Mini Album: LOVE...Let Me Count The Ways

I wanted to do something special for Valentine's Day...don't we all?  I saw a mini-album made from a deck of cards recently and thought I'd create my own twist on the concept.  I started by picking up a pack of pink - Breast Cancer Supporting - playing cards at a local store and then compiled all of the Valentine's themed paper, embellishment and stickers I could get my hands on.  I thought I gathered a nice little pile...the pile ended up being a bigger than expected, but I figured hey...the more the merrier!

I had pre-cut chipboard rectangle pieces (laying around from another project) to serve as the base for the book.  I also had a basic hole-punch to put a binder-ring through to bind the project together at the end.

For everything else, I used the following:

• Creative Memories Talking Tags (which I LOVE and will discuss again in a later blog),         "P.S. I Love You" Title Stickers, colored cardstock, vellum quote, Puzzle Maker, Paper Ribbon,
• Authentique cardstock
• Jolee's Cupid 3-D stickers, gold hearts
• Tim Holtz idea-ology mini word stickers
• Martha Stewart icing border stickers
• Recollections flowers, glitter chipboard, adhesive rinestones, metal frame
• Other miscellanous elements collected over the years

***Remember, this is all about you trusting your talents and

creativity to make something truly special.***

As I worked on the project, I fell more and more in love with it.  I had intended to make it simply as a pretty little valentine album to keep in my soon-to-be craft room.  What I realized, however, was that it would make the perfect personalized valentine gift for my boyfriend.  For one, he enjoys poker so the whole "playing cards" idea fit perfectly.  Second, he's pretty much a-m-a-z-i-n-g, if for no other reason, than because he supports and really seems to like my scrapbooking! :)

To personalize the album I found a vellum quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning which states "How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways."  I chose to use six of the pink playing cards to enhance the top-six ways/reasons I love my boyfriend.  I decided not to finalize the project just yet (hey, I have to keep some of it a surprise!).  I will later add my journaling into the empty pink journal spots.  Also, using the Creative Memories TalkingTags, I will record short voice messages for him as well...reading what is written on the page to give the words more meaning via my voice.  Like I said... I LOVE the TalkingTags!

So here we go! Here are some pictures of the (almost) finished project! Hope you like it!

Valentine's Day Cards

Who says you're too old to give valentines to your loved ones?  Not me!

This project is meant to inspire some creative "homemade" valentines.  Whether your preference is traditional or digital, sending your loved ones a valentine will remind them how important they are to you.

I've created a few traditional-type valentines of my own...see below! :)

Note: To add to the stability of the card itself, try using a piece of thick chipboard as the back-base of the valentine.

Song Lyrics

I've seen this idea done in the past, but I feel it's underutilized.  For the journaling portion of your layout, look for a song whose lyrics perfectly state what you'd like to say.

For one of my Creative Memories Design Team submissions, I created a 12x12 digital layout using a picture of my friend's daughter.  The photo was already so colorful and "JOYful" that I thought the best way to journal the page would be adding the lyrics to "Joy to the World".  To accentuate the main line of the song, I englarged the lettering in the middle of the journaling spot so that it stood out.

I love how the page came out! 
Such a cute layout idea to frame and set out for the Holiday season we well (this one for next year's Christmas perhaps :)



Digital Scrapbook Program: Creative Memories Storybook Creator 4.0
Photographer: Sophia Sabella Photography

Creative Memories "First Snow" Digital Layout

Follow the title-link below for the products used as well as step-by step instructions for creating the layout below!

First Snow

Creative Memories "Tropical Tiki" Digital Layout

Follow the title-link below for the products used as well as step-by step instructions for creating the layout below!

Tropical Tiki Layout

Photo Tip No. 1

Posed pictures can look great, but the ones that catch my eye the most seem natural and effortless...ones where the "model" isn't even aware a picture of them is being taken.  Of course, make sure they're okay with you using their photo afterwards!

If you're unsure of the best way to shoot the photo, I would advise you take the photo in color (you can make it black & white or sepia later), and don't be worried about the extra space around the person.  Remember, you can always edit the photo (crop, rotate, color change, etc) later with your photo editing program.  (I use Creative Memories Memory Manager 4.0)

Below are examples using some of the photo edits discussed above!