Magical Graphic 45 Mini Albums & Tutorials You'll Adore!

Hello G45ers,

We are so glad you are all joining us for more craft bliss here at the Graphic 45 blog! Sure it's Monday but that means that it's a whole new week for discovering marvelous crafts with all of us here at Graphic 45!  This is going to be such an incredible day! Our new 2012 design team have been working hard to create some astonishing works of art. Today we're all about mini albums. Jim Hankins AKA The Gentleman Crafter and Kristin Wilson have both created some gorgeous minis that will sweep you off your feet. There is also a fun and easy tutorial and video that correspond with these magnificent creations! Plus we've got a great new blog contest where you can win some glorious Graphic 45 goodies! Yes, this day is going to be a lot of fun. Lets get started by talking about this week's blog contest! All you need to do is leave us a blog or Facebook comment this week. We will be choosing one random winner from this week's comments and announcing them here on our blog on Friday. You could win this wonderful prize pack that includes an 8x8 paper pad from Olde Curiosity Shoppe and Little Darlings, Graphic 45 Black Policy Envelopes, Metal Hinges, Flower Staples and an Antique Typewriter Wood Stamp Set! Wow! So be sure to leave your comments for your chance to win!

And now it's time for some magnificent inspiration with this wonderful travel diary! Feast your eyes on this gorgeous Kraft Reflections travel diary by the amazing Jim Hankins. This is such a wonderful creation that is just perfect if you are about to embark on a journey or if you know someone who is. Travel dairies are great for jotting down your favorite moments, adding fun photos and keepsakes. There are so many possibilities. Join Jim as he takes you step by step through the creation of this wonderful dairy with a fun and simple tutorial!

Supplies:
Graphic 45 Kraft Reflections Paper Collection
Graphic 45 Trim Staples
Graphic 45 Metal Tags
Graphic 45 Button Brads
Idea‐ology Timepieces
Idea‐ology Game Spinners
Idea‐ology Locket keys
Chipboard
24” of twine
Kraft Cardstock

This Fast and Easy Kraft Reflections Travel Diary is a fun gift to give someone as a Bon Voyage!

Step 1:

Cut chipboard to the following:
2 @ 3‐1/2 x 6‐1/4
1 @ ½ x 6‐1/4

Step 2:

Chomp corners of the chipboard with a ½ inch corner chomper.

Step 3:

On the backside of a piece of Kraft Collections paper, mark ¾” on bottom and left edge.

Step 4:

Align your pieces of chipboard with the marks and adhere to cardstock leaving a
1/8‐inch gap between the spine piece.

Step 5:

Miter all corners leaving ½ at each corner. Cut into the corner around the rounded
part of the chipboard. Be sure not to cut right up to the edge but close.

Step 6:

Apply Scor‐Tape around all edges.

Step 7:

Pull the tape backing and bring all ¾ inch edges over and onto tape. For the corner
you should have several tabs. Bring one in at a time and fold over corner.

Step 8:

Glue down corner tabs.

Step 9:

Cut a piece of contrasting Kraft Reflections cardstock to 6‐1/8 x 7‐5/8. Using your
½ corner chomper round the edges.

Step 10:

Using adhesive, glue cardstock to inside of the cover and burnish to secure.

Step 11:

On the spine, punch a 1/8 hole one inch in from each edge. Next, insert and set an
eyelet into the two holes.

Step 12:

Cut 10 sheets of plain Kraft Cardstock to 5‐7/8 x 6‐3/4. Next stack them together
and fold them in half. Open the paper stack up and punch two 1/8 holes 7/8 from
each end. Take the twine and fold in half. Insert each end into the holes and then
through the eyelets of your covered chipboard cover. On the spine, tie the twine
into a bow to secure.

Step 13:

Last, apply Scor‐Tape to the outside middle completely around the book. Cut a 20
inches piece of the Graphic 45 Trim. Pull the backing off the tape, find the middle of
the trim and apply this first to the spine then around to the front and back of the
book. Embellish the front cover as desired. Voila! Fast and Easy Travel Journal.

Wow, wasn't that great?! Next up is this remarkably beautiful tea cup mini album by Kristin Wilson. She's created this fun video where she takes you on a tour through each enchanting page! There is so much to discover in this sweet creation. Kristin blended lots of different Graphic 45 collections to create an exquisite and unique statement. Plus you've got to love all of those gorgeous embellishments and heartwarming sentiments on every page! This mini is pure delight!

Kristin Wilson

 

Supplies:
Graphic 45: Olde Curiosity Shoppe Collection, Kraft Reflections Collection, Le’ Romantique Collection, Steampunk Debutante Collection, Curtain Call Collection;  Metal Brads, Hinges
Prima: Locket Charm, Padlocks, Pearl Spray
Tim Holtz: Safety Pin, Metal Gears, Metal Chain, Clock
Stampin Up!: Stamps, Ink, Brads, Lace, Punch, Dimentionals, Library Clip, Flower Brad, Button, Jumbo Eyelet
Accessories: Flowers: Petaloo; Wood Buttons: Maya Road; Leaf Punch: Martha Stewart; Twine: Papertray Ink; Ribbon: Etsy; Mini Album: Unknown

Tips:

• To hold heavy objects in place use Glossy Accents as your adhesive.
• Do more with ribbon and add a button or twine to the center of your bow.
• Don’t have that perfect sentiment? Just print one out on cardstock and distress.

