This is a scheduled post as we are away visiting our family's latest addition, Evie, just for a day or so. I hope the scheduling works!
I have been making brown paper bag albums for 6 or 7 years now, always at Christmas because I think it is the one time of year where family memories are important. I have been pondering for a while now what to do with my new Tim Holtz Blueprint Christmas stamps other than just making cards or tags and this is what I came up with. I hope you like it and will have a go at one yourself, they are such fun to make.
To start off you need some brown paper bags, American lunch bag ones are best as the ones in the UK are not such good quality but I have added some Kraft card to the front and back cover to make it a little more sturdy and that seems to work quite well and the album holds it shape better.
This is the folded bag. You can add as many bags as you want, for my album I only used two. At this point I punch holes (five in this case) evenly along the non opening side. This gives you an idea of where to put your layers up to and not obscure the holes which will later hold the album together.
The next step is to start and decorate your album. You can matt and layer as I have or leave the pages quite simple, it is your choice. I have chosen the Blueprint Christmas stamps and various die cuts.
These are the inside pages. I have added pockets to the left hand side as this is where I will be storing all my tags that I have made for Christmas presents for the family and where, after Christmas it is where I will store tags from presents that I receive (hopefully).
The picture below shows one of the pockets created by the top opening of the bag, This is useful for storing photos taken over Christmas - and I don't mean the ones we leave on our PC/Laptop/IPad/Phones - but real ones to remind us of the event. Using two bags creates two big pockets like this, three bags will give you three pockets and so on. In the past I have used up to five bags which makes a really thick album.
To finish off I tied two lots of ribbon and a piece of Tim's Sparkly Tinsel Twine through each hole to bind the album together. You can use a bind-it-all machine but I could not be bothered to get mine out and I quite like the ribbon!
The cover is decorated with Tim's Bigz pinecone die, the 25 is from the Mini Reindeer Movers and Shapers die and a stamped word 'Christmas'. The inside is decorated with various dies and each of the Blueprint stamps has been stamped onto white card, coloured with Distress Inks and then decoupaged onto Kraft card, stamped with the same design.
I hope it all makes sense. I had the devil's own job doing this post with so many photos and trying to juggle the words! Here is a final picture of the album standing up. It really is quite sturdy.
Thanks for taking the time to look, assuming you have got this far! If you do visit I hope you will leave me a comment, I love to read them all and they do inspire me to carry on. I always do my best to return the compliment, as long as I can find you. Crafty hugs, and will visit you when I get back. Anne x
Superb! Love those Tim Holtz stamps!
ReplyDeleteThis mini is just so nice.
Anne this is brilliant, you do such great creations, makes me wish we were going to have the family all together again over Xmas but sadly it won't happen as both daughters live interstate and will have work committments etc.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Elaine
Wowsers thia is stunning Anne.It is a wonderful way to store the Christmas Photos! There is nothing like the real thing in your hand is there. My dear friend has a first grandaughter and her name is Evie too!
ReplyDeleteWOW this is stunning I love the album what a fantastic way to store photo's. Beautifully decorated. Caroline xxx
ReplyDeleteAnne this is AMAZING!!!! Love the way you have decorated this masterpiece. It has given each one of Tim's fab images the chance to really shine and the coulours work beautifully. What a clever idea for a book. Must try this sometime. Hope you have a fantastic time visiting Evie. Hugs, Buttons x
ReplyDelete...stunning work Anne, arn't the blue print stamps gorgeous, great use of the primary colours they really lend themselves to this piece, the reindeer on the red tag is super cute with beautiful antlers...loVe this booklet Anne you've shown off the stamps to perfection...Melxx :)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea Anne, and the decoration is great, I must get back to using my Tim stuff, thank you for the inspiration. xx Flora
ReplyDeleteA fab make and I do hope you are having lots of lovely cuddles!! Trace x
ReplyDeletelove your bag book anne and great use of Tim's blueprint stamps...that toy soldier is so cute...hugs kath xxx
ReplyDeleteWOW! this is wonderful Anne. I love the design and wonderful detailing. Thank you for your instructions too.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful time with your family
Hugs Sue
Wow! Love this idea Anne, thanks for the instructions. You've done such a great job on decorating your book, love all the details.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your few days with your new grand-daughter, hope you're having lots of cuddles. xx
OMG! Anne this is the best idea I've seen in ages! Your blue print images look really cool too, they just pop with colour,I love that. I wish I had one of those for Christmas, I'm defo gonna have a go at making one of these, with an appropriate link back to here. I LOVE it. Michelle x
ReplyDeleteWow this is stunning Anne,love the idea, a great design.xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely beautiful and stunning. A very good idea, too. Those blueprint stamps are just perfectly chosen for this fab album and I love the reindeer die.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Suzanne xx
This is a Fantastic tutorial Anne and something I would love to make, The one you have made looks so beautiful and love the idea of the tied ribbons. Enjoy your time with baby Evie. Hugs Rita xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Redanne, this is so lovely! Every turn is a little discovery!
ReplyDeleteHello Anne
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous Christmas project, it's stunning and so useful. Enjoy your time with the family.
luv
irene
xxxx
Fabulous book, what a cool idea! Thank you for the tutorial. I hope you have a lovely day today xx
ReplyDeleteA fabulous idea Anne and beautifully created.
ReplyDeleteThis would be ideal as a gift any time of the year but especially at Christmastime.
