On our recent visit to Scotland I had the pleasure to meet up with some crafty friends (Rita, Annie and Astrid) for a day of chat, great food and a bit of crafting. Astrid gave each of us a large manila file and showed us how to fold into a mini album shape and we set about decorating them.
I decided right away that I wanted mine to hold photographs from the visit - those of you who are expert at these folders will see that I folded mine wrong but I didn't let that deter me - you know what Tim Holtz says - embrace imperfection and so I did!!
Mine will ultimately hold photos, so I didn't want to over-embellish mine or add texture paste, the whole folder is covered simply with Distress Inks in Cracked Pistachio and Gathered Twigs and I used a few of Tim's stencils to add some interest. The words are from Tim's Big Chat stickers.
I stamped, coloured, fussy cut and mounted two of the gorgeous Cone Flowers from Tim's Flower Garden set of stamps. The flowers were coloured with Ripe Persimmon, Gathered Twigs and Mowed Lawn Distress Inks.
I took one of Tim's mini clips and embossed it with Wendy Vecchi's Red Geranium Embossing Powder and then distressed it with some Ranger Black Archival ink. The other two pieces are from Tim's Idea-ology range, I swiped the 'Authentic' piece with Ripe Persimmon Distress Paint.
I kept the inside fairly simple, with just some stenciling and a little stamping.
A bit more stamping and stenciling and a piece of Tim's Idea-ology film strip.
There are still a few days left to join in the challenge at Inspiration Journal which is 'Get Pasted' where you just need to include some Embossing Paste somewhere on your creation. As always, there is a fabulous $50 prize for one randomly selected individual to spend at Inspiration Emporium. If you use my code Redanne you will get a 10% discount off your entire purchase.
I would like to enter this into the lovely Hels Sheridan's Sunday Stampers, where this week is a Free Theme week.
Thanks for looking, hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Anne xx
Products from Inspiration Emporium
Tim Holtz Distress Inks
Tim Holtz Distress Paint
Tim Holtz Idea-ology
Tim Holtz Stencils
Tim Holtz stamps
Archival Ink
Wendy Vecchi Embossing Powder
Cor this is gorgeous Anne... love the idea of adding photo's later too... Thanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper x
ReplyDeletebeautiful work Anne - really lovely - I look forward to playing with these folders - maybe we could all use one of mine when I come to visit? Let me know what you think! Hugs rachel xx
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous Anne! The folder looks wonderful both inside and the cover ……. well the cover is just stunning! Always knew you would have a great day crafting all together. One day I might get a chance to come down and enjoy you all. Lovely to see what you created together. Jennie x
ReplyDeleteThat is so beautiful Anne. It will be fabulous with your holiday snaps in it and a great memory keeper for you {{Hugs}} xx
ReplyDeleteWould you teach me how to do this fold? What a fun idea especially when you can put some photos of special times with special friends!
ReplyDeleteSandy xx
Oh I want to learn that fold as well! What a great little manila photo album and oh so pretty. I am sure it was a wonderful time with friends and even better that they are crafty friends! I got pasted with IE! Hugs!
ReplyDeletea beautiful folder Anne and filled with memories and photos it becomes something your heart will treasure always xxx
ReplyDeleteI can't tell how you've folded it wrong - to me it looks brilliant! The cover is a picture of inky elegance and I can see how the photos will be complimented perfectly by the lower key detailing on the inside. Jenny x
ReplyDeleteThis is such a pretty mini, Anne. Really so practical to keep it simple with just stenciling and inking, love the blooms and the colors.
ReplyDeleteOooh wonderful Anne. Another new thing for me to try! Beautifully elegant stamping and stencilling. Nikki x
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning Anne, such a wonderful design and gorgeous colours. The flowers are so beautiful and I love the sentiments.
ReplyDeletehugs Sue xx
This has turned out beautifully - love the colours and the stencils & stamping look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteToni xx
Such a beautiful way to store memories, absolutely lovely work....LOVE the red geranium clip! Gorgeousness! Ruth x
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely Anne, all the details bring it together beautifully and I love the colours you've used, fabulous! Hugs Carole Z X
ReplyDeleteThis is a great project and will bring back lovely memories once the photos are added. Love the colour scheme and simplicity!! Elaine xx
ReplyDeleteAs I strolled through the Bloglovin' pictures my eyes landed on the photo of your album. I should have known it was done by someone special!
ReplyDeleteAnne, this is gorgeous as always, and I love the inside, so elegant, so you.
Thanks for sharing and hope you had a good holiday.
Hugs, Neet xx
What a great project to hold your photos. I do love that flower stamp & it looks gorgeous with colours you have used.
ReplyDeleteAmy x
What a great project to hold your photos. I do love that flower stamp & it looks gorgeous with colours you have used.
ReplyDeleteAmy x
Anne...this is such a lovely Manila folder pocket album. I love these and I don't really think there is a wrong way to fold them...just different. 😃 As long as you can get pockets that will store your treasured momentos, it's okay. I love your stenciling on the interior pages. I FINALLY broke down and bought the flower garden stamps! I just think they are fabulous and after seeing how you have used them a couple of times, I knew I had to have them. Love your work!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous little project Anne ...I'd love to know how you folded it. It's decorated beautifully inside and out .... love those flowers! Linda xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous project Anne and a wonderful storage for photos! I love how you decorated the front, the damask and lattice work make beautiful backgrounds for your lush flowers!! So wonderful! hugs :)
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely Stunning Anne. Love the colours and the stencilling, makes it so much more interesting. Like you when mine is finished I will keep the memories of your fantastic holiday in my folder. Need to make another for last year too. Love & Hugs Rita xxxx
ReplyDeleteLove what you did with your folder - the colors are so lovely and I like how you have blended them. Those flowers are something I can't get enough of.
