TAC Savvy Projects for People on the Go

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Tutti Frutti Mini Memories Pocket Album

This savvy little mini album is simple, smart, sophisticated and FAST!  You are going to LOVE it!  And, best of all, from START to FINISH you can have a COMPLETE album in LESS than 1 HOUR!

I designed this mini album because I needed something to showcase my Easter photos in.  Of course, I choose one of my FAVORITE paper collections ... TUTTI FRUTTI!  After all, it SCREAMS Spring & Easter.

So, let's get started.

First, I constructed the INSERT pages of my mini album.  I took 2 sheets of my Tutti Frutti paper and cut each to 8 x 9.  Then I scored each sheet using my Scor-Pal. 

On the diagram below the BLACK lines indicate the first set of score marks I made.  The PURPLE line indicates the score I made after I had scored and folded the BLACK score lines, however, you can score all lines at this point if you wish.

This is what my paper looked like after scoring on the BLACK lines.  (As indicated in the diagram above).

 

Then I folded in the sides like this ...

Did you notice (ABOVE) that I cut each corner diagonally.  Then, with my adhesive, I attached the folds to the BOTTOM half of the paper.  NOTE ... I ONLY attached the FOLDS on the BOTTOM at this point!

Now my 1/2" folds on BOTTOM are secured to the BOTTOM half of the paper.  Now, I am going to use my adhesive and apply it to the TOP 1/2" folds.  (I'm going to put my adhesive on the colored 1/2" piece of paper and NOT the white).  Then I'll fold the TOP half onto the BOTTOM half of paper.  It will only be attached at the sides.

CONSTRUCTION ALTERATION TIP

Here is an alternate way to construct your INSERT pages.  On one HALF of the page you can trim off the 1/2" on each side and then tape down the 1/2" FLAP to the TOP page.  (I trimmed off the 1/2" AFTER I scored it).  Either way works GREAT!  You decide what you like best.

This is what may INSERT page looks like now.  Looking at this it APPEARS like the ends each have a spine.  They don't.  It's purely an optical illusion!

Next, I score my INSERT page down the center and fold it in half.

Then I punched slots using my circle punch.  To make it easier for myself ... I punch these from 'behind' and use the lines on the punch to line up my paper.  I do this on each pocket to try and keep my mini album consistent and POLISHED.

After punching out each slot ... I decided to add a little more POLISH.  I took my scissors and trimmed the 'sharp' edges into CURVES ... just to soften the overall look of my mini album.

Next, I set aside my INSERT pages and began construction on my mini album COVER. 

For my COVER I used a piece of 4 x 8 Premium White Cardstock and a piece of 4 x 8 Clear Acetate.  I scored each piece in HALF as shown below.

Next, I punched a hole in my CLEAR ACETATE with my Crop-a-dile.  Notice that I fold the edges together and made ONE punch.  This way I don't have to worry about one side being off center.  Both sides are PERFECTLY even and POLISHED.

After that I attached two ORANGE eyelets from our Mia's Cottage Collection.

Then I strung through a piece of ORANGE ribbon, again, from our GORGEOUS Mia's Cottage Collection.

I set this piece aside for a moment and attached TWO pieces of patterned paper to the WHITE COVER of my mini album.  Both of these pieces are from the TOP sheet that comes in our CLASSIC Soar With It Collections.  I keep all of these little pieces so I found TWO that matched, trimmed and then attached them to my mini album COVER.  They make such a GREAT front and back!

Next, I assembled all of my mini album COMPONENTS in order and prepared to STAPLE them into place.

From FRONT to BACK ... this is the order ... Insert Page, Insert Page, WHITE Cover, CLEAR Acetate Cover.

And then I STAPLED my mini album together.

POLISHING Tips

Typically, I try to center my STAPLE between the edge and the ribbon and then the NEXT STAPLE between the ribbon and the other edge.

Make certain that the FINISHED edge of the STAPLE is on the OUTSIDE of your mini album.

Also ... not all STAPLERS work!  Make sure you have a STAPLER with a LONG neck! 

After STAPLING my mini album together it looked like this from the OUTSIDE ...

And this from the INSIDE ...

