Wednesday, February 23, 2011

30 Very Special Mini Books




Ok, I may have lost my mind on this one but I think my creativity got the better of me this time. I needed to make the favors for the baby shower that we are throwing and I wanted them to be special. I had already put together a some chocolates and made a candle for each person but I thought that a little mini book would be a great idea too. Of course, being me, I wanted to make every one of them unique in their own way. A little piece of art to remind them of the special occasion. It was probably a blessing in disquise that I was sick because I had plenty of TV time to cut paper and punch corners. LOL!


The covers were made using Grunge Board. I covered both sides with scrapbook paper and then carefully cut it in half. All of the corners (covers and inside pages) were clipped using the Crop-A-Dile Scallop Corner Chomper. Each has 12 calender pages that I got at Lettering Delight. I have included the link at the bottom of the post. I printed them on a tan parchment cardstock and then stamped the back of each with a Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous stamp. I love how beauty and grunge go so well together. I used a light shade (Old Paper & Tea Dye distress ink) so that to receiver can use the page for notes and to journal.


To make the books even more versatile I added 13 pocket pages along with plenty of tags to journal or add photos. And since the shower is in March I helped them fill their book by adding a picture of the baby in Jan. and one of the happy couple in Feb.

I bound them all with my Bind-It-All. I needed a way to create a closure for the books and cost was an issue but I didn't want to take away from style so I came up with this inventive idea. I added an eyelet in front and back cover and ran a ribbon through as a beautiful easy closure. Check out the video on how easy it is. Finally, I gave each one some special individual love and chose with care some special elements that would bring out the individual charm in each of the books. I just love how each and every one of them turned out. Even though it looks like there are 36 in the pictures, there are only 30 mini books (a few snuck into the pictures a couple times). Each and every one is an unique.






Create a Calendar
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46 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 23, 2011 at 7:20 AM

    wow!! You made 30 of these! You're amazing. These are so beautiful. I'm sure everyone will love these. The papers and embellishments you used are so pretty. Thanks for sharing!!
    Liz

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  2. Kathryn EganFebruary 23, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    These are gorgeous. What talent. i enjoy all your creations!!!

    Kathryn

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  3. TolegrannyFebruary 23, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    What a marvelous undertaking. Each one is wonderful and what a lovely gift.
    http://www.romancingtheartistwithin.blogspot.com

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  4. Colleen KellyFebruary 23, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    Beautiful! My favorites are the one w/ the birdcages on them.

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Those ROCK!!!

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  6. CindyFebruary 23, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    I love the books, they are so adorable. You did a terrific job and I know they are going to love them. Thanks for sharing your pictures and the video with us!!!
    Cindy

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  7. UnknownFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    I wish I had your drive and energy! You inspire me to do more, if you are on something, I need to know what it is, and where I can get it!

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  8. The Cropping CanuckFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    Wowzers! Amazing work!

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  9. Sue in CTFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    You give me a headache! How in creation can you make all them??? Didn't you just do that tag???? Aren't you sick on top of it all??? Then you go and make like 30 of these plus candles, plus, plus, plus.....do you ever rest?
    Someone shared an oscar award in the group and now I know where it should go...LOL. You are amazing...just as your creations are amazing. I have to go lay down, you make me tired just watching you.

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  10. DebiFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    Very Beautiful Christie! Everyone will be delighted to receive such a personal gift.

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  11. YoliFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    Labor of love that is for sure. They are beautiful. I too love DCWV's Mariposa papers. One of my favorites.

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  12. Carol W.February 23, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    WOW, 30! They are beautiful and I know that each person will appreciate and treasure them! TFS

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  13. ShelleyFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Wow, they are all wonderful! You're supposed to rest when you are sick, lol, doesn't look like you got much of that. At least crafting is relaxing.

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  14. Elaine AFebruary 23, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    Christie -

    These are gorgeous! Everyone will love them. You make me laugh, you are just like me. I never do anything easy. Sometimes I start a project for an event and my initial plan is for something nice, but easy. Before you know it, I've changed my mind and my simple project has become this huge, complicated project that takes more time than I anticipated. Fortunately, I work well under pressure, its when I do my best stuff. Although I always say I will never do that again, I always do - LOL! I so hope you are feeling better and again let me say, these are just beautiful!

    Elaine Allen

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  15. DianneFebruary 23, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    You are too much! I wish I was one of your special friends!

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  16. Valerie JohnsonFebruary 23, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    Very cool!
    Dare I say I suffer from the same sickness...the receivers of your little books will be blessed.
    I must run out immediately and finally breakdown and get that little binding machine and while I'm at it some grungeboard and metal embellishments won't hurt either...!!!
    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  17. Barbara L.February 23, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Amazing and beautiful!!! You are truly an artist.

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  18. LindaFebruary 23, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Oh my goodness Christie! This is such a heap of lovelyness and good cheer! Your minibooks really made me smile. I think it's a truly charming way of spreading happiness amongst the partygoers. Job well done!

