'What you do speaks so loudly, I can't hear what you say.'
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wednesday 17 February 2021

Hello!

I finished another little minibook yesterday, with a different way of adding pages. I noticed this method when watching a video of Marlene's new products, which included a little book die. It's very nice and makes it easy to make a book, but it's also very simple, so I thought I'd try it on standard pages. This way you can make it any size, too 😁 so it's more versatile doing your own.

Here's the book cover, with the closure in place, and without it. The one on the left is a scan, the other a photo to show that the inks are lighter than they appear in the scans. I just stencilled the backgrounds with Brilliance White inks, for speed.

 
Inside cover and back cover
 
Centre pages
(Somehow, I managed to delete half my page - duh! Sorry.)

It's not very clear from the photos - I need to take a photo of notching the pages.
I used a corner rounder on the centre folds of the pages and the covers when folded. This creates a notch for the binding elastic and works beautifully.
Then simply tie a long piece of elastic cord around the book, knotting on the outside of the cover's spine, making sure you leave enough to wrap around the closed book.
Then, simply add beads, charms, or whatever you prefer to it to make it unique.
I really like this way of binding and it's so simple. It's also really easy to add more pages as and when you like, because you just slide them under the elastic cord.  

This card was made for a friend's birthday - she's received it now, so I can post it. I loved this background when I'd made it - should've taken a photo! It's Abandoned Coral, Squeezed Lemon and a touch of Dried Marigold (Oxides). Background stamps are a mixture, but mainly Studio Light. It's a digistamp, so the ink isn't as black as usual.
This is a card I started before Christmas and finally got around to completing. I love the focus on doing things together. It's always easier to tackle something when you have friends to help, or even just to be there with you while you're doing whatever you need to do!  I think my favourite memories are the ones made with groups of like minded people all gathering to do something together. I also thought it would be perfect for Stamping Sensations' 'Colour My World' theme. 

Linking to
Addicted to Stamps 'n' More, Any Occasion - birthday
Country View Crafts Challenges, First Signs of Spring (birds)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesdays, Favourite Technique (Inky backgrounds)
Double D Challenge, Anything with a Heart (hearts added to book)
Stamping Sensations, Colour My World
Simply Create Too, Use Hearts
Daring Cardmakers, Share the Love

Thank you for calling in today
Back soon
Stay safe wherever you are!
Cath
xxx

13 very kind comments from lovely people:

Susan Renshaw said...

Love the mini book but these are all great makes!
Thank you for sharing with Addicted to Stamps and More!
Susan
Addicted to Stamps and More
Calling All Crafters! – My Blog!

My name is Erika. said...

I've been into minibooks lately too. They are just too much fun. Love seeing yours. And I love the card with the little but fierce quote. The images are so cute. Nice hand stamp too. I just saw that on a web site yesterday. Nice to see it used. As usual your colors are always so much fun and inspiring. Hope the week is going well. Hugs-Erika

Darlene said...

WOW this is awesome! Very artsy ... GREAT job! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Double D ‘Anything with a Heart’ challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.
Darlene
DOUBLE D Challenge Blog
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!

Barbara said...

You have been very busy, but very productive and creative. Thanks for linking up with us at Double D Challenge.
Barbara ST

Nicolette said...

Very nice card.
Thank you for sharing it.
Nicolette DT 2Sistersontheblog

pearshapedcrafting said...

Ah Cath! I got so far behind with blogging! Hopefully getting back on track now! I have so missed seeing your wonderful creations and I finally have time for a proper wander! What a great little book this is and it does look easy to copy! Love the first card - such a funny sentiment too! That hand image really is fabulous - says so much! Hugs, Chrisx

Lindsey said...

Such fun creations! The mini book is terrific, as are your cards. Thanks for joining us at Addicted to Stamps and More!

crafty-stamper said...

Great little mini album and cards love the backgrounds and cute little stamps
Carol x

Mrs.B said...

Hi Cath, I love your little mini book and the design does look easy to copy and I'm sure it will be filled with joy and joyful images. Love the card, the sentiment is perfect.
The card you shared at Stamping Sensations is so colourful and it's a lovley sentiment.
I hope you are well,
Hugs, Avril xx

Neet said...

That hand stamp is so different and so beautiful. What a lovely idea and what fun it must be to colour in - you have certainly made it look lovely on that card.
I like the idea of the notch so simple but something you just wouldn't think of, and how handy to make a book where you can slide in extra pages. Guess you can make it ayk size you want so could be a large journal even. Lovely front cover Cath, she is so cute and the colours are lush.
Hugs, Neet xx

Tracy said...

Gorgeous book, thanks for joining Stamping Sensations, good luck.
Happy crafting
Tracy x

Let's Art Journal said...

Such beautiful pages! Loving those colourful backgrounds and the little figures with the birds are super cute 😀. Thanks so much for joining us at Country View Challenges and wishing you a wonderful week! Hugs,Jo x

Aimeslee Winans said...

I'll have to Pin the mini book for the binding. It's genius, really. We can thank the travelers journals for the elastic binding thing, took off from those. Your book is fab! As are your cards. Wonderful backgrounds and use of your stamps, as always. XXO