Wednesday, June 6, 2018

nature's bounty keepsake album

There is nothing like the beauty that nature presents to us each and every day. 
I am always awed by the details that can be found in something as simple as a piece of tree bark or as glorious as a cloud formation. I wanted to create an album to house small bits of this natural wonder in one place to spark inspiration or simply pass time in admiration. This album needed to have spots to jot down a note or two about something seen as well as for the inclusion of a snippet, or memento, here and there. The mini album I created allows opportunities for all of these things.
 I started with a bracket edged stagger mini album from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. This album contains six pages with various edges that are staggered to allow small glimpses of the pages below. The album comes with rings to keep all of your pages together, forming the album.
Since I  have an idea for how I hope to use this album, I search through my paper stash to find some papers that will work best as a base for embellishing and note taking. I also look for patterns that coordinate to cover the "back sides" of each page, since the album is designed to open completely and lay flat if desired. Once the papers are selected, each album page is outlined on the paper and fussy cut to fit. *Tip: mark each page and its respective paper with a coordinating letter/number to make it easier to distinguish what goes where later on. I mark my papers (on the reverse sides) with 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, etc. Assembly is much simpler when you know where everything belongs.  
Once I cut everything out, I begin the process of assembling the album. Each paper is adhered to the chipboard album page with collage medium and allowed to dry. I find it easiest to do all of the "a" sides and then come back after these are dry, turn them over and adhere all the "b" sides. I make sure to place something weighted on top of the pages while the adhesive is drying to ensure that everything stays flat. 
  When the covered pieces are ready for embellishing, I consider each pair of pages that coordinates when the album is open in the flat position. I select a sub-theme that follows nature's inspiration, and then, appropriate embellishments, stencils, stamps and inks to work with. A baroque panel is cut for each upper page. I begin to lay out each spread and when I am satisfied, I create the pieces. When all of the pages are complete, I fasten an eyelet at each page hole location. This will facilitate turning the pages, since they have so many embellishments.
 Pages 1b and 2a contain some treasured feathers collected on a nature walk. I have always wanted a special way to display the "heart" feather, and love that it now has a forever home.
Pages 2b and 3a will be the perfect place to document all of the wonderful moths and butterflies that visit the gardens each year. I hand stitched a small booklet from vellum for wing pattern sketches or color and size notation. 
Pages 3b and 4a are created with beautiful leaves that I collected last fall, when the colors were at their prime. I brought them home and coated them with resin to keep the rich colors intact. I was so happy to use a few of these in the album.
Pages 4b and 5a will be perfect for storing plucked wildflowers, clovers or seeds. There are so many textures and patterns and colors to be found amongst the plants. I even created a mini envelope in coordinating paper to tuck things into.
Pages 5b and 6a are left mostly open for note taking or if there is something significant to be added. I took the opportunity to include a stem from one of my favorite signs of spring, the pussywillow. I create the sentiment "inspire hope, embrace imperfection, see possibility everywhere" which really encompasses all that I hope for this album to become a keepsake of.
These are some-close up  pictures of the inside spreads, showing some of the smaller details like textures, stenciling, stamping, and ink colors. 
I hope that you have enjoyed my nature's bounty keepsake album. Whether it inspires you to take an extra moment to admire your surroundings or create something of your own, I believe we can all benefit from taking a moment to pause and reflect on the beauty in nature's details. 
Enjoy each day to its fullest, it truly is a gift. 
I sincerely appreciate you stopping by today.
~Ann

Materials List:
Distress Collage Medium: matte
Distress Ink: archival black soot, walnut stain
Distress Oxide Inks:
aged mahogany, antique linen, bundled sage, fired brick, forest moss, 
fossilized amber, frayed burlap, gathered twigs, peeled paint, vintage photo
Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts: bracket edged mini stagger album
Ranger Alcohol Ink: gunmetal mixative 
Seth Apter/Emerald Creek Baked texture: ancient amber, vintage beeswax
Sizzix/Tim Holtz Alterations:
 labels, love you, stacked baroque, stitched squares, traveler words, wildflowers
Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Stamps:
attic treasures, bird feather, falling leaves, grunge bitty, nature,  
Stampers Anonymous/Tim Holtz Stencils:
bubble, rosette, flourish, mini flourish (set 10), mini industrial (set 1) 
Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements: craft thread 
Tim Holtz Ideaology:
aviary collage paper, botanical layers, chitchat, clippings, ephemera, mini paper clip,
photobooth, quotations, quote chips, remnant rubs-botanical-elements-life quotes-words,
 small talk stickers, snippets, tissue wrap  
Tim Holtz Paper Stash: wallflower, kraftcore nostalgia 


I am entering this project in the following challenges:

A Vintage Journey June Challenge: Stencil It

Mini Album Makers Challenge: June 2018 




50 comments:

Freddie Bubblescrap Sleijpen said...

