mini scrapbook mixed book

Welcome to day 4 of the Papertrey Ink March release countdown! Today I have a fun/play project for you using my new Mini Scrapbook Series: Tabs set, the Mini Scrapbook page die, the Mini Tab Die, Green Boutique patterned paper, and a few other things! All of the new products that I am sharing today will be available for sale on the 15th at Papertrey Ink.

I have always had a thing for journals and books and I have been especially interested lately in the mini books that you make yourself with a bunch of things that you have in your scrapbooking stash. These books are filled with random papers, envelopes, and pockets. I have made a few of these types of mini books to record holiday things into, but this time I decided to make one to gear towards the spring. What I am showing you today is basically a mini book base, ready to fill with photos, journaling, clippings, and whatever else I might find to add as I record all things spring.

I took the Mini Scrapbook page die and got to work setting up the pages and elements for my book. Look at this particular die as a basic tool for your paper crafting and mini book making. Much like a square punch, you could just simply cut the shape out with your paper cutter, but the die makes your process quicker and easier and much more precise. Your pieces are going to be the same size every time and the page holes are going to line up every time, no matter what material you cut your page from. If you are like me, you have had frustrations with hole punch alignment for projects like these and you know what a time & frustration saver this is going to be.

Let me share a couple of fun things that I did for some of the elements for my book...

(you can click any of the pictures to see them larger)

I wanted to add an envelope into the book and I used the page die to put the holes into the envelope that line it right up with the holes for my book pages. Just line the edge of the envelope right next to the cutting edge on the die(make sure that it isn't going to cut the envelope edge) and send it through your die cutting machine.

Another page idea is to cut a die cut into the center of your page. Take your cut out page, place a die of your choice where you want it, and send it through the machine.

I really loved Betsy's idea that she shared on day 1 of the countdown where she die cut several shapes from her piece of cardstock and the used the impression plates to add texture. I had to do a page like this for my book!

I really just sent all sorts of cardstock, patterned paper, a couple envelopes, and even the clear cardstock (stamped with white acrylic paint) through my die cut machine with the page die. When I had a nice collection of pages, I put the book together.

I also added some journaling blocks, tabs, and a few clips. Here is a look at the pages in the book...  

Right now, it'a blank canvas ready to fill up and as I do I will share here. It will be great to see the pages evolve as things are added. We have had rain all this past week and the snow is melting fast. As dreary as it has been, it means spring is on it's way! Making this mini book journal definitely has me looking forward to all things spring.

There is more to see today: Nichole & Michelle are doing projects with Becky's new Wonderfully Whimsical set and the new outline alphabet set. Also make sure you stop by Dawn, Melissa, and Beth's blogs for more projects with their new sets.

There is only one day left of sneak peeks before the 15th! See you again tomorrow!

Mixed Mini Spring Scrapbook

stamps: Mini Scrapbook Series: Tabs, Background Basics: Botanical (Papertrey Ink)

ink: True Black, Hawaiian Shores, Fresh Snow (Papertrey Ink)

cardstock: kraft, Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, Green Boutique (Papertrey Ink)

other: Mini Scrapbook Page die, Mini Tab die, medium & large scallop edge dies, Beautiful Blooms dies, impression plates, kraft envelopes (Papertrey Ink), tiny attacher (Ranger), mini clips (Stampin' Up!), white acrylic paint, clip rings