fall mini in the making

I printed this design onto photo paper and also onto a transparency, and decided that I liked being able to see a photo of us together {celebrating his 39th birthday!} peeking from behind! So that will be what's going in our Fall mini-album.

Here's another sample of a "tease" that makes me smile. This particular quote printed on vellum is one of the 41 items included with the Fall/Autumn Mini-Album Kit. I left plenty of room on the left side so that when holes are punched for our binder rings, it won't interfere with the design. I'm kind of Type-A about stuff like that. 

And here's the photo that speaks bliss to me, peeking from behind the vellum. It's been a Sunday Photo feature here on the blog.

The "falling leaves" tab is also included in the kit and I chose the photo on the left, taken on our property on the day we had Zach's 14th birthday party, to accompany it. This photo is one of my all-time faves and it was taken with our Nikon point-and-shoot. Even though these two nature photographs were not taken this year, I included them. There's nothing wrong with that. My plan with this mini is going to be more about journaling. Journaling about why I love Fall so much.

I folded over some velvet ribbon {see below} and attached it using a simple cross-stitch and some embroidery thread. You could also use a staple or an eyelet and your Crop-o-Dile or even just some good 'ole adhesive. 

This vintage-look postcard inspired paper led me to reveal that there's nowhere else in all the world I'd rather be than with my husband and our family. You know travel them...world. Is it too cheesy? And I included the photo that Isabella took of us at Papa's cabin.

Using the shipping tag and one of the felt embellishments, I used my paper piercer to trace a heart before placing my felt sticker atop the pierced heart. I'll probably use the hole that's already there. And, if you have kids, you know there are going to be a ton of leaf bouquet's coming your way. Document it. First, it will remind you of how much a small thing like gathering leaves made your kid's day AND you'll be documenting their hands. One day, you'll be glad you did. And so will they. Nothing sweeter than things in miniature.

Wouldn't  you love to have a photo of what your childhood home looked like during different times of the year? It might not seem all that important to take a photo of your home, but it is. It's where you spend your time as a family and where your memories are made. Document it. Today.

Using my paper piercer again, I placed a circle shape on the paper and tried to evenly space my pierced holes as I went around the circle. After using embroidery floss, I adhered the felt pumpkin {there are two in the kit} and added my rub-on letters to the chipboard shape, which has a pop dot behind it, adding even more dimension.

I'm not sure about whether I'll keep the page on the right. I mentioned a lot of good things about Isabella, but also mentioned that she can have an attitude sometimes. But, I guess that's life. Still pondering this one. I outlined my page with a small line, leaving room where the binder ring holes will be.

I wanted to show you an idea I saw years ago in a scrapbooking magazine and I wish I knew whom to give credit. Using some Dollar Tree crafting foam, I drew a bird and traced it several times glueing them in a stack to make my own stamp. Each time I use this homemade bird stamp, I use removable glue dots on my acrylic block and then place the bird on top. When I'm finished, I remove the bird and then the glue dots from the block.

Again, I'm using those file folder labels {2 are included in the kit, but I used way more here} that I love so much for journaling. We love to sit on weekend mornings, drink our coffee and watch the birds at the feeder hanging in the tree. So, a journaling about birds fussing with each other and how we also fuss with each. But they make up and so do we. 

That bracket die cut journaling shape?  LOVE. It's from Stampin' Up, if you're wondering, and it's called Top Note. It's next on my list of "gotta have this now" items. Gina sent me several of these, the gorgeous velvet ribbon and lots of other goodies.

So, that's what I have so far. I've generally used the same items to create my album that are included in the Fall/Autumn Mini-Album Kit, but couldn't help adding a few extras. 

Wondering where all the journaling, documenting and stories I talked about are? Today, I'll work on those stories, using a journaling block that I designed and will be offering as a free download for you, my dear blog readers.

Are any of you documenting your Fall?