decorating mini album pages

The September #30lists challenge opens tomorrow, this will be my 14th challenge with the #30lists gang, so I've been doing a little decorating of my mini album pages. I don't always embellish pages before I begin listing or even embellish every page, but I am a fan of adding some personality to my blank pages. For me it's kind of fun and a little bit of therapy, too. I get lost in my happy place, mesmerized by the colors, patterns and textures and making it all "fit" together.

BEFORE THE LISTS


For this page, the playing card and striped die cut were included in the embellishment pack that came with this mini album.

#30lists #lists #mini #album #scrapbooking #iloveitall

I grabbed the polka dotted paper from my scraps pile and added a manila shipping tag and a paper clip I added some ribbon to myself.

#lists #mini #album #scrapbooking #smashbook

This file folder label sticker was also included in the mini album embellishment pack, but I have more here and in this fun embellishment kit, and this super mega sticker kit, too.

creative way to stretch your number stickers

Because I'm a frugal crafter, I like to find creative ways to stretch my number and letter stickers. It never fails that I run out of letters and numbers that I NEED to make a project work. The number dilemma is a struggle, especially when I'm working on my #30lists journals.

BEFORE

I didn't have a 1 or 3 sticker, but did have the backing sheet from the number sticker sheet I had nearly used up.

#diy #stickers #repurpose

DURING

Trying to come up with a creative solution, I wondered if I could carefully cut around the number stickers. It was certainly worth a try, I thought, and if it didn't work, it didn't cost me a thing.


#recycle #number #letter #stickers #scrapbooking #iloveitallshop

AFTER

Ta Da! It worked. I call this creative attempt at stretching my number stickers a success! Part of the reason it worked so well was that the numbers had a colored border outline. If yours don't, it might be more of a challenge to trim around the letters and numbers.


#stickers #scrapbooking #iloveitallshop #iloveitallblog

I hope you give it try sometime and that it works for as well for you you as it has for me.

HELPFUL LINKS
Find my List Love board on Pinterest here.

The printables below are free and included in your #30lists registration. Find out more about this challenge here
 #free #printables #download #scrapbooking #mini album #30lists

freebie printables and how to use them

Do you ever wonder what to do with those freebie downloads you've printed? And how you should even use them? This is a set I designed for the September #30lists challenge and I'm going to show you how I've decided to add them to my journal.

#freebie #printable #journaling cards #free printable #travelers notebook

If you use these printables, share with me on IG using #iloveitallshop and tag me @iloveitallshop, I'd love to feature your creative work!

LET'S EMBELLISH
I'll probably add a little something to the front of this bag, but I'm not sure. Sometimes, a little "white space" is a good idea.

#journaling cards #Project Life #mini album #freebie #printable #download #smashbook

See how I embellished the journaling card I tucked inside the folded kraft bag here.

#ombre #30lists #journaling cards #freebie #printable #scrapbooking #scrapbook #mini album

I trimmed the #30lists ombre page flag inside the trim line, folded it in half and attached it to my bag with the same washi tape I used on the edge of my journaling card.

See how it looks peeking out from behind the first two layers?


#30lists #mini album #smashbook #scrapbooking

For this banner I hand cut from the free printables set I designed, I trimmed outside the lines.
#today #journaling cards #free #freebie #printable #download #free download #journal #notebook #smashbook #scrapbook

For the last challenge I used a circle punch for the numbers, but this time used a scallop punch. Here's a set of patterned paper scallop punches for just $1.00.

#free number printable #numbers #mini book #mini album #30lists #journaling cards
#numbers #number #freebie #free #printable #download #smashbook #scrapbook
#30lists #smashbook #free printable #numbers #ombre #journaling card #project life

Like that pink rectangle label die cut? Find a set of 30 in the shop.

And here's another idea using a freebie printable, it's like the #30lists banner at the top of the post except I attached it sideways on the page.

#freebie #free #printable #downloads #scrapbooking #planner girl #planner supplies #30lists


USING FREEBIES FROM OTHER #30LISTS AMBASSADORS
The next two pages in my journal have been embellished with freebies from #30lists co-creator Kam from Campfire Chic. I hand trimmed the pennant shape, pointing it toward the number sticker, and will more than likely add the list prompt inside.

#free #printable #download #30lists

I like adding a bit of black to my pages, either by my generally using black ink to journal, or with other design elements. Here, I used a "TODAY" sticker as a placeholder and tucked the number badge from Kam underneath to anchor it.

