My first mini album!

Hi all,

I am very excited about this project I'm about to share with you, as I've been wanting to do something like this ever since the G45 Steampunk Spells range was first released. But I needed to get my hands on it first! lol.
Anyway, I'll get right to it then... It's not finished, as such, but it's as finished as I can make it until after Halloween, when I will add photos and extra embellies (that would cover part of the photos and are therefore awkward to add now, lol).

First of all, the front cover. All the chipboard pages were painted black before starting, which seemed the thing to do with it being a Halloween themed book. I chose a pretty paper to work with as a base (how lush are the colours of this range... I mean, really!), and then fussy-cut and decoupaged elements from some of the other papers  to add some dimension. Add a border and a sentiment sticker, and some punched flowers with a metal steampunk charm and voilà! I'm actually very pleased with the cover. It's hard to tell, but the spellbook I mounted on thick card and then stuck on with foam tape, so that also pops off the page.

Next it's the first two pages, which turned out to be oranges. The black mats are where the photos will go once I've taken them! lol.

I love this little pocket and it was perfect for adding a tag (with a charm, of course! And a little room for writing on.). I also added the "double, double" image and painted it over with crackle paint.

I love this next page, even if it's fairly simple. This backing paper is one of my absolute favourites in the range. I threw in some punched flowers and some black pearls (ohhhh, managed to get a "Pirates..." reference in there. Go me!) and a Spellbinders corner flourish.

Now on to the blues...

I adore these postage stamps, which I fussy-cut from one of the papers and the raven "tag" is also so cute. And useful too, as I'll be able to add a word or two about the picture on it...

Lots more space for writing on this next one.

Next the "neutrals".

this is probably my least favourite page... But I was very pleased with the "lift the flap" idea for the photos...

And isn't this next paper just delicious? It's one of the ones that screams "Harry Potter" to me. The pocket can be written on, and a photo will be added on a tag to slide into the pocket.

And the back. I was going to just leave it as just the paper, but my daughter came down to see, and she insisted the sticker had to be added, so there it is.

And hey presto! One steampunk spells Halloween mini photo album ready for photos!
I plan to add a few other bits and bobs, such as a clasp of some description for holding the album shut and I intend to paint the rings black too, and hang a load of ribbon and charms off them. But all that will happen after Halloween.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, and ideas on how to improve on it for next time (because there will be a next time. Oh yes, I have the mini-album bug!).
And can I just state for the record that I am officially in love with G45? The papers and other items are of such high quality and, of course, gorgeous!


Recipe:

Everything used is from the Steampunk Spells range by Graphic 45, except for:
Chipboard album
Black paint - Citadel
Black ink - Versamark
Flower punches and unbranded circle dies
Charms - The ribbon girl
Crackle paint - Ranger
Black pearls and black card.

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:


Crafts 4 Eternity recipe challenge - R147 Halloween
Left of Center - Halloween or creepy
Punkyougirl - Halloween
Crafty Ribbons - anything but a card
Paper crafting journey - anything goes
The Crafter's cafe - Spookable
Scrapper's delight - Halloween
Die cuttin' divas - halloween (circle dies)
Eclectic Ellapu - Halloween


Have a most fantabulous weekend!

Sammy-x