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty Anne! Love the distressed inky background!
ReplyDeleteWell, I see nothing wrong or down-side-up about it, Annie! It's so very pretty! You know I just love any time you decorate using those magnificent cone flowers!! Hugs, Darnell xxoo
ReplyDeleteJust had to pop over for a closer look Anne. The colours are so lush together and your inky design is gorgeous. What a fab day you must have all had with great memories.
ReplyDeleteJulie x
What a fun folder to hold photos of your trip to Scotland Anne! love the red clip and word band - the cone flowers are beautiful and the lovely stampings inside will set off your photos so nicely! What a great project to work on with friends! Julia xx
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning Anne, really love how this turned out!!! And wow, those flowers on the front look fantastic!! The colour is stunning and you have stamped the stems to perfection. The inside looks gorgeous too and is just the perfect place to keep those photos!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! The inside and out are just wonderful, and the flowers stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW Anne this is awesome! I love all those blended colours and stamping! What a lucky crafter to hang and create! What a treat to see this! I've already pinned.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful Anne......the colours and stamping/stencilling really make this so special. Must do something with my folder...which I folded wrongly too !!! Sadly it is still sitting as I left it that Monday....must get myself better organised.
ReplyDeleteHuge hugs
Annie xx
Really Beautiful! Anne n I love how you have kept the embellies to a minimum n the folder free of texture paste as it really makes the stamping n stencilling take the main stage n provide a perfect backdrop for your photos . A wonderful memory keeper of your time spent with friends n your holiday.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne,
ReplyDeleteI love your file album! All the embellishing you have done is PERFECT!
If you have a minute , I just uploaded a painting that I did on Bark Paper on my blog. Please stop by and leave a comment if you can. :)
Hugs,
It's lovely - as your work always is. What a thoughtful gift from your friend to help remember the wonderful times you had together. Love the colors you've used the cover & inside, and those gorgeous flowers too! A very special way to keep your memories fresh & close at hand. So glad you had a chance to spend time with such talented ladies. Bet you had such fun. TFS & Hugs
ReplyDeleteI really LOVE this, I am your newest follower via e-mail! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is SO beautiful, Anne. Love love LOVE it. So glad you had crafting time with such a lovely group of women. Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful folder Anne and you really make those flower stamps come to life!! xx
ReplyDeleteThis is fabulous Anne! I haven't got those stamps yet but when we get back …I might just have to have them! I have spent a lovely time looking back at what you have been up to! Hush Chrisx
ReplyDeletegorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAnne, that is beautiful! Your gorgeous flowers just leap off the page and your stenciling and stamping will be the perfect accompaniment to your photos of the trip. A lovely memento of your trip to Scotland!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely, Anne - there's such a glow to the inky colours, and the delicate stamping and stencilling leaves plenty of space for the photos to shine when they are added - what a wonderful record it will be of your trip. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAlison xx
It's absolutely gorgeous Anne and looks very welcoming and warm. Your photos will be right at home. Delighted you all had such a lovely time together. Nicola x
ReplyDeleteHi Anne
ReplyDeleteThis isn't me returning to commenting, only that I wanted this evening to start to pay a visit to all the lovely friends who continued to be loyal to my blog (and to me) during my absence. Slowly I will make my way around everyone.
This is such a fresh and beautiful creation and something a little bit different. The colour combinations are fabulous and I echo the words of Alison, they seem to glow. I have no idea how you managed to achieve that. A beautiful place for photographs.
Wishes
Lynne x
Great folder Anne, lovely blended colours too. So pleased you enjoyed your day.
ReplyDeleteHappy crafting, Angela x
Wow so much missed whilst I was away but this is a beautiful folder Anne. What fun you must have had with the girls when making this. Good idea with the photos I must make another and save the inside for photos as well.
ReplyDeleteWarm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.
Those brilliant sentiments look so perfect on your gorgeous creation - stunning colours! So sorry I haven't stopped by for a while.
ReplyDeleteRebecca.
x
Such a beautiful folder, Anne. The colors and patterns you created are amazing! Love your fabulous work :)
ReplyDeleteFantastic idea to hold treasured memories. Love the beautiful colours you have used.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a great trip and time with friends
Patricia x
Completely Lovely, Anne! Embrace Imperfection, indeed--but I see nothing imperfect with this fabulous altered file folder!! And of course, you're using my favorite cone flower :) :) This will be a great memento keeper of your travels :) :) XOXO-Shari
ReplyDeleteI would love to wallpaper my house with all your artwork! I love it when you use these flowers and the textures are so beautiful. Your book looks great, I love the vintage aged look.
ReplyDeleteHugs Kelly
This is so beautiful and I love your blog
ReplyDeleteI started to follow you. I want to invite you to come and take a look at my blog and maybe you would like to follow me too
My blog is corryscardandcreations
Hugs Corry