Oh Ann.... you left me speechless! This is all so beautiful. You make me want to make mini albums again!!! This is magnificent. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and vision. Love you, Freddie

simo said...

What a marvellous album you made my friend! So full of beautiful details..
Each page is amazing! So inspiring Ann...I love it! Hugs xxx

ann barnes said...

What a kind thing for you to say Freddie, absolutely made my day! Thank you so very much for taking time to stop by and for your lovely words. Hugs to you ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thank you Simo, this was such joy to make, I loved every minute of it! I means so much to me that you would stop by and check it out, and as always, you comment warms my heart. hugs ~Ann xx

Nancy Wethington said...

Once again, a beautiful album. Love how you decorated this and the papers you've chosen.

Debbie said...

Beautiful album! Love it!

Redanne said...

Ann, this mini album is stunning!! I love the papers you used, they are just perfect and you have embellished each one beautifully! I really love those resin leaves, they certainly kept their wonderful colour. I love this so much....

Thank you so much for joining in with us this month at Mini Album Makers.

Thank you too for joining our Stencil It Challenge at A Vintage Journey. Hugs, Anne xx

Cassie Lynch said...

I’ve never made anything like this but you have me thinking I should give it a try. This is stunning.

ann barnes said...

Oh Cassie, I do hope you try, let inspiration take over and it really just flows. I would love to see what you make, you have such wonderful talent. Thanks so much for stopping by and your lovely comment! hugs ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thank you Anne, an inspired project for sure, I am thrilled that you love it! Thank you so much for your comment, made my heart happy! hugs to you ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thanks so much Debbie, I really appreciate you stopping by! hugs~Ann

ann barnes said...

Thank you so so much Nancy! I love creating with gypsy soul laser cuts, the perfect base to add inspiration to! hugs~Ann

Two Mad Dahlias said...

That heart feather! I love that you made a special place for all of your treasures. The colors are just beautiful.

stacy hutchinson said...

What an inspirational album, In love with the fact that you made an album specifically for your little nature findings and that one of the items was a heart shaped feather!! What a treasure!!! Every one of the pages is gorgeous and made so special with each of your finds...thank you so much for sharing and the inspiration, Ann!! Hugs to you my friend! ~ Stacy ❤️

Astrid Maclean said...

Oh Ann, what an amazing album! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it, each page is a work of art with simply stunning details! I wish Gypsy soul would sell in the Uk, they have such wonderful stuff!

cheiron said...

Love the soft colors and all of the beautiful details! Wonderful photos too.

Paula Cheney said...

this is such a pretty album! Love the paper of course but the entire album is beautiful.

Barbara Rankin said...

Oh Ann. This is absolutely stunning. I love theme but most of all I love the way you put it all together so beautifully.

ann barnes said...

Thanks so much Jess, I have been wanting a special place to keep these special bits and pieces and this worked out to be just that! Thanks for stopping by and as always, for your kind words! hugs ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thanks Stacy, sometimes it all just comes together and fits! I sincerely appreciate you stopping by and as always, your wonderful words, brighten my day! hugs to you my friend! ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thanks Astrid, I am thrilled that you love this! I wish that you had access to these pieces as well, they are so easy to manipulate and are quite sturdy to handle most of my layers! Thanks for stopping by, and leaving some love! Hugs ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thanks Cheiron, so happy you stopped by to see the inside! Thanks for your kind words. I am always amazed at the pics I can get from my phone camera :) Hugs ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thanks so much Paula, Tim's awesome papers form the perfect foundation, that is for sure! I am so happy that you stopped by to check it out. Hugs ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

You are so sweet Barbara, thank you! This one was definitely meant to be, it all went together seamlessly, and it was a joy! hugs~Ann xx

Jackie PN said...

Absolutely Stunning!! and you have my vote for the mini makers challenge(well, if it were up to me...)
Anyway, I just adore each page and the elements you used! A true nature journal- how wonderful! xo

ann barnes said...

