Getting Back in the Swing of Things

My long absence came after a severe back injury. I was sewing up a storm after the holidays, and needed something in a tote, but when I lifted to put the tote back I forgot to bend my knees. Four days later my lower back went into spasms and those lasted about 24 hours. After sessions of acupuncture and weeks of physical therapy I was able to walk without a cane. Pulling out my crafting supplies I had put away for the holidays was not an option. So finally I am getting back to it.

This album is done with the new collection "Junke Gypsy" from Marion Smith Designs. I love the eclectic designs and the colors of this paper line. I found it very inspirational. I really needed to find some mojo to get me going again.

The size of this book is 8 1/2 by 8 1/2. I used some vinyl material over the binding. Securing it down with Fabri-tac. Then I went through my stash to find elements I felt were eclectic as the papers.

 I added flip outs and pockets for all the beautiful cut outs that this paper line had. Got to love the hot air balloons. The die cut is a Spellbinders die. The Banner on the left page is Tim Holtz on the edge banner die where I added a border to embellish it.

 I added these flips so I could include the envelope that was a cut out from the paper line. In order to see the beautiful design I felt it was better to make the envelope a flip, instead of putting it in a pocket.

 A vertical pocket and a waterfall of flips also was created to accommodate all the cut outs from this paper line. I tried to include as many as I could. There were many!

 The page on the right is actually an accordion fold out that I secured with a ribbon and bow.

 The book ends with a double pocket, and a rosette.

Even the back cover got a little something elegant.

I hope you like this book as much as I liked making it. This will be a class in Woodstock, and Mundelien this August. You can always e-mail me for more information.

I have a set of cards from this paper line I will post another day. Then I will post my Halloween things I am currently working on.
Till Then
Thanks for looking!
Kim