Thursday, April 3, 2014

Mini Album...Eileen Hull: Art with Heart Challenge

Hello - hope your day is off to a wonderful start.  We've venturing off in pursuit of...cinnamon buns today! Sticky, sweet, decadent,  bakery shoppe cinnamon buns. I. am. stoked.

Several days ago, I found out that Michelle over at Pinch Your Chic, was invited to be a designer for Eileen Hull. Such a well-deserved and wonderful opportunity for her, because she is one creative, inspiring talented crafter! Part of her exciting post was also a link to a challenge over at Eileen's site, called Art with Heart,


where we're invited to share 3D creations we've made.  Now, I'm not sure if the challenge is still open, as I believe the winners have already been selected, but since the Linky doors aren't close quite yet, I thought I'd share "just because."

As you know, if you've been following my blog, I absolutely and completely love x love x love my sister-in-law. She is, in a word, awesome!  One of the many fabulous things about her, is that in her *BMMB* (before meeting my brother) days, she attended the Royal Ballet School, in London, England. Yes: WOW! We've not had the opportunity to see her perform in any 'professional' shows (she is quite the dancer in general - and continues to pursue dance through her work responsibilities, more in terms of 'exercise' type dancing), but oh my, the photos we've seen show her as a most elegant, exquisite ballerina.  Finesse, flair, style...gorgeous! And her mega-watt smile in her poses convey beautifully her love for this art form.  My niece, I know, will likely follow in her mom's ballet shoes at some point; or so I've been told, from Ms. Niece herself: "Aunty C, when I'm 'pive' (holding up five fingers), I'm going to do ballet dancing" and she flounces off with a flourish of spins and sort-of pirouettes, to punctuate her proclamation.  I can already picture her in a tutu...

Anyway, a while back, I made a mini album for my sister-in-law, using the oh-so-lovely Nutcracker Suite photos from Graphic 45.  I did have 'visions of sugar plums' dancing in my head, because I had zero clue about what I was doing.  Oh, the concept was figured out - a series of little cards to hold photos, using my MCT mini card die - but a cover?  Binding the 'pages' together?  Yeeshhh...Let's just say that I managed to figure it all out (umm...lots of internet research!), with a final result that worked out 'reasonably' well, for a first mini album.  I do have aspirations to make more, sized to hold bigger photos than little minis, however, those are in 'thinking' stages.

My photos aren't great, but they'll give you a concept of what I made for the best sister-in-law EVER!!


 The cover - using fancy stitched labels and my roses dies from MCT


The album's 'insides': a total of 12 little 'pages.'  I figured she could select a 'feature photo' for each month of the year....

Close up of one of the 'pages/cards' with labels on the outside to write details (and an upside down ballerina...sighhh...but the paper sure is pretty, isn't it?)


And the album closed, ready to deliver...Let's not talk about the binding production. 
Yeesh...knowing what I know now, things would have been different, and much neater!!

I'm not sure why I didn't post this before - most likely because I was caught up with the Christmas tag-making extrvaganza - but I'm happy to do so now.  It's not about the album; it's about my sister-in-law.  
She truly is just soooooo marvelous....By the way, she loved it when I gave to her a couple visits ago, which sure made me mega-watt smile!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

13 comments:

Geri said...

Wow! This album is amazing!!! Okay, did you do all this with your 'mobile crafting unit' ?

The front cover is stunning! The flowers, and labels look great - love the 'Old English' front of the sentiment. And the DP....totally swoon worhty. SIL will be weak in the knees when she sees this beautiful project!

Brenda said...

This little mini album is adorable! I love the MCT products used on the front cover and I love your pages inside the mini. Mini's are so fun and there are lots of tutorials for them on You Tube, so give it a go again sometime! I think you did a fabulous job on this one and I bet your sister-in-law will adore it! Hugs

Anita in France said...

Wow, Carol, you've created a truly amazing mini album for your obviously amazing SIL ... I'm certain she'll love it and treasure it always! Anita :)

Greta said...

I'm so impressed you made an album! I wouldn't know how to start! Such a sweet SIL you are--I know she's thrilled to have such a wonderful project from you that's hers to keep instead of to give away like all the tags & cards!

Irish Cherokee said...

This was a first attempt? I would never guess that. Outstanding. Absolutely Awesome.

Marisa said...

How wonderful that your SIL is such a wonderful friend :) Love when that happens! Quite the accomplished dancer too! My hubby's partner and his wife used to dance with the Winnipeg Ballet many moons ago. Great job on the album! Have never made one myself adn this one looks great :)

Kay Miller said...

Oh my wow!! That is stunning Carol! I don't know why you didn't post this before either! I would have wanted to show the world! haha! It looks like it must have taken a long time and a lot of research, but your efforts were sure worth it. What a lucky sister in law you have! :)

Joni Andaya said...

WOW!!! Oh my what a WONDERFUL project Carol!! You did a FABULOUS job on the album!!! So love this :)

Monika Reeck said...

WOOOOWWWWW dear Carol.....first I want to say FUNTASTIC Project really you did a best project I love the flower are adorable and great colors too..Reall GREAT ALBUM I will scream to get this as my birthday present hihi..My Bday is soon at 10 April my dear Carol...have a great day and I love your project..hugs

Life and Knits said...

OMG!!! Carol this is FABULOUS!!! I love the detail. The pages are so pretty! What a nice album!!

Susie

Dana said...

I am sure your sister-in-law will love the album!! It is truly stunning!! I love love making mini albums for my friends and family! (they tend to be baby albums and there haven't been any new baby's in a while!!)

Shannon J said...

Holey moley, my chin is on the floor!!! THIS.IS.GORGEOUS Carol!! What a most special, meaningful, sure to be cherished forever gift for your SIL!!! As much as you LOVE her times a trillion, I know she feels the same about you! She hit the jackpot getting YOU as a sister-in-law!!

Katie Ann Brooks said...

Cool album! This is super-duper wonderful!