We hope you all enjoyed today's blog. Thank you all so much for stopping by. We can't wait to read your comments this week on our blog and Facebook page! Huge thanks to Jim Hankins and Kristin Wilson for their gorgeous work today! We will have more inspiring creations to share with you all tomorrow. We hope you'll come back and see us! Have a wonderful day, G45ers!

Happy Papercrafting!

Your Friends at Graphic 45

Comments

[Lori]

Awesome mini albums!!!! Absolutely love the Travel Journal! Added it to my must do Gentleman Crafter projects!!!!

[Marilyn R-S, Dream Valley]

The travel diary is SUPER!

[Lyn Gill]

Gorgeous work by both artist.

[snazzyoriginal]

These projects are just fabulous and you are so generous in sharing the tutorial too. Many thanks xx

[Peggy]

I love, it is true engineer, I would never think how to do that.
Thank you very much, I could finally make corners in my boxes without asking the hard questions but how do you cover without redrawing?
The book is beautiful cup, it's fashionable right now.

[Cesar]

I love that Travel book… that is the coolest… Jim ROCKS!!!

[karine]

Coucou, ces projets sont magnifiques, merci pour ce tuto, bises

[Nan G]

Great minis from both DTs! I'll be trying something similar to the Travel Journal for sure!

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

Wowwwwwwwwwwwww! These are both amazingly gorgeous!! Thanks to both of you for showing the tips and steps!!!!

[Gerrie Johnnic]

beautiful ink-spiration from these designers. The step by step tut is amazing, even I could follow it! lol The quotes and beauty of the tea is beautiful and chaming.

[Tricia F.]

Beautiful mini-albums!

[Debbie K.]

Great albums! Thanks for the tutorial. Would love to win G45 goodies! Thanks for the chance.

[Barbie]

Wow I love all the beautiful creations! Thanks for sharing. Love all the fun new products would love to win and have fun with those ;-)

[Shanda]

The cups are so cute. Will be perfect for a Ladies Diary!

[Sue B.]

Both books look like a lot of fun. Thanks for showing us how.

[Dana Cavanaugh]

As usual, fantastic creations made with my favorite papers!

[Patti n SLC]

Great inspiration by both Kristian and Gentleman Jim. Coming to the Graphic 45 blog is always a feast for my eyes. Thanks

[Michelle Reaves]

I am crazy about mini albums and these two are fabulous! I sure do appreciate the step by step photos and the video.

[mary puskar]

Head over heels for this tea cup tutorial! Can I ask what die was used to cut the tea cup? I didn't see it listed in the materials used. Great prize this week G45! Thanks for continuing to inspire me so much!

Mary

[Kathy Cora]

Just wow!!!! Both projects are incredible. Hats off to Jim & Kristin.

[Connie L. Riley]

Fabulous minis! Jim I love the travel album and can use the inspiration as friends are going to Paris soon. Kristin, a very dear friend has an extensive collection of tea pots and your tea cup mini album would be a perfect gift for her--now to find the time...

[Mary]

Wow. I love the tea cup tutorial. I too love mixing the collections. It's so fun. Loved coming to G45 today as I do every day to get inspiration! Thank you for an opportunity to win the fabulous pack too.

[cheryl Craddock]

I love making mini albums- These are so inspirational- Thank you XX

[peg ackerman]

Wow! What GREAT projects! And, not toooo complicated! I love that there is always a new technique or a product used that I had not used before! I love dropping in and seeing what is going on!!!

[Deborah Price]

All I can say is WOW!!! These are amazing.

[Pam Spradlin]

I think if today is any indication this coming week will be full of inspiration that is out of this world. The talent of these 2 people is amazing.

[Dorothy McCarthy]

Wow what great projects!!!
Thank you!!

[Sara Nell Langland]

Love these projects! The tutorials and tips were really great. Love seeing all the different collections combined in the tea cup mini!

[Beneta]

I am going to give the tea cup a try. Love the travel mini too. Thanks for sharing.

[Betty]

the tutorials are so great - love the travel diary. wonderful giveaway - really would love to win this one - curiosity shoppe is one of my new favorites.

[{vicki}]

Great projects again today
tfs

[June-Marie (mermaid49)]

Oh My!..the teacup mini is just too adorable...and I love the way she is able to combine so many of the graphic 45 collections into one..well done!

[Heidi Mireles]

I love to make mini albums. Love your paper. WHAT A COMBINATION!

[Cherie]

Love the teacup mini album!

[Glynis]

Sweet tea cup mini, and love the travel journal tutorial!

[Beth D]

The albums are magnificent! I also thought the tutorial for the travel album was really clear and useful.

[Eric cannon]

I LOVE Jim's work. I have been inspired to buy so much G45 paper because I love the look of his work.
Thanks Jim!

[Margaret Ann Moffat]

fantastic both of them, Jim's tutorial is so clear I will be able to do it, especially with the corners being chomped then covered a new thing for me. As for the tea mini well I am a proper tea jenny so will be attempting that one as well, looks like my week is a happy one now.

[Dianne B]

Your team continues to have the most creative inspiring projects which delight me everytime!!! Thank you soooooo much!,

[Dee]

I just love the mini-albums! They are so cute! And I really love the graphic 45 vintage style, it fits perfectly with my own style!