Protect your memories with a personalized mini album deflecto

Joy embroidered letters are perfect for adding a personal touch to just about anything.  I created a mini album using plastic pouches, memory papers, binder rings and ribbon!  The embroidered monogram letters added a touch of class to my album.  The letters are available at Michael's stores and on the Joy website!

I liked the papers best in a landscape configuration for my mini album.

However; portrait looks good too!  It is up to you.  Your photos and journaling will determine how you want to proceed.

Materials:

JOY embroidered letters:  1-1/2" monogram   Website:  http://joysa.com/

pad of coordinated memory cardstock

deflecto plastic pouches:  6" x 7"    Website:  http://www.deflecto.com/craft/

offray ribbon:  pink and cream sheer; 1-1/2" wide

metal binder rings

adhesives

scissors

paper trimmer

photos, ephemera, pens, etc.

Photos of materials

Instructions:

1.  Cut the papers to fit the plastic pouches.  Decorate each side of the paper with journaling, ephemera and photos to your satisfaction.

2.  Insert the finished page into a pouch and repeat for each one.

3.  Prepare the pages for binding by punching a hole in the same place on each side of the middle hole.

When pouches are all finished; line up the punched holes for binding and insert a binder ring in each one.

4.  Cut ribbon in 3" lengths and tie one pink ribbon around the binder ring. Repeat with the cream sheer ribbon.  Rotate colors of ribbon and fill each ring with ribbons.

5.  Adhere the monogrammed letters to the front of the album using an all-purpose glue.  Use a toothpick to apply adhesive to the wrong side of each letter and be careful not to get any glue on the plastic pouch!

There are a plethora of paper patterns and matching embellishments.  Have fun choosing patterns and colors to really make your mini album personal!

Make sure to take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and,

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I am compensated with free product

in exchange for sharing my creativity on

my blog.

Romantic Country Bottle Decor with etchallR

Have you ever tried to paint on glass?  It can be a little tricky getting the paint to stay without being scratched off.  The glass is slick and doesn't hold the paint!  Well, there is a product that will solve that problem for you.  It is etchallR dip 'n etch liquid!  Stay tuned here and I will show you how it is done!

I purchased a hobnail clear glass bottle at the craft store.  It didn't come with a cork; so I re-cycled one from a bottle of wine and it worked perfectly.

To complete this project, you will need the following:

etchall:  dip 'n etch liquid; etchall creme; etchmask, etchall squeegee

Click here to check out the website! http://etchall.com/

clear hobnail bottle

cork from wine bottle

chalk paints:  vintage white; light teal

ribbon:

flowers:

charm:  white rose on silver filigree 3/4"

pearlstring:  one yard

cabochon:  one 1" round faux pearl

rhinestones:  clear *optional

scissors

paintbrush:  1"flat

water container

paper towels, paper plates

low melt glue gun

die cut machine

doily die 

black Sharpie marker

Instructions:

1.  To etch the bottle:  Cut the top off of a liter soda bottle.  After washing the hobnail bottle; fill it with water and set it in the liter bottle.  Fill the plastic bottle with water up to the top of the glass bottle.  Use and permanent marker and make a line on the bottle at the water line.  Remove the bottle and dump the water from the plastic container.  Fill up to the marker line with the dip 'n etch liquid.  Put the bottle into the container.  The dip 'n etch liquid should come up to the top of the bottle.  Set the timer for 15 minutes to let the etchall do it's job.

2.  When the timer goes off; remove the bottle, dump out the water and wash in soapy water.

Pour the etchall dip n' etch liquid back into it's container.  It is good to go for another day!

After a few uses, the dip 'n etch will change from clear to a darker color.  It is still good to go!!

3.  For the mirror:  Die-cut the doily from the etchmask.  Remove the release paper and adhere to the center of the mirror coaster.  Use the etchall squeegee to remove any air bubbles and to make sure it is solidly adhered to the mirror.

4.  Follow the instructions given on the etchall etching creme and apply liberally to the mirror using the squeegee.  Set the timer for 15 minutes.  When the time is up; use the squeegee to replace the etching creme in it's container and it is good to go for another project.  The creme stays good even when it turns a dark color.  You can use it over and over.

The photo below shows how the glass pieces will look after etching.  Now comes the fun part!  The bottle now has "tooth" to adhere the chalk paint when you apply it.  No chipping, slipping or scratches!

5.  Paint the bottle light teal. Apply 2 coats if needed.  Allow to dry.  Apply some vintage white paint to a dry brush and lightly rake it over the sides to give it a slightly distressed look.  Allow to dry.

6.  Cork:  Cut an inch off of the wine cork.  Discard.  Place the cork in the bottle and pencil in a line on the cork at the lip of the bottle.  Adhere pearlstring to the cork by wrapping around the sides to cover the visible part of the cork.  Adhere the cabochon to the top of the cork.

7.  Embellish the neck of the bottle with the ribbons, charm, pearlstring and flowers as shown.  

You may want to personalize it with items of your choosing for a different aesthetic that matches your taste.

8.  Place the bottle on the coaster for a pretty, reflective, decorative finish!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed this project.  My daughter has a wedding coming up and I thought this bottle would make a nice bridesmaids gift.  I would put a personal note inside the bottle to make it personal for each bridesmaid.  Of course there are other things that it could be used for too!

Make sure to take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

*I accept a small stipend for this post from etchall for my original design.