Here's a snapshot of the FINISHED construction ...

To EMBELLISH my mini album I used our PREMIUM White Cardstock.  (My FAVORITE Cardstock!).  I wanted to make INSERT pieces for the POCKETS I had created.  I cut my cardstock 3-1/2 x 3-3/4.  I embellished with RIBBON (the PURPLE in Juliette and Winchester go FABULOUSLY with this collection!), photographs and the cardstock STICKERS in my Tutti Frutti Collection.

This little mini album is so much FUN to make and it's FAST!  If you don't typically incorporate CLEAR Acetate into your projects ... I encourage you to start!  I know you will be amazed with the POLISH you can ONLY get by incorporating this product.  I promise ... it will take your projects from GREAT to SIMPLY STUNNING before your very eyes! 

I hope you ENJOY making this savvy little mini album as much as I did!

If you need to replenish your supplies, have questions with a product, technique or are interested in one of the products I've used here please contact your ANGEL and she'll be happy to assist you!  If you don't have an Angel yet ... click on SHOP NOW on our homepage and find one in your area today!

My Supply List for this Project:

1. Tutti Frutti SWIC  V826
2. Clear Acetate  F47
3. Premium White Cardstock  V222
4. Scor-Pal  F358
5. Extra Jumbo Circle Punch  D72
6. Crop-A-Dile  K100
7. Mia's Cottage Hardware  B118
8. Mia's Cottage Ribbon  B218
9. Juliette Ribbon  B221
10. Winchester Ribbon  B216
11. Miss Moxie Ribbon  B219
12. Paper Trimmer
13. Tombow Adhesive  D91
14. Sanding Block  F103
15. Stapler
16. Scissors

Tutti Frutti Flip Flop Mini Album

I hope you 'FLIP' over this darling little mini album!  This is so unexpected and FUN ... I just LOVE it! 

I hadn't planned on designing a FLIP FLOP Mini Album until I spotted these felt FLIP FLOPS in our local craft store.  I was walking down the isle admiring all of the home decor that matched our Tutti Frutti Collection and then I saw these!  They were so cute and for $2.67 a pair ... SOLD!  I had to get me some! 

You will see here that I have actually combined two pair of FLIP FLOPS to make my mini album ... but we'll talk more about that later.

This project really is FUN but do plan on more than an hour to complete your own mini album.  This one took me about 2 - 2  1/2 hours from start to finish.  (Including time to round up photos and think of things to say).

This is so EASY to do ... let's get started!

First, I needed to make a pattern so I traced around the FLIP FLOP.  I did this on a scrap piece of cardstock and then cut it out.

Then I marked on my pattern where I was going to leave the 'scored and folded' edge.

 

 

Next, with my Scor-Pal I scored my patterned paper in half and then traced on my FLIP FLOP pattern with a pencil.  NOTE where the 'scored and folded' edge is on the paper.

Trace your pattern onto your paper and then cut out.  This is what your paper will look like when you open it.

After I cut out each piece I knew that when I put them 'back to back' you would see my imperfect cutting.  So I stippled purple ink around the back of each FLIP FLOP.  This helps to POLISH the look of the finished album.  I had started out sponging my ink and then for some reason grabbed a stipple brush.  Look at the difference ...

Ok.  So it's not that big of a deal to the outcome of this project, but, isn't that interesting!  This die-hard sponge girl is buying more stipple brushes!

After I traced and cut out all of my pieces I put them into the order I wanted.  As shown below ... I always matched up the RIGHT side of one pattern to the LEFT side of the next. 

The LEFT side of Pattern A will be attached directly to my FLIP FLOP and not another sheet of paper.  Eventually, the RIGHT side of a pattern will be attached directly to the bottom of my FLIP FLOP and not attached to another sheet of paper.

   

Next, I needed to connect each piece.  I used a sewing machine for this step, however, you can easily attach your pieces with adhesive.

Here is a snapshot of 3 pieces attached to each other with adhesive ...

 

After I attached my pieces together I embellished them with photos and journaling. 

