Purple Christmas Mini Album

I haven't posted anything I've done in a couple of days... but I have been busy. Apart from the FOUR HOURS it took me to go through everyone's posts and make comments (why do you people have such brilliant blogs?!? *lol*), I have finally finished another LRMA. "Another?" you cry... yes... and it's all because I just had to ask of my swap partner "What colour would you like for your LRMA I'm making for you?".

Now, with a blog-name of "Purplehouse", you'd think I would've known already. Karen (for 'Karen' is her real name) sent me a lovely little e-mail back asking for "purple, a bit of pink,... and glitter".

ARGHHHH!!!

Glitter... my nemesis!

The Moriarty to my Holmes

The Joker to my Batman

The Dr Doom to my Fantastic Four

The Katie to my Peter (or vice versa *lol*)

...you get the picture...

Still, I asked and therefore I must uphold my craftegrity, and do as the lady asks.

I used purple... and a little bit of pink... and glitter. Well, I actually used holographic embossing powder a bit - and even encased this little bit of demonic glitter inside several layers of clear embossing powder. To no avail. I am flittered. There is a hint of sparkle in the craftroom, and everything within the room also has that subtle sheen of sparkle to it. Darn! Well, my craft room is no longer virginal as far as glitter is concerned :) But I survived! There are no glittered pets within the house, I am not sneezing glitter, and there are no cascades of sparklyness as I walk though the house.

So, here's the cover, showing the couple of charms I added to the bookrings and the ribbon  had to use to hold the book together:

All the tags inside are pretty simple, journaling lines on one side and embossed wording and snowflakes on the other. I also made another of the customised bookmarks, using a butterfly charm and a purple tassle as the enclosed gift for Karen.

The little tags on the first page are the same - Santa on one side (holographic embossed) and patterned pink paper on the other side. These slip under the circle with the snowflake on. The little tag that slips into the stocking pocket opens up.

 I used the envelope idea again and placed three little cards inside - all with reindeer on them. Two simple tags slip under the word "JOY" that is also holographic and clear embossed. Following this is my favourite idea... the reindeer on one page attached by ribbon to the present-stuffed (tags) sleigh on the opposite page.

 The following page is a matt that folds down to reveal three spaces for journaling/photos, and also a tag slipped into the punched top of the matt too. The opposite page folds out revealing a tag pocket and a journaling matt held in by clear photo corners.

 The last page is a little matchbook flip-top pocket that holds spaces for five tags.

Well, I hope Karen enjoys her book and her gift... the swap doesn't finish until November 15th, so I may have a while to wait before getting my return-pressie :) I'm so excited *lol*

**EDITED
Because I kept renaming my swap partner. Her name is KAREN, not Helen *lol*
Let's just say it comes with age...and then not mention it again :)

What Is A Loo Roll Mini?

After my last post, I've been asked "What is a Loo Roll Mini?"

Also known as:

LRMA (Loo Roll Mini Album)

TP Mini (Toilet Paper roll Mini album)

CTM (Cardboard Tube Mini album)

... and probably a few other names I don't know. I noticed it on You-Tube (mostly known as TP Mini's there), and loved the idea of recuyling something usually thrown away... but still feel a bit squeamish about the whole "re-using empty toilet paper tubes". Still, I usually have a stack of toilet paper that I use in my craft room... so that's a bit more hygienic :) OR you could just make your own cardboard 'tubes' from a good quality Kraft paper... or even cut up any longer cardboard tube. Each 'page' is made by flattening the tube, and this also makes a pocket to slip a tag or two into.

My first attempt was with faux-cardboard tubing (I made the 'tubes' after measuring the only toilet roll  remaining after Hubby had a cleanup *lol*) can be found here.

Have a quick look around You Tube... type in "TP Mini" into the search bar, and see what you find!

Have Fun!

Cardboard Tube Mini

My (not a-) cardboard tube mini album is finished... this one is a traditional red and green... though the next one  will be pinks and blues (and possibly a bit of purple too). This post has quite a few photographs... sorry!

I made separate front and back covers, and decoupaged some of those little toppers you can buy for £1 for 5 packs (think they are "Anita's" brand from DoCrafts) to make the poinsettia on the front cover... and loved using this coffee coloured lace for the edging. I'll probably add some Christmas ribbon to the binding rings... matching the miniature baubles I have hanging there. I think the title is from the "Silent Night" Papermania collection, and the ribbon and bell are also a DoCrafts brand.

The inner of both front and back covers are the same. The first page is a simple photograph envelope with an aperture cut into it (took me ages!). I decided to join the second and third pages... linking the reindeer and sleigh with a ribbon. The pressies in the sleigh are simple little tags.

Page four is a present that folds out to show five journaling/photo matts. Next page is a simple tag in a pocket. Page six shows an envelope that hold three little cards, followed by a simpler page seven - just three stockings hung up.

The eighth page has a small photo frame that is held on with velcro - easy to take it off and mount a picture under it. Next is my favourite page with the mini-mini "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" book I made (shown here) and a couple of tags. Lastly, page ten opens up to reveal five pockets (made from coin envelopes) that each hold a gold-embossed tag.

The tags made for the mini album (two for each pocket) were kept simple, just using kraft cardstock backed with the patterned papers the mini is decorated with. I finally used rub-ons and didn't make any mistakes! Okay... so there ARE mistakes... just not noticeable ones :)

I just have to slip in that little gift I customised now, and it's all done!

Thanks for looking!