I'm a farmhouse kind of gal and if ever given the chance at some point in the future, I'd move to a small town and cozy up in a quaint, well-worn house with picturesque details that are only commonly attributed to vintage homes. I once sought out a yellow/white victorian home some ten years ago, but ultimately, the decision was made to stay within the cities because of distance issues. Maybe someday I'll re-root myself when the timing is more appropriate...for now, we're staying put!
Crate's Farmhouse collection brought back a host of happy memories related to my desire to someday live in the outskirts of the countryside, so of course, it's one of my all time fave Crate collections right now! As such, I took to producing a mini album from it and above is the final outcome!
In introducing the album, I quickly want to reiterate a couple of basic techniques that helped shape it since it's basis is that of both cardstock and pattern paper.
To get started, the cardstock colors are Kraft, Vanilla and Dark Chocolate Brown. Supplimenting the cardstock is Farmhouse's "Sunday Dinner" & "Countryside" pattern papers.
One of easiest ways to begin a mini album is to develop on ongoing theme or a repeated design so as to give yourself a place onto which to attach photos and embellishments. This often translates into creating an album's base from a limited number of supplies. To do this, select a couple of sheets of pattern paper and a few reliable, neutral cardstock colors.
These cookie cutter dies come in handy all the time!! They're the source and means used to produce the kraft frames for my album. If you're without them, the next best option is to use two different sized square punches to go about creating your own frames; within a half inch of each other.
The album pages consists of five layers of paper:
The first three are as shown above - follow them up with "Countryside" and a Kraft cardstock frame.
Because of serious space limitations due to the size of the album (around 5" x 3"), I opted to go with a tiny sized photo - 1.5" x 1.5" framed in Vanilla cardstock. Once again, to save on time, all the photos are of the same size and printed on a single 8.5" x 11" sheet of photo paper. Photoshop is helpful here...
The album and photos are now ready to go and you should be able to move forward with the album. Hold off on adding the Kraft frames until you know specifically the design of each page. Upon attaching them, you've the option of either pop dots or wet adhesive - leave it up to you!
Here's a look at how my album turned out..from front to back!
Lil' banners can be self-made. This vintage, shell button houses a Farmhouse "phrase" sticker that sits on top a handtrimmed section of distressed cardstock. Both are sanded with a file before being distressed with Ranger Distress Ink.
Some of my kraft frames were attached prior to the addition of embellishments. One such embellishment here is a dainty, olive green oval frame from Farmhouse's chipboard collection. Behind it, I tucked a photo and pre-trimmed pattern paper. Use the oval frame as a tracing template on top your photo and paper so they're of the correct size and shape to fit behind it.
Ok, so this scale won my heart over the minute I spotted it on the chipboard sheet!! For those of you currently working on a food themed project, Farmhouse provides a fresh, playful assortment of "kitchen" items to choose from, including ripened cherries, freshly baked pies, toppled cups and welcoming phrases to suit just about any cooking scenario.
With the scale, I accented it's center with punched circles and a button & brad. I then trimmed the bottom portion from the chipboard pie and filled it with hand-trimmed cherries!
Sometimes them small letters aren't quite big enough to fit a desired space. To increase their size, plant them on pre-trimmed sheets of paper or other forms that'll make them appear larger than they really are.
"Produce" is a pattern paper you just need to have on hand because it's frontside is decorated with an infinite number of produce labels that are as cute as can be!! Cut them up and tuck them away so that they're especially easy to work with later on!
And there you have it, an over-filled Farmhouse Mini Album to get you ready for the Fall! Also, a final photo to send you away with - thank-you for keeping us company today!
WOW!!! what a gorgeous mini!!!
Posted by: Kim | August 18, 2011 at 04:47 AM
Love this mini!
Posted by: Michelle | August 18, 2011 at 05:04 AM
Lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Paola | August 18, 2011 at 05:25 AM
Wowwwwwwwww! This is GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):):):)
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | August 18, 2011 at 05:56 AM
Simply gorgeous! One of your best minis and the perfect showcase for this lovely new line! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: MichelleGB | August 18, 2011 at 05:59 AM
What an amazing mini!!! Thanks for all of the great tips - I love this!
Posted by: Heather I. | August 18, 2011 at 07:05 AM
Great mini!!:)
~Vanessa W
Posted by: Vanessa W | August 18, 2011 at 07:20 AM
Beautiful Christine... as always!
Posted by: marcy | August 18, 2011 at 07:35 AM
I LOVE the project!! What a cute mini!! Your pictures are sweet too!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
Posted by: Larissa Heskett | August 18, 2011 at 07:37 AM
Soooo beautiful!
Posted by: Mariaje | August 18, 2011 at 07:42 AM
This is gorgeous! So many great details! Love it!
Posted by: janet d | August 18, 2011 at 08:02 AM
this is all the way cute and i love it. i live in one of those well-worn houses and as soon as i saw the farmhouse sneaks, i knew the line was for me. can't wait for it to be in stock.
Posted by: kelly | August 18, 2011 at 09:13 AM
I love your new line! Is this where we register to win some CP products from the Big Picture Classes "Big Idea Festival"?
If so, please add my name to have a chance to win!!
Darlene
Posted by: Account Deleted | August 18, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Sooo gorgeous! The details are exquisite.
Posted by: NancyD | August 18, 2011 at 12:40 PM
This is fantastic!
Posted by: Aud R. | August 18, 2011 at 12:54 PM
this mini-album is gorgeous; thank you for sharing it!! (the paper line is gorgeous, a well-- lol!!)
Posted by: Jennifer | August 18, 2011 at 02:29 PM
This is so beautiful!
Posted by: Geralyn | August 18, 2011 at 06:55 PM
Oh Chris... this is just fabulous!! I love all of the layers and little bits and pieces. Thank you for all the tips. I have never attempted a mini before. What a fun collection. It is on my list.. is A's getting it in for Scrapfest? LOVE the pics of your sweet boy!! Really love the little sandaled feet photo. So cute! I have some of my sweet boy too!
Posted by: Michelle | August 18, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Just Beautiful! I love the collection and how you combined all the elements. Thank you for sharing. I'm pulling out my supplies and I'm going to make this. Still looking for Farmhouse line.
Posted by: Annette Navarro | August 18, 2011 at 08:29 PM
I am a HUGE fan of this line.....and this mini album is beautiful!!! Love all of it!!!
Posted by: Theresa Grdina | August 19, 2011 at 04:24 AM