This is a fun, teeny, tiny mini made from a gum box for the challenge put on by Craft Craving Chicas. All the challenge participants should have their minis up at the CCC blog later this week. They sent us the materials for the mini and we had to use at least 80% what they sent us. I added only the gum box and the magnet closure.I have never worked this small before! It measures just under 2" x 3 1/2", I had been thinking about what I wanted to do for this mini for several days. Once again, I was in my car, at a stop light, and pulled out a pack of gum. As I opened the pack, a light bulb went on! What a cute little box! The song "Sweet Thing" was on the radio so I had a perfect name for the teeny mini! I will put in pictures of my great-niece (she's almost 2) and give it to my Mom.

Kits for my Butterfly Mini Album are up on my Etsy shop! (www.FollowThePaperTrail.etsy.com)

The kits include all the materials (and the instructions/templates) needed to make a butterfly album similar to the one shown here on my blog and on my You Tube video. I will upload a video of the kit as well as a tutorial for how to make it tommorrow on You Tube. I have only 12 kits available, though if it proves popular, I will put together more in different color options. If you want to select your own papers and embellishments, I also have the instructions/templates available for purchase. The instructions/templates will be emailed with 24 hrs of cleared payment (probably sooner!) so you don't have to wait for the mail.

Well, today was the first day of school. Hooray!! I thought that was going to mean uninterrupted time to work on a few tutorials and get my Blog Candy up. Ah, the best laid plans! My husband and I got new iphones yesterday and we got them up and working late last night. This morning, I got my son off to his first day of middle school and was getting ready to take my daughter to the bus. I ran in to the "little girls room" before we headed out. I'll spare you the details but, my brand new iphone (I had only made 1 phone call on it, mind you!!) decided to commit suicide in the toilet bowl. So, instead of a fun day at home BY MYSELF, I spent the late morning and early afternoon at the Apple store replacing my phone.... not fixing... replacing. You see, iphones and water do not go together. So, basically, I dropped $200 down the toilet!! What a day!

I plan to TRY to get the blog candy up tonight after dinner. Thanks for your patience!!

BLOG CANDY coming soon!!! Check out my new You Tube video for a hint!!

Laura

Here's the finished "Strike A Pose" paper bag album using the August kit from Marion @ APieceofCraft.com for Girls Gone Scrappy. I made some "rules" for myself with these kits: First, I could add only one accent color not provided. Second, I needed to use as much of the kit as I could. I could have no more than 3 things left over. Next, I needed to try at least one new technique or material. And lastly, I could add embellishments as I needed them. I am very comfortable picking my own colors and materials, I joined this kit club to challenge myself to work with materials that someone else picks out. I am very pleased with how the project came out. In regards to my self imposed rules, here's how that come out:

Accent Color: I had planned to add magenta but it didn't really need. I love this collection and had already bought the pack when Marion announced this would be the August kit paper. I had envisioned deep rich colors with it and ended up doing a very soft, shabby chic kind of look.

Use of Materials: I had only one thing left over (besides some tiny scraps of paper) and that was an envelope with a journal pad inside. It didn't fit with the paper bag size I was using. I will use it later.

New Technique: I used fabric (canvas and ticking) and stitching on the album. I hand paint the fabric and the background paper on the pages in a soft granite look. I stitched the photos and framing papers to both the canvas and the background paper. I LOVE how this looked!! The tags are made from the canvas and ticking and I'm very excited at how they turned out! I may do a tutorial on painting the paper and canvas.

Embellishments: There were lots in the kit but I added a few flowers and such.

All in all I'm pleased with the project. Can't wait for the September kit!!

Here's a sneek peek of the tags I made for my GGS August kit album. The album will be up on You Tube later today.