Then I took a scrap piece of Tutti Frutti and constructed a spine to POLISH the binding of my album.  I folded a piece of Tutti Frutti in half giving me extra strength to support my book.  I attached this to the outside flaps of my album with adhesive. 

   

Next I attached the top of the FLIP FLOP to my album using adhesive.

Before I attached the bottom FLIP FLOP I had to do a little modifying.  You see ... I actually used 2 pair of FLIP FLOPS to make this album.  For this album I used the 2 LEFT feet.  (Now I can make another album using the 2 RIGHT feet). 

Then I applied my adhesive ...

And attached the bottom of my album.

I used clips to hold things securely in place while it dried.

And after everything dried ... I had a DARLING little mini album!

You can check out the inside of my Tutti Frutti FLIP FLOP Mini Album located in my Photo Album. 

This VERY unexpected little album really took me outside my box! 

• I haven't 'cut out' photos like I did since probably college. 
• I've never journaled like this before ... the words themselves and the cutting the words out like I did ... it was TOTALLY FUN!  I WILL do it again! 
• Of course, I sanded the edges of my photos!  (I just can't help myself).

Sophie saw the FLIP FLOP album tonight and gave me ONE thumb up.  I would have gotten TWO, however, she didn't like one of the photos I used of her.  I CAN live with that!

I hope you are inspired to try a project like this.  I encourage you to think outside your box and do something you normally wouldn't.  It's SIMPLY FUN!

Our Tutti Frutti Collection SCREAMS happiness and it is a perfect match to all of the great summer gadgets (like these FLIP FLOPS) in the craft stores this year.  This is a great collection to pick up if you have Spring Fever and are itching to try something new!

And remember, if you need to replenish your supplies, have questions with a product, technique or are interested in one of the products I've used here please contact your ANGEL and she'll be happy to assist you!  If you don't have an Angel yet ... click on SHOP NOW on our homepage and find one in your area today!

My Supply List for this Project:

1. Tutti Frutti SWIC  V826
2. French Lilac Palette Ink  TT202
3. Stipple Brush  (Size 4)  F112
4. Scor-Pal  F358
5. Tombow Adhesive  D91
6. Sanding Block  F103
7. Purple Memory Marker (from set 1) F156
8. Quick Dry Tacky Glue
9. FLIP FLOPS - 2 pair
10. Sewing Machine
11. Clips (for holding while glue dries)
12. Scissors

Tutti Frutti 'Flower Power Hat'

The very CREATIVE Candi Dierenfield sent us this FUN, HAND MADE Hat for a contest entry many, many, many months ago ... and still ... every time we see it ... it's still so EXCITING!

Look what you can do with a handful of supplies.  (Candi used our Tutti Frutti Paper Collection, contact paper, thread, ribbon, a flower, glue dots and a sewing machine to make this hat). 

This hat is so DARLING ... I had to SHOW and TELL!  Isn't it WONDERFUL what a girl can do with a little paper!  Enjoy! 

If you need to replenish your supplies, have questions with a product, technique or are interested in one of the products I've used here please contact your ANGEL and she'll be happy to assist you!  If you don't have an Angel yet ... click on SHOP NOW on our homepage and find one in your area today!

Sands of Time 'YOU ROCK' Basket

So how INCREDIBLE is this!  I HAD to Show and Tell!  Julie Griffith sent these baskets to our staff at The Angel Company and we are in awe every time we walk by one!  Isn't this GORGEOUS!  (This project features our Sands of Time Collection).

And check out these little bags inside the basket filled with ROCKS (melt in your mouth chocolates disguised as rocks). 

Check out even more details ... did you notice the scallop edging?!

Topping it all off is a beautiful gift tag ...

Of course ... it opens!

What a simply FABULOUS gift giving idea that I HAD to pass along!  I hope you enjoy!

And thank you Julie for thinking of us!  You are so kind!

If you need to replenish your supplies, have questions with a product, technique or are interested in one of the products I've used here please contact your ANGEL and she'll be happy to assist you!  If you don't have an Angel yet ... click on SHOP NOW on our homepage and find one in your area today!

Tutti Frutti 'You've Got Mail' Door Hanger

This is a FUN way to INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE and CHEER ON the little ones in our lives! 