Thank you so very much my dear friend! Your comment about the vote tickled me :) Thank you so much for stopping by, I TOTALLY appreciate the visit! Your kind words mean the world to me. Hugs ~Ann xxx

sarascloset said...

Ann, each page is a treasure, and the journal as a whole is a fabulous way to hold those precious observations. I can just picture how fun this was to create! I love all your well thought out details and reading how this came together! Second best to being there in your craft room in person. I would love to be a butterfly on your craft room wall! So much inspiration! Hugs!

Thelma said...

I have just found your blog after seeing your previous post on the album makers challenge. Your work is stunning. I am trying to break out of being a neat freak, not because I'm neat but because I lack confidence. The detail in your posts gives me the confidence to break out and try something new. Thank you.

ann barnes said...

Thank you so very much Sara Emily! There's always those projects that seem to flow so seamlessly that you are wishing there was more , and this was one of them. I really did love considering my treasures and making sure to leave spots for future pieces of inspiration. As always, thanks so much for taking time to visit, your comments are always such a joy to read. hugs ~Ann xx

Betsy Skagen said...

Such a lovely journal Ann. Your tutorial is excellent as well. Love everything about it! -Betsy

ann barnes said...

Thanks so much Betsy, that is very nice of you to say, and is greatly appreciated! hugs ~Ann xx

ann barnes said...

Thelma, this is wonderful news, I am so excited for you to try something new, its always a treat when we put no expectations on what we will create because it is all new. I hope that I get to see what you make. Best wishes to you. Thanks so much for visiting the blog, I really appreciate you taking the time and for your lovely comment.
hugs, Ann

Seth said...

Another winner Ann. So many details and layers to take in. A stunning piece.

ann barnes said...

Thank you so much Seth, I truly appreciate it. ~Ann xx

sarascloset said...

I wanted to thank you, too, for traveling along with us at A Vintage Journey with this amazing journal!

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh my goodness Ann! Words cannot express how I feel about this stunning little book. <3 Your tribute to nature and reminiscent ephemera of your walks truly touch my soul! I'm a woodsy girl and just love every beautiful detail you've added to capture that feeling. Truly inspiring and wonderful! We're thrilled that you shared with Mini Album Makers this month! Big hugs, Autumn

ann barnes said...

Thanks Sara Emily! This one incorporated a lot of stenciling and I loved the way that those different stencils showed through when it was closed. I love traveling along with AVJ! hugs to you, Ann xxx

ann barnes said...

Thank you Autumn, that means the world to me! I love nature and having a place to tuck and treasure my little found pieces is such a treat. I look forward to opening it when I want a little extra inspiration. Thanks for stopping by and taking time to comment, I truly appreciate it! Hugs to you! ~Ann xxx

Annie said...

Such a fantastic journal Ann x I totally love the fabulous details/stencilling incorporated on each page. This is such a treasure x Thank You for hopping on board with us at A Vintage Journey this month for Astrid's Stencil It challenge.

Best wishes
Annie x

ann barnes said...

Thank you so much for your kind words Annie! I just loved putting this together. I really appreciate you stopping by! hugs, Ann xx

Jackie PN said...

and you are the sweetest ever Ann! Much love xoxo

ann barnes said...

right back atcha!!! xxx

Inna Bronnikova said...


A fantastic journal! Love it! Thanks for joining the challenge at Mini Album Makers.

Words and Pictures said...

Simply lovely - the different page edges look great all lined up, and you've used those fabulous TH papers to perfection. Thanks so much for joining us at Mini Album Makers for June.
Alison x

ann barnes said...

Thank you so very much! I really appreciate you checking it out. hugs, Ann

ann barnes said...

Thanks Alison, I loved creating this journal and the papers made for the perfect base to create on. I really appreciate your kind words. hugs~Ann xx

Phyllis610 said...

Simply BEAUTIFUL! I really enjoyed that you showed how you use your album. I see so many pretty albums but never with personal things in them.

ann barnes said...

Thank you so very much for your kind words, they mean a lot to me. I appreciate you taking the time to visit the blog. I hope to include more of my personal use for things in future posts as I believe it can help people see purpose in my pieces. Thanks again. ~Ann xx

Karen said...

Ann this is fabulous, love all the details and the choices you made. I own most of these dies makes me want to pull them out!

ann barnes said...

Thank you! I loved this project and really breaking out so many supplies and simply creating! I really appreciate you stopping by and especially leaving a comment. Thanks again, ~Ann x