaps and flips! ;)
    xoxo Sioux

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  19. Another fab piece from a fab artist! Just love it Candy!

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  20. Talk about a lot of hard work! Gorgeous layers and each page is a delight to see! WOW!!!

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  21. HOW CUTE IS THIS!! Great idea and lovely project Candy!!

    Love from The Netherlands,
    Leintje*

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  22. WOW!! This is amazing, I love the design and all the wonderful detailing

    Sue

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  23. Such a beautiful book Candy! Gorgeous paper and I love all the pockets and inserts, it must have taken so many hours to create.

    Hope you're well and enjoying the summer.

    Chris x

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  24. Gorgeous book with beautiful papers and lots of great ideas! Thank you for sharing! Hugs, Elizabeth

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  25. It's a really beautiful book with a lot of work gone into it. Thank you for my comment you and the designers have put in over 400 comments.

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  26. I LOVE your Blog! Found you over at Simon Says Stamp & Show... Love this Album and particularly your style. I'm adding you to my Google Reader! Thanks for sharing your work.
    ~ginny

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