Weekend Creative : Mixed-Up Mini
Tags:Do you have bits and pieces left over from other projects that you don't know what to do with?
My guess is that you probably do.
This weekend the goal is to use stuff you may already have on hand: bits and pieces of minibook pages and other good stuff. It's a great opportunity to use up some of those supplies that have been waiting for a creative home.
Here's a look at all the stuff before putting it all inside the album:
When I am telling stories with minibooks I don't always use all the pages that come in the package. I use as many as I need to tell my story: sometimes there are too many pages + sometimes not enough. I began to notice a collection of mis-matched minibook pages and larger chipboard pieces piling up (and you know how I feel about my piles) and started thinking of ways I could use them.
Sometimes I use the leftover pieces on layouts such as this (featured in Life Artist):
[ chipboard tabbed pieces from Fancy Pants, white pen from Sharpie ]
But most of the time they just sit in a pile or in a basket. And that's not very creative.
Today we are celebrating mixed-up stuff and layers of pages.
The concept is simple: grab a bunch of pieces from minibooks or other scraps from your collection of stuff and bring them all together in one album. It's a super simple process of punching holes (and/or trimming off current holes + punching new ones to fit the current album) and trimming certain pages to fit within the covers.
My front and back covers are thick acrylic file folders from D Reeves Design House.
Take a peek inside:
I am thinking my album may be a book about purpose.
Remember that frame from Tuesday's Three Things post?
[ sheet of Grungeboard from Tim Holtz ]
[ circle page designed by my friend Loni + printed on a Silhouette ]
[ white grid page from Scenic Route minibook ]
[ Scenic Route chipboard people ]
File folders that were stitched together. I trimmed one page all the way down to less than an inch to create a space for the holes to be punched.
Don't forget about pieces from transparent albums [ Clear Scraps scallop album page ].
[ Fancy Pants large chipboard tab page ]
[ black tabbed piece from Scenic Route ]
[ the back of a 7gypsies chipboard album ]
[ Cosmo Cricket black scallop album ]
And you can always cut pieces of transparency or thick patterned paper to fit as well [ patterned transparency from Hambly ].
I will probably paint the chipboard pieces once I figure out a specific concept for this album. Maybe I will paint them all white? Most likely it will be something neutral...or maybe not. Maybe it is time to get a bit riskier and move away from white, cream, and brown?
What story will you tell in this mini? What is one you have been waiting for?
I am thinking this concept would make a cool foundation for a travel album/journal for documenting a trip, or it could definitely work as a start for a December Daily if you are thinking about doing one of those for the holidays this year.
Have fun and use up some of those things you already have on hand. The perfect time is now.






















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93 comments
fab idea! think I'll include this in my NSD makings.
Have a great weekend!
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I like this idea a lot. It brings us back to the original notion of scrapbooking- using what's on hand. I think it'll be fun!
Thanks again for the inspiration.
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Oh goodness, this is idea is genius! I love your concept of using up leftover scraps and such...thank you for the fabulous inspiration and have a great day! :)
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this looks cool ali.
i love when emily does this! its my most favorite thing i have learned from her.
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this is way cool and a wonderful GREEN idea!!! thanks for the "challenge" and inspiration...
i just completed a LO using bits and pieces of scraps and embellishments to dress up each beginning letter of each of my words...and it gave me such a satisfied feel, using some of these bits and pieces.
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Great Idea! I love it!
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I love this idea! And, I would totally paint the chipboard stuff red or a pretty sage green for summer/spring!
Do you mind if I ask what you do with all your little mini albums. I am always thinking that they would be fun, but I never know if I would look at them again, and I am on the clutter-fear bandwagon, in theory anyway.
I know that you have said that you have them for Simon to look at, but I wondered if you used them for anything else as well. Or, do you find that they are ever close to the clutter category?
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Thanks for the inspiration!!! I actually wrote down some ideas, in my idea book, this a morning about what I plan to work on this weekend. This has given me a better idea of how I can do my mini album!!!!
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Ali, thank you for this great example of using what you already have. I have so much extra stuff that just sits in drawers. With the prices of everything going up these days - I need to use what I already have. Seeing your ideas reminds me that I have so much that I can still do things with and that I don't need all new product for a new project. To just see... A pen tested page... Perfection... Love it !!! Thanks...¥
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i actually have a few things sitting on my desk that i want to use for a mini. since u posted this maybe i will actually get it done!
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you have all the best scraps!
I love the circle page. I would buy that!
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ALI!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR FINISHED ALBUM--BE SURE TO POST IT!!!!!!
I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!
{VICKI}
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love this...
reminds me of my gratitude journal...
finding new things to be grateful for these days!
LOVE you...
kiss kiss
m
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Could this be "Green" Album? :) Thanks for the help!!
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I'm excited to rummage through my stuff and see what I can add! Thanks for the inspiration!!
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I love this Ali. Thanks for the inspiration.
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How cool are you using up all your little pieces of junk lying about!! One day, I'll have to go through my stuff stash and do the same. Or maybe, I'll make a miniAlbum for Lukas out of all my bits - since he's always trying to steal from my stash :)) Great WeekendCreative! You're the best - as always!
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Excellent ideas, Ali! I have a basket that I vow to use before the end of the summer. Gets those brain wheels turning. Thanks!!!
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FUN. I have been "forcing" myself to use scraps and it's been REALLY fun and feels so much more eclectic... like me, I guess. It challenges me to be more creative and mix and match what I have. It's been fun to find new ways to incorporate the new with the old... have a great weekend. it's raining here all weekend. Perfect scrapping weather.
Also, saw recently that CK will be coming to Hartford, Connecticut, for the first time this fall. Will you be joining???
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A couple questions...First, how did you do that circle page on the Silhouette? I have a Silhouette and would love to know how you did it!
Also, you mention using a Sharpie white pen often. I have wasted plenty of money on white pens, only to find they don't write well (the ink breaks up a lot and isn't consistent). In your opinion, are Sharpies the best?
Thanks so much!
PAM (Michigan)
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