Christmas Album by Sharon Harnist

This year I decided I wanted to get more of my family holiday photos out of the computer and into an album -- anyone else out there raising their hand, too?!! While looking through Ellen's store, I discovered this beautiful Melissa Frances 6-inch holiday mini album that I thought would be perfect . . . and it IS!

It includes 2 printed chipboard covers (6.5” high x 6.25” wide), 12 GORGEOUS double-sided printed 6”x6” pages, 1 vellum page, 2 vellum envelope pages, 1 envelope with a string closure, and 2 metal jump rings . . . everything you need, and a steal at just $9!

While this album is beautiful all on its own, I hope to give you a few scrapbooking tips, tricks, and additions to help personalize it and use in any of your scrappy projects!

For the cover I made a custom coordinating embellishment, using images from one of the album's printed papers and Tim Holtz Fragments Charms:

These embellishments are quick and easy to make -- just use Glossy Accents to glue the plastic charm to the paper. Let dry, then cut out.  You can either leave the charm as is, or I used this fabulous 3/8" Silver Coppered Foil Tape around the edges, to achieve a faux soldered look (since the charms are plastic, you wouldn't want to try and heat solder these as they would probably melt!):

On the larger rectangle charm, I just covered the sides of the charm (not overlapping the foil tape onto the front of the charm). On the smaller round charm, I centered the edge of the charm on the foil tape (as you would with soldering) and folded the foil tape onto the front and back of the charm.  Use a bone folder to help burnish the tape onto the charm and smooth out any bumpy spots. (A close-up of the smaller round charm is shown further down below).

For the title page, I used Paper Smooches by Kim Hughes Alphadot stamp set on a grid acrylic block (the grid helps tremendously in making sure your letters and words stamp out straight!), stamped with Tim Holtz's Limited Edition Winter 2011 Seasonal Distress Ink Pads (Evergreen Bough and Festive Berries):

A few of the pages had beautiful but minimal printed patterns on them, so I decided to add some texture to them, with dry embossing.  I used Tim Holtz Texture Fades Embossing Folders (Damask & Regal Flourish, Post Card & Sheet Music, Snow Flurries & Snowman) on these pages:

It's a fun way to make custom embossed designer paper!

I made photo mats out of these gorgeous Lifestyle Crafts Tags dies -- they are the perfect size for approximately a 2.50" x 3" photo! (I'm sorry to say these are out of stock at the moment -- it seems they flew off the shelves!  But I couldn't wait to show you my idea with them and Ellen assures me more are on order, so please check back for their availability).  The photos are mounted with 3D foam tape to the embossed background paper.

I added file tab dividers for the years, using Tim Holtz's On The Edge File Tabs dies, cut from Memory Box Dill & Cranberry cardstock:

On this page, I added hand stitched accents with red baker's twine (use Tim Holtz Design Ruler to pierce holes first) and tied on the small round charm faux soldered charm.

Copic Sepia Multiliners (or Gray or Black) are perfect for journaling -- they are waterproof and archival ink.

I wanted to try something with Tim Holtz's On The Edge Distressed Doily die and discoverd I could make a custom OVAL doily that I'll use for a photo mat!  It's pretty easy to die cut one side, then turn the die or cardstock around and match it up with the previous cuts and die cut the other side!

It was die cut from Neenah Cream cardstock and sponged with Antique Linen Distress Ink.

Here's the next year photo page:

I used one of the leftover cut-outs from the green photo mat as an accent on the Santa photo page.  For tiny/thin die cuts, I like to use Zig's 2-Way Squeeze & Roll Glue -- it's easy to get into tiny nooks and adhere those small slivers of paper/cardstock:

Here's one page for the newest addition to our family this year -- our shelf elf, Bell-a!

Included with this album are two vellum envelope pages -- I'll use them to store letters to Santa and other treasures from my girls!  

For instructions on how to make the Santa tag, please see this CLASSroom post (I had an additional "oopsie" tag that didn't turn out exactly how I wanted for our 12 Tags with a Feminine Twist series the first of this month, but salvaged it for this album!). For this version, after stamping the Santa image and spritzing the tag with my custom mix of Antique Linen Distress Ink Reinker (about half a dropper full) and Gold Perfect Pearls (plus water in a Mini Mister), I added "Letters to Santa" to the top of the tag, using the Paper Smooches Alphadot stamp set again and Memento Rich Cocoa ink -- I love the child-like handwritten look to these stamps!  

May Arts 1-1/4" Red Silk Ribbon was tied through the top of the tag. That completes this album . . . there are several more blank pages to add more photos from previous and future years!  I hope you enjoyed these scrapbooking tips and will find some of them helpful to you!  ~ Sharon

Melissa Frances Holiday Mini Album, 
Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz On The Edge Distressed Doily and File Tabs; Lifestyle Crafts Tags; 
Sizzix Tim Holtz Texture Fades Embossing Folders: Damask & Regal Flourish, Post Card & Sheet Music, Snow Flurries & Snowman, 
Stamps: Paper Smooches by Kim Hughes-Alphadot;Tim Holtz Santa's Wish; 
Paper: Memory Box Dill & Cranberry cardstock; Ranger Inkssentials #8 Manila Tag; Neenah Classic Crest Cream cardstock; 
Ink: Memento Markers; Tim Holtz Limited Edition Winter 2011 Seasonal Distress Ink Pads; Antique Linen Distress Ink; Memento Rich Cocoa ink pad; 
Copic: Sepia Multiliner, 
Accessories: Tim Holtz Fragments-Charms; Ranger Glossy Accents; 3/8" Silver Coppered Foil Tape; May Arts 1-1/4" Red Silk Ribbon; So Easy Fancy Red Baker's Twine; Ranger Perfect Pearls-Perfect Gold, Mini Mister Set, Ink Blending Tool; 1/2" Silver Jingle Bells, Zig 2-Way Squeeze & Roll Glue; EK Success 3D Dots; Clear Rectangle Acrylic Block 3"x4" with Grid; Tim Holtz Design Ruler; Prima Jaqueline Lace Ribbon; 

 

Comments

[church]

This post is really awesome and very helpful for me thank you for sharing this article and good job mate.

[julie]

Wow! This is stunning! I wish i was this creative. Thanks for sharing this awesome album.

[Katherine]

This is beautiful Sharon.
I really love the patterned paper used with the embossing folder. I know I often forget those folders aren't just for solid colors. A beautiful, subtle effect.

[Sandra ltb]

wonderful - wish I had my act together to make things like this!
Sandra ltb

[KathyN]

Sharon, this is beautiful! I love all the little details you put forth in the album. It makes a difference!!

[conil]

This album is uber-beautiful. Love everything about it.