#free printable #30lists #smashbook #mini album

Find another free journaling card in the Solar Eclipse 2017 set.

REGISTER NOW

I hope you'll join this fun community of journal keepers, list makers and storytellers, it will be my 14th challenge and I think you'll love it, too! Register here.

DISCLAIMER | I am an affiliate of the 30 Days of Lists class and will earn a small fee if you use any of my links to purchase the class. As you can see by the number of times I've taken classes, I believe in this adventure and think you will enjoy it, too.

HELPFUL LINKS
My 30 Lists mini albums

using embellishments in your mini album

Using embellishments in your mini albums doesn't have to be intimidating. I've had people tell me  that they love the kits, but are at a loss for what to do with them.  I'll be using this journal for the September #30lists challenge. This will be my 14th time participating!

Let's say you're using this kit...



...there are so many cuties, but where does one begin to know where to begin?

WHEN I CREATE

When I create the embellishment kits for the mini albums in the shop I choose the majority of the items to coordinate with pages that are within the journal. Then, I choose a few items that contrast with pages and then I just go through and add a few things that are fun. Those items may not fit with the journal at all, but if you're a crafter you'll find a way to make them work - either on this project or on something else you do {cards, layouts, goody bags}.


MY PROCESS


To begin, I lay out the embellishments on my craft table and then begin flippng through my mini book to see what items naturally coordinate with the pages. Here, I thought the natural tones of the mini shipping tag fit well with the muted tones of the leaf page.


See the orangey-gold file tab sticking out there? I pulled out my small letter stamps and added "six" in black ink.



So here I'm combining the chevron tag from the kit and adding two paper strips from my drawer full of paper scraps that I've cut into to make a pennant banner shapes. I'll tuck my list inside and more than likely will add a number atop the small tag on the paper bag.


If all that pattern is bothering you, I totally understand. I would never, ever wear clothing with that many patterns going on at the same time. But, somehow, when it comes to paper, I like putting things together that don't necessarily match but coordinate and play off of eacho other.

For me, the white medallion pattern on the kraft bag, plays off the white in the chevron paper and in both paper strips. That's the way I see it at least.



To cut the cute sweetness from all that pink, the black and white sticker label seemed like a solution. I'm thinking I'll use some other black elements to pull it all together. Maybe black letter stickers and some black and white baker's twine to tie through the hole on the pink shipping tag.


I shared this photo on Instagram just because I thought the washi tape was soooo cute!


One of my favorite hashtags to use is #makesmesmile, so I made a die cut and added it to the kit. The colors were so perfect for this bright yellow polka dotted bag. I added yet another paper strip from my stash. More than likely, I'll use a colored shipping tag from this set to slip inside the bag to hold my list.


The left page comes pre-embellished for you with the label tag. 
What will you use it for?

For the right side of the page, I used the pink paper clip and pink rectangle label die cut as a starting point. Who knows which direction l'll go from here, but I do know it will be fun trying to figure it all out. Find a set of more rectangle label die cuts in the shop.


REGISTER NOW
Here's more information and how to register. { affiliate link} 

HELPFUL LINKS
Browse my List Love board on Pinterest

Lists:  1 - 3  |  4 - 5  |  6 - 13  |  14 - 17  | 18 - 21 |   25
Find more lists my #30lists posts, including past challenges
You can find more mini book inspiration + tips in the archives.

getting my september #30lists journal ready

I spent the rainy dreary Saturday morning this weekend camped out in my favorite chair, surrounded by bits and baubles getting my September #30lists journal ready. 

It's one of my favorite things to do: prepping my journals!


Wondering where you can get that uber-cute set of printables? It's a freebie with your 30 Days of Lists registration...and there's even a 30% off coupon code included.


PREPPING THE COVER PAGE

First up, I printed the freebies and trimmed them. I decided to hand trim the phrase banners outside the lines, leaving a smallish white border.



For the journaling card, I used a circle punch and added patterned yardstick inside the outline along with the "this month" phrase banner. I then added washi tape to the outer edge and rounded the corners.

Here's how I used a similar journaling card from the freebies I designed for the March challenge.




I tucked it into the pocket formed from the folded kraft bag which serves as a cover for my mini book.



When I added the phrase banner to my journaling card, I didn't glue it all the way down so I could curl the edge at the end up to give it some texture. You can see from the side view just what I mean.