I've been wanting to design this project for sometime, however, the little notes I wanted to create weren't what I was looking for.  Well, today that changed!  We received SOTM (Stamp of the Month) samples for our April SOTM from Meri McLaughlin AND instantly I knew how I could POLISH my notes for my Door Hanger Mailbox!  (And ... I'll give you a sneak peek at two of Meri's samples for our April SOTM).

So, let's get STARTED!

Since this Door Hanger is designed to be a MAILBOX ... the first thing I need to do is construct a little box to hold mail.  I cut a piece of purple cardstock 3" x 8.5".  I then scored (using my Scor-Pal) at 3", 4", 7" and 8".  Add adhesive to the 1/2" flap and adhere.  How SIMPLE is this! 

This is what my box looks like lying on it's side ...

The next thing I do is construct the bottom of my box.  I used a scrap piece of my purple cardstock and cut it just a notch smaller than 3" x 2".  (Cut it a notch smaller on the 3" side).

TIP:  What's a NOTCH in Mischelle language?  I've noted 1 & 2 notches from 7".

Then I scored the bottom at 1/2" on each side.  It goes 1/2", 1", 1/2" as shown below.

I applied adhesive to the flaps one side at a time.  I attached my first flap to my base and then the second. 

Now my MAILBOX is complete!  It looks like this with the bottom side UP.

Ok, I set the MAILBOX to the side.

NOW I set ORANGE eyelets through my two Sheer Square Scallop Coasters.  I used the holes already in the Coasters and then I align them like this.  NOTICE that the good side of BOTH eyelets face the front.  Since this is a Door Hanger ... I want the nice sides to face out! 

   

Next, I attach my MAILBOX to the BACK Sheer Coaster. 

TIP:  I think it's easiest to lay the sheer down flat and place the MAILBOX on top of it.

 

Then I attached my other Sheer Coaster to the front of my MAILBOX.

I cut a 3" x 3" piece of PURPLE cardstock and attached it to the front of my MAILBOX.  This 'hides' my adhesive!

Then I layered on a 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" piece of Tutti Frutti Patterned Paper.

On the back I attached my 2-3/4" x 2-3/4" piece of Tutti Frutti Patterned Paper also (to hide the adhesive).  NOTE:  I didn't layer on a piece of PURPLE cardstock.  Only the patterned paper.

Here is what my MAILBOX looks like from the side ...

Next, I attached RIBBON. 

TIP:  Our PURPLE RIBBON in both Winchester and Juliette match perfectly!

Isn't that EASY!  It took me less than 30 MINUTES to construct my MAILBOX DOOR HANGER from start to finish! 

The next thing I wanted to do was make up a batch of note cards to keep on hand.  Thanks to Meri McLaughlin ... this was a SNAP!  Meri sent these darling Matchbook Cards in to TAC for our April SOTM samples.  Well, I had to borrow a couple to feature with this project because they are my inspiration for my own note cards! 

   

Meri's cards measure approximately 3" x 5-1/2".  However, you can easily tweak these and make lots of FUN sizes!

I started in my SCRAP PILE and pulled out pieces that lent themselves to this project.  It was EASIEST for me to fold in my flap, first.

Next ...

And then I scored it with my bone folder ...

Staple the bottom flap and you have a matchbook note card.  Here are some other GREAT options for binding your matchbook flap ...

I enlarged the center of a flower with my Crop-o-dile ...

And then used an eyelet to attach it  ...

This one utilizes only eyelets ...

And here is one stapled.

And for some SPARKLE I free handed Stickles on the cover and attached a flower with a BLING, BLING brad ...

So how cute is this!  This project is kid tested and approved!  Sophie ABSOLUTELY LOVES it!

From start to finish this SIMPLY Savvy Project takes LESS THAN 1 HOUR to make!  And, I had so much FUN making it!  And YES!  That REALLY is my Sophie with about 13 inches LESS hair!

I hope you enjoy this SIMPLE project, and, find it INSPIRING!

Remember, if you need to replenish your supplies, have questions with a product, technique or are interested in one of the products I've used here please contact your ANGEL and she'll be happy to assist you!  If you don't have an Angel yet ... click on SHOP NOW on our homepage and find one in your area today!

