Fond Memories for A Vintage Journey

The latest challenge at A Vintage Journey  has been chosen by the lovely Terry and is 'Fond Memories'.  In Terry's own words - "Fond Memories, we all have them, whether they are of a special person, a pet, a period in time or a wonderful event. Let that "Fond Memory" be your guide and the focus of your creation, of course being inspired by Tim Holtz."  

Our wonderful sponsor is Country View Crafts who are offering a £10 voucher to one winner chosen by the Creative Guides (DT).

Choosing fond memories is not an easy task when you have lots of them but I decided to create a mini album in memory of my lovely Dad and his side of our family, who remained in Aberdeen, Scotland when my Dad emigrated to Canada shortly after the war.  There is only one photo in my album at the moment, I thought it might be more interesting to see the album rather than photos of my family!  My Dad did not do 'fancy' so I have kept the album fairly masculine looking. Click on the photos for a better view.

I have used Tim Holtz's Crowded Attic papers throughout the album, which measures 6" x 4" and is approx 2.1/2" thick.  The base and pages of the album are made from grey board, painted with Black Soot Distress Paint.  I kept the front and back free from larger embellishments as it will eventually go onto my bookcase.  I also used one of Tim's new framework dies to add some interest.  I thought it fitting to have the map of Canada on the front cover, from the Crowded Attic paper pad.  The word memories is made up from Tim's Idea-ology label letters and a small frame from my stash.

The first page has a photo of my lovely Grandparents and my cousin and her hubby. I created a couple of slim pockets for the first pages and again used pieces from the frameworks die to embellish.  Dad was a Sargent in the British Army and I thought the frameworks looked a little like the Sargent stripes.

On the left hand side I created a very wide pocket  using an accordion fold which allows the pocket to expand to approx 1" thick to hold lots of photos. I created a closure with some black twill and one of Tim's Idea-ology belt buckles which I sewed into place. The right side has a single pocket to keep negatives etc.

On the left side the flap opens and there are more pockets underneath to put some journaling.  I created a little mini book with the papers that were left over and I stamped all the pages with stamps from the Mini Blueprints 6 set.

Again, on the left hand side this opens out and there are three inner pockets to house several pictures or ephemera.  The fastener is a Tim Holtz Cash Key Idea-ology piece.  The right side is plain for some notes or journaling.  The stamp is again from Mini Blueprints 6 and the Calgary post mark is an embellishment from Wendy Vecchi's embellishment range.

This is the last page of the album, the '48' signifies the year my parents went to Canada.  The 4 and 8 are Prima buttons which I stitched on and used one of Tim's heart charms and some thread to form a closure.  Behind the 48 (the year Dad and Mum emigrated) are more hidden pockets to store pictures.

This is the back of the album, again embellished simply with a framework die and Crowded Attic papers.

And finally, a photo of my lovely Dad, with his beloved fishing ground, Loon Lake in the background, near where my parents lived in Haliburton, in the northern part of Ontario in Canada.   This is one of the many photos that will go into my little album.  I have had the most wonderful (and pretty emotional) trip down memory lane creating this mini album!

So what fond memories do you have?  We all hope that you will take that trip down memory lane and come and join us at A Vintage Journey with one of your 'Fond Memories'.  Do please remember to read the rules for joining in.

Thanks for looking and hope to see you again soon!  Hugs, Anne xx