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  19. Lori NowakFebruary 23, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    What a labor of love. Very inspiring!

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  20. AnnSFebruary 23, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    These are wonderful, as are all of your creations. I am going to keep these in mind the next time we have an occasion where favors are given out. So much better than the store-bought ones you put in a drawer and never use.
    AnnS

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  21. NancyFebruary 23, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    I love it. You do an expectacular and beautifull job.

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  22. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    What a busy little beaver you've been making all those mini book favors. Great job and wonderful variety on the mini books.
    Virginia Montagna
    montagnava@aol.com

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  23. Chris HanselmanFebruary 23, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Christie...once again an outstanding creation!! Love it

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  24. capturinglifesartFebruary 23, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing. You are so creative and have so much talent.

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  25. shamelaFebruary 23, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    WOW WOW WOW... ABSOLUTELY STUNNING... I have some smaller stamp sets which will suit a project like this perfectly... thanks so much for sharing Christie... I LOOOOV THEM

    now to find the time...LOL
    hugz
    shamela

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  26. PaulineCFebruary 23, 2011 at 1:24 PM

    They are incredible, so beautiful. It would have taken me weeks to make 30! Wish I was coming to your baby shower. I hope your friends appreciate how clever and creative you are.

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  27. 1CardCreatorFebruary 23, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    These look amazing, they will love them. I love how you threaded that ribbon through too.

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  28. Nana Bluebird aka Kathy AhoFebruary 23, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    Love your examples and how they are all different! Great way to use up single sheets of paper! Bravo on a job well done here. :)

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  29. bakerdon21February 23, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    Wow you are soo talented.Do you do this for a living?

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  30. JillFebruary 23, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    Wow, Christie, those mini albums are truly beautiful! You must have taken a lot of time to do these, and a lot of love as well. Thank you so much for sharing with us.

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  31. AngelartistokFebruary 24, 2011 at 1:54 AM

    These are fabulous! And very unique. I'm creating for my oldest son's wedding and doing something unique will be just the ticket. Not little books but I'll think of something to keep my future daughter in love happy :0) Although I may need to make myself a little book, I love mini books. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  32. MaureenFebruary 24, 2011 at 6:15 AM

    These are fab. just love them. Will give them a go thanks for the ideaand sharing.

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  33. Gloria WestermanFebruary 24, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    Oh my goodness....these are fabulous.....I love them....and your right they will be great "little gifts" for them.....the only problem I see is.....I'm not on your guest list.....LOL
    I think I'm going to try these.....there are always people in your lives that you just want to do something nice for....and I think these would be so awesome to give...thank you so much for sharing....you are truly inspirational....

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  34. Joanne MironFebruary 24, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Wow.... Christie this is one of your best project, you are amazing, thanks for sharing!!!

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  35. LisaFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    I can only echo what all the other commenters have said, truly unique and beautiful. Wish I could be invited to one of your parties, LOL! I am just amazed.

    Lisa

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  36. UnknownFebruary 24, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Wow! You must truly be the energizer bunny. To take this on was a monumental task. I can't wait to see all of the video.

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  37. hawaiinay71@aol.comFebruary 24, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Love the books! Do you think you could do a video on how you made these from beginning to end for a newbie like myself?

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  38. Suzanne BouchardFebruary 25, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    Your friends must appreciate you a lot! These mini books are a lot of work but it sure is woth it. These mini books are absolutely stunning!

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  39. TanaFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    These are awesome Christie!!! I may have to take your idea and make a birthday calendar so I can remember everyone's birthdays better. :)

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  40. AngelFebruary 25, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    Christie,
    Each of the mini-books is a work of loving art! Your party guests will love that your personalized treats are something they will be able to enjoy all year and longer. Also, thank you for sharing your ingenious way of threading the ribbon, so nice that it doesn't have to disturb the beautiful book front art yet totally is functional for keeping the book closed. Where do you find those needles?
    Thanks for sharing,
    Angel

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  41. ChristyFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    These are so beautiful!!!!!!!!1

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  42. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2011 at 9:10 AM

    Beautiful Christie. What did you use to secure the pocket to its backing? glue, tape etc?

    Tuesday Morning has a binding machine in their circular. Their sale is March 1 (Tuesday of course).

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  43. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    I have never wanted to make mini-books with just blank sheets of paper inside. SOooooo boring! Especially as you can buy any number of them with quite pretty covers anyway. Well I want to make mini-books like these. They rock and so do you Christie.

    Way to go girl. Thanks. x

    SusyC

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  44. LynleeFebruary 27, 2011 at 6:01 PM

    OMG! Amazing!

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  45. ella connerFebruary 28, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    These are gorjus! What size are they? thanks for sharing your creativity with us...we are greatly inspired! cmella04@roadrunner.com

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  46. liliaAugust 22, 2012 at 3:39 AM

    Ciao,i tuoi lavori sono bellissimi ! Brava !!!

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