Earlier this week, I received a cutting and scoring guide from Stampin’ Up! as one of the lovely perks of being a demonstrator.
The idea was to create a mini album using just ONE sheet of 12″ x 12″ cardstock.
Now, we were only given the basic cutting and scoring guide. How we decorated it, what mats and layers we added, and what we actually turned it into was completely up to us.
And, well… you know me! 😂
I couldn’t just leave it as it was.
I Had to Pimp It Up!
Once I started putting the mini album together, my crafty brain immediately started thinking about what else I could do with it.
So I made a couple of changes to the original design.
First, I added an extra page, giving me even more space to decorate.
Then I glued some of the sections together in a slightly different way.
That one little change created FOUR pockets that were the perfect size for photo mats.
Of course, I didn’t stop there either!
I made pull-out inserts to slide inside each of the pockets, giving the album even more space for photos, journalling or whatever else you might want to add.
At this point, my little one-sheet mini album was growing arms and legs! 😂
But then came the question…
What was I actually going to use it for?
The Paper Decided for Me!
The answer came from the Designer Series Paper I had chosen.
I was using the cutest Christmas Mice Designer Series Paper, and as I looked at all those adorable little mice, baking and getting up to festive mischief, I suddenly thought…
RECIPES!
And just like that, my mini album became a home baking recipe album.
Honestly, sometimes the paper chooses the project for you!
The little mice were just perfect for a baking-themed album, and I loved the idea of filling it with some of our favourite homemade recipes.
A Handmade Recipe Album
Instead of filling the pull-out sections with photographs, I can now use them for handwritten or printed recipe cards.
The extra pages give me space to decorate, add little notes, write memories connected to particular recipes or even include photographs of some of the finished bakes.
I think it would be lovely filled with recipes that have been passed down through the family too.
Imagine having Granny’s cake recipe, Mum’s favourite biscuits or your own tried-and-tested Christmas bakes all together inside a handmade album.
It would make such a special keepsake.
And it would make a gorgeous handmade gift too!
Sometimes the Best Projects Aren’t Planned
This is one of the things I love most about papercrafting.
You can start with one idea and end up somewhere completely different.
There are no crafting police telling you that your mini album has to stay a mini album!
Change the folds.
Add another page.
Create pockets.
Turn it into a recipe book.
Make it your own.
That’s part of the fun.
My original Stampin’ Up! cutting and scoring guide gave me the starting point, but a little experimenting — and some very cute Christmas mice — turned it into something I know I’ll actually use.
And I absolutely love how it turned out.
Sometimes you just need to start cutting, folding and playing with your supplies and see where your creativity takes you.
P.S. If you enjoy card making, papercrafts and projects like this one, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter so you don’t miss my latest tutorials, inspiration, classes and crafty updates.
You can also find lots of free card making resources and tutorials over at SmithsCraftyCreations.com.
Got a question? Feel free to message or email me! 💕
There really is no such thing as a silly question, especially when you’re learning something completely new.
📩 Email me at Smithscraftycreations@gmail.com or send me a message through my social media pages.
I’m more than happy to help you get started, explain the basics or point you in the right direction.And your first handmade card could be the beginning of something rather lovely.
Happy crafting!
Tricia 💕
Smith’s Crafty Creations
Smith’s Crafty Creations
Creativity isn’t about perfection. It’s about relaxation, and making time for yourself.
#SmithsCraftyCreations #CouldCraftingBeYourNewThing #CardMakingForBeginners #PapercraftingForBeginners #NewHobby #CreativeHobbies #CardMakingUK #Papercrafting #TrySomethingNew #CreativeCommunity #StampinUp
🌸 Fancy Giving This Papercrafting a Try?
If you’re completely new to papercrafting, I’d love to help you get started. Follow my beginner series, join my crafty community, or get in touch and tell me “I’M NEW!”
💕 Follow the beginner series
👭 Join my crafty community
✂️ Find out about beginner classes
📧 Sign up to my newsletter
💕 Card Making for Beginners I need YOU
👭Card Making Basics
✂️How to Make Your First Handmade Card
Thank you everyone for checking out my blog post today.