I have more posts scheduled, sharing how I've set up pages using elements from the embellishment kit, more of the freebie printables and my stash. There's only one of this journal remaining


I WANT A JOURNAL
Mini albums are one of my most favorite things to create and use to document our family's story. You can find them here. These three have embellishment kits that are included to help you decorate your pages, but you can always find more color coordinated Tag + Embellishment Kit Collections in the shop.


                                                Buy It Now                                              Buy It Now

REGISTER NOW
More info and registration
 {affiliate link}

DISCLAIMER | I am an affiliate of the 30 Days of Lists class and will earn a small fee if you use any of my links to purchase the class. As you can see by the number of times I've taken classes, I believe in this adventure and think you will enjoy it, too.


what i'm reading now

I have been on a reading rampage and here's what I'm reading now. That's right, I'm one of those that read more than one book at a time.


BOOKS
  • The Goldfinch and Tiny Beautiful Things are for a Book Club I was kindly asked to join {we're on a summer hiatus}. I don't know that I would have chosen this Cheryl Strayed book on my own, but I am happy to be reading it. And quite unexpectedly, I've underlined quite a few phrases and ideas and solutions. Not every entry speaks to me, but man when they do, it's like a freight train. Whew. I've shed tears and felt on many occasions that she was speaking to me.

I personally chose Donna Tartt's novel for our next read because I had heard so much about it from other book nerds I follow on Instagram. For me, it was a rather slow go getting into the flow of the story line. It might be that, with this book at least, I need to have a longer period of time to read rather than just 20 minutes here and there. For me at least, I only pick up this novel when I have a good 45 minutes to an hour of uninterrupted reading time. I might even have given up on the novel if it were not for the Book Club. 

If our library doesn't have a copy of the book I need, I always check Thrift Books next. We've even ordered a text book for Victoria because they only had classroom copies one year! Check 'em out, I think you'll be surprised at the awesome pricing and free shipping on orders over $10. 

My link offers you a 15% off coupon and I'll earn points toward my next book purchase! 
And thank you.

  • While Isabella was looking for library books in the Young Adult section a few weeks ago, I saw Fan Girl and picked it up to read myself as I've heard good things about it. I'll finish it, but I'm not totally sold on the story line. 
  • While Victoria and I were out shopping for Isabella's upcoming birthday at a locally owned gift shop, we saw Paperboy and she was excited. She remembered that her Language Arts teacher recommended this book as a good summer read. We decided to get it and use as a read aloud bedtime story adventure for her and I. Both girls generally read before bedtime, and I haven't read them a bedtime story in years, but I knew that bedtime stories with Mommy time were soon going to be a thing of the past and suggested it. I'm glad I did! I get snuggles while laying in bed together and enjoying a great story. And, to find out that the author, Vince Vawter, just lives the next town over makes it even better. I think I may try to see if he would autograph our copy as a surprise for Victoria.

KINDLE PAPERWHITE
I'm a huge fan of holding a real book with paper pages I can turn in my hands. I've balked at the convenience of having a tablet reader for years and years. But then I asked the girls if I could borrow one of theirs so I could give the whole concept another try.

I did and, much to my surprise, I enjoyed using it. Gordon suggested I try the new Paperwhite because it's lightweight and the contrast is better.

And because I'm sort of bad about making the drive in to town to return my library books, I've had the chance to read more because I can just download the next book on my list!

And because we're Amazon Prime members, we get tons of freebies and low cost books, plus a new release freebie each month with Prime Reading.

Here's what I've finished reading on the Kindle Paperwhite, all of which I would have never found if I just wandered the library.

  • Mrs. Saint and the Defectives, Julie Lawson Timmer
  • Beach Lawyer, Avery Duff
  • She Can Run, Melinda Leigh
  • The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, Gabrielle Zevin
  • Stillhouse Lake, Rachel Caine
  • The Night Bird, Brian Freeman
  • Dead Certain, Adam Mitzner
  • The Things We Wish Were True

So, yeah, I still love holding a book in my hands, but the convenience of carrying the lightweight Paperwhite in my purse for reading in the school pick-up line or at sports practices is so very nice. Plus, I can read in bed at night without keeping Gordon awake.

What new reads can you recommend to me?

free august calendar download

Believe it or not, today was the first day of school for our sweet girls. We now have a Freshman and a sixth grader in the house. Sniffle, sniffle, sob, sob.

To help you plan the rest of your summer, download your free August Calendar Cutie and make the most of you rcarefree days while you can.

#calendar #august #august calendar #freebie #printable #iloveitall


Find more Calendar Cuties downloads here.

Thanks for stopping in!