My Supply List for this Project:

1. Mischelle's Supply Kit
2. Tutti Frutti SWIC  V826
3. Purples Cardstock  V56
4. Sheer Square Scallop Coasters  E102
5. Assorted Bitty Florals  D437
6. Scor-Pal  F358
7. Classic Gel Pens  F42
8. 1/4" Wonder Tape  F241
9. Pop Dots  D89
10. Juliette Ribbon B221
11. Brights Square Brads  D303
12. Mia's Cottage Hardware  B118
13. Crystal Stickles  F516

Our Matchbook Album Kits ... Basic Assembly Tutorial

Our Pemberley Bay and Rockin' Roxie Matchbook Album Kits are designed for People on the Go!

We spent many months designing these FABULOUS new kits (not to mention 3 major revisions right before we went to press) and 'WOW' we are so INCREDIBLY pleased with the results.  These kits are a great SOLUTION as you look for SIMPLE, doable projects! 

Our Matchbook Kits are printed on our Premium Quality 100# Cardstock and each piece is printed on the front and back giving you endless options and design possibilities.  Featured below are two 'snapshots' of our Rockin' Roxie front and back design options.

You can also see that the Matchbook Cover and Album Pages are pre-scored for precision.

Assembling your Matchbook Kit is a SNAP!  In fact, the hardest problem you'll encounter is choosing which side of your album you want to be the cover!  Then it's just a SIMPLE 1, 2, 3!

Let's get STARTED! 

First, I set my EYELETS into each of the FOUR holes on the Album Cover ...

This is what my Matchbook Album looks like from the inside after setting these eyelets ...

SECOND, I arrange my Album Pages and align them inside the Matchbook Cover.

And THIRD I use RIBBON to bind my Matchbook Album together.  This is an inside shot of my FINAL ASSEMBLY ...

And then I secure my RIBBON.

It REALLY is that EASY! 

FOLLOWING are TIPS and POLISHING IDEAS that may be helpful as you create your own Matchbook Album!

We have coordinating hardware available with each of our Matchbook Kits and we suggest using the EXTRA LARGE (shown above in ORANGE) or LARGE eyelets as I've shown here ...

Another GREAT thing about our kits is that you don't have to use hardware to put them together.  If you'd like to use RIBBON (or another binding material of your choice) you can.  Shown below is the front of our Pemberley Bay Matchbook Album using RIBBON binding with no eyelets ...

and this is the back ...

Shown below is ANOTHER binding option that 'hides' your RIBBON and leaves a very CLEAN, STREAM-LINED finish.  This is how the RIBBON appears on the FRONT and BACK of this album.

And here's HOW we did it ...

You can EASILY hide your knot BEHIND the last page in your album.

Another way to add POLISH is SIMPLY to CLIP or SAND OFF those TICK MARKS!  I know I'm kind of SILLY about those tick marks, however, check out my Tutorial.  You SEE them don't you! 

Do I design my album pages BEFORE or AFTER I put them in my album?  Good question!  We discovered that it totally depends on the individual!  There is NO right or wrong ... you'll quickly discover which way works best for you.

Our Matchbook Kits are so INCREDIBLY WELL designed that it's SIMPLE and EASY to kick the design up a notch or two with very little effort.  Here are a few more IDEAS we'd LOVE to share ...

• Incorporate POP DOTS into your layout to add DEPTH and INTEREST.
• Use RIBBON to add TEXTURE and POLISH.
• Consider SANDING the edges of photographs you include.  You can also sand the edges of the Matchbook Kit!
• Add more INTEREST with STICKLES or CRYSTAL LACQUER.  (Apply Crystal Lacquer to our Die Cut Embellishments and instantly they become SUBTLE show stoppers).

These user friendly kits offer FAST & FABULOUS results and are perfect for beginning designers as well as seasoned.  I hope you enjoy these kits as much as I do and REMEMBER to do whatever YOU WANT to make this kit your own.

If you'd like to know MORE about our KITS contact your ANGEL today or, if you don't have an ANGEL, contact us at TAC and we'll find an ANGEL for you!