Wishes
Lynne
Oh WOW Anne what a fab creation and thanks very much for the tutorial! I love it..stunning...have a lovely time with your family and little Evie Carole Z X
ReplyDeleteBeautiful creation Anne. Thank you for the instructions, they're so easy to follow. Can't wait to hear about wee Evie :0) Mo xx
ReplyDeleteHey Anne - I love paper bag cards and have made several. You have given me some wonderful ideas. Don't you just love the way they sound when you open them up!?! They seem to have a timeless quality about them. You have done a wonderful job with this jewel. Do you mind if I use some of your ideas? I love what you have done and know you are having a grand time with your family!! I do hope you post some pictures.
ReplyDeleteSandy
this is just fabulous Anne - what a great idea and so much work! Its just beautiful! Hope you have a wonderful time with Evie - I'm sure you will! Give her a hug from me! Rachel xx
ReplyDeleteHi Annie! This is a scheduled reply. Just kidding, your schedule worked fab. I can imagine you away swooning over Evie! I'm so jealous!
ReplyDeleteThis album is ingenius and your post was brilliant and concise, with perfect photos. But, OMW, what a ton of work! (Now I hope YOU aren't overdoing it!) It is stunning, don't get me wrong! I may make one for myself one day as there is no one in my family who would appreciate it for what went into it, which is a shame, but the truth.
Hearts! Darnell
Brilliant use of the stamps Anne, which I now have, pure and virginical, waiting to be usef! I have made these books in the past and had them to record special walks we used to make and very useful they are, your one is splendid! I love the soldier stamp especially, beautifully coloured.
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying lots of cuddles! x
How fabulous Anne. I love your album. Great idea xxx
ReplyDeleteAndrea did not disappoint. In fact I was reduced to tears several times, but they were happy ones if that makes sense. Loving the Christmassy feel in London.....ab fab. Hugs Annie x
Fantastic work Anne. That is a really lovely album, i've never made a paper bag album before, but i will be keeping my eyes open for some suitable bags.i hope you'll put some pictures up when it is full of christmas treasures. I really enjoyed reading your post, well done x
ReplyDeleteI am always so happy to visit Redanne to see what the newest beauty is. Was not disappointed with this one either! A lot of work was involved in this creation, and it is awesome. You did a fabulous job, and someone is going to receive quite a treasure with this. Thanks for the instructions and sharing your artistic endeavor with all of us. Happy Baby. Hugs
ReplyDeleteGorgeous paper bag album Anne...Love those stamps.. The attention to detail is Fabulous..I have a few paper bag albums.. Before my blog I used to make a lot of new baby ones... Thank you for the inspiration to revisit them..Fabulous Tutorial.. Have a super weekend... Hugs May x x x
ReplyDeleteGlorious paper bag album... and I'm so grateful you took the time and trouble with all those photos and descriptions of how it's done. I picked up some paper bags just like this at the NEC thinking I'd just decorate them individually, but I'm now feeling very inspired to follow your example... thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteDo hope all goes well with the new arrival... we're also awaiting the imminent arrival of my cousin's first!
Alison x
Well first of all Anne, congratulations on the arrival Evie! How wonderful to have a new baby in the family and I hope you enjoyed your visit to see her and that she and her Mummy are doing well.
ReplyDeleteYour paper bag album is incredible, I am totally bowled over by it actually and would really love to try one myself, it's such a sweet idea to add the photo's and bits and pieces of Christmas. I've seen paper bag albums before but I've never seen those kind of bags here so if you have a moment I would love to know where you bought yours.
I've been tempted to get the blue print stamps and I'm even more tempted now, I really love what you did with them.
Thank you so much for taking the time to put up the tutorial, you've really made sense of all the steps for me.
Hugs, Chris xxx
Oh my goodness... what a wonderful bag album. You sure have showcased the new blueprint stamps, Anne. This is a fabulous creation!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing Anne-great post so well done to you-must have taken you an age but worth it (for us that is!!). Your album looks wonderful & you have done a superb job with the blueprint stamps. They look great & now I wish I had them! Not sure I will get them now before Christmas but you really have tempted me. Enjoy your time with your family. Sx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful book and tutorial! Love the front cover with the toy soldier and all the decorated pages. Might have to have a go now!!
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS Anne!!! WOW! I love every page!!! What a fab idea, and congrats again on the new grand baby!
ReplyDeleteOh Anne it is ADORABLE I absolutely LOVE it. Always wonder what to do with the tags from Christmas. The blueprint stamps work so well with this album Super Job. When did you start blogging? Must have a look. BJ
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! Love the simplicity of the paper sack and putting your pics in there. I think this is an album type I may even try my hand at, it would be my first album though...is this a good type to start off on? I don't mean the theme, I mean the style. Hmmm. Well, your pictures and words came together pretty nicely and I followed your instructions so it seems like I could do it...guess I won't know until I try, huh? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post and how-to. :)
Brilliant idea Anne. I love the pages and of course, I awlays love Tim stamps and you've more than done them justice here. Congratulations on the new little one too.
ReplyDeleteJuliaxx
Oh Anne this is beautiful I love it , you are so talented , this looks so wonderful it should be in one of those select craft stores where people pay an arm and a leg for handmade products. You could make a fortune !! .well done ,I love the soldier image and the snowman they are fab. Hugs Elaine
ReplyDeleteOh Anne, what a wonderful idea! I've heard of using paper bags for books but yours is just gorgeous! I don't know about you but I love the feel of a crinkly paper bag! I'm definitely going to try this one! Thanks for the step-by-step and all of the photos!
ReplyDelete