Simple Stories Blog Hop!!

So, Memory Works is having a blog hop!  If you would like to start at the beginning, please go to the Memory Works blog here.  **hint, hint**  there are some cool prizes!

Now on to the Project!!                           **Warning:  TONS of pics :o)

So to start off here are the supplies I used:

MW Products Used:

 Tim Holtz Distress Ink -Vintage Photo Tim Holtz Sanding Grip
 Simple Stories Kit
 Simple Stories Coordinating Cardstock
 We R Memory Keepers Sheet Protectors
 Mini Glue Dots
 American Crafts Black Slick Writers

Non-MW Products Used:
 Mini Book Pattern from Paperthreads
 Twine for binding the mini book -from my stash
 Green Ribbon -from my stash

 Embossing Folders

 Sizzix Big Shot

 

So I decided I was going to create a quick layout of my son's first birthday.  Then, reading through my daily blogs, I found the PERFECT mini album to compliment the page from the Paperthreads Forum.  PLUS, with the Simple Stories Kit, the sheet protectors are divided!  The mini album would fit PERFECTLY into one of the sleeves.  Love it!!  Here is the end product: 

For the three 4x6 slots on the left, I simply cut them from the Simple Stories Patterned Paper and Coordinating Cardstock.  The bottom piece to line the "Just the Details" and the right piece to line the Patterned Paper to give a more finished look.  Don't you just LOVE these colors!!  They are so bright and cheery but also versatile as they can be used for boy or girl pages.  I placed another 4x6 paper for the background of the mini album.

Now for the Mini Album, I cut out the pages using my nifty Cricut and Make The Cut software - -so quick and time saving! Orange just seemed like a good color for a little boy and the title from the Simple Stories Stickers was PERFECT for my little boy! (if you have been following my blog, this is the same little boy who stripped my Christmas Tree this year and thought it was hilarious!  *sigh*)  Anywho, I ran several of the pages through my Big Shot with an embossing folder and sponged and sanded the ebossed image to add texture to the pages.  I used some Twine I had laying around to bind the book to keep it "macho".  I just love how cute this turned out!

The rest of the pages I am posting little journaling tidbits and pictures from his 1st year leading up to his birthday.  Even though he has TONS of pictures, I thought this would be a cool refresher for him to look through when he is older.  Plus it is another fantastic way to use this wonderful kit!  Now before I get to the rest of the album, I am going to show you just how frugal I have become!  The front of the packaging for the Simple Stories Kit highlights the pages in the kit in miniature.  It even shows the months in miniature! 

So to help embellish my pages I actually cut out the little "pages" and used them!  This page is the same thickness as the 12x12 patterned papers so it looks like it fits in perfectly! How cool is that!  It looks great on my pages!

 So onto the remaining pages.  They are all in order.  Enjoy!

 

Wheew!!   Told you there were a lot of pictures! 



Now all I have to do is print and add on the photos and he is done!!  I'm only a year and a half late :o)  Hope you enjoyed and don't forget to take a look at Rhonda's design next!

Now on to the rest of the hop!

Memory Works

Christina

Lacey

Jennifer

Sue F

Melissa  < --you are here!

Rhonda  < --  go here next :o)

Luisa

Liz

